dlp vs. lcd vs. plasma

Re: dlp vs. lcd vs. plasma

A few good options to consider:

- Mitsubishi 65" or 73" DLP -- WD-65833 & WD-73833 -- $3000 & $4300
- Sony 60" SXRD -- KDS-60A3000 -- $2500
- JVC 65" HD-ILA -- HD-65S998 -- ~$3700
- Panasonic 65" Plasma Monitor* -- TH-65PF9UK -- ~$6600
- Sharp Aquos 65" LCD -- LC-65D90U -- $6700

*The panny does not have HDMI, but it has a slot for add-on cards. An HDMI card costs around $150 -- this gives you the option for future types of connections as well.

As you can see, at this size the flat panels command a significant premium. IMO the premium is not worth it, but if you essentially have a blank check then it may come down to room decor, etc.

Re: dlp vs. lcd vs. plasma

DLP or LCoS will give you much more for your money than LCD or Plasma. Each tech has its own quirks, but for pure PQ I think DLP or LCoS is your best bet. Consider flat panels if physical design is most important.

I just got a Toshiba 65HM167 DLP, and I am *very* happy with it. Paid less than $1600 with a coupon at Circuit City, too. As far as less cumbersome, it only weighs 83 pounds. I can easily slide it around on its stand when I need to get at the jacks on the back.

Re: dlp vs. lcd vs. plasma

I, personally, prefer the LCoS (JVC HD-ILA or Sony SXRD). I've seen them hooked up to a good HD source, and they had incredible pictures. Best I've seen. I wouldn't consider a DLP, until they come out with the 3 chip models. The single chip models require the color wheel, and that's just something else to go wrong. The pictures look good on them though.

I have started to like the 1080p models of LCD tvs. They also look pretty good. I never did like the 720p models. To me, the pictures always looked kinda fuzzy, even while playing HD.

Plasmas, I don't care for at all. The glass screen reflects everything in the room, just like my old CRT tvs always have, and I hate that. They say Panasonic has a new plasma with an anti-reflective screen, but I won't have anything else Panasonic. If other brands have models with screens that don't reflect, I may end up liking them more. People like mounting plasmas over fireplaces and such, but that's more of a design thing, than an actual practical thing. I would think that over a fireplace would be the worst place in the world to hang one.

After seeing most everything available, in the stores, and seeing different types in some homes, I still say the best pictures are on the LCoS models. The only downside to them, that I can see, is the bulbs have to be replaced every few years. But, I figure it's worth that, to have the best picture (to my eyes anyway). Other's will argue these points. There's always someone that will disagree with your decision, no matter what it is.................
Good luck with whatever y'all end up with.

Re: dlp vs. lcd vs. plasma

You could always get a Harmony remote. They will work everything, and very user friendly. Wives usually like them too. Easy to program online. You type in the model numbers of your equipment, and download the settings into the remote via a usb cable (included).

There's a button labeled "Watch Movie". With everything off, you push that button, and it turns on the tv, and puts it on the right input. It also turns on the dvd player, and then turns on the A/V receiver, and puts it in "DVD" mode. Just put the movie in the player, and you're ready to go.

Same thing with tv. Push "Watch TV" button, it turns on tv, and puts it on the right input, and turns on the cable box or sat box, and turns on the A/V receiver, and puts it in "TV" mode. Turns everything off, with push of one button too.

Re: dlp vs. lcd vs. plasma

Yep, I'll second the Harmony remote. So far great customer service too. When things didn't work exactly like they should they programmed the remote on thier end via USB cable and voila everything works!
I'm not a big fan of LCD or Plasma. In my pro experience I have seen way too many problems so my vote is for SXRD or front projection, better bangs for the buck.

Re: dlp vs. lcd vs. plasma

Really their main advantage is aesthetics. Even the newest 120 Hz LCD sets have some trouble with motion artifacts (although they're better than the old sets). The image on the $15,000 plasma at the local Best Buy Magnolia room looks very nice, but not ten times as nice as the image on my $1500 DLP.

As far as LCoS vs. DLP, I would go to stores and examine them for yourself. Some people like the LCoS picture better, and some like the DLP picture better. Different people react differently to stuff like the "rainbow effect" or "screen door" effect. Some people can't stand DLP because the rainbows stand out for them, but others don't notice the rainbows at all.

Nobody can really predict which one *you* (and your dad) will like better between LCoS and DLP. So I think it's very important that you guys spend some time actually looking at sets. Not to mention that's the fun part!

Re: dlp vs. lcd vs. plasma

Hi Marty,

I was offline pretty much all day yesterday -- hope you see this in time. I was never against DLP; that might've been a different Aaron. Gregg was very strongly in favor of DLP over LCoS because he told me he's seen a lot of issues develop in LCoS sets over time. He's had the most experience with different types of sets of anyone I know, since he's calibrated them all.

