Samsung 67" DLP...what's the verdict? (1 Viewer)

[Jimmy Reece]

I currently own a Samsung 61" (6167) DLP purchased new four years ago.
It is a 1080i set and has a very impressive picture and has performed well.

Now that I have purchased Blu-Ray about a year ago and have many films/concerts on that format, thought I'd go with the 1080p upgrade. (I have a HDMI splitter as my set has but one HDMI hookup)

I have been completely satisfied with Samsung and plan (unless otherwise persuaded) on sticking with the brand.

I figured once I was going new I would also go a tad larger on screen size. The 67" now available is quite affordable, yet when I go to either Best Buy or Circuit City the picture only seems so-so with their in-store setup. My 1080i seems sharper and more impressive overall.

Anyone experienced the 67" 7 series Samsung DLP in a home setting yet?
Thanx so much for any and all input.

 

[Drake21734]

Just make sure you have enough room. Since you have a 61 you probably do. We looked at this set when replacing our normal SD rear projection 63 inch set and it was way to big to fit. Ended up going with a 52 and it works great. Lost maybe two and half inches in height but the width stayed the same or just about the same. I also noticed that we'de have to sit farther back from the 67 than the 52HD or 63SD and didn't have enough room.

 

[Jimmy Reece]

Yup, I have the room. I sit about 12' away from the screen so size is not a problem.
I am just conflicted about the picture. I know there is the LED technology on this 67" rather than lamps. I just am not feeling it at the showrooms with their setups.
Was just hoping maybe someone knew of a review on the set or anyone who had actually seen it in a home setting.
Thanx for the reply!
Jimmy

 

[Drake21734]

I didn't like the picture it had on the showroom either. Everything looked really grainy and pixelated on it and I was at least 10 feet away. They could have just set it bad to sell more expensive sets. Who knows.

 

[Scott Merryfield]

I purchased this same set about two weeks ago, replacing an 8 year old Toshiba 56H80 RPTV CRT 1080i set. I didn't think the picture looked very impressive in the store, either, but it looks fantastic in my home when properly calibrated. The black level is excellent, which is what I was originally concerned about in changing from a CRT to DLP.

My HD sources are Comcast CATV and a new Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray player. I've only watched two BD discs so far -- The Godfather and Spider-Man I -- but the picture quality was outstanding on both. I do not see any pixelization or motion artifacts from either source.

The picture is much brighter than the old Toshiba during the daytime in our room, which is also big plus when watching an afternoon football game. I've read others state that the viewing angle is narrow on this set, but I did not find that to be the case, at least compared to my old RPTV CRT. FYI, we sit 12 feet away from the set.

 

[Matt Hough]

WIDESCREEN REVIEW's latest issue reviews in depth the 61" model of this set, and it's a fairly glowing review.

I have last year's 56" model, and the picture is by far superior to the previous two HDTVs I've owned. Once these sets are calibrated, they offer superb quality, among the most accurate color points in the business, and excellent sharpness.

 

[JustinCleveland]

The LED DLPs are wonderful sets, but they have zero viewing angles, so you do need to be right in front of the screen to get the best picture. Last year's Samsung DLPs had a problem where the picture would curve up at the corners of the screen (so that things like the black bars on 2.35:1 movies would seem to smile) so be sure that the particular model you are looking at doesn't have that issue.

Don't always go by the picture quality in the store. Although the assertion that they are made to look poor to sell more expensive sets is ludicrous, the truth is that most all sets are in vivid, out-of-the-box mode and the signal is split over long runs without boosting. Proper calibration heals most ills.

 

[LTbrilliance]

I would recommend the Vizio XVT series, although I don't know if they have that big of a screen. I have the SV470XVT - 47" and the picture is fantastic. The sound and quality is great too. It has the 120Hz and 1080p so it really makes a difference for me. I have always been a huge fan of Vizio, and I find them cheaper than Samsungs and Sony's. But like I said, I don't know if they have a 67" yet.

 

[Jimmy Reece]

Thanx for the help on this issue. I do believe that Samsung is the leader in HDTV, and have friends who install surround systems for my new construction projects that swear by the brand as well as repairmen who tell me the calls they get on Sam's are far less than the other major brands we all recognize.

It's just that in the past I would visit Best Buy and Circuit City and drool for a few months (while I watched the prices drop) marveling over the terrific visual site in front of me (like my 1080i 61" set currently in my theater)...and this time the pix just looked OK.

I am glad to hear that the vivid colors I expected and the LED format is indeed all it's cracked up to be.

All of your input is greatly appreciated.
I'll give it a try!

Sincerely and all the best to you each,
Jimmy

 

[Jesse Skeen]

Best Buy and Circuit City have been using Tivo-like hard drives to play all their instore material. Most of it is badly compressed, and hardly useful for demonstrating picture quality. I've just accepted that you can't judge anything by how it looks instore; whatever new TV I end up getting will have to be from someplace that will let me exchange it if it doesn't work out at home. (Though then I'll be worried about how to get the thing back to the store- I imagine they'll hate you if you ask their people to come pick it up.)

Right now I'm leaning towards a Mitsubishi 73-inch DLP, since I've had their 40-inch picture tube set for 12 years and it's worked great. I know I'll have to replace the bulb every few years on the DLP, but I heard they looked into using LEDs and they just couldn't get them to look as good as the bulbs do. They're coming out with one that uses lasers, but it's been delayed several times, and I've heard when they finally do come out they'll be around $7000.