A Little Help Buying an HDTV?

[WAID]

The wife and I are finally looking at replacing an older big-screen Mitsubishi TV with HDTV and I still need some help figuring out which way to go.

I'm a member of Costco and got a mailer saying that in August a 67" Samsung 1080p DLP set was going to be on sale for a week or two. The Costco site doesn't have a set like that available now so I don't know what model number it is.

I'm trying to figure out if DLP makes sense over either LCD or plasma. Being flat is not a major consideration, I'm more interested in picture quality. I've read about rainbow issues with DLP and bulbs going dim (although I don't know how expensive these are or how much of a pain it is to replace them), but I also read a nice review of a Samsung DLP last month (I found the link in this forum but I don't remember what site).

Please make a case for or against DLP, and if not, which way should I go? I've also read that plasma is when watching football or other fast-paced images. Still true?

Any thoughts are much appreciated!

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by WAID

I'm trying to figure out if DLP makes sense over either LCD or plasma.

You and the wife should go to BestBuy or Fry's Electronics or some other place with a large display of HDTVs and see LCD, DLP, and Plasma for yourself.

I tend to like DLP but I saw a beautiful 60" Sony LCD rear-projection TV that made me drool.

Peace...

[Pirate]

Good info here:
http://www.audioholics.com/education...lcos-d-ila-crt

[sub780lime]

I have also been a big fan of DLP, especially for the price. IF you can get an extended warranty on one that will protect you the best from bulb burnout.

[WAID]

This is all really helpful info. I haven't been impressed by the local Best Buy (and watching side-by-side at Costco isn't ideal although from what I could see the LCD picture looked a bit better than plasma), but there is a Fry's nearby that I should spend some time in.

The article is well put together and helped alleviate some concerns. I watched the demo of the rainbow effect and since I don't commonly experience seizures I don't see that as a major problem (someone had said they just got used to it over time and it's no longer even noticed). I was also concerned about the burn-in of plasma because I tend to be a News junkie and sometimes just have one channel on for hours while I'm getting other stuff done, but even that seems to be less of a problem.

And while Costco is not a place of worship for me, they tend to have pretty good stuff at really competitive prices. Plus, they advertise that they extend the manufacturer's warranty to two years automatically. They are great about returns too.

Please keep offering suggestions, I'll keep reading, and I'll be out in the weeds waiting to see how good a deal I can get for a quality set!

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by WAID

The article is well put together and helped alleviate some concerns. I watched the demo of the rainbow effect and since I don't commonly experience seizures I don't see that as a major problem (someone had said they just got used to it over time and it's no longer even noticed).

That's the thing, you have to actually see the rainbows for the effect to be an issue for you. My first exposure to DLP was Chromy's DWIN DLP front projector and while others in the room could readily see the rainbow effect, they had to point it out to me.

I'm not sure why rear-projection CRT was left out of the article.

Peace...

[Iguana Man]

I thought burn in has become a relative non issue of late, but I could be wrong depending on your viewing habits.

Plasma supposedly gives a fantastic pic in a controlled environment. Aka dark. LCD/LcOS is great for brighter instances, and DLP is another great alternative yet..rainbows could happen. I gues I'm against DLP because of said potential rainbows which I see but more importantly could be seen by guests. That is why I decided on LCD for my outdoor theater (and living room). I don't want to take the chance.

What the hell was the question again?

[chlngr1970]

The Samsung HLT5687S has the LED light engine, so no color wheel, or rainbow effect. Check it out at your local retailer to see what you think.

j

[Rileydog]

the tv your talking about is the new DLP's by Samsung for this year.

I just got one of the latest models this past January- 61in- that are being replaced this summer, I just couldnt wait anymore and we were moving into a new house so the timing was right to improve my setup.

I am totally amazed and satisified. Definitely the way to go, especially in terms of bang for buck. I (like most uninformed consumers wandering into a Best Buy- I see the poor schmucks all the time and try to help when the salesman walks away) was sold that the best picture could only come from Plasma, then I saw games on LCD and thought that was it. But, to get the screen size I wanted, min. 50 in., it would have been 3-4k easy before any wires, etc.

My opinion is in the end, all 3 types will display brilliant pictures depending on the source. I have DirecTv HD package and the stuff is brilliant looking on the screen. My 360 even plays DVD's that look upgraded.

And, I bought mine from Crutchfields- they have great deals, which at the time included a free stand, shipping, and becasue its a catalog no tax. Take that all into consideration and I saved 700 easy and got the tv for $2295. For a 61 in TV I think its great.

Buying from Costco shouldnt matter- those warehouse stores get some of the same brands in- so if there's a deal on it that makes it really cheap that week, get. But call the catalog up first and see waht they'll do.

[WAID]

This is all great and helpful info. Iguana Man brought up a good point, which is that my setup is in an area of lots of natural sunlight.

