Sharp’s Elite Pro-60X5FD ($5,999 list) is aptly named; in terms of cost and performance, this 60-inch LED backlit HDTV is in a category by itself.  Its tinge accuracy, design detail, and black levels are superb, it offers a engorgement of design settings, and a 3D imagery is as good as it gets, though a Elite is not though a flaws. Our tests showed that a panel’s off-angle observation is not utterly adult to par, and as is typically a case, 2D to 3D acclimatisation peculiarity can’t hold a genuine thing. Last (but positively not least), you’ll need really low pockets to means a Elite’s $6K cost tag. That said, if income is no intent and we wish a top-shelf HDTV with a overwhelming picture, demeanour no serve than a Elite Pro-60X5FD. It’s a latest Editors’ choice for high-end HDTVs

The new Elite line of HDTVs is a hybrid of sorts; it builds on a distracted success of a now-defunct Pioneer Elite Kuro line, featuring Sharp’s new IVC (Intelligent Variable Contrast) technology, and incorporating RGB-Y (yellow pixel) technology, done renouned with a Sharp Aquos Quattron line. We reviewed a 60-inch indication though Sharp also offers a 70-inch indication (Elite Pro-70X5FD) that carries a list cost of $8,499.

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Design and Features
A smart-looking set, a Elite Pro-60X5FD’s glossy row is framed by 1.25-inch black brushed aluminum bezels, and distinct other Sharp HDTVs, such as a Aquos LC-60LE640U, a front of a set is abandoned of Sharp logos. Only a bullion ‘Elite’ badge adorns a reduce center bezel. Below a bottom bezel is a one-inch frame that contains a energy LED, a 3D emitter, a remote sensor, and an OPC (Optical Picture Control) sensor. The 66-pound, 3-inch thick cupboard sits atop a vast rectilinear piano black bottom that provides copiousness of support though lacks a pivot mechanism.

All of a ports are located on a behind panel. Five HDMI inputs, an audio output, and a USB pier are plumb mounted and face a left side for easy access, even if a TV is hung on a wall. Surface mounted ports embody dual sets of combination A/V inputs, one set of member A/V inputs, RS-232 and VGA ports, and a PC audio input.  The plane ports are positioned underneath a corner and are some-more formidable to reach; they embody a coaxial TV receiver jack, an audio input, an Ethernet port, a delegate USB port, and an visual digital audio output. Power, Input Select, Menu, Channel, and Volume buttons are positioned along a reduce corner of a left bezel.

Two 15-watt speakers and a 15-watt subwoofer yield shrill audio outlay with a good drum punch. The Elite offers a far-reaching preference of audio settings; in further to treble, bass, and change settings, we can capacitate a 3D Surround option, supplement some-more low-end with a Bass Enhancer, and raise dialog with a Clear Voice option.

The 9.25-inch backlit remote shares a same brushed black finish as a TV’s bezels and contains 59 buttons and a four-way rocker and Enter key. Chances are this is a usually remote you’ll need as it offers a full set of actor controls (hidden behind a flip adult panel) and has buttons to switch between a TV, a set-top box, a DVD/BD player, and an audio receiver.  In further to a customary channel, volume, and series pad keys there’s a dedicated Netflix button, an App symbol that opens a Web services menu, a 3D symbol that toggles between 2D and 3D, 3 Favorite App buttons, and a symbol that takes we into a Power Saving menu.

Based on Sharp’s latest Gen-Ten UV2A panel, a Elite Pro-60X5FD facilities Intelligent Variable Contrast technology, that works in tandem with a full-array LED backlighting, internal dimming, and RGB-Y tinge technology. The finish outcome is deep, dim blacks, shining whites, and intensely accurate colors with some critical pop. The row is THX and ISF (imaging scholarship foundation) approved and is packed with design settings for home users and veteran calibrators alike. 

You get twelve AV modes to select from depending on room liughtness and a form of calm you’ll be viewing. Choices embody dual high contrariety Dynamic modes, PC and Game modes, a customizable User mode, Standard, and Movie mode. There’s also a THX Movie mode, that optimizes a design to heed to THX observation standards, an Optimum mode that uses a ambient light sensor to automatically adjust design settings, and an Elite Pure mode that offers extended black levels. Finally, there are dual ISF settings (day and night) that yield modernized design controls for ISF-certified calibration technicians and an x.v. International Color mode that supports far-reaching progression colors.

In further to a simple brightness, contrast, backlight, tint, and sharpness settings we can go in and tweak a far-reaching preference of modernized settings. The C.M.S. (Color Management System) adjustments embody Hue, Saturation, and Value levels to assistance grasp ideal tinge tone, and there are 5 tinge heat settings to select from. Each of these settings can be excellent tuned regulating a white change RGB benefit setting. There are also 5 gamma settings and dual black turn settings.

Other modernized settings embody FluidMotion, that uses backlight-scanning record to grasp a 240Hz smoothing effect, Film Mode for smoothing out 24 fps content, Active Contrast, that adjusts design contrariety depending on a calm on a screen, and digital sound reduction.

The Elite Pro-60X5FD offers connected Ethernet and 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi connectivity along with a good catalog of Web apps. A apartment of Vudu apps includes movies, Facebook, Pandora, Flickr, Twitter, and Picasa Web Albums. It also brings some-more than 20 news channels, over a dozen humanities and party channels, and assorted sports, music, and scholarship channels. Movie services embody Youtube, CinemaNow, Blockbuster, and Netflix, and we get Skype and Napster apps.