LCD versus DLP

[Ozmar]

I am trying to figure out what projectors are a better buy. LCD or DLP. Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[majorloser]

DLP vs. LCD

This is still kind of a personal choice issue.

There are a couple of good 1080P LCD projectors that just came out on the market that are giving mid line DLP projectors a run for their money (Sanyo PLV-Z4 or Panasonic AE900U).

If you want a good mid level 720P DLP, look at the Optoma H78-DC3 (I own)

My best advice is to spend some time reading on this site and go over to Projector Central for more reading:

www.projectorcentral.com

 

[BMXTRIX]

There are a couple of good 1080P LCD projectors that just came out on the market that are giving mid line DLP projectors a run for their money (Sanyo PLV-Z4 or Panasonic AE900U).

Those are actually 720p projectors w/same resolution as the Optoma.

There is not only information at Projector Central, but there is an excellent write up on the main page that discusses DLP vs. LCD technology. The bottom line, to me, is that LCD looks 98% or more (overall) as good as DLP. DLP can look a very tiny bit better overall sometimes. Some DLP units aren't nearly as good. Some are a little bit better. But, the Panasonic AE900 and the Sanyo Z4 aren't just good looking, they are VERY price friendly. This puts more money in your wallet for a better screen, or better sound, or a nice night out to make it up to the missus.

www.projectorcentral.com

 

[majorloser]

My Bad

 

[darien87]

When I was looking at TV's, after doing a lot of research, I decided DLP was the way to go for me. In my opinion, the only real benefit LCD has over DLP is the flat screen. Their picture qualities are about the same. But I've seen some great looking DLP's that were only about a foot deep. However, DLP has a drawback in that the bulb will eventually wear out and need to be replaced. But depending on how much TV you watch, this could take 10 years.

So to me, if you absolutely MUST have a flat screen TV to mount on the wall, go with an LCD. But in my opinion, DLP is a better way to go. Their picture quality is great, and they're cheaper than LCD's.

 

[BMXTRIX]

So to me, if you absolutely MUST have a flat screen TV to mount on the wall, go with an LCD. But in my opinion, DLP is a better way to go. Their picture quality is great, and they're cheaper than LCD's.

Darien - He's talking about projectors, not flat panel displays.

Projectors are available in 3 basic types, DLP, LCD, and LCoS. Go into Best Buy and look at some JVC rear projection units - those are often LCoS (Dila)... now look at the Sony rear projection units, those are LCD. Then there are a bunch of DLP units.

For front projection, lots of both formats, but incredible bang for the buck comes from LCD with performance that is 99% or better than DLP for far less money.

 

[The Dukester]

Projectors are available in 3 basic types, DLP, LCD, and LCoS. Go into Best Buy and look at some JVC rear projection units - those are often LCoS (Dila)... now look at the Sony rear projection units, those are LCD.


.

Not nec true. The new Sony SXRD units are LCoS based, Sony's version of it, anyway. Not sure if BB carries them or not, but they are not LCD, if they do.

 

[westcott]

Whatever technolgy you decide on based on technical specifications, I would strongly suggest you plant your body and your signicant others in front of a DLP for at least a half hour or an hour to see if you are one of those people that suffer from the rainbow effects, headaches, fatigue, motion sickness, etc.

I loved DLP on paper but the problems mentioned above forced us into LCD.

(it did not matter if it was 5 or 6X wheel rotation, we still could not tolerate the shortcomings of DLP in this area)

LCD has made great strides since then and you should be able to find one that fits your budget nicely, should it be an issue with your family, as well.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Not nec true. The new Sony SXRD units are LCoS based, Sony's version of it, anyway. Not sure if BB carries them or not, but they are not LCD, if they do.

True - I should have said that.

The Sony LCD models say 3LCD on the front of the unit. At least one other company is making LCD rear projection units as well.

If the Sony unit says SXRD, than that is their version of LCoS and you are looking at a LCoS set.

 

[darien87]

Darien - He's talking about projectors, not flat panel displays.

Projectors are available in 3 basic types, DLP, LCD, and LCoS. Go into Best Buy and look at some JVC rear projection units - those are often LCoS (Dila)... now look at the Sony rear projection units, those are LCD. Then there are a bunch of DLP units.

For front projection, lots of both formats, but incredible bang for the buck comes from LCD with performance that is 99% or better than DLP for far less money.

Whoops. I guess I glossed over that little bit of info. Disregard my last transmission.

 

[ruadmaa]

Biggest DLP Drawback

When I was looking at TV's, after doing a lot of research, I decided DLP was the way to go for me. In my opinion, the only real benefit LCD has over DLP is the flat screen. Their picture qualities are about the same. But I've seen some great looking DLP's that were only about a foot deep. However, DLP has a drawback in that the bulb will eventually wear out and need to be replaced. But depending on how much TV you watch, this could take 10 years.

So to me, if you absolutely MUST have a flat screen TV to mount on the wall, go with an LCD. But in my opinion, DLP is a better way to go. Their picture quality is great, and they're cheaper than LCD's.

But did they tell you that you have a MECHANICAL spinning color wheel in that DLP tv. I don't know about you but I do not want any moving parts in my tv. (fans are sometimes a necessary evil and they do go bad many times). A spinning mechanical wheel in a tv is just asking for trouble down the road.

 

[sts9fan]

A spinning mechanical wheel in a tv is just asking for trouble down the road.

Ah speculation. I have ceiling fan that I have had for 10+ years. Still works great.

 

[ruadmaa]

Speculation???

Ah speculation. I have ceiling fan that I have had for 10+ years. Still works great.

I'll bet if you check around you will find that more than just a few of those spinning mechanical wheels have gone bad already. A ceiling fan merely has to rotate. That spinning wheel in the tv no doubt has to be perfectly synchronized with the tv's electronics.

 

[majorloser]

But there is still a "dead pixel" issue with LCD's.

Something will always fail. My first DLP blew the formatter board. Something that shouldn't fail but did.

Let's be serious, does anybody plan on keeping their home theater projector for much morethan 5 years? You'll want to upgrade long before that with todays displays constantly getting better and cheaper.

Wouldn't be an Audioholic if you didn't.

 

[BostonMark]

dlp for me

In the budget end, I went with a DLP Optoma H30 because the LCD projectors in the same price range (1400 to 2400) had a noticable screen door effect. But then again, that was 2 years ago which in home theater years is a long time. You really should do what I did, grab some of your favorite DVDs and seek out a high end shop that you can compare projectors side by side. I had to drive an hour and a half to the closest place that sold projectors, because when I bought mine noone had displays, and all pushed big screen TVs. ICE AGE is a great test movie because of the huge expanses of white snow. HEAT or any other dark film noir film is also good for checking shadow detail. Then when you do bring your baby home, you will know for certain that you made the best choice for yourself and will never wonder what if...