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Recommendation on HD display

#1
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9/11/07 at 6:34am
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A local chain is having a sale through the week and now that I've moved to a new home, am looking to finally go HD.

Our viewing room is in a lower level. Two half-height windows can be blocked with blackout cloth. Viewing distance is 8-12'. I'd like to spend less than $2500. Would love to spend less than $2100.00. I don't want plasma. I have DVD, Wii, and media computer (Mac). I expect to get a hidef DVD once I decide on a format.

Debating between Dish Network, DirectTV, or Charter cable for regular and HD programming, but will mostly use the system for watching movies, playing Wii, and regular TV watching.

Can anyone recommend between these options (or make other suggestions if you know of a better deal/display)

Mitsubishi WD57734 1080p DLP 57" -- less than $2000
Samsung HLT6176 1080p DLP 61" -- $2300
Samsung HLT5687 1080p LCD 56" -- $2160
Toshiba 65HM167 1080p DLP 65" -- $1980

Thanks!!!

Roderick Martin
Network23

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#2
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9/11/07 at 8:49am
  • Joined: January 1999
  • Location: The Land of Oranges, Mickey Mouse, and foreclosures
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Re: Recommendation on HD display

I'd go with the Toshiba (in fact, I plan to as soon as CC gets the stand I want in stock). Those Sammys often have geometry problems and you get more screen size (and better customer service, should you need it) than with the Mitsu.

You can get better prices though -- last week Circuit City was selling the 65HM167 for just over $1700 ($1899 less a 10% coupon, and if you belong to AAA then you can get a 10% CC coupon anytime through them).

Note that the 5687 is an LED DLP, not an LCD. LED is a brand new tech and has issues of its own.

BTW, do you have a stand already? You'll need to budget at least $200 (more likely $300-$400 for a decent one) if you don't.

"How wonderful it will be to have a leader unburdened by the twin horrors of knowledge and experience." -- Mr. Wick

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#3
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9/11/07 at 9:59am
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Re: Recommendation on HD display

Thanks Aaron, I will check CC out. The prices I listed were from American's site, and they are running an additional promotion. I'm not sure if that is reflected on the site's prices or not. I'll check some of those tonight.

No, I don't have a stand so thanks for reminding me of that

Digging around the forum some, I have another alternative...

JVC HD-56FH97 1080p LCoS 56" -- $1225 from beachcamera.com

Any opinions on which will give the better picture, the Toshi or the JVC? I don't know much about LCoS.

I'm not so focused on screen size as I have an inFocus projector I hope to set up a home theater around in the coming months which will fill my my big-format viewing needs.

Roderick Martin
Network23

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#4
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9/11/07 at 10:12am
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Re: Recommendation on HD display

Is this room where you'll watch all your TV programming? I'm wondering why you want a TV when you have a projector?
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#5
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9/11/07 at 12:05pm
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Re: Recommendation on HD display

No. The projector will be in its own room. I'm wanting an HD display for more everyday use in possibly lighter, less-controlled conditions. We can block the windows where the unit I am asking about is going, but may not all of the time.

Roderick Martin
Network23

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#6
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9/11/07 at 2:41pm
  • Joined: December 2003
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Re: Recommendation on HD display

FYI -- Toshiba is getting out of the DLP business so if you go that route it may be difficult to find bulbs or other parts in the future.

Nonetheless, those TVs are a great deal at $600 less than the similar-size Samsung models. I guess the real question is whether or not Toshiba is a good company that will stand up for their products even after they've been discontinued.
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#7
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9/11/07 at 10:36pm
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Re: Recommendation on HD display

So, no real difference in quality between the JVC and the Toshiba?

Roderick Martin
Network23

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#8
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9/12/07 at 8:51am
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Re: Recommendation on HD display

LCoS is LCD-based as opposed to DLP. I'd try to look at both and see which you like better. (Best Buy carries both, but CC doesn't. However, not every BB store carries the Toshiba.)

By most accounts, people aren't too worried about Toshiba supporting these sets going forward. I can't really comment as I've never dealt with Toshiba customer/ repair service.

"How wonderful it will be to have a leader unburdened by the twin horrors of knowledge and experience." -- Mr. Wick

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#9
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9/12/07 at 9:36am
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Re: Recommendation on HD display

I'm not too worried about Toshiba. They are an established company. I've owned several Toshiba products, including my 10-year old 27" CRT that still looks great!

Okay, last rollout here of my options. I got some updated prices on the local sale...

