- Matching (Score)
- Our verdict
- Competing TVs
- TV appearance
- Where to buy
- 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
Complete the survey to find out the result
Panel technology: LCD VA Brand: SHARP Resolution: 3840x2160 Operating system: Google TV Model year: 2024
Our verdict
6.4
Overall rating
Sharp FQ8 is a television that offers many advantages that distinguish it in its price class. First and foremost, it is equipped with the Google TV operating system, which provides access to a vast number of applications and a user-friendly interface. The matrix with a refresh rate of 120 Hz ensures high fluidity of the image, and combined with low input lag, makes this model a good choice for gamers. The high native contrast means that blacks are deep and vivid. The television also achieves a decent brightness level of 450 nits, allowing for comfortable viewing of HDR content, especially as it supports advanced formats such as Dolby Vision. The television also offers wide color gamut coverage, thanks to the implementation of quantum dots (Quantum Dot/QLED). On the other hand, Sharp FQ8 has a few drawbacks. The lack of control over dynamic tone mapping in HDR mode may be an issue for more demanding users. Although Dolby Vision IQ is present in this model, it's hard to speak of its positive performance here. Additionally, the matrix response time is average, which can affect the clarity of dynamic scenes, and poor viewing angles mean that watching from the side significantly reduces image quality. Nevertheless, Sharp FQ8 is a great television that combines affordable quality and smooth image at a good price. Although it is not without flaws, it can satisfy most users who are looking for a reasonably priced television with a 120 Hz matrix and a pleasant audio system.
Advantages
High native contrast
Smooth tonal transitions
120 Hz panel
Advanced features for gamers
Low input lag
Harman/Kardon signature audio
Disadvantages
Poor viewing angles
Dolby Vision IQ does not work properly
Average panel response time
Poor font readability when connected to PC
Movies and series in UHD quality6.4
Classic TV, YouTube6.2
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)6.2
Gaming on console7.4
TV as a computer monitor3.0
Watching in bright light5.4
Utility functions6.5
Apps10.0
Sound quality6.0
Complete the survey to find out what fits your preferences
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Go to reviewTV 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
6.2/10
Local dimming function: No
Contrast between the black background and the bright spotlight illuminating Jack. Scene from the movie Oblivion (Universal Pictures).
Result
5,200:1
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
7,200:1
Contrast between the reflection on the helmet and the black on the black film strip. Scene from the movie Arrival (Paramount Pictures).
Result
7,700:1
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
8,100:1
Contrast between the colorful balloon and the black slice between the falling objects. Scene from the Pioneer Kuro test disc (2008).
Result
4,800:1
Visibility of details in the lights:
Sharp FQ8, thanks to its VA panel, offers a very high native contrast ratio, achieving an impressive score of 8100:1 in tests with cinematic test patterns. It is worth noting that this result stands out very positively against competing models and is very rarely encountered. This means that the image gains an appropriate depth in scenes with distinct differences between light and dark elements, which is particularly important when assessing contrast and black quality, as these are key criteria in image analysis. The Sharp FQ8 panel uses direct backlighting (Direct LED), however, it does not support local dimming. In this price category, this is understandable, although it affects the depth of black and clarity in darker scenes like that from the film Sicario 2, which can be seen below.
Halo effect and black detail visibility:
HDR effect quality
5.3/10
Supported formats: HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 93.6%, Bt.2020: 74.6%
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
384 nit
The measured point is the moon against a dark, starry sky. Scene from the movie Life of Pi (20th Century Fox).
Result
399 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
465 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
461 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
463 nit
Sharp FQ8 can achieve a maximum brightness exceeding 450 nits, which is a satisfactory result. Although it may seem that this value is not impressive, it still places it among the top televisions in this price range. In our opinion, this is also a value from which we will feel the richness of the image and the operation of any metadata, which cannot be said about darker devices. The television supports the advanced HDR format known as Dolby Vision. It is also equipped with DOLBY Vision IQ technology, which stands out for its ability to automatically adjust brightness and image colours based on the lighting conditions in the room. Unfortunately, it has been poorly implemented, resulting in significant inaccuracies such as artificial brightening of the image. Therefore, we do not recommend using this technology in this model. Additionally, the colour gamut coverage is around 94% thanks to the use of quantum dot technology, enabling vibrant and realistic colours. This set of features ensures that the image is not only intense but also full of details.
Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)
Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)
In difficult test scenes, Sharp FQ8 shows some limitations. For example, in the film "Mr.", where scenes can reach brightness levels of up to 2800 nits, the television struggles with high light effects, resulting in them merging into a single patch. This may be due to an issue with controlling dynamic tone mapping and a lack of local dimming, which causes a loss of detail in intense parts of the image. This effect is particularly noticeable in the case of sunlight, which the director wanted to emphasise. A similar situation occurs in the film "Billy Lynn", where the fireworks also merge into one large patch, negatively affecting the reception of these dynamic moments. However, when it comes to colours, the television performs significantly better due to its wide colour gamut. The main actor in "Billy Lynn" was presented accurately, and skin tones retained a natural appearance. This shows that although the television may struggle in extreme conditions, it can capture details and colours satisfactorily in everyday scenes.
