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Opinions on DLP TVs

Discussion in 'General Chat Forum' started by LKelly, Jan 22, 2008.

  1. LKelly

    LKelly New Member

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    After watching the playoffs on a friend's DLP set, we're seriously considering one of these for the family room. What are the pros and cons? The fact that they only come in large sizes is NOT a problem, since our intent is to get a big screen. More people seem to go for plasmas or LCDs for some reason, and I can't figure out why -- DLPs are a bit more expensive, but when you're spending that much to begin with... ?
     
  2. boomertsfx

    boomertsfx Booyakasha!

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    Well, rear projection takes up more room and also has a smaller viewing angle than plasma. DLP and Plasma are typically great for true blacks, where LCD TV's don't produce as deep blacks (darker grays). I have a 42" LCD and love it, but wish I got a 52" LCD =)
     
  3. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    Why people choose LCD...

    looks - Plasmas are king of the hill and the thin screen is sexy - LCD has the same format. So its like driving a car that looks like a ferrari but isn't one :)

    price - LCDs in the sub-50" area are the price kings... especially 720/768 resolution.

    Basically LCDs have hit the consumer mainstream because of their price and form factor.

    A DLP set will tend to be higher end in terms of its features and controls compared to LCD.

    With Micro Projection sets - the size difference is not all that much. Mine is 20" deep I think.. and unless you are mounting a flat screen on the wall or its out away from the wall for some reason - I don't see the reasoning for buying a TV based on it being flat vs micro projection. You're going to sit it on a table or mount anyways... it only becomes a factor if you are going to wall or pole mount it.

    LCDs have a matte finish on the screen making them a bit better for anti-glare if you have direct light/windows that may reflect on the screen. Most projection screens will have the same benefit. Plasma glass is glossy.

    Basically its still 'you get what you pay for' with the TV sets.. and how much someone is going to care about the end result.

    Most of these cheap LCDs you see advertised are 720p resolution screens with poor contrast compared to a higher end set.

    DLP you can get a 1080p set with more granular controls and typically more features. DLP alternatives like LCOS improve upon some of the deficiencies of DLP.

    Plasma is still king of the hill picture wise - but are heavy, can be louder, and the glossy screen is an issue for some. And of course.. price.

    I've yet to see a LCD set that really impressed me... but that often is because they aren't setup proper.
     
  4. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    We have a 61" Samsung DLP and a 42" Visio LCD.

    The LCD is nice because we could mount it on the bedroom wall. The DLP is BIG but it is not a problem as it is in the family room.

    For HD, the LCD picture is not too bad but the DLP picture is AWESOME.
     
  5. southernwalkres

    southernwalkres New Member

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    I have a 50" Panasonic DLP that is 4-years old, and a 2-year old Philips LCD (37"). I think the DLP picture is MUCH better. I use it in the basement, where I can sit it on a madia base and the depth (about 18") isn't a problem. I actually think the picture is almost as good as the plasmas I've seen.
     
  6. sharse

    sharse TeamDonzi rocks!!

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    suggest you check out cnet.com for advice, opinions, etc.
     
  7. WesGurney

    WesGurney New Member

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    The Sony Store at Tysons Corner mall has an awesome selection of the LCD televisions set up and connected to PS3's and Blu-Ray players.

    The Sony models aren't like what you see at Best Buy/Circuit City, but the latest and greatest for the Sony line. They even had the 70" LCD set up on display.

    I know you are looking at DLP, but it will give you a good baseline to compare to LCD models.
     
  8. LKelly

    LKelly New Member

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    Thanks for all the feedback, folks! We're taking our time with this decision, so there's plenty of comparison shopping to be done.

    Another question: has anyone had to replace the bulb yet? I heard it can be a do-it-yourself thing, and bulbs cost about $200-300. Not that it has to be done frequently, of course. True?
     