My final piece of advice is to just have fun! I'm sure your dad will enjoy whatever he gets. If you REALLY can't decide, just get the Toshiba. We love it.

Re: dlp vs. lcd vs. plasma

I wouldn't hesitate to get this receiver, if I had the money:
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...52921665186458

This thing has 6 HDMI inputs! It also processes the new HD audio formats, instead of just being a pass through. This receiver should be future proof for awhile. Good luck!

Re: dlp vs. lcd vs. plasma

If you're gonna get a DLP, then you should seriously consider Samsung's new LED DLP.

http://www.marketnews.ca/news_detail.asp?nid=2323

Best selling feature: It has no color wheel. It's still single chip, it just flashes red, green and blue LED light instead.

However, I'm one of those who thinks plasma is good, and I drool over the latest Panasonic models. can't say much about the glare, but you can't beet the plasma for off-angle viewing. I find that all rear-projector TVs suffer from off-angle viewing, and it's quite noticeable as you move around.

Just my two cents.

- Mike

Re: dlp vs. lcd vs. plasma

My co-worker's 3 year old DLP became afflicted with a busted color wheel last week, so he's going to try and get the replacement color wheel part ($95) and replace it himself and hope that fixes the problem (but I fear that some other circuit board fried itself, and he might be throwing money away if it's a problematic circuit board that fries the new color wheel as well).

Re: dlp vs. lcd vs. plasma

I went through this same scenario starting about a month ago. I first had my mind set on a plasma but after doing research and checking different ones out I decided to go with a Mitsubishi 57" DLP 1080P.

My room has plenty of light so the plasma would not work for me. Also, for the money DLP offers so much more. I bought mine at HHGregg. I went into the store and told them that I know that they can sell these TVs for much cheaper than what they are asking. The salesman asked me how much I wanted to pay. I told him that I would by the TV for the $1600 they were asking if he would throw in the $400 matching stand for free. After a few minutes he came back and told me that he could do it. This same TV at C.C. is listed for $1900.00. For a plasma that size I would have had to fork out about $6,000 or $7,000.

Like someone else stated plasmas are a cosmetic thing. People by them to so they can hang on the wall. With a plasma you will not get much life out of it. With DLP you may need to replace the bulb every few years but most liekly you will not have to toss it in the trash like you would a plasma.

Re: dlp vs. lcd vs. plasma

60,000 hours is a pretty good lifespan.

Re: dlp vs. lcd vs. plasma

Are you talking from experience, or advertised life span?

Re: dlp vs. lcd vs. plasma

60,000 hours is what most TVs are advertised for.

- Mike

Re: dlp vs. lcd vs. plasma

If that is true then that is incredible but I find it very hard to believe. I wonder if that only includes the amount of time the TV is actually on or the amount of hours that the TV will last whether it is on or off?

If you watch your TV say 40 hours per week then that would equate to almost 29 nine years of life.

If it is based on the life of the TV whether or not it is turned on then it would equate to almost 7 years. This figure sounds more accurate to me but I am no expert. Also it could depend on the manufacturer. I would be willing to bet that the Pioneer plasmas would tend to last longer than the cheaper models.

Re: dlp vs. lcd vs. plasma

What about LCD's you can also hang them on the wall but what is their life expectancy?

Re: dlp vs. lcd vs. plasma

Not a bad idea. I have one of the previous generation, and love it. The A3000 is a fantastic looking set, plus it features 120hz refresh rate.

About the only thing to be concerned with is viewing angles (not the best) and bulb replacement. They will burn out, so it is a wise investment to get the extended warranty from wherever you get the set, if it covers bulb replacement. At worst, if nothing goes wrong, you can call for a free bulb. I used to work at Circuit City and recommended it to everyone who bought one.

Re: dlp vs. lcd vs. plasma

I have the "Sharp Aquos 65" LCD -- LC-65D90U -- $6700" and it is simply amazing. I have it in a very large family room with windows from the floor to the ceiling on almost all ends. No matter what time of the day the set is still spectacular from any angle. You can literally stand on the side of it a foot away during the brightest day of the year and it is almost as if you are sitting directly in front of it in the pitch black.

To compare it to my 56" 1080p Samsung DLP. I might actually like the DLP look more but only when it is completely dark and I am sitting directly in front of the set. The DLP loses its magic when viewing from the sides compared to the LCD and also doesn't look as good with all of the lights on.

If you have "almost a blank check" go for the Sharp you wont be disapointed (although I'm sure the Panny Seth posted is gorgeous as well).

Re: dlp vs. lcd vs. plasma

Great Info Here thankyou for the insight