HDR luminance chart:
In the Sharpie FQ8, there are noticeable differences in the image display depending on the used metadata. In the scene with horses in HDR10 format, the image is heavily washed out, resulting in a lack of any details on the white board. Conversely, with dynamic metadata, thanks to support for Dolby Vision, the television can display more details in bright areas, but it still does not achieve remarkable results. This may be due to a lack of control over dynamic tone mapping, which leads to a loss of details.
Additionally, the Sharp FQ8 is equipped with an extended version of Dolby Vision, namely Dolby Vision IQ, which aims to adjust brightness according to the lighting conditions in the room. Unfortunately, this feature does not work properly in low light, prompting us to either avoid it or in such situations. As a result, when watching in the dark, it is better to rely on standard settings to achieve optimal visual experiences.
Static HDR10
Dynamic: Dolby Vision
Factory color reproduction
4.2/10
The colour reproduction test in Sharp FQ8 was conducted in film mode, which out of the box offers the best visual capabilities, providing viewers with a colour experience closest to reality. Nevertheless, it cannot be described as exceptional, as there are still some shortcomings that affect the overall picture quality. Colour reproduction in Sharp FQ8 for HD content demonstrates significant issues with white balance. On the graph, the red line clearly rises, indicating excessive dominance of the red colour. This is also confirmed by tests using colour samples, which show that many colours deviate towards red. For example, in a scene from a film featuring a child, the image is very warm and unnaturally red. Similar difficulties occur with 4K HDR content, where there is also noticeable excessive presence of the red colour. It is worth noting this, especially for those who value faithful colour reproduction.
Regarding contrast for SDR, at the beginning of the gamma graph there is a strange characteristic, suggesting issues with reproduction. Subsequently, the entire line is below the reference line, indicating that the television does not achieve appropriate brightness and contrast values in standard content. Meanwhile, the EOTF curve for 4K HDR shows significant discrepancies. Such fluctuations indicate difficulties in maintaining consistent brightness reproduction, leading to unpleasant visual effects when viewing HDR content.
Color reproduction after calibration
7.8/10
After calibration, for SDR content, the white balance on Sharp FQ8 has been significantly improved, and all lines have come much closer to the reference line. Of course, they are not perfectly straight, but it's hard to expect better results from a television in this price range; they are really very good. Improving white balance means that colours are more natural and accurately reproduced, which positively impacts the overall visual experience. In terms of gamma, the strange jump at the beginning of the graph has not been eliminated, however, after this error, the entire line is much closer to the expected effect.
For HDR content, the white balance is somewhat worse compared to SDR content, but it is still significantly better than before calibration. It is worth noting that the improvement in white balance in HDR contributes to a more consistent and pleasant perception of colours, even though there may still be shortcomings. Regarding the EOTF graph and the associated contrast, our specialists noted that the lack of control over dynamic tone mapping settings hindered the achievement of significant improvement in this area. This leads to uneven brightness representation.
Despite the shortcomings resulting from the inability to adjust settings for dynamic tone mapping, Sharp FQ8 has gained a new perspective after proper calibrations. The improved white balance and better colour reproduction in SDR mode make the image more natural and pleasing to the eye. Although there are still areas for improvement, especially in HDR content, the television offers satisfying visual experiences, making it a noteworthy choice in its price range.
Smoothness of tonal transitions
8.8/10
When it comes to the fluidity of tonal transitions, Sharp FQ8 television performs excellently, presenting very nice transitions in all the tested movie scenes. Colours blend harmoniously, which significantly impacts the picture quality. The only aspect that can be pointed out is a slightly noticeable gradation towards black and in the scene with a colourful sunset against the mountains. However, these minor imperfections do not detract from the overall positive visual experience that the television offers.
Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
6.5/10
Smooth transition function
Image without overscan on the SD signal
The "10-bit colour reproduction" feature in Sharp FQ8 performs reasonably well, as we can see in the image with bulbs that shows slight connections between grey shades. For the best results, it is recommended to set medium, which does not reveal issues with grain smoothing or blurring of essential image elements. Alternatively, the "low" setting also proves to be safer and delivers positive effects.
As for upscaling, the Sharp FQ8 television plays back video without overscan, allowing for full use of the screen. The branches shown in the image are noticeably jagged, while the edges of the trousers appear without clear jaggedness, positively affecting the overall image quality. Additionally, the television offers an AI Super Resolution feature, which artificially sharpens jagged elements, enhancing their clarity.
Blur and motion smoothness
7.2/10
Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 144Hz
Film motion smoothing option: Yes
Blur reduction option: Yes
BFI function 60Hz: No
BFI function 120Hz: No
Sharp FQ8 is equipped with a 120 Hz panel, with the possibility of achieving 144 Hz on PC, which in theory should translate to smooth motion rendering. The television offers functions for improving the smoothness of films and reducing motion blur, which is important for more dynamic content. However, the lack of Black Frame Insertion (BFI) technology combined with an average response time of the panel does not yield positive results. The effect is slight blurring of moving objects, and this may be more noticeable when watching sports or during intense gaming.
Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):
Console compatibility and gaming features
7.1/10
- ALLM:
Yes
- VRR:
Yes
- VRR range:
48 - 144Hz
Dolby Vision Game Mode:
Tak (wysoki input lag) 
Correct implementation of HGIG:
No - 1080p@120Hz:
Yes
- 1440p@120Hz:
No
- 4K@120Hz:
Yes
- Game bar:
No
Sharp FQ8 offers several significant features dedicated to gamers that can enhance the gameplay experience. First and foremost, the television is equipped with HDMI 2.1, which comes with certain advantages. ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) switches the television to a mode with minimal input lag when a gaming device is detected. VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) reduces screen stutter by adjusting the refresh rate to the number of frames generated by the console or computer, providing smoother experiences, especially in dynamic games. Additionally, the television supports G-Sync technology, which synchronises the image with the graphics card, eliminating stuttering and screen tearing. Despite these advantages, FQ8 also has some limitations. The lack of support for HGiG (HDR Gaming Interest Group) means that the television does not optimise dynamic range for HDR games. The Dolby Vision mode, although theoretically offering better image quality in games supporting this format, suffers from very high input lag.
Input lag
9.1/10
Generally, the input lag in Sharp FQ8 is very good, achieving below 16 ms for each tested resolution, making the television suitable for gaming, providing smooth and quick response. However, when Dolby Vision mode is enabled and the refresh rate is 60 Hz, the input lag increases sharply. This significantly worsens responsiveness, which can be particularly troublesome in dynamic games where precision and speed of reaction are crucial.
| SDR | HDR | Dolby Vision |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p60: 16 ms | 2160p60: 16 ms | 2160p60 DV: 128 ms |
| 1080p120: 8 ms | 2160p120: 8 ms | 2160p120 DV: 20 ms |
| 2160p60: 16 ms | ||
| 2160p120: 8 ms |
Compatibility with PC
3/10
Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): No
Font clarity: Poor
Readability of dark text and shapes: Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 17ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement: BGR
Max refresh rate: 144Hz
G-Sync: Yes
The cooperation of the television Sharp FQ8 with the PC unfortunately leaves a lot to be desired, despite the low input lag. The main problems arise from the lack of full support for chroma 4:4:4 at a resolution of 4K and 120 Hz, which results in blurry text and details in computer graphics. Additionally, the applied subpixel arrangement of BGR, instead of standard RGB, makes fonts less readable and can appear fuzzy.
Viewing angles
2.1/10
Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 84%
The viewing angles on the Sharp FQ8 are quite poor, which is a result of the use of a VA panel. When watching from a wider angle, the television significantly loses brightness, and colours quickly lose their saturation. As a result, the image becomes washed out, and details less clear, which can be problematic if you plan to watch television with a larger group or from different positions in the room.
TV efficiency during daytime
5.4/10
Matrix coating: Satin
Reflection suppression: Average
Black levels during daytime: Good
Sharp FQ8 performs quite well in daytime lighting conditions. The panel reaches a brightness level of 440 nits, which, combined with the satin screen coating, results in satisfactory visibility even in bright light. Importantly, the television does not have issues displaying the colour black during the day, which ensures that darker scenes remain readable and do not lose depth, despite the bright surroundings.
Matrix brightness
Average luminance SDR
Sharp FQ8: 440 cd/m2
Details about the matrix
Software version during testing: v1.17
Image processor: mt5889
Subpixel Structure:
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
Sharp FQ8 is equipped with a modern Google TV system that provides access to a wide range of applications, such as Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video and Disney+. Additionally, the television supports voice control in Polish, making navigation and quick access to content easier. The FQ8 also offers the ability to connect multiple devices, such as keyboards, mice, Bluetooth headphones, and other accessories.
Despite these advantages, the television has certain limitations. The lack of television recording features and picture-in-picture (PiP) support may be a downside for those using these options. Additionally, Apple device users may feel the lack of compatibility with AirPlay, making it difficult to easily stream content from an iPhone or iPad to the television.
Playing files from USB
9.4/10
| 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 |
Thanks to the Google TV system, Sharp FQ8 offers great flexibility in playing files from USB. Users can install various applications for image and sound playback, such as VLC or MX Player, which enables the television to handle most popular file formats with ease. Whether it's movies, music, or photos, support for multiple formats ensures comfortable and hassle-free use of multimedia from external storage devices.
Apps
10/10
Sound
6/10
6/10
Subjective sound quality
91dB
Maximum volume
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
The sound assessment of the Sharp FQ8 is of course subjective, yet there are a few aspects worth highlighting. The television is equipped with a soundbar directed straight towards the user, branded by Harman/Kardon. Although it is not a full-fledged soundbar or home theatre system, the speaker arrangement clearly enhances the audio experience, delivering a clearer and more direct sound, which will certainly be a beneficial solution for everyday television viewing. It is also worth noting that the television was capable of achieving very high volume levels, which will definitely assist those who have some sort of hearing difficulty. The only remark we encountered was related to the sound processing by Dolby, which caused quite noticeable sound distortions and artificial clipping.