Who makes the best rear projection TV ?

[KickItTwice]

I'm starting to look around at getting a large rear projection TV ( over 60 "). So far, after doing a few searches for reviews, it appears that the Pioneer Elite series has the best IQ with Mitsubishi coming close with good bang for the buck. I want some kind of ultimate home theater set up with awesome picture and awesome surround sound.

 

[Mutilator]

If you've got the $$$$ get the Pioneer Elite. If not get a Mitsubishi or Hitachi. I'm sure you're going to have a lot of people to tell you to do a search since threads like this have been posted several times/week lately.

 

[conjur]

You're on the right track there. Pioneer Elites are sweet and an ISF-calibrated Mits is right in-line with it.

But, if you want the ultimate home theater and can control the lighting (meaning, a room w/o windows or at least with blackout shades) then front projection is the way to go.

What is your budget?

 

[rudeguy]

FP is nice, if you can control your lighting.

Most manufacturers are changing models right now. You might want to hold off for the new Mitsubishi sets. They are supposedly going to improve the picture when watching an analog signal, which has been the big problem with widescreen sets. The ws-55413 seems to be calling my name.

 

[KickItTwice]

The front projection is a little more than I want to spend, and I want something bright enough that I don't have to draw the shades. I might spend up to $5,000, but I may not have to. I have a United Consumers Club membership, and I can usually beat the crap out of any retail price. I'm hoping I can get away with $3,000 or less.

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: KickItTwice
The front projection is a little more than I want to spend, and I want something bright enough that I don't have to draw the shades. I might spend up to $5,000, but I may not have to. I have a United Consumers Club membership, and I can usually beat the crap out of any retail price. I'm hoping I can get away with $3,000 or less.

You might want to look at the ws-55513 by Mitsu. Integrated HD tunder, netcommand for controlling all of your devices, and a learning remote!!!

Or if you want a deal, shop around for a 55511, which is basically the same set but this year's model. I am sure you can find someone willing to blow out one of those sets.

 

[KickItTwice]

I like the idea of the integrated HD tuner. They should all have them if they claim to be a HDTV. Looks like with the Pioneer, you have to buy one seperately.

 

[amcdonald]

I have an Elite, its nice.

 

[KickItTwice]

The Mitsubishi WS-73711 has a 73" screen *drools* Man I'd sure like to watch a football game on something like that.

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: KickItTwice
The Mitsubishi WS-73711 has a 73" screen *drools* Man I'd sure like to watch a football game on something like that.

lol...what did you do, search for the most expensive mits out there?

 

[KickItTwice]

I just went to their main website to see what they got. I have no idea of what the price is for that. I'll have to check.

 

[spidey07]

Mits and pioneer are generally considered "the best".

Samsungs new DLP sets are very impressive.
Toshiba has a 1080p LCOS set out.
Mits has an 82" LCOS set.

 

[KickItTwice]

The WS-73711 goes for around $6,000. I should be able to get it for under $5,000 I believe.

What does "LCOS" mean? Sounds expensive. lol 82" mmmm

I'm reading a review of the WS-73909 73" which goes for around $7800 online. http://hardwarecentral.dealtime.com/xPR-Mitsubishi_WS_73909~RD-73368571524

 

[conjur]

Liquid Crystal on Silicon

Toshiba 57" LCoS - $5999.95

GEEBUS!   That thing weighs in at 300lbs! :Q

But, it can do 1080p  

 

[brentman]

I've had 2 Toshiba RP televisions. A 50" 4:3 and now my 57" 16:9 HDTV. Both have excellent picture quality. My parents have had a Hitachi RP for over 15 years and it still has a better picture than most tv's on the market now (non-HD of course). So I would recommend either brand.

my $0.02

 

[Amused]

If you want something that will be very bright, and at the same time not have to worry about burn-in issues, go for a DLP set. Considering the fact that you don't want to have to "draw your shades", this sounds like it would be your best bet.

Any CRT based RPTV will be set far too bright if you want to view it in a brightly lit room.

There is no "best RPTV." There is only "the best RPTV for your needs and preferences."

 

[KickItTwice]

I guess I need to take a trip to the local high end TV store that carries all the latest and greatest to see for myself the advantages of LCOS and DLP. Maybe tomorrow.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I don't know about Pioneer, but I'm impressed that they're getting so many good reviews.

My picks are Hitachi, Mitsubishi, and Toshiba. Basically, see which one you can get a deal on and spend the money you save on beer. Most of these TVs aren't based on a "brand-by-brand" basis. They're more of a model-by-model basis.

 

[Gunbuster]

Toshiba 57" LCoS - $5999.95

good price, it was 8K+ a few months ago. I would jump on that if I had the $$$$

 

[KickItTwice]

Well I made the trip to the Audio/Video store yesterday and I'm pretty convinced that you need to get a CRT based rear projection TV for the best image quality. On the DLP they had there, the blacks just didn't look very black. They had like a bluish grey haze to them. The CRT based set on the otherhand had nice blacks. The salesman stated that only the CRT based sets produce the blacks correctly like that. There is a nice forum at http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/default.asp?section_id=1 to read of a lot info on the subject of HDTV. The trade off of course is the possible burn in you can get, if you get ignorant and watch TV with the sides cropped off because of the aspect ratio. Shouldn't be a problem if you just don't do that. Also don't turn the contrast up too high.
As for how the models rate it seems that the first tier is the Pioneer Elite series followed by the Mitsubishi Diamonds, and the second tier being Hitachi's followed by the Toshiba's. The new Mitsibushi 65" models come with the 9" guns which should make a big difference. It seems odd that with their last years models you had to get the 73" to get the 9" guns, and this year it looks like you can still get the 73", but with 7" guns. I hope I'm wrong because that just doesn't make sense.

 

[conjur]

Good recon mission there, KickItTwice

Good to see Mits finally putting the 9" guns in their 65" set. hmmmmmm  
That should put them on par with the Pioneer Elites, then.

And, it's not burn-in...it's phosphor-wear with which you need to be concerned. But, with proper calibration and a mix of viewing habits, you'll be fine. I've had my 55" Mits for 2 1/2 years and have watched a lot of DVDs, a lot of 4:3, and played a lot of PS2 on there and there are NO signs of phosphor wear.