I'm happy to hear Rileydog praise the Samsung. I have bought from Crutchfields and I'll probably price check closer to the purchase. I never understood why some etailers charge tax and others don't but Costco stuff is taxed, and at 8.25% in the Bay Area that could largely offset the discount that are offering. The stand also is worth something to me so I'll just have to wait and see. Costco doesn't have this Samsung on their site yet but they have a Mistubishi 65" DLP 1080p model for $3000. Shipping is $150 and tax is another $260 so the total is just over $3400; that's more than what I was hoping to spend so hopefully the Samsung is closer to what Rileydog paid.

Like Rileydog I plan to go with the Direc TV HD package. Dish is what I have now and they are going to nickel-and-dime me to make the HD change and install service to a couple more rooms. Which brings up another question, does it make sense to buy a DVR set? Costco has them but with stickers that indicate that the $250 isn't really to buy the box but to lease it. An employee told me the stickers were wrong, but another said that they are accurate.

[Iguana Man]

The nice thing about leasing the Tivo's is you can opt for a service package. I didn't at first but later when my HD unit crapped the bed, I did. It's the only service plan I subscribe to electronics wise.

It costs more down the road, but this is one place I subsribe to the 'peace of mind' argument with electronics.

[WAID]

I just looked at the Crutchfield site and saw the Samsung 61" DLP's for $2800-$3200 (haven't investigated the difference between the T6189S and the T6187S), so it looks like Rileydog really got a great deal on his set for $2300 (plus I'll likely need a stand too).

When I read the article reviewing the Samsung DLP I recall that the reviewer mentioned the picture needing some adjusting. So once again I'm on the Costco site (I'm working on a backyard project while waiting to turn my attention to the new TV), and I see item #154554 which is a ColorVision Spyder2 Express Monitor Calibration System for $60. Is calibrating a TV something best to leave to pros or is this something worth looking into?

BTW, since I'm an HDTV rookie should I plan to get an HDTV Hook-up Kit or do most sets come with all of the needed cables?

Thanks again for all of the help!

[Miggy]

WAID,

I've just starting to do some serious research, myself, because I've decided I want to get at least a modest sized screen now so I can at least take advantage of progressive scan finally.

So I can't give you any advice on what kind (I'm kind of wavering between LCD and plasma, myself), but I can tell you that if the e-retailer has any of their phsyical locations (warehouses, etc) located in your state, then you will get charged the tax. Tigerdirect charges tax in North Carolina and Florida, so I get hit with it when I order from them.

Miggy, the Thief

[sub780lime]

Originally Posted by chlngr1970

The Samsung HLT5687S has the LED light engine, so no color wheel, or rainbow effect. Check it out at your local retailer to see what you think.

j

Very pretty. Are they making a smaller TV with the new LED Light engine, like a 46"?

[Frankie]

I’ve had a Panny 50" DLP for 2 years now. I heard great things about DLP but before I purchased it, I went looking for the rainbow effect. But I never saw it.

Then about a month or so after I had it set up I noticed it.

To me it's only visible in darker scenes where you might have a wall lamp or some kind of direct light in the background. When I shift my eyes from one side of the screen to the other I see it. I can actually make my eyes notice it. I guess the worst show for it was CSI (vegas) There’s a lot of night scenes in that show.

But now I'm used to it and don't see or notice it as much. Watching HD football on Fox or movies on DVD for some reason I don’t see it at all.
I’m the only one in my family that see’s it.

But you know something, I don't care. The picture on a DLP is bright. Colors like Green and Orange jump of the screen. I’d put this TV up against a Plasma any day. A nice sharp clear bright picture.

The bulb will set me back $200 when the day comes.

My 2 cents

[chlngr1970]

Originally Posted by sub780lime

Very pretty. Are they making a smaller TV with the new LED Light engine, like a 46"?

The smallest I saw on their site was the HLT-5087/89 ( the link to the /89 is on their site ). It's a 50, so I dunno if they plan on bringing that down to the 45 or not...

j

[sub780lime]

Originally Posted by chlngr1970

The smallest I saw on their site was the HLT-5087/89 ( the link to the /89 is on their site ). It's a 50, so I dunno if they plan on bringing that down to the 45 or not...

j

Hopefully they do. The wife isnt too into the 50" at our viewing angle, though i will work on that

The release a 46" DLP 1080P so I would think they would dump the new LED Engine in it. Time will tell.

[sub780lime]

I starting looking at the 50" and found that i can find it for about $1700 online.

Then I noticed that there is a 56" that is also 1080p and has the new LED engine, but on Amazon it is $1300. The contrast is only 4000:1 compared to the 50" one which is 10000:1. the 50" has 3 HDMI inputs instead of 2, so on and so forth. Here are links to the 50" and 56" I looked on the Samsung site and this 56" isnt the latest model to match the 50". but I am considering the 56" at this point. Is that a mistake?

50"
56"

[chlngr1970]

If it is, I would jump on it NOW!



j

[Sehnzeleid]

Originally Posted by sub780lime

The contrast is only 4000:1 compared to the 50" one which is 10000:1.

Don't put a lot of stock in contrast ratios, unless you watch in complete and absolute darkness.

