- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Design
- Picture Quality
- Motion
- Inputs
- Sound Quality
- Smart Features
- Conclusion
- Discussions
Reviewed on Jun 01, 2015
By Cedric Demers
Sharp LE653U
TV REVIEW
This tv has been discontinued.
The Sharp LE653U LED TV is a good basic TV with a great contrast ratio and good black screen uniformity. The main downsides are the loss of color saturation at an angle and the poor gray uniformity.
Test Results
| Design | 7.5 |
| Picture Quality | 6.6 |
| Motion | 6.5 |
| Inputs | 6.9 |
| Sound Quality | 6.2 |
| Smart Features | 6.0 |
- Great contrast ratio.
- Limited viewing angle, with poor colors off-axis.
- Poor gray uniformity.
Check Price
Design
Score components:
Subjectively assigned
Score distribution:
Picture Quality
Score components:
- 11% Contrast
- 6% Local Dimming
- 6% SDR Peak Brightness
- 6% HDR Peak Brightness
- 6% Gray Uniformity
- 7% Viewing Angle
- 4% Black Uniformity
- 2% Gradient
- 4% Pre Calibration
- 1% Post Calibration
- 6% 480p Input
- 9% 720p Input
- 11% 1080p Input
- 6% 4k Input
- 4% Color Gamut
- 4% Color Volume
- 1% Image Retention
- 5% Reflections
- <1% 3D
Score distribution:
8.8
Contrast
What it is:
Brightness difference between white and black. This is the main component of picture quality.
When it matters:
Always, but especially when watching dark scenes.
Score components:
- 100% Native Contrast
Score distribution:
Native Contrast
:
5239 : 1
What it is:
Ratio of the white brightness divided by the blacks measured on our checkerboard test pattern with a white target of 100 cd/m².
When it matters:
Dark scenes in a dark room.
Good value:
> 3,000
Noticeable difference:
500
Score distribution:
The contrast ratio is really great. The blacks will look nice and deep in a dark room.
0
Local Dimming
What it is:
The lights behind the LCD layer adapt to the picture displayed, improving the contrast ratio.
When it matters:
Dark scenes viewed in a dark room.
Score components:
Subjectively assigned
Score distribution:
Local Dimming
:
No
What it is:
Whether it has a feature that controls the LEDs behind the LCD layer, to match the picture and darkens the dark portion of it.
When it matters:
On LED TVs only. Dark scenes viewed in a dark room.
Backlight
:
Direct
What it is:
Configuration of the lights of the backlight.
When it matters:
Effectiveness of the local dimming.
Good value:
Full-array/direct lighting is better for local dimming. As for the uniformity of the screen, it depends on the implementation. Some edge-lit TVs have more uniform blacks than some full-array TVs.
5.7
SDR Peak Brightness
What it is:
How bright the screen can get. Measured with local dimming and with SDR content.
When it matters:
Bright living rooms; bright objects; SDR content.
Score components:
Score distribution:
SDR Peak 2% Window
:
233 cd/m2
What it is:
The maximum luminosity, even if only maintained for a short time, of a white square covering 2% of the screen, with the TV set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over SDR signal.
When it matters:
Bright highlights, present on screen for a short time; especially for SDR content.
Good value:
> 400 cd/m2
Noticeable difference:
100 cd/m2
Score distribution:
SDR Peak 50% Window
:
233 cd/m2
What it is:
The maximum luminosity, even if only maintained for a short time, of a white square covering 50% of the screen, with the TV set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over SDR signal.
When it matters:
Bright rooms.
Good value:
> 400 cd/m2
Noticeable difference:
100 cd/m2
Score distribution:
6.3
Gray Uniformity
What it is:
Evenness of colors onscreen (not just gray).
When it matters:
Solid colors. Sports, panning shots.
Score components:
- 40% 50% Std. Dev.
- 40% 50% DSE
- 10% 5% Std. Dev.
- 10% 5% DSE
Score distribution:
50% Std. Dev.
:
4.382 %
What it is:
Average squared difference of pixels when displaying a mid 50% gray.
When it matters:
Solid colors. Sports, panning shots.
Good value:
< 2.5%
Noticeable difference:
1%
Score distribution:
50% DSE
:
0.228 %
What it is:
High-frequency variance of uniformity. Dark spots on the screen.