  9. Pats_fan

    Pats_fan Former Resident

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    I've had a 50" Samsung DLP for about 4 years and have not yet had any issues with the bulb.

    While we're on the subject of DLP's however, I have a question that maybe someone could answer--the TV has gotten into the habit of, every once in a while (maybe every 3 or 4 uses), turning itself off shortly after I've turned it on. I can turn it back on, and then it might happen another 1 or 2 times before eventually settling down and operating normally. This entire exchange usually occurs within the first 5-10 minutes of use.

    At this point its not particularly annoying and more of a "curious" thing, so I'm not ready to have it looked at until it starts happening with a bit more regularity.

    Has anyone ever experienced this? Any ideas on what might be happening? Thanks.
     
  10. latka

    latka Active Member

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    The bulb is going bad.
     
  11. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    WELL DAMN! Go figure, bulb went out last night! TV is 4 years old, LOTS of viewing.

    Ordered a new bulb online for $135 (shipping included). This is the bulb only and not the housing it fits into. Most sites wanted over $225 for both. Phillips head screw driver is all you need to swap out the bulb.
     
  12. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    Softballchick is correct. Order a new bulb now.
     
  13. Pats_fan

    Pats_fan Former Resident

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    Thanks sbc and T8! Where'd you order the bulb T8? (Considering we both have the same TV except for the "minor" difference in size! :))

    Note that I did a bit of research after sbc's post and read that when you replace the bulb you should only handle it with rubber gloves so you don't get skin oils on the bulb. Good luck on your replacement T8 and let me know how it went! I think it's curious that ours are both dying about the same time--I think we purchased them about the same time as well.
     
  14. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    http://www.dlplampsource.com/ 1 year warranty and free delivery. Not sure about what your part will be but the purchase price was lower than the "displayed" price (after adding to the Cart)

    You only need buy the lamp. As I posted before, taking the lamp out of the housing (btw, the housing had the part # on it) is cake.
     
  15. Pats_fan

    Pats_fan Former Resident

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    Thanks T8!
     
  16. afgm

    afgm Ashburn Farm Resident

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    Not that this helps you now, and this is only a suggestion not meant to rub it in.

    I monitored the bulb usage. When it got to about 20% left, I replaced the bulb and saved the "20%" bulb as a backup. Therefore, the next time the bulb blows I have a bulb I can use until the next new one is ordered and arrives.

    Could have been worse, bulb could have gone out during your Super Bowl party. "hun, bring out the 13 inch TV from the kitchen"

     
  17. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    I have actually been meaning to buy a new lamp for months. Just never got around to it.

    I will buy ANOTHER new lamp somtime this year for a backup.
     
  18. brim

    brim Member

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    Not sure if newer Plasmas have addressed this issue, but they used to have a problem with image burn in. This is a problem if you play a lot of video games or witch stations that have that static network logo in one of the corners of the screen all the time.

    Note: I have a Samsung 56" DLP thats about 2.5year old. It's not 1080p but I'm still fairly happy with it, great picture.
     
  19. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    Burn in is a possibility on LCDs as well - both projection and non. The GT-Live we have here at the office for instance has HORRIBLE burn-in on the LCD.

    Plasmas have a few tricks up their sleeve to address it, pixel shifting, and other things - but its really not that big of a deal in residential use - but its something to be aware of.

    Lifetime used to also be a big issue with plasmas, but they have greatly lengthed that. The last bit is only specific types of plasmas can work at high altitudes - but that's a non-issue here :)
     
  20. Pats_fan

    Pats_fan Former Resident

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    In addition to our DLP we have a 42" Panasonic plasma that was accidentally left on overnight with one of the "Blazing Saddles" jailhouse scenes paused on our Tivo (about 8 hours or so). Needless to say, I was mortified when I saw it in the morning. After turning it off the image was definitely still visible on the screen, but it subsided after a while (I didn't time it but it was a matter of minutes/hours and not days/months).
     

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