Give me reasons to pull the trigger on this or not

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
I don't mind using a stand (I need it for the PS3, DVD, receiver, soon a 360, etc.) so I'd still pick a DLP over LCD & plasma.

Dave, what about lamp replacement issues and costs? Many of the DLPs I'm reading about need lamp replacement after only 1000-3000 hours use.

I think that's like plasma burn-in and is much better now than it was a few years ago. They'd replace it free if it did die in the first year, and if you pay with a CC that doubles warranty you could -possibly- get the CC to cover it in year two.

It's anecdotal, but I'm still on my first bulb after 14 months, and my brother's 2+ year old DLP is also still on its first bulb.

If you got a Samsung model finding a bulb should be easy and relatively cheap since they're way ahead of others in market share.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
I don't mind using a stand (I need it for the PS3, DVD, receiver, soon a 360, etc.) so I'd still pick a DLP over LCD & plasma.

Dave, what about lamp replacement issues and costs? Many of the DLPs I'm reading about need lamp replacement after only 1000-3000 hours use.

I think that's like plasma burn-in and is much better now than it was a few years ago. They'd replace it free if it did die in the first year, and if you pay with a CC that doubles warranty you could -possibly- get the CC to cover it in year two.

It's anecdotal, but I'm still on my first bulb after 14 months, and my brother's 2+ year old DLP is also still on its first bulb.

If you got a Samsung model finding a bulb should be easy and relatively cheap since they're way ahead of others in market share.

my dad has a small DLP that is on the first lamp at nearly 3 years and thats on a good part of the day.

from what i have read the 3000 time frame they give is having the bulb on full blast. most people turn the brightness down wich will extend the life of the bulb.

not to mention $150-276 (from what i have seen) is not bad IF you owna big expensive dlp.

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
I don't mind using a stand (I need it for the PS3, DVD, receiver, soon a 360, etc.) so I'd still pick a DLP over LCD & plasma.

Dave, what about lamp replacement issues and costs? Many of the DLPs I'm reading about need lamp replacement after only 1000-3000 hours use.

I think that's like plasma burn-in and is much better now than it was a few years ago. They'd replace it free if it did die in the first year, and if you pay with a CC that doubles warranty you could -possibly- get the CC to cover it in year two.

It's anecdotal, but I'm still on my first bulb after 14 months, and my brother's 2+ year old DLP is also still on its first bulb.

If you got a Samsung model finding a bulb should be easy and relatively cheap since they're way ahead of others in market share.

Samsung is what I've been looking at. You've almost got me convinced Dave.

 

[SlickSnake]

Samsung makes great LCD computer monitors, I own 2 21 inch ones. But when I went for big screen LCD 46 inch, I bought a SHARP Aquos. Also, the bulbs on the SHARP LCDs are (or used to be) user replaceable, and not soldered into place in the socket like other brands are. The LCD panels are rated at 50-60000 hours of use, too. By then, we will have 3D holographic laser projection TV, heh.

The Samsung LED projection screens have been a nightmare for some owners, with the LED panels burning out within a short amount of time after they are bought, like within weeks or a few months at times. Then the Samsung repair service has been ultra slow on repairs when owners are forced to go that route. I have heard bad things about Samsung customer service lately, too. Seems they give some owners the run around, and replace piece by piece, service call by service call every part in the set before they finally replace the LED panel, since they run out of stock on it a lot at the warehouse. Then they have to back order it for weeks or months. I actually bought a Samsung 60 inch LED projection one, and kept reading horror stories like that on AVS forums, and decided to steer clear of it and refused the delivery of it after a few weeks of stalling them on it.

Much happier with my smaller 46 inch 1080p Aquos now!

 

[warmodder]

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: warmodder

You can get the cheaper set because the hd-dvd player you have (not the format) doesn't output 1080p so it would be a waste. Not to mention you won't notice the difference in practice anyway.

If you shop around, you could get the whole shebang for under a grand and use the savings on a htib or something.