When it matters:
Solid colors. Sports, panning shots.
Good value:
< 0.165%
Noticeable difference:
0.025%
Score distribution:
The gray uniformity is always a bit more problematic with direct lit LED TVs like the Sharp LE653. The LEDs behind the screen create a grid, which produces the dirty screen effect.
4.2
Viewing Angle
What it is:
Color accuracy when viewed from the side.
When it matters:
Large living rooms with multiple viewing positions.
Score components:
- 20% Color Shift
- 40% Brightness
- 40% Black Level
Score distribution:
LCD Type
:
VA
What it is:
Type of LCD technology used by the TV.
When it matters:
Different technologies have different viewing angle properties.
Good value:
IPS maintains good color accuracy at an angle, but has a poor contrast ratio from in front. VA has great picture quality in front, but loses saturation at an angle.
Color Shift
:
20 °
What it is:
Angle where the colors noticeable shift compared to when viewed from directly in front of the TV. 0 ° means directly facing the TV. Measurements are up to a maximum of 75 °.
When it matters:
Large living rooms with multiple viewing positions.
Good value:
> 50°
Noticeable difference:
10°
Score distribution:
Brightness
:
30 °
What it is:
Angle where the brightness drops to 50% of the brightness directly in front of the TV. 0 ° means directly facing the TV. Measurements are up to a maximum of 75 °.
When it matters:
Large living rooms with multiple viewing positions.
Good value:
> 50°
Noticeable difference:
10°
Score distribution:
Black Level
:
15 °
What it is:
Angle where the black level drops to 50% of the black level directly in front of the TV. 0 ° means directly facing the TV. Measurements are up to a maximum of 75 °.
When it matters:
Large living rooms with multiple viewing positions.
Good value:
> 50°
Noticeable difference:
10°
Score distribution:
The colors shift rapidly as soon as you move out of axis. You shouldn't buy this TV if you have multiple seating positions.
Update 01/06/2017: We have changed the methodology of testing. Since this is an old TV which we don't have anymore, we extrapolated the results from 2016 TVs.
9.7
Black Uniformity
What it is:
Evenness of blacks.
When it matters:
Dark scenes viewed in a dark room.
Score components:
- 100% Native Std. Dev.
Score distribution:
Native Std. Dev.
:
0.591 %
What it is:
Average of the squared difference of the blacks.
When it matters:
Dark scenes viewed in a dark room.
Good value:
< 2%
Noticeable difference:
1%, but keep in mind that it varies a lot by unit, even of the same model; yours likely will not end up exactly like ours.
Score distribution:
The black uniformity is great. It doesn't have any real issues.
8.5
Pre Calibration
What it is:
TV's color accuracy before a full calibration. Only the picture mode and backlight level were changed.
When it matters:
All video on an uncalibrated TV. This represents most people's use cases.
Score components:
- 50% White Balance dE
- 50% Color dE
Score distribution:
White Balance dE
:
3.08
What it is:
Average inaccuracy of shades of gray.
When it matters:
Overall color temperature of all video.
Good value:
< 3
Noticeable difference:
1
Score distribution:
Color dE
:
2.2246
What it is:
Average inaccuracy of colors.
When it matters:
All colors.
Good value:
< 3
Noticeable difference:
1
Score distribution:
Gamma
:
2.33
What it is:
Brightness of shades of gray.
When it matters:
Shadows.
Good value:
Between 2.1 and 2.3 (our target is 2.2)
Noticeable difference:
0.1
9.5
Post Calibration
What it is:
TV's color accuracy after a full calibration with a spectrophotometer.
When it matters:
All video on a TV that has been professionally calibrated. This isn't that useful, because most TVs can achieve a pretty good calibration if you spend enough time on them.
Score components:
- 50% White Balance dE
- 50% Color dE
Score distribution:
White Balance dE
:
0.67
What it is:
Average inaccuracy of shades of gray.
When it matters:
Overall color temperature of all videos.
Good value:
< 3
Noticeable difference:
1
Score distribution:
Color dE
:
1.2917
What it is:
Average inaccuracy of colors.
When it matters:
All colors.
Good value:
< 3
Noticeable difference:
1
Score distribution:
Gamma
:
2.24
What it is:
Brightness of shades of gray.
When it matters:
Shadows.
