DLP vs LCD vs LCOS vs whatever else is out there

[Arkitech]

I've been wanting to buy a big screen HDTV for sometime now and I think sometime close to Christmas I will attempt to make a purchase. However in the meantime I'm still trying to decide what type of screen to go with. Initially I wanted a DLP but because of the issue with rainbows, headaches (from the color wheel) and some other wierd problems I'm having second thoughts. I've been reading that the new DLPs are beginning to use something else in place of the color wheel but I have'nt really followed up on it yet.

Anyone here familiar with LCD's in the 60" range? What are the pros and cons of an LCD screen? Same questions for the LCOS screens, what are the opinions on those?

Also does anyone have an educated guess on what kind of price drops will be in place for HDTVs this christmas?

 

[Apex]

I'm guessing when you talk about LCD, you're referring to the rear projection models only.

LCD's tend to have very poor contrast compared to the DLP models, and though the colors tend to be slightly better (ie. Sony Grand WEGA vs Samsung HLP). There's no rainbow effect, but the fill rate on the pixels is lower. Because screens are so small on RPTV's, it's not a huge deal though.

LCOS has slightly lower contrast than DLP's (JVC D-ILA to Samsung HLP, Toshiba HM, or Mitsu DLP), but better more natural colors. There's no dithering effect, as you may find on some DLP's, and no pixel crawl. No rainbows on 3-chip units, but you may find some on the single chip (Philips).

Price should drop a couple hundred by Christmas.

 

[Wahsapa]

i would just go with a dlp....

 

[toekramp]

i have a DLP (only 50" though) it is grand

 

[Dulanic]

Originally posted by: Arkitech
I've been wanting to buy a big screen HDTV for sometime now and I think sometime close to Christmas I will attempt to make a purchase. However in the meantime I'm still trying to decide what type of screen to go with. Initially I wanted a DLP but because of the issue with rainbows, headaches (from the color wheel) and some other wierd problems I'm having second thoughts. I've been reading that the new DLPs are beginning to use something else in place of the color wheel but I have'nt really followed up on it yet.

Anyone here familiar with LCD's in the 60" range? What are the pros and cons of an LCD screen? Same questions for the LCOS screens, what are the opinions on those?

Also does anyone have an educated guess on what kind of price drops will be in place for HDTVs this christmas?

Ok DLP... great black levels, the last year models did have a rainbow effect SOME people could notice (I could not). And the samsung's usually had a slight green hue (which could be fixed in service menu). Great contrast and they are overall bright TVs. DLPs typically don't have the best picture with SD but really shine with HD and DVDs. The new Sammy DLPs also use the newer 7 segment color wheel, which has for the most part cured any issues with the rainbow effect, atleast Ive yet to hear any complaint about it.

LCD... not as good black levels, but still good. The sony is a great TV, however it lacks some features I like, PC Monitor input being one of them. The sony is probably one of the best sets overall for analog/SD signals, it does a good job there. However the new Hitachi Cineform LCDs just came out, and I am hearing great things about these sets. I have seen it, but haven't had much time to really check it out, I am hearing it is by far the best LCD unit to date. It is deff worth taking a look at. It will run a bit more then the DLPs, the 50" MSRP is $4K, but with 2 HDMI, cable card, and more it is the most feature packed LCD also.

LCOS is a coin flip, some look like garbage (Phillips IMO) and some look great (JVC). I have been hearing good things about the new JVC LCoS, the D-ILA. The analog/SD signals are supposed to look fantastic in it, possibly better then the LCDs. This is the one I know the least about. Also supposed to have fantastic colors.

 

[Doggiedog]

That new Samsung Captain Kirk looks awesome.

I saw it in the stores last week and it had by far the best picture.

I have/had an LCD RPTV and its quite good (when it worked) but the new crop seems to be much better. Sony has the new GW IV coming out soon. Since I am a Sony hater, I'm not recommending it but just giving you a heads up.

FYI, the Sony GW III when it first came out had a huge amount of problems. I would expect nothing less for the GW IV when it comes out.