How Feasible An Lcd/dlp Can Be, If Compared To Others??

[avliner]

Hi guys,

after reading Clint's comments about recent issues found on some Toshiba DLP tv's (a considerable shortening of lamp's lifespan from 8,000 hours down to 3,000 hours), it makes me wonder whether it's feasible to buy DLP and/or LCD's rear projection HDTV sets, as both technologies uses a bloody expensive lamp on it ( $ 300 on...).
Believe they're the same used on projectors though.

If you consider the maxium lifespan of 8,000 hours for the lamp, you'll have something like 5 years of usage, without the need of replacing the lamp ( or in the worst case, 2 years only, which is nasty, for a tv set..).

In other hand, if you go with plasma, you won't have that problem in the short term (maybe others, I don't know).

Should we treat these (DLP/LCD's) just like projectors in this particular??

Please chime on!

Cheers / Avliner.

 

[agarwalro]

Just from reading the brief, it seems that the problem lies only with Toshiba and only in the models listed. I dont think it can be generalized to all TVs that use projection lamp technology.

I have an RPTV since Nov. 2004, use it for about 4 - 10 hours a day, no problems with the lamp.

 

[j_garcia]

They don't have the problems that CRT based projection systems had, but lamp life is still a valid concern. The first Sony LCD-P TVs also had lamp life problems. That was one reason why I stuck with a CRT display (not RP) vs any kind of rear projection this time when I needed a new TV. Next time I will most likely be going LCD.

You have to also figure, you're paying less for a DLP or LCD-P TV so even if you have to replace the bulb in 3 years, is that really such a terrible thing? There are pros and cons to every display technology.

 

[avliner]

Agarwalro & J Garcia,

thanks for the prompt replies.

Yeah, hopefully there's no need to generalize the problem, but as Garcia said, the lamp life is a real concern.

AFAIK, CRT RPTV's doesn't have lamps, while DLP / LCD's (also RP's), does. My concern lies in the fact that I've bought quite recently a 42" Sony Grand Vega, which is a LCD RP HDTV, with the lamp in.

Gotta be honest that I didn't know about that and obviously neither the manufacturer nor the sales guy will spread the news, right?
I still got the feeling that these models should be somewhat considered as projectors, as far as the lamp goes.

In other hand, the picture quality is just paramount!

That's why I've considered important to start up a new thread, after reading Clints comments about this issue.

Cheers / Avliner.

 

[Hi Ho]

A rear projection TV is simply a projector in a box. Yes, they use the same types of lamps as front projectors. The main difference is that they are lower power because they do not need to project an image across a room, just a couple feet. They also generate less heat and have better cooling due to the abundance of space compared to a cramped projector. Heat is what kills bulbs (and other electronics) so less heat and lower power translates into longer bulb life.

Plasma has it's problems as well. It has a half life of about 20,000 hours. At this point, the display is half as bright as it was when it was new. The display is not dead at that point but it has certainly lost a significant portion of it's original luster. Obviously, that is quite a long time and one would probably upgrade the TV before that point. The backlights in LCD flat panels can burn out too but those flourecent lights tend to last quite a while.

Personally, I like having a replacable bulb. If your CRT breaks, It's usually not feasible to repair it. If a plasma display stops working, a new one must be purchased. As long as the rest of the electronics in an RPTV hold up, it could last for a very long time. Then, there's that upgrade bug to worry about.

I wouldn't fret over lamp life. The best screen size to price ratio is definetly with front projection, followed closely by rear projection. With picture quality coming very close to CRT levels, I see no reason not to buy a projection set.