Good value:
Between 2.1 and 2.3 (our target is 2.2)
Noticeable difference:
0.1
0
4k Input
What it is:
Quality of a 4k UHD input.
When it matters:
Streaming video, UHD Blu-rays, some PCs.
Score components:
Subjectively assigned
Score distribution:
6.9
Color Gamut
What it is:
How many colors the TV can display.
When it matters:
HDR content. Includes some streaming videos and UHD Blu-rays.
Score components:
- 25% DCI P3 xy
- 25% DCI P3 uv
- 25% Rec 2020 xy
- 25% Rec 2020 uv
Score distribution:
Wide Color Gamut
:
No
What it is:
Whether the TV has an option to enable wide color gamuts.
When it matters:
HDR content. Includes some streaming videos and UHD Blu-rays.
DCI P3 xy
:
77.05 %
What it is:
Coverage of the DCI P3 colorspace on CIE 1931 xy.
When it matters:
DCI P3 content. Includes HDR, UHD Blu-rays.
Good value:
> 90%
Noticeable difference:
5%
Score distribution:
DCI P3 uv
:
81.25 %
What it is:
Coverage of the DCI P3 colorspace on CIE 1976 u' v'.
When it matters:
DCI P3 content. Includes HDR, UHD Blu-rays.
Good value:
> 90%
Noticeable difference:
5%
Score distribution:
Rec 2020 xy
:
55.52 %
What it is:
Coverage of the Rec.2020 colorspace on CIE 1931 xy.
When it matters:
Rec.2020 content. Includes HDR, UHD Blu-rays.
Good value:
> 90%
Noticeable difference:
5%
Score distribution:
Rec 2020 uv
:
60.31 %
What it is:
Coverage of the Rec.2020 colorspace on CIE 1976 u' v'.
When it matters:
Rec.2020 content. Includes HDR, UHD Blu-rays.
Good value:
> 90%
Noticeable difference:
5%
Score distribution:
8.0
Reflections
What it is:
How much light is reflected by the TV.
When it matters:
Bright rooms.
Score components:
Subjectively assigned
Score distribution:
Reflection
:
1.8 %
What it is:
Ratio of ambient light reflected by the TV.
When it matters:
Ambient light in the room.
Good value:
< 1%
Noticeable difference:
0.5%
Screen Finish
:
Semi-gloss
What it is:
Type of coating on the screen.
When it matters:
Bright objects in the direct reflection path (for example, opposite the TV).
Good value:
Glossy is good for ambient light, but not for direct reflections.
Its semi-gloss finish doesn't reflect a lot of light, which is good if you have a few lights on.
It doesn't get very bright, with a maximum luminosity of 233 cd/m2. It should be good enough for one or two windows, but not ideal for more than that.
0
3D
What it is:
Optional 3D video capability on TV.
When it matters:
3D movies and videos.
Score components:
Subjectively assigned
Score distribution:
Motion
Score components:
- 72% Motion Blur
- 7% Image Flicker
- 14% 24p Playback
- 7% Motion Interpolation
Score distribution:
7.1
Motion Blur
What it is:
Amount of blur on fast movement.
When it matters:
Sports, video games.
Score components:
- 80% Response Time
- 20% Overshoot
Score distribution:
Response Time
:
21.9 ms
What it is:
How quickly pixels can change color.
When it matters:
Fast movement.
Good value:
< 20ms
Noticeable difference:
10ms
Score distribution:
Overshoot
:
0 ms
What it is:
When TV’s pixels adjust too far; how quickly they come back.
When it matters:
Fast movement.
Good value:
< 10ms
Noticeable difference:
10ms
Score distribution:
The amount of motion blur is pretty poor on this Sharp LE653. It is a 60Hz TV without motion interpolation.
6.0
Image Flicker
What it is:
Luminosity pattern when displaying images
When it matters:
Sports, video games, when TV is used as a PC monitor
Score components:
- 40% PWM Dimming Frequency
- 40% BFI Frequency
- 20% BFI In Game Mode
Score distribution:
7.1
24p Playback
What it is:
Whether 24p content can play without any judder.
When it matters:
Only 24p content (mostly just movies).
Score components:
Score distribution:
Judder-free 24p
:
Yes
What it is:
Judder-free movies over 24p signal.
