How do the Mits DLP's compare to the Sony XBR's?

[cdub]

So I have had a sony 60" XBR RP DLP for about 4 years now and love the picture quality, the only reason I want to upgrade is that is only 1080i. I was planning on getting a 70" sony XBR but have discovered that sadly they have been discontinued. I have always been a sony supporter when it comes to displays, they always look better to me than the competition.

That said, I am not willing to pay $20k for a 60" flat screen Bravia and would like to upgrade my screen size a bit while I am at it. I had been considering a 67" Samsung, but after doing some more research on them, I see that the bigger Samsung DLP's have a lot of bowing issues.

So now I'm looking at the 65" and 73" Mits Diamond Series DLP's (WD-65835/WD-73835) and wondering how those who have had these displays feel about them and how they stack up in display quality to the sony's. I haven't been able to turn up much on the 835 series Mits on my own.

Thoughts?

 

[jostenmeat]

Sony never made a DLP rptv. They call it SXRD, their take on LCoS tech.

Sony RPTVs are the best I've ever seen, IMO. The fact they dc'd is a blow to those who want bang for buck size + pq: having cake and eating it.

Sony typically has good VP, and the SXRD tv's have a nice smoothness about them. They definitely look different, but OTOH, you might be pretty happy with a large DLP.

How much is a 58" Pana plasma these days?

For mega bang for buck size + pq, there's always front projection.

 

[cdub]

hmm I always thought it was a rptv, is it not considered one b/c the bulb is in the front? It's a Sony KDF-60XBR950.

I wasn't really considering plasma due to price per inch when I bought my last screen, and the fact that I don't need/want to wall mount it since my main speakers and audio rack are at the same distance and it doesn't do much for me. Took a quick look at the panasonics, fairly reasonably priced imo, the 58" PZ850 (I think this is their top of the line plasma but I need to do more research) is $3k and the 65" PZ850 is $4800 on Amazon. Maybe that is a better option considering the 73" Mits Diamond is $3300... time to dig in a bit more.

When you say "front projection" are you talking about a ceiling proj with screen?

 

[jostenmeat]

hmm I always thought it was a rptv, is it not considered one b/c the bulb is in the front? It's a Sony KDF-60XBR950.

Heh. It IS an rptv, just not a DLP rptv.

I wasn't really considering plasma due to price per inch when I bought my last screen, and the fact that I don't need/want to wall mount it since my main speakers and audio rack are at the same distance and it doesn't do much for me. Took a quick look at the panasonics, fairly reasonably priced imo, the 58" PZ850 (I think this is their top of the line plasma but I need to do more research) is $3k and the 65" PZ850 is $4800 on Amazon. Maybe that is a better option considering the 73" Mits Diamond is $3300... time to dig in a bit more.

Plasma, FTW, if you can afford it.

When you say "front projection" are you talking about a ceiling proj with screen?

I sure am. PJ can be placed on a bookshelf, or even a table as well, even in front of viewers if you wanted. Anywhere really. Hidden in a hushbox, etc, though extremely involved, but you get the point. Biggest detractions are need to control light, both ambient and reflected, and mounting bulb costs if usage is very freqent.

OTOH, you can land a very nice PJ NIB for about 2.5k, and a Panny 42" plasma is $600. Just an idea.

 

[cdub]

Heh. It IS an rptv, just not a DLP rptv.

Gotcha

Plasma, FTW, if you can afford it.

Lets say money is no object you would definitely go with a Panasonic plasma over a top of the line DLP RPTV then I take it? I don't want to go any smaller than the 60" I am at now, I could accept 58", but nothing smaller as it is a fairly large room. The 65" has me intrigued but not sure if want to spend the extra $1500 for it. Ironic that I paid more than that for my 60" Sony 1080i 4 years ago...

I sure am. PJ can be placed on a bookshelf, or even a table as well, even in front of viewers if you wanted. Anywhere really. Hidden in a hushbox, etc, though extremely involved, but you get the point. Biggest detractions are need to control light, both ambient and reflected, and mounting bulb costs if usage is very freqent.

OTOH, you can land a very nice PJ NIB for about 2.5k, and a Panny 42" plasma is $600. Just an idea.

Think I will be going with either a DLP or a plasma, but thanks for the thoughts.

 

[jostenmeat]

Lets say money is no object you would definitely go with a Panasonic plasma over a top of the line DLP RPTV then I take it? I don't want to go any smaller than the 60" I am at now, I could accept 58", but nothing smaller as it is a fairly large room. The 65" has me intrigued but not sure if want to spend the extra $1500 for it. Ironic that I paid more than that for my 60" Sony 1080i 4 years ago....

If I had the money to blow, I will always take a plasma over DLP RP, at the same size. If I had to choose between 73" DLP and 42" plasma, I'll take the former.

You gain better blacks, most likely better colors, better viewing angle, better contrast, etc.

 

[cdub]

I think its time to start hunting down a deal on the 65" panny plasma...