Sharp LC-42D62U Dark area in pix, top to bottom in the middle

try going to menu and center the screen both vertically and horizantal, the manual should help

press 'view mode' on the remote and get out of zoom or stretch mode.

If you can open your LCD than open & clean all connector & refit properly.

if the unit is stll under warrenty it would be best to take it back, it does sound like that it is the lcd that is faulty, or contact Sharp to see if the can repair it for you

Thanks

REPLACED LCD PANEL
Manufacturer Sharp Part Number RF-R1LK420D3LF2 Description 42" WIDE LCD PNL -

There are two sets of wires internal to the LCD. one of the wires has come loose. Complete dissassembly and reassembly should solve the problem. (use electrical contact cleaner on the gold tabs that insert to the LCD)

(take it back if under warranty, and haggle to get it replaced even if it isn't first. Following the above procedure is an easy way to break the light tubes if you're not super careful.)...

first make sure it does not come from the signal. If its really from the tv and look like a darker line it can come from the lcd control unit but most of the time its a dfective lcd panel

This could be 1 of three things! 1-main lcd panel
2-y sustain module
3-z sustain module

This is something you cannot do yourself my friend.

Have several problems with either a bad LVDS cable from Main unit to the LCD controll bd. Sometimes the cable is just not connected properly. If you reseat this cable and the problem still exists you most likely have a bad LCD control bd.

Turn off the the OPC feature in the Menu. If that doesnt help, what youre seeing is most likely the Advanced Dynamic Contrast going to work. In layman's terms, it automatically adjusts the contrast depending on the video signal it is receiving. If you want to disable this, change the AV settings to "User" (button underneath the bottom door on the sharp remote)