Sharp GR8

GR8765E / GR8465E / GR8265E

Available screen sizes: 43”50”55”65”

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Panel technology: LCD VA | Brand: SHARP | Resolution: 3840x2160 | Operating system: Google TV | Model year: 2024

Our verdict

6.4

Overall rating

Sharp GR8 is a television created primarily for those who expect an exceptionally smooth image. It is essentially the successor to the FQ8 model, and it's clear that the manufacturer has heavily focused on the aspect of motion dynamics. 144 Hz makes a difference – and not just in games. Sports broadcasts can also look fantastic, without those annoying blurring or "choppiness" that can take the joy out of watching. In terms of image quality, Sharp opted for a VA panel. While it doesn't feature local dimming, you can still count on pleasant contrast. Additionally, there's Dolby Vision, which gives evening movie screenings depth – even if the TV doesn't reach the brightness claimed by the manufacturer. It must be said that when the lights in the room are dimmed, the overall look is really pleasing to the eye. One of the biggest advantages of the GR8 is Google TV. We have access to a full range of applications, voice search in Polish, and a simple, intuitive interface. This means we don't have to limit ourselves to the standard TV functions, as there is always the option to install additional programs and tailor the system to our own needs. Of course, a few things could have been polished. The declared HDR brightness is higher on paper than in reality, which may leave the most discerning cinema enthusiasts feeling unsatisfied. Moreover, a few useful features known from other models are missing: there’s no USB recording or PiP functionality, and Apple device owners will be disappointed by the lack of AirPlay. Nevertheless, this is a television mainly aimed at those who value smooth visuals and high refresh rates. If we primarily care about dynamic gameplay and good support for games, while wanting to quietly enjoy a film in the evenings with pleasing quality, the Sharp GR8 should meet those expectations.

Advantages

VA matrix with decent contrast
144 Hz refresh rate and two HDMI 2.1 ports – a great option for gamers
Support for VRR and ALLM, low input lag
Dolby Vision support
Google TV with a rich selection of apps, voice search in Polish, and an intuitive interface
Decent sound

Disadvantages

HDR brightness is lower than claimed by the manufacturer (around 360 nits instead of 500)
In PC mode, it does not support 4:4:4 chroma – text and fonts are therefore less readable
No USB recording and PiP function
No support for AirPlay – Apple device owners may feel disappointed

Movies and series in UHD quality

6.2
Classic TV, YouTube

6.1
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

6.4
Gaming on console

7.8
TV as a computer monitor

4.0
Watching in bright light

4.5
Utility functions

6.5
Apps

10.0
Sound quality

7.0

TV appearance

HDMI inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps) Other inputs: RCA (Chinch) Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps

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Contrast and black detail

Viewing mode Game mode

5.9/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Local dimming function: No

Review Sharp GR8 Contrast and black detail

Contrast between the black background and the bright spotlight illuminating Jack. Scene from the movie Oblivion (Universal Pictures).

Result

5,300:1

Contrast between the glare on the chameleon's skin and the black near the edge of the screen below. Scene from the Spears&Munsil test disc.

Result

5,800:1

Contrast between the reflection on the helmet and the black on the black film strip. Scene from the movie Arrival (Paramount Pictures).

Result

6,600:1

Contrast between the actress's face and the black film strip at the top edge of the TV. Scene from the movie Gravity (Warner Bros. Pictures).

Result

5,650:1

Contrast between the colorful balloon and the black slice between the falling objects. Scene from the Pioneer Kuro test disc (2008).

Result

4,700:1

Visibility of details in the lights:

Sharp GR8 uses a VA panel, which can provide quite decent contrast. In tested movie scenes, for example in “Arrival,” the television showed that it can achieve really good results. A contrast ratio of 6600:1 is a figure that can be considered solid in this price segment. However, it should be noted that the television is not equipped with local dimming technology. This is quite obvious, considering the class of the equipment. Despite this, Sharp GR8 performs well with the separation of bright and dark elements, which definitely deserves recognition. However, it's important to remember that televisions without local dimming have their limitations. In very dark conditions, such as during a viewing in a completely dark room, black may take on shades of navy instead of appearing deep and pitch black. Overall, Sharp GR8 offers quite solid contrast that should satisfy most users.

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

HDR effect quality

Viewing mode Game mode

4.8/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Supported formats: HDR10, Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 95.2%, Bt.2020: 74.5%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

The measured point is the setting sun against a bright sky. Scene from the movie Life of Pi (20th Century Fox).

Result

305 nit

The measured point is the moon against a dark, starry sky. Scene from the movie Life of Pi (20th Century Fox).

