New DLP TV, any Suggestions?

[TimG517]

Hi,
I currently have a 50" Sammy DLP 720P TV. It will be replaced by Best Buy within the next week or so.

I paid 1700 for the TV 2 years ago. For 1700 today I see I can get a 50" SXRD Sony, a 50" 3LCD Bravia (Sony) or a 50" Samsung (DLP for sure, not sure if LED DLP for the price).

The TV is used in my living room. Any recommendations? It gets pretty bright in the room, and current DLP seems a little dark at times.

 

[Hi Ho]

I suggest taking a look at the new Mitsubishi WD-57833. It is an absolutely gorgeous set. Samsung has had nothing but problems with their DLP sets. At work we repair more Samsung DLP sets than any other.

 

[TimG517]

Thanks for the suggestion.
If Best Buy gives me a check for $1700, then I will get that.
If not, what about Sony SXRD or 3LCD Bravio's?

 

[Sheep]

Thanks for the suggestion.
If Best Buy gives me a check for $1700, then I will get that.
If not, what about Sony SXRD or 3LCD Bravio's?

Why DLP? A panel will be much easier to maintain.

SheepStar

 

[mouettus]

Sheep is right. An LCD panel would be best. They work very well with ambiant light.

Have a look at the Bravia line from Sony or the new Sharps. Great blacks!!

 

[Hi Ho]

Flat panel sets cost quite a bit more per inch than DLP sets.

Speaking of LCD sets, however, the new Mitsubishi sets look very nice. I put one (LT-46244) on the wall right above a Sony XBR5 and a Sharp D92U and the Mits blew them both away. The black levels on the new Mits LCDs are the best I've seen yet. They kind of came out of nowhere and produced an awsome LCD. The LCD costs $1,400 more than the DLP for a four inch smaller screen though.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Flat panel sets cost quite a bit more per inch than DLP sets.

Is the picture enough better to justify this?

 

[GlocksRock]

I suggest taking a look at the new Mitsubishi WD-57833. It is an absolutely gorgeous set. Samsung has had nothing but problems with their DLP sets. At work we repair more Samsung DLP sets than any other.

What is the difference between the WD-xx733 and WD-xx734 sets?

I'm selling my current 50" Samsung DLP and upgrading to something in the 60"+ range, and am considering another Samsung, or possibly a Mitsubishi, but I've heard about problems with each set. The Samsungs are said to have some bowing issues, and the Mitsubishis are said to have some issues with a whining noise.

 

[Hi Ho]

Is the picture enough better to justify this?

I think DLP still holds an edge in picture quality.

I'm selling my current 50" Samsung DLP and upgrading to something in the 60"+ range, and am considering another Samsung, or possibly a Mitsubishi, but I've heard about problems with each set. The Samsungs are said to have some bowing issues, and the Mitsubishis are said to have some issues with a whining noise.

Samsung has more than just bowing issues. They have problems with bad color wheels, collapsing light engines, and entire circuit boards going bad.

I haven't heard of whining noises with Mitsubishi sets. The only issues I've seen with Mitsubishi DLP sets lately is that the previous generation had a run of bad heat sensors that caused the set to shut down at random times. It was a simple fix though.

The main differences between the 733 and 734 are that the 734 has a front panel HDMI input, NetCommand, and possibly slightly different aesthetics. I have not seen them both in person. As far as picture quality is concerned they should be the same.

 

[Martiad3]

The 734 has a few other proprietary techs over the 733 (Dark Detailer, Deepfield Imager, Perfect Tint). I think these help with overall picture quality, mostly because they allow better control over color (Perfect Tint). However, the other techs I actually prefer on, unlike most other manufacturer techs (Samsungs DNiE and others like it).

I don't feel the 833 is worth the extra money over the 734, unless you're really affected by judder, in which case the 120hz refresh of the 833 may be worth it.

Here's a link to another discussion on the Mits DLPs.