When it matters:
Blu-ray and DVD movies; 24 hz PC signal.
Judder-free 24p via 60p
:
No
What it is:
Judder-free movies over 60p signal.
When it matters:
Movies from streaming devices (Apple TV, Fire TV, etc.); 60 hz PC signal.
Judder-free 24p via 60i
:
No
What it is:
Judder-free movies over 60i signal.
When it matters:
Movies from cable/satellite boxes.
0
Motion Interpolation
What it is:
Also known as 'Soap Opera Effect'. It is an optional feature that increases the frame rate of the video, smoothing movement.
When it matters:
If you like the look of smoothed video. Not everyone does.
Score components:
Score distribution:
Motion Interpolation (30 fps)
:
No
What it is:
Whether the TV can take a 30 fps input and heighten the frame rate to at least 60 fps.
When it matters:
30 fps or lower videos. Includes movies, TV shows, some video games.
Motion Interpolation (60 fps)
:
No
What it is:
Whether the TV can take a 60 fps input and heighten the frame rate to at least 100 fps.
When it matters:
60 fps videos. Includes some video games, some sports channels.
Inputs
Score components:
- 86% Input Lag
- 14% Supported Resolutions
Score distribution:
8.1
Input Lag
What it is:
Delay between input and onscreen reaction.
When it matters:
Video games; when TV is used as PC monitor.
Score components:
Score distribution:
1080p @ 60Hz
:
34.7 ms
What it is:
Lowest input lag possible on TV with a 1080p @ 60Hz input.
When it matters:
Video games and also when TV is used as PC monitor.
Good value:
< 40ms
Noticeable difference:
15ms
Score distribution:
1080p With Interpolation
:
N/A
What it is:
Lowest input lag when the motion interpolation feature is turned on.
When it matters:
When you want to play video games with the Soap Opera Effect enabled.
Good value:
< 40ms
Noticeable difference:
15ms
Score distribution:
1080p @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode
:
34.7 ms
What it is:
Input lag in picture modes other than the specific game mode.
When it matters:
For playing video games while retaining access to all features of the TV.
Good value:
< 40ms
Noticeable difference:
15ms
Score distribution:
1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
:
N/A
What it is:
Lowest input lag possible on TV when displaying 1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
When it matters:
PC monitor.
Good value:
< 40ms
Noticeable difference:
15 ms
Score distribution:
4k @ 60Hz
:
N/A
What it is:
Lowest input lag possible on TV when displaying 4k @ 60Hz.
When it matters:
Video games and also when TV is used as PC monitor.
Good value:
< 40ms
Noticeable difference:
15 ms
Score distribution:
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
:
N/A
What it is:
Lowest input lag possible on TV when displaying 4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4.
When it matters:
PC Monitor
Good value:
< 40ms
Noticeable difference:
15 ms
Score distribution:
4k @ 60Hz + HDR
:
N/A
What it is:
Lowest input lag possible on TV when displaying 4k @ 60Hz with HDR.
When it matters:
HDR Video games.
Good value:
< 40ms
Noticeable difference:
15 ms
Score distribution:
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4 + 8 bit HDR
:
N/A
What it is:
Lowest input lag possible on TV when displaying 4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4 with HDR enabled at 8 bit
When it matters:
PC Monitor with an HDR capable graphic card
Good value:
< 40ms
Noticeable difference:
15 ms
Score distribution:
The input lag varied a lot on the Sharp LE653U LED TV, from 30 ms to 40 ms. It was more often than not in the mid-30 range, hence our 34.7 ms measurement. Overall, it is a good gaming TV.
0
Supported Resolutions
What it is:
Different resolutions supported by TV.
When it matters:
PC monitor usage.
Score components:
- 20% 1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
- 20% 1080p @ 120Hz
- 20% 4k @ 30Hz @ 4:4:4
- 20% 4k @ 60Hz
- 20% 4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
Score distribution:
1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
:
No
What it is:
Crisp text on 1060p @ 60 hz signal.
When it matters:
PC productivity and 60 fps gaming.
4k @ 30Hz @ 4:4:4
:
No
What it is:
Crisp text on 4k @ 30 hz signal.
When it matters:
PC productivity and gaming.
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
:
No
What it is:
Crisp text on 4k @ 60 hz signal.
When it matters:
Productivity and 60 fps gaming in 4k.
