Mitsubishi DLP - Good Idea or Bad?

[Melee]

I have recently been considering selling my current tv and upgrading to a larger one. I am upgrading my Receiver and Surround Sound System and I figure it's time for a Television upgrade as well since I have had this one for a few years now.

Right now, I have a Toshiba Regza 46". (Model # 46RV535U to be exact.)

I was browsing around checking prices and came across the Mitsubishi DLP's which I hadn't really heard of before. However, the prices on them are ridiculously attractive. I've seen the 60" for around $500-$600 and the 65" for $700-$800. I've also seen the 73" for ~ $1,000 but I honestly don't know if I have enough room for it.

This is for my bedroom which is 13' x 13' x 7'. The 46" looks small in here so I know that the 60" is logical. The 65" I'm not sure about but bigger is normally better. :P The 73" is probably too big. I would LOVE to have it, but at over 6' wide, it would take up half of the back wall. If you guys think I can fit it, I will definitely consider it. I know it would be large in here for now but then I would have it if I move into a large location.

I watch a lot of movies and tv shows on Netflix and DVD and for 95% of it, I am normally sitting in my computer chair or recliner which are in the middle of the room. (aka the Listening/Viewing Area. ) I also do a fair amount of gaming as well. I sleep with my tv on as I've done it since I was little and I can't sleep without it. I'm not sure what else I need to tell you guys? lol

How big of a difference is it going to be in picture quality going from an LCD to a DLP? I don't have a hefty budget (hoping for around $500-$700 at most) so the DLP seems by far to be my best choice for a large tv if the PQ is satisfactory. I am planning on picking up a Blu-Ray Player soon so I definitely want nice video quality for it, Netflix, and video games.

What do you guys think? Is there anything else I need to know about them that might sway my decision? The only real downside I have seen to them is that the bulb will most likely have to be changed every 2-4 years from the reviews I have read which is okay since they seem to be available for $75-$80.

Thanks for the help!

[dapack69]

DLP is just fine. Its just that the size of the set turns most people away.

[just-some-guy]

its not the "size" of the set. its the "depth" of the set. people are hung up on the "flat panel" thing. and in many cases i can see where this is desirable. but if the space is there, moving the front of the display out from the wall not only is not a problem, but can be beneficial. in that your speakers line up with the display better. ymmv.

i sit 8' from my 65" for daily viewing, no movies, just tv. if i watched movies on it, i would HATE to have smaller.

if you leave the tv on when you are not actually watching it = sleeping. you are VASTLY shorting its life. in that case, i would get a cheap small tv for sleeping purposes.

[just-some-guy]

oh. afa the pq. i am no pro on this. but i would say its not the best. though it can be quite good. just depends on how picky you are. but for the size vs $$$ ratio. it can't be beat. (pj's not included)

[Melee]

Well, the size of the set I have no problem with. The back wall is 13' long and the only thing on it is my television. Also, as you said, the depth will bring it out to be even with the front of my speakers.

However, the picture quality and longevity are concerns for me. I assume it's not going to be as good as an LCD or Plasma in PQ, but if it's going to be a huge step down then I will probably just hold off for now. And if I paid the extra to get a smaller tv in addition, then I could just about afford an LCD of similar size. I can't really find any solid ground in this regard since half the people are extremely happy with the PQ and the rest are happy with the size but disappointed with the PQ. At $600-$800 for a 60-65" TV, though, it's definitely hard to pass up.

[Pyrrho]

Well, the size of the set I have no problem with. The back wall is 13' long and the only thing on it is my television. Also, as you said, the depth will bring it out to be even with the front of my speakers.

However, the picture quality and longevity are concerns for me. I assume it's not going to be as good as an LCD or Plasma in PQ, but if it's going to be a huge step down then I will probably just hold off for now. And if I paid the extra to get a smaller tv in addition, then I could just about afford an LCD of similar size. I can't really find any solid ground in this regard since half the people are extremely happy with the PQ and the rest are happy with the size but disappointed with the PQ. At $600-$800 for a 60-65" TV, though, it's definitely hard to pass up.

DLP can give a good picture, but it is less reliable than a good LCD or plasma. The viewing angle will not be as good as a plasma. You will probably need to buy an expensive light every couple of years, but it depends on the light source in the particular TV that you buy, as some use LEDs or lasers, which will be different from the traditional bulb that typically has to be replaced periodically, and usually costs well over $100, sometimes much more.

[NETXrazorback]

I recently purchased the entry level WD 73C10 Mitsubishi DLP tv. I do not agree with anyone who suggests that I have lower or less picture quality than with other options. I have 5 different friends that have purchased this set in sizes from 60" to 73" since seeing mine on Directv-HD. My previous set was/ is a 51" Hitachi HD. I moved the Hitachi to a "smaller" room.

Go to a show room and prove it to your self if you have any doubts.

[Melee]

Thanks for the input guys.

I'm still trying to decide which is the best route for me. I mean, I don't NEED a tv right now as mine is still relatively new and still in great shape w/ a beautiful picture. My desire is simply for a bigger tv with equally good PQ. I'm still reading up on DLP to figure out if it's right for me.

The other option I have, since this is a want scenario and not need, is to wait for a big sale and try to find a nice deal on a 55-60" LCD or Plasma. I know Black Friday always has great deals on tv's and other electronics. That is still like 8 months away, but if it is going to make a huge difference then I would rather save up during that time and buy the best tv that I possibly can.

[jostenmeat]

Plasmas and projectors have the best picture quality. I am quite familiar with DLP RPTVs, and they sit at or near the bottom of the totem pole. The inferior reliability has been pretty well documented too. What is nicest about them has already been noted, it's the lower price for the screen size.

If I was to buy a television, there is only one choice for me, and that is the Panasonic flagship TV, the VT25 (I mean outside of the super huge TVs, whether 4K, etc.) My only display now is a PJ though. Since I watch 99% film, 24p without 3:2 is pretty important to me, and the VT25 also happens to be the only Pana plasma that can do this.

However, in this particular situation, the greatest improvement for the money is to forget DVD almost every single time that the Bluray is available. A Panasonic BDP will be about $100 or slightly more. The netflix rentals will cost a couple bux more per month. The BD purchases might be 25% more in cost, as an outta the butt offering, but since you're getting an increase of over 600% in pixels from DVD (2,073,600 IIRC), and lossless mch audio, I would say you are getting much more in return.

The source material might be the most important thing in both video and audio.

[NETXrazorback]

I own two 32" Panasonic LCD's. They are 1080P displays and have awesome pictures. They are in my kids bedrooms. Nobody will walk through my den if there is a seat open to even see how I hung them on the wall. This is even with the raw cable not their "HD". The Directv HD source completes the picture. My youngest watches the DLP when I am not home to banish him to his room. This is without the 3-D. I use a matched Hitachi DVD player and a HD ROKU player with my old Hitachi and it gets second biling to the DLP.