I'd heard about the whining on some people's Mits DLP, but mine has none of that (and I suspect that most sets do not have a problem). The biggest (really, only) problem that I had with my 65734 was some slight pincushioning. Mostly noticeable with football games with all the yard lines. However, I was able to mostly correct it with a quick trip in the service menu; it wasn't that bad to begin with and is now mostly gone.

All in all, and excellent set in my opinion.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I think DLP still holds an edge in picture quality.

Then why would anyone pay more (often a lot more) for something else?

 

[darien87]

Then why would anyone pay more (often a lot more) for something else?

Most reviews I've read say that LCD and Plasma are better than DLP. But some people just want that ultra-sexy flat TV they can hang on the wall.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Why did Sheep get banned?

As an owner of a LCD, plasma and DLP; I am most impressed with the DLP. Great PQ, black levels and contrast are awesome. The only thing you lose is the sexiness of the flat panel but once you start watching my 73" you forget that it is 17 inches deep. The Mits fans are a little loud when you are at low volumes but that's why we have AVRs and amps.

 

[Hi Ho]

Then why would anyone pay more (often a lot more) for something else?

1. They want to hang it on the wall.
2. Space restrictions
3. They don't want to deal with lamp replacement.
4. They are susceptible to the rainbow effect.
5. They want a screen smaller than fifty inches.

Most reviews I've read say that LCD and Plasma are better than DLP. But some people just want that ultra-sexy flat TV they can hang on the wall.

I'd say DLP and plasma are on the same playing field but DLP is most definitely a step above LCD in my opinion. The color accuracy, smoothness, and black levels of a good DLP image is something current LCD technology cannot match, especially when you start talking about screens larger than fifty inches.

 

[MDS]

3. They don't want to deal with lamp replacement.

Here's how I rationalize it: A lamp costs about $200 or more. If you think the lifetime of the TV will be 5 years and you use it a lot, it is very possible that you will replace that lamp 5 times. If you buy a flat panel that costs $1K more you are effectively paying the lamp upgrade cost up-front.

Given the time value of money it is better to pay over time rather than up-front and it is possible that you won't replace the lamp very often...but getting the expense out of the way up-front could be a worthwhile trade-off it you keep the TV longer than a few years.

That and a flat panel is 'cooler' than a rear projection LCD/DLP.

 

[Hi Ho]

I find that the lamps generally last 2-3 years, not one. I've seen some that are still going after 5 years. The other day I replaced a lamp in a 3 year old Mitsubishi DLP for an elderly couple that run the TV 10 hours a day. The lamps in rear projection sets generally last longer than those in front projectors because they don't have to run as bright.

 

[MDS]

As they say, Your Mileage May Vary. I don't have any personal experience with lamps in lcd/dlp rear projection sets but I know my uncle has replaced his bulb annually.

Like I said, that is how I rationalize the extra cost for flat panel vs rear projection. There has to be some way for me to justify spending $3K for a flat panel LCD vs $1500 for a rear projection LCD and that is the best I can come up with.

 

[Hi Ho]

I can think of more reasons than lamp replacement costs to justify spending more on a flat panel LCD versus a rear projection LCD. I've never been impressed with RP LCD sets. They simply don't measure up to the other technologies (DLP, LCoS).

 

[Joe Schmoe]

If you think the lifetime of the TV will be 5 years...

No way would I buy an expensive TV if I thought the life of it would only be 5 years. I would not be getting my money's worth from less than 15-20 years. I have had my CRT for about 7 years, and there is no indication that it is not brand new.

 

[Hi Ho]

No way would I buy an expensive TV if I thought the life of it would only be 5 years. I would not be getting my money's worth from less than 15-20 years. I have had my CRT for about 7 years, and there is no indication that it is not brand new.

I agree completely. I have a Sanyo 19" CRT from 1977 that's still going strong and another Sanyo 27" CRT from 2001 that's still like new. If/when I buy a bigger flat panel set I will expect it to last much longer than five years.