Honestly, this has to stop. JackBurton has explained it before. If you have the A2 or A3, and your TV is 1080p, your TV will display the movie at 1080p. It's that simple.

If the a2 can only output at 720p and 1080i where do you see that it can put out 1080p? If I'm wrong, why does Toshiba sell one that does put out 1080p???

 

[DaveSimmons]

It's only the second model year for the LED DLP displays, so they're a bit bleeding edge.

The light-bulb DLPs are a much more mature design, and this is the third model year of them running at 1080p (after 4? 5? years of 720p before that).

I'd much rather have a 50" DLP than a 42" LCD or plasma, but it's harder to choose between it and a 46-50" LCD or plasma.

My pros for DLP:
- light weight compared to LCD/plasma, under 80 lbs for a 50"
- cheaper (bulb versions)
- nice blacks (better than LCD last I checked)

Cons:
- no wall mounting
- bulbs, or bleeding-edge and expensive LED

 

[SlickSnake]

It says the Sharp 52" LCD TV with Speaker only: 82.7 lbs.

And to update. It claims lamp light is good for 50-60000 hours. And says: Typical time for power output decrease of about one-half assuming continuous use in a room with normal lighting, normal brightness and temperature at 77 degrees F. So I guess the LCD panel is supposed to outlast this lamp life. 60000 hours later, I will let all of you know about that claim, lol!

 

[Pabster]

Originally posted by: warmodder
If the a2 can only output at 720p and 1080i where do you see that it can put out 1080p? If I'm wrong, why does Toshiba sell one that does put out 1080p???

It has nothing to do with the A2. The display it is connected to has its own chip which does scaling. It will take the 1080i and make it 1080p, as it is incapable of displaying an interlaced image. These panels are progressive.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: warmodder

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: warmodder

You can get the cheaper set because the hd-dvd player you have (not the format) doesn't output 1080p so it would be a waste. Not to mention you won't notice the difference in practice anyway.

If you shop around, you could get the whole shebang for under a grand and use the savings on a htib or something.

Honestly, this has to stop. JackBurton has explained it before. If you have the A2 or A3, and your TV is 1080p, your TV will display the movie at 1080p. It's that simple.

If the a2 can only output at 720p and 1080i where do you see that it can put out 1080p? If I'm wrong, why does Toshiba sell one that does put out 1080p???

1080i = 1080p from a source to display perspective for film based sources. They are one and the same. exactly the same.

Given that most all HD content these days is 1080i/p there isn't a compelling reason to get a 720p display.

the FUD needs to stop. 2008 will be here in under 2 months. 1080p is the only way.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: spidey07
the FUD needs to stop. 2008 will be here in under 2 months. 1080p is the only way.

Right, so my hover car is now, what, 8 years overdue.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor

Originally posted by: spidey07
the FUD needs to stop. 2008 will be here in under 2 months. 1080p is the only way.

Right, so my hover car is now, what, 8 years overdue.

its a conspiracy! the tire manufacters give billions a year to Bush and company!

 

[GoingUp]

I'd take a Panasonic 50" plasma for $1500 instead and skip the PS3.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Originally posted by: ITJunkie

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: Czar

Originally posted by: soxfan
Personally I don;t like the KDL40V2500 or any other Sony LCD (including the bravia XBR). Then again, i don't like any LCD TV's period.

I'd check out the panasonic 1080p plasma's before you buy an LCD. Buydig has the panny 1080p 50 incher for ~2200 bucks shipped (or at least they did when I bought it). Yeah it's more money, but the image quality difference is SO noticeable as compared to most if not all LCD's that it is worth it. Indeed, the panny's image quality to my eyes appeared only slightly worse than the pioneer elite's

As for the PS3, I like it, but more for it's blu-ray and DVD upconversion capability than it's ability to play games. I doubt there is a more capable blu-ray player out there at the $399 price point. And whatever people say about Sony, the picture off a blu-ray disc is freakin incredible.

agree with this guy, look at the 1080p panasonic plasmas and frown upon any lcd tv out there

most likely getting myself on of those myself in about a month

Why frown on the lcds?