HDR10
:
No
What it is:
Standard HDR format.
When it matters:
Most common format. All UHD Blu-ray discs are required to have it.
Dolby Vision
:
No
What it is:
Better format, due to its dynamic nature.
When it matters:
Currently, only available via streaming.
5.1 Passthrough ARC Dolby Digital
:
Yes
What it is:
TV can receive and pass Dolby Digital 5.1 signal to receiver via HDMI ARC.
When it matters:
5.1 audio on DVDs and Blu-rays.
5.1 Passthrough ARC DTS
:
Yes
What it is:
TV can receive and pass DTS 5.1 signal to receiver via HDMI ARC.
When it matters:
5.1 audio on DVDs and Blu-rays.
5.1 Passthrough Optical Dolby Digital
:
Yes
What it is:
TV can receive and pass Dolby Digital signal to receiver via digital optical.
When it matters:
5.1 audio on DVDs and Blu-rays.
5.1 Passthrough Optical DTS
:
Yes
What it is:
TV can receive and pass DTS signal to receiver via digital optical.
When it matters:
5.1 audio on DVDs and Blu-rays.
Sound Quality
Score components:
Score distribution:
Note: Sound Quality test for TVs reviewed before 2017 was performed at 75dB, 85dB, and Max SPL. Starting 2017, the target SPL levels have been changed to 70dB, 80dB, and Max dB SPL.
6.7
Frequency Response
What it is:
Sound level at different frequencies.
When it matters:
For balanced sound.
Score components:
- 8% Std. Dev. @ 70
- 15% Std. Dev. @ 80
- 22% Std. Dev. @ Max
- 18% Max
- 37% Low-end Cutoff
Score distribution:
Std. Dev. @ 70
:
4.98 dB SPL
What it is:
Variance of the sound level at different frequencies.
When it matters:
70 dB.
Good value:
< 4 dB
Noticeable difference:
2 dB
Score distribution:
Std. Dev. @ 80
:
5.01 dB SPL
What it is:
Variance of the sound level at different frequencies.
When it matters:
80 dB.
Good value:
< 4 dB
Noticeable difference:
2 dB
Score distribution:
Std. Dev. @ Max
:
6.13 dB SPL
What it is:
Variance of the sound level at different frequencies.
When it matters:
Max volume.
Good value:
< 4 dB
Noticeable difference:
2 dB
Score distribution:
Max
:
92.2 dB SPL
What it is:
Max volume on the TV at a distance of 1 meter.
When it matters:
For listening to loud audio.
Good value:
> 90 dB
Noticeable difference:
2 dB
Score distribution:
Low-end Cutoff
:
106 Hz
What it is:
How low of a frequency at which the bass starts.
When it matters:
Movies; gaming.
Good value:
< 50Hz
Noticeable difference:
10Hz
Score distribution:
This TV does get relatively loud, but the frequency response suffers as the volume increases. There will be noticeable pumping at higher volumes. The bass extension is rather poor.
5.1
Total Harmonic Distortion
What it is:
Pureness of a single frequency.
Score components:
- 20% Distortion @ 70
- 40% Distortion @ 80
- 40% Distortion @ Max
Score distribution:
Distortion @ 70
:
0.030
What it is:
Amount of distortion.
When it matters:
70 dB.
Good value:
< 0.100
Noticeable difference:
0.100
Score distribution:
Distortion @ 80
:
0.136
What it is:
Amount of distortion.
When it matters:
80 dB.
Good value:
< 0.100
Noticeable difference:
0.100
Score distribution:
Distortion @ Max
:
0.294
What it is:
Amount of distortion.
When it matters:
85 dB.
Good value:
< 0.100
Noticeable difference:
0.100
Score distribution:
This TV sounds clean at very low volumes, but there will be a significant increase in distortion at moderate volumes and higher. Especially in the Mid-Bass range.
Smart Features
Score components:
Subjectively assigned
Score distribution:
The basic remote gets the job done, and it is better than the one included with the pricier Sharp UB30U.
Conclusion
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
The Sharp LE635U is a good budget TV. It is pretty basic, both in terms of design and functionality. The picture quality is quite good, especially in terms of the contrast ratio, but the viewing angle is quite narrow, and it has noticeable dirty screen effect due to its direct-lit backlight.
