TV Up and Died

[Carbo]

My almost five year old Samsung DLP seems to be ready for the scrap heap. All indications point to a bad light wheel. I'm being quoted prices of $550 for the part, plus God only knows how much for labor. So I figure why bother? Time to spring for a new set. Not being a techie kind of guy, but needing to watch my Giants on a big screen, what do some of you good folks recommend?
I was pleased with my Sammy. The HD picture was terrific, but I'm a bit miffed at the five year lifespan. Anyone else with a similar product willing to share their experience?
And what can you tell me about LCD and plasma TV's? Never owned either type, and I'm wondering what the advantages/disadvantages are of the three differenct technologies.
Thanks for your opinions.

 

[sivart]

Good starting point
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-n...home/tv_flatpanel.html

Just make sure when you read comparisons the article(s) have been updated / created after July 2008 for the most accurate information.

Samsung makes very good Plasma's, so does Pioneer and Panasonic.

 

[squirrel dog]

Samsung has led dlp's in 61" and 67" that are very nice . Look on Amazon for the 61". No light bulb or wheel to worry about , 100,00 hr (i think) life span to half brightness on the led light source . Circuit city used to carry both , I'm not sure now .

 

[Carbo]

Originally posted by: squirrel dog
Samsung has led dlp's in 61" and 67" that are very nice . Look on Amazon for the 61". No light bulb or wheel to worry about , 100,00 hr (i think) life span to half brightness on the led light source . Circuit city used to carry both , I'm not sure now .

Wow! When did the technology change so much?

 

[SlickSnake]

Originally posted by: Carbo

Originally posted by: squirrel dog
Samsung has led dlp's in 61" and 67" that are very nice . Look on Amazon for the 61". No light bulb or wheel to worry about , 100,00 hr (i think) life span to half brightness on the led light source . Circuit city used to carry both , I'm not sure now .

Wow! When did the technology change so much?

Right after tube type radios came out.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Carbo

Originally posted by: squirrel dog
Samsung has led dlp's in 61" and 67" that are very nice . Look on Amazon for the 61". No light bulb or wheel to worry about , 100,00 hr (i think) life span to half brightness on the led light source . Circuit city used to carry both , I'm not sure now .

Wow! When did the technology change so much?

I'm a PQ freak and I'd 100% recommend a Samsung LED DLP. My brother got a 51" refurb from Amazing and the picture quality is unbelievably good - waaaaaay better than Plasma and LCD. I'm still a projector guy, but if I needed a new TV, I'd go with the LED model - they're just fabulous!

 

[squirrel dog]

Right on Kaido . I've been reading about and watching the led based dlp sets for a long time . My time is soon.

 

[spidey07]

I picked up the 67" DLP and for the price it's very tough to beat. Around 2100.

 

[Carbo]

I was amazed at the prices! I see the 61" model has a MSRP of $1,900. Meaning it can likely be had for around $1,500. Considering I paid around $2,300 five years ago for my 50", that's quite a bargain. Hmmm. . .Christmas gifts for the kids, or a new LED DLP for dear old dad. . .Hmmm. . .
But I'm reading that DLP technology is considered somewhat antiquated, in comparison to plasma and LCD televisions. Rear projection, they're saying, is about two years away from being obsolete. Which is the reason for the great prices, I suppose.

 

[spidey07]

It's only considered obsolete because people want thin TVs they can hang on their wall or above their mantle, everything else be damned including viewing distance. The reason for the great prices is supply/demand. I wanted excellent video quality in a 60 plus inch size because I sit 11 feet from the TV. Without spending a lot of money on a plasma, DLP was my only choice (save for front projection, where DLP shines just as it does in rear).

My only complaint about this TV is it doesn't have the outrageous contrast ratio of my plasma (by my eye, never measured it). But that's about it, oh and the gamma is ever so slightly off which is probably where my perceived lack of contrast is coming into play.

 

[Carbo]

Spidey, what's your take on having these sets calibrated after purchase? I have heard some folks swear that having a professional calibration done makes a difference that is nothing short of remarkable in terms of picture quality.

 

[spidey07]

It does. You can do most of it yourself with a calibration disc.

 

[Carbo]

I have an Avia disk. Will this do the job?