Agreed. Also, since he mentioned he was looking at the PS3, whether or not he gets it, it sounds like he will want to hook some kind of gaming system up to it. Aren't LCD's better for this than plasma's?

Quite simply, no.

Gaming on a plasma is not a thing to frown upon anymore, as long as you have a current gen plasma that is. According to my panasonic manual, pixel shifting technology is employed to prevent screen burn in. That said, they don;t recommend leaving a still image on the screen for more than 2 weeks.

As for why I frown on LCD's, I personally think they: are too bright; have poor color reproduction and black levels; and exhibt noticeable pixelation, even on the high end screens.

Again, this is my personal opinion. If you like an LCD than go for it. The only person who has to be happy with your purchase is you, and I know lots of people who swear by their LCD's.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: warmodder
I dunno, I like lcd's iq. Side by side in the store, sony definitely looks much better than the competition.

But yea, ditch the ps3 and get a larger screen. Maybe throw in an hd-dvd player if you wanna watch some movies.

The HD-DVD is on it's way (Toshiba A3). This whole process is getting mucho frustrating. Now I'm reading I don't really need 1080p, go with 1080i. That will save some money, but I'm afraid I'll be behind the technology if I stick with 1080i.

if you're talking from the TV, then you definitely do want 1080p over 1080i. as for the HD DVD player, it doesn't really matter.

I don't get what you're saying. Are you saying I should go with the 1080p? For what reason if the HD-DVD doesn't do 1080p?

At a minimum, HD-DVD outputs at 1080i (and probably 1080p by now). I wouldn;t worry about this distinction yet, however. So long as your tv has a decent upconverter, the difference between a 1080p source and 1080i source is barely noticeable (prepares to be flamed by people who swear they can see the difference)

 

[Shawn]

Get a 1080p native set but get a 1080i player. The reason you don't want a "1080i" set is because that's not the sets native resolution. Usually the native resolution is 1366x768.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Originally posted by: Insomniator
Why are people still buying 720? I've watched 720 next to 1080 and the difference is night and day.

The only reason I could think of getting 720 would be for plasma which has better colors/contrast...

Because little to no HD content is broadcast in higher than 720p. ok, there is some 1080i out there but not much. 1080p tv's are great for movies. 720p ius fine for current HD-DVD broadcasts.

 

[CPA]

Okay, I pulled the trigger, sorta. This is what I have on hold for pickup at CC. It includes 24 months interest free financing, as well.

Y $138.00 $1,619.99 1 $1,241.99
Sony 40" LCD HDTV
SON KDL40V2500

Y $499.99 1 $399.99
Sony 80GB PlayStation3 with MotorStorm
SON 98004
5 Free Blu-Ray movies: See Details!

Y $2.00 $19.99 1 $17.99
Gamers Savings Club Membership
CAV CCGSCV2

Y $205.00 $2,199.99 1 $1,844.99
Hitachi 50" Plasma HDTV
HIT P50S601

The Hitachi comes with a $150 egift certificate.

Also, I went to Best Buy to look at the Sony's picture, and with the exception of the Samsung's 120hz model, I felt the Sony had the best picture in the 40-42" range. I don't believe I was being biased because I wanted it. In fact, I continued to tell myself I didn't want it, up until I saw the set and figured in the price point. This set will be for our bedroom.

I chose the hitachi after reading several reviews (all of them glowing) and looking at the features for the price - a 50" 1080p for less than $2000. Plus, the $150 egift certificate. I looked at the Pannys, but they were more expensive and I didn't think they were any better than this Hitachi.

Let me know your thoughts. Oh, and Dave I looked at the DLPs at Best Buy, but I just couldn't convince myself that to get one. The form factor (depth) was just not appealing. Plus, I just couldn't find a good enough deal.

Lastly, I haven't picked this up from CC yet. I am going to this weekend. That way I can see if any major deals come out this weekend on any other sets.