Result

332 nit

The measured point is the flashlight on the rifle, which shines directly at the camera. Scene from the movie Gemini Man (Paramount Pictures).

Result

369 nit

The measured point is the tail light of a helicopter flying at night. This is a very small light point, the essence of the HDR effect. Scene from the movie Sicario 2: Soldado (Lionsgate).

Result

365 nit

The measured point is the sun visible directly between the clouds. The scene is very bright and should blind the viewer as in nature. Scene from the movie The Meg (Warner Bros. Pictures).

Result

367 nit

Sharp GR8 in its promotional materials boasts of "very high brightness" at a level of 500 nits. Unfortunately, our tests showed that reality is somewhat different – the average luminance we were able to achieve was around 360 nits. This is rather an average result, especially in the context of the manufacturer's claims. Such brightness does not allow for a full enjoyment of HDR effects. The image is a bit sharper than in standard SDR, but it's hard to talk about true vibrancy and depth of bright elements here. However, the coverage of the DCI-P3 colour palette at 95% deserves praise. This is the result of applying an additional PFS coating, known from QLED technology. As a result, colours are vibrant and have a pleasant, natural tone, which partially compensates for the shortcomings in brightness.

Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)

Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)

We decided to see how the Sharp GR8 handles demanding movie scenes that often highlight the imperfections of televisions. Unfortunately, the results were mediocre. A scene from the film Pan quickly exposed the weaknesses of this model. Very bright elements, such as the sun in the distance, merged into a uniform blot, and the overall image felt overly bright and lacking depth and “juiciness.” The TV performed somewhat better in a scene from the film Billy Lynn. The skin tones of the main character were represented quite decently, but the issue with separating intense light effects reared its head again. The fireworks, which should dazzle with details, also blended into a uniform, bright area. Dynamic tone mapping could improve this situation, but unfortunately, this feature simply isn’t found in the Sharp GR8. As a result, the TV leaves a significant sense of dissatisfaction in more demanding HDR scenes.

HDR luminance chart:

Sharp GR8 is equipped with a fairly solid set of supported HDR formats. Here we find both standard HDR10 and Dolby Vision – one of the most popular dynamic metadata formats, widely used on streaming platforms. The differences between these formats are clearly noticeable. In scenes using Dolby Vision, such as the shot with the horses, the image gains depth and detail. You can see details like blades of grass, trees in the distance, or the subtle play of light filtering through the leaves. All of this makes the scene look more realistic and engaging. Unfortunately, standard HDR10 does not perform as well. The image appears flat, details in bright and dark areas often merge, and the final effect is simply less impressive. It is worth noting that the presence of Dolby Vision is a significant advantage of this model, especially for those using streaming services. With dynamic metadata, the Sharp GR8 can show its better side, offering a much more refined HDR effect.

Static HDR10

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

Smoothness of tonal transitions

8/10

When it comes to the fluidity of tonal transitions in high-quality materials such as 4K, Sharp GR8 performs really well. Colour gradients are smooth, and transitions between shades are natural and free from visible artifacts. The television has no issues reproducing subtle differences in colours, even in demanding scenes. Only the most discerning users, who closely examine the image, may notice slight imperfections in the darkest shades. For most viewers, the quality of tonal transitions in the Sharp GR8 will be more than satisfactory and will not negatively affect the perception of the image.

Review Sharp GR8 Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

5.5/10

Smooth transition function

Image without overscan on the SD signal

Sharp GR8 is equipped with a feature called "10-bit colour reproduction," which theoretically should improve the smoothness of tonal transitions. In practice… well, the effect is surprising, but not in a very positive way. Even at the highest settings, it’s hard to notice any impact on the actual tonal transitions. Instead, the feature surprisingly smooths out things it shouldn’t - walls, shirts, or other flat surfaces look almost as if they have been ironed. In the test, we had to note that there is simply no actual impact on tonal transitions.

When it comes to image scaling, Sharp GR8 performs significantly better. The television can give the image a plastic, smooth characteristic, making even lower resolution content look quite good. Of course, with more demanding details, such as thin branches of trees in the background, you can see slight jaggedness, but it’s not something that would significantly affect the viewing comfort.