I've narrowed it down to these:

Toshiba 65" 1080p DLP 65HM267 for $1840
JVC 56" 1080p LCoS HD-56FH97 for $1225 from beachcamera.com
Samsung 61" 1080p LED-DLP HLT6187 for $1999 (open box with full warranty)

I'll be using it with a Denon AVR-2807 (didn't have the model number before).

I can't find any reviews of the HLT6187 here on the forum, so I don't know, but the picture looked good on the floor model. I don't have much info on Samsung's rep. other than your geometry comment, Aaron.

Also, how much ambient light *can* a DLP like the ones above handle? They seem to do fine in the stores (and not in darkened specialty rooms)?

I'm hoping to make a decision today or tomorrow, and I am very appreciative of the comments and advice posted by everyone so far!

Roderick Martin
Network23

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#10
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9/13/07 at 12:25pm
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Re: Recommendation on HD display

One last plea for comments before I make my decision!

Would anyone recommend avoiding the open box Samsung?

Roderick Martin
Network23

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#11
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9/17/07 at 11:18am
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Re: Recommendation on HD display

I'm all for buying open-box stuff (as long as it has a warranty), but you should research the LED sets online before buying one. I've heard of some weird issues with them, but I don't know the details.

"How wonderful it will be to have a leader unburdened by the twin horrors of knowledge and experience." -- Mr. Wick

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#12
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9/17/07 at 7:38pm
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Re: Recommendation on HD display

Avoid the LED Samsung--somewhat dim picture with severe hotspotting and more limited side-angle viewing than lamp based sets along with a muddy looking picture when displaying lots of fast-moving detail.

Steve S.
I prefer not to push the subwoofers until they\'re properly run in.

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#13
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9/18/07 at 7:58am
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Re: Recommendation on HD display

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. I really appreciated them!

I pulled the trigger and got the Toshiba 65" and a stand Friday. They both wouldn't fit in my minivan, so I took the stand home that night and picked up the Tosh the next morning (I still had the first row of passenger seats installed -- I SO underestimated the size of the thing in the box!) Even so, we couldn't get the blasted box angled through the side doors (side door opening was higher than the back) so I wound up driving home with both side sliding doors open and the box sticking out both sides! What a way to broadcast our recent purchase!

Had other moving stuff to do and some initial problems getting the Denon configured to send all the signals through the HDMI, so the family finally got together Sunday night to christen it by watching The Incredibles...and what an apt choice! The DLP is amazing! I haven't even calibrated it yet with Avia and I am truly impressed with the image.

Thanks again for all the help and advice!

Roderick Martin
Network23

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#14
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9/18/07 at 10:46am
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Re: Recommendation on HD display

Congrats, Rod! I got the Tosh too, but I'm having it delivered. (For $55, they unpack it, put it on the stand, hook it up, take away the packing materials, and most importantly, cart away the old dead set that weighs 240 lbs! )

"How wonderful it will be to have a leader unburdened by the twin horrors of knowledge and experience." -- Mr. Wick

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#15
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9/18/07 at 7:26pm
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Re: Recommendation on HD display

Quote:
Originally Posted by SethH
FYI -- Toshiba is getting out of the DLP business......
How come?
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#16
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9/18/07 at 8:40pm
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Re: Recommendation on HD display

Because the demand is in flatscreen TVs.

"Jee-sus, it's like Iwo Jima out there" - Roger Sterling on "Mad Men"
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#17
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9/19/07 at 3:36am
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Re: Recommendation on HD display

Hey congratulations for you to move to your new home . If you need a good DLP HDTV, I can give a good suggestion . I use the Samsung HLT5675S 56 inch Slim 720p DLP HDTV ,looks cool and the specifications are very good also :1280 x 720-pixel resolution; 2,500:1 Contrast ratio provide you with A+ quality pictures .Two stereo speakers, 10 watts apiece (20 watts total); SRS TruSurround XT virtual surround offers clear and nice sound .Our whole family usually enjoy movie together with it .
It has 2 HDMI, 2 S-Video, 2 Composite, 2 Component Video Input, 2 Monitor and sound out, 1 PC (RBG) in, 1 PC audio input for you to enjoy other things with it .
I love this tv ,I bought it in circuitcity for $1600 after $100 savings :
http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/Searc...o.x=11&go.y=11
But I heard that the price is pretty low right now , a recent deal for it is only $1293 instead of $1700 :
http://www.dealstudio.com/searchdeals.php?deal_id=60184
I do think this is a good choice , how do you like it then . Hope this helps anyway and enjoy your new home .
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