[sub780lime]

Originally Posted by chlngr1970

If it is, I would jump on it NOW!



j

maybe I missed it, but if it is what?

[chlngr1970]

Originally Posted by sub780lime

maybe I missed it, but if it is what?

You asked if the Amazon price for the 56 was a mistake...

and it looks like it wasn't...it is still listed at $1399. I think MY cost is more than that. If I was in the market, and had the funds, I would go for the 56 as long as it was new.

j

[sub780lime]

The only difference i can see is the 56" listed is not the new Slim-Depth and it has fewer inputs than the 56" Slim-depth that just came out (2 HDMI compared to 3). I would be ready to jump all over it, the wife is sort of holding things up...we did just lease a new car so we are out of pocket for that...but the price is really good and if it is just like the new model except not slim-depth and has one fewer HDMI input, I would go for it. I guess that begs the question, has anything changed about the LED Light Engine between these two models?

Also, is there anyway to know what generation HDMI this TV has and if it inputs 1080P? I know some TV's were previously designed where they would only upscale to 1080p and even if you hooked up a 1080p signal to it (such as a Bluray disc) it would downconvert it to 1080i and then upconvert it back to 1080p (cost savings from what I understand). How can I know if this TV does that? Does it matter in your opinion?

[sub780lime]

just talked to samsung support and they said it does except 1080p as a true signal, so it wont down-convert, then up-convert. Thats good news. Man, I want to jump all over this, how can I convince the wife?

[WAID]

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11126871&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|79|2341&N=4001386&Mo=5&No=0&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=4848&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=

The bottom show the model listed as: Model HL-S6767W

It lists as a $3,000 set now at $250 off through June 30 (don't know why I didn't see this earlier as it says sale price beginning May 24), but I assume this is the same set going at $400 off in August w/ coupon. The offer includes a stand and I don't know if the August offer will include one (the stand is fairly important to me), but shipping is $150 (not applicable if buying at the store) and I have to pay sales tax as well.

I'll have to now do the research again for reviews and opinions (and the opinions of yours are great too!).

[Iguana Man]

Why is WAID's avatar or whole posting schpeal weird looking?

Schpeal...that's my new word!

[Iguana Man]

Oh yeah...check out this!

JVC has expanded its LCD TV line-up with the addition of four new models that offer 1080p full HD resolution. All four models, in 37-, 42- and 47-inch screen sizes, incorporate an array of JVC technologies that combine to deliver sharp, natural images with even the most challenging program material.

JVC’s expanded LCD line includes two series – in the 688 series are the 37-inch LT-37X688 and the 42-inch LT-42X688, each offering a new black cabinet. The higher performance 788 series includes the 42-inch LT-42X788 and the 47-inch LT-47X788, featuring black cabinets with silver trim and an ultra-thin bezel. The 788 series sets also provide a higher contrast ratio, faster response time and wider viewing angle.

All four models feature full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 and JVC’s fifth generation D.I.S.T. (Digital Image Scaling Technology) engine that upconverts all signals to display at full 1080p. Dual HDMI v1.3 inputs allow connection of the latest generation of 1080p sources that offer 1080p outputs. Other features include nine aspect modes, four picture modes, a new universal remote with new convenience features, and a USB photo viewer.

To ensure the best possible picture, the new sets feature JVC’s Genessa chip, a 32-bit CPU processor that combines all image processing, noise reduction and color management technologies together onto a single chip for more efficient communication, and thus better performance. Genessa includes JVC’s Motion Adaptive Dynamic Gamma control, an algorithm that preserves tonal details and gradations in dark areas so that the image doesn’t appear muddy.

Genessa also includes Digital Video Noise Reduction that reduces the graininess for both analog and digital video sources, a Block Noise Suppressor that detects and eliminates “block noise”, a Mosquito Noise Suppressor that eliminates noise in low bit-rate signals without degrading the image, and a 3D Y/C comb filter with DTV Cross Color Eliminator that uses an advanced 10-bit 3D Y/C separation process to eliminate cross color and dot interference that is imbedded in older source material.

Standard definition signals are improved through new Natural Progressive IP conversion, improved scaler performance and a new PLL (phase lock loop) system that improves the performance of a composite signal.

In convenience features, the new sets offer nine video aspect modes, including a full native mode that shows the full picture with no overscan, four picture modes (standard, game, theater and dynamic) to optimize performance for different room situations and program material, and a USB photo viewer – a USB input for connection to a USB mass storage device, including JVC’s Everio hard drive camcorders. Images can be zoomed and rotated, viewed individually or played as a slide show.

New with the launch of these LCD sets is a completely redesigned remote control. All four new sets come with an illuminated universal remote that includes five direct video input buttons, and can be programmed to operate many brands of set top boxes, DVD players, digital video recorders, VCRs and audio products. In addition, the remote features dual infrared transmitters so that the set receives the signal whether the remote is pointed at the TV or held vertically for a better view of the buttons.

All four sets offer a full complement of inputs – two HDMI v1.3 inputs, two component inputs, three composite inputs, three AV inputs, an S-Vide