Blur and motion smoothness

7.4/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 144Hz

Film motion smoothing option: Yes

Blur reduction option: Yes

BFI function 60Hz: No

BFI function 120Hz: No

This is where Sharp GR8 has the opportunity to stand out against the competition in its price segment. The television is equipped with a 144 Hz refresh rate panel, which is an impressive result, especially if we plan to use it for dynamic content such as action films, sports broadcasts, or video games. Additionally, the manufacturer has included a motion smoothing feature, commonly known as a 'smoother'. The user has three levels of adjustment available, allowing them to tailor the effect to their personal preferences – from subtle smoothing to a more aggressive intervention in the fluidity of the image. It's a nice addition, particularly for those who mainly watch films and care about smooth, cinematic sequences without annoying judders or stuttering.

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

In terms of smearing, Sharp GR8 performs quite decently. During our standard test with the “UFO” animation, the television showed itself in a good light – the delays are minimal, and the overall effect is smooth and clear. Of course, on the darkest backgrounds, minor issues with the clarity of our “little alien” can be noticed, but this is a detail that is hard to consider significant in everyday use.

Console compatibility and gaming features

7.8/10

ALLM: Yes
VRR: Yes
VRR range: 48 - 144Hz
Dolby Vision Game Mode: Yes
Correct implementation of HGIG: No
1080p@120Hz: Yes
1440p@120Hz: Yes
4K@120Hz: Yes
Game bar: No

If the television has a 144 Hz panel and two full HDMI 2.1 ports, it’s clear it was designed with gamers in mind. The Sharp GR8 offers exactly that – high refresh rates and the right connections to get the most out of modern consoles and PCs. It also features ALLM, which automatically switches the TV to low latency mode, and VRR, ensuring the picture doesn’t stutter even in more demanding moments. In practice, everything works as it should, and it's difficult to find fault. However, it’s not without its shortcomings. There’s a lack of support for HGiG, which better adjusts HDR for games, as well as Game Bar, which makes it easier to quickly adjust settings without leaving the game. Despite these drawbacks, the Sharp GR8 is a really solid option for gamers.

Input lag

9.7/10

Sharp GR8 performs really well in terms of delays. With a refresh rate of 120 Hz, the input lag is only 9 ms, and at 60 Hz – about 18 ms. These values are practically imperceptible even for the most demanding gamers, where every millisecond counts. Importantly, the Dolby Vision mode also works responsively, which is not a standard in TVs within this price range. This is definitely a big plus for those who want to enjoy not only smoothness but also better HDR effects while gaming.

SDR	HDR	Dolby Vision
1080p60: 18 ms	2160p60: 16 ms	2160p60 DV: 17 ms
1080p120: 9 ms		2160p120 DV: 9 ms
2160p60: 18 ms

Compatibility with PC

4/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): No

Font clarity: Good

Readability of dark text and shapes: Average

Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 18ms

Matrix subpixel arrangement: BGR

Max refresh rate: 144Hz

G-Sync: Yes

Sharp GR8 performs quite well as a screen for PC gaming. With a refresh rate of 144 Hz, low input lag, and support for G-Sync and FreeSync technologies, it's a set that guarantees smooth and responsive gameplay. Games look dynamic, and the image remains stable even in the most demanding moments. However, a problem arises when it's time to work with text. The television does not support chroma 4:4:4, which means fonts are blurred and difficult to read. Longer work with documents or browsing websites can become simply tiring on the eyes.

Sharp GR8 is a great choice for PC gamers, but rather poor for office work. If we plan to use this television mainly for gaming, we should be satisfied. However, if we think of it as a monitor for everyday work, it's better to look for another solution.

Viewing angles

3.2/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 75%

When it comes to viewing angles, Sharp GR8 doesn't surprise – and it's hard to blame it, considering the use of a VA panel. When watching from a more significant angle, the image loses quality, colours become washed out, and contrast noticeably drops. Additional coatings that widen viewing angles could improve this aspect, but that's a solution we typically find in more expensive LCD TV models. If we plan to watch television mainly straight on, there won't be much of a problem. However, in the case of a larger number of viewers sitting at different angles, it's worth being aware of this limitation.

TV efficiency during daytime

4.5/10

Matrix coating: Satin

Reflection suppression: Average

Black levels during daytime: Good

Sharp GR8 has a satin finish display that performs average with reflections. Bright surrounding elements, such as windows or lamps, quite clearly reflect on the screen and can be distracting while viewing. The brightness level of 330 cd/m² in SDR content is also unimpressive. As a result, the television is best suited for rooms where not too much natural light comes in. So, it can be said that the GR8 holds up during the day, but it is certainly not equipment made for brightly lit living rooms. If we mainly watch in the evenings or in controlled lighting, it won’t be a major issue.

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

Sharp GR8: 329 cd/m2

Details about the matrix

Software version during testing: v1.19 SHARP-FV1

Image processor: mt5889 3gb ram

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity:

Backlight Type: PFS LED

TV features

6.5/10

System operacyjny: Google TV
TV reception: DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
Recording to USB (terrestrial TV): No
Recording programming: No
Picture in Picture (PiP): No
Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast): Yes
AirPlay: No
Voice search in native language: Yes
Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse: Yes
Possibility to connect Bluetooth headphones to the TV: Yes
Possibility to simultaneously use Bluetooth headphones and the TV speaker: No
Audio only mode: Yes
RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen): RF
Backlit remote control: No
Teletext: Yes

Google TV is definitely the biggest advantage of Sharpa GR8. This system is a true multimedia powerhouse – it includes practically all popular streaming apps, such as Netflix, HBO Max, and Disney+. Voice search works in Polish and, importantly, is really responsive. We can tell the TV what we want to watch, and it quickly finds the right content. Plus, the interface is clear and intuitive, so even people who aren't keen on technological innovations can manage without any problem. In short, Google TV gets the job done.

Unfortunately, when it comes to more classic functions, the GR8 is rather average. There are no options for USB recording or PiP (picture in picture) functionality. Moreover, although the TV supports Bluetooth connectivity, iPhone users may feel disappointed as there is no support for AirPlay.

The remote included is simple but well thought out. It has a solar panel on the front, allowing it to be charged by light, and the additional charging port means we don’t have to worry about changing batteries. Also, it’s a plus that the remote doesn’t require aiming at the screen – it works regardless of which way it’s pointed.

Playing files from USB

Video Photos Audio

9.1/10

Video Photos Audio

Maximum photo resolution:	Supported photo formats:
4 Mpix	JPEG
6 Mpix	HEIC
8 Mpix	PNG
10 Mpix	GIF
12 Mpix	WebP
16 Mpix	TIFF
20 Mpix	BMP
24 Mpix	SVG
28 Mpix
32 Mpix

Sharp GR8 handles multimedia playback from USB really well. It supports practically all popular audio and video formats, so we don’t have to worry about any files not playing.

However, the built-in player has its limitations – for instance, we won’t find the option to change the font colour in subtitles here. Fortunately, the Google TV system allows us to bypass this issue. All you need to do is download an alternative media playback app from the Google Play Store that offers more advanced configuration options.

Apps

10/10

Sound

7/10

Subjective sound quality

Dolby Digital Plus 7.1

Dolby True HD 7.1

Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)

Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD

DTS:X in DTS-HD MA

DTS-HD Master Audio

Sharp GR8 pleasantly surprises with its sound quality. Although it comes with a standard set of speakers, you can hear the influence of collaboration with Harman/Kardon. The sound is clear, dialogue is well-highlighted, and the overall sound profile is pleasant to the ear. It's not at the level of flagship models with advanced audio systems, but for this price segment – it's really good.

Unfortunately, Sharp has chosen to remove the built-in soundbar that we saw in the previously reviewed model Sharp FQ8. It's a shame because this solution significantly enhanced the sound quality and gave the TV an edge over the competition.

Sharp GR8 TV – advanced features for gamers

As indicated by the test, Sharp GR8 offers impressive capabilities for gaming enthusiasts. With a refresh rate of 144 Hz and support for VRR, GR8 TV provides smooth visuals, eliminating stuttering and ghosting during dynamic gameplay. Additionally, the presence of two HDMI 2.1 ports allows for the connection of modern consoles, offering full support for the latest gaming technologies. In the Sharp GR8 test, attention was drawn to its compatibility with ALLM features, which automatically optimises image settings during gameplay.

Sharp GR8 test – image quality and smart TV features

The Sharp GR8 test shows that this TV offers solid image quality thanks to its VA panel, providing decent contrast and black depth. Support for Dolby Vision brings a new dimension to evening movie sessions, delivering rich and vibrant colours. However, as indicated by the test, HDR brightness is lower than asserted by the manufacturer, which may affect the viewing of content in brightly lit rooms. To compare the Sharp GR8 with other models, it is worth looking into other conducted TV tests.

Sharp GR8

Our verdict

Advantages

Disadvantages

Competing TVs in this price range

TV appearance

Buy in the best price

Contrast and black detail

HDR effect quality

Factory color reproduction

Color reproduction after calibration

Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

Blur and motion smoothness

Console compatibility and gaming features

Input lag

Compatibility with PC

Viewing angles

TV efficiency during daytime

Details about the matrix

TV features

Playing files from USB

Apps

Sound

Sharp GR8 TV – advanced features for gamers

Sharp GR8 test – image quality and smart TV features