New RPTV question...

Grimster74

So, one more time. Before I purchase the Mitsubishi RPTV, can anyone tell me the benefit of purchasing a rear projection LCD or DLP over the CRT. I know the cabinets are much smaller but can anyone tell me what the real life span of these tv's are. I just don't want to have to spend the money for new bulbs every year or so. I guess I really don't know much about the new tech.

fireshoes

DLP/LCD have essentially perfect geometry, while CRT's typically don't without calibration. No convergence on DLP/LCD. Better viewing angle on DLP/LCD. No lamps to bother with on CRT (though CRT is not renewable). Better black levels on CRT.

As far as life span for lamps, I've had probably two premature failures out of all the displays in my store in the past few years. I've seen a few cases of customers having problems with theirs at home. I think sometimes the tv just has a bad light engine that causes them to burn out more often. But otherwise they tend to last pretty well. Considering that our tv displays on for about 4500 hours a year (typical model year), having only a couple fail in that time is bad. Front projectors lamps usually have to be replaced after about 9 months, which is about what they are rated for (3000 hours). So I think you can expect to normally get the 6000-7000 hours that most microdisplays claim for their lamps. If I were buying right now, my preference would be plasma, microdisplay, CRT. PS I hate convergence.

PolkThug

No burn-in possible with DLP. Very, very rare instances of a "burn-in like" effect with LCD's.

Projection LCD and DLP have viewing angle problems as well, but like I would say to customers, "Do you really sit that far off to the side when you watch TV?"

Huge negative for LCD and DLP is the screen door effect, I can't stand it. Even the high-end Hitachi LCD's have it.

CRT will give you a great picture as long as you take the time to calibrate it.

Grimster74

Well, it's to late to set up a poll so I'll just do it this way. If you had to buy a new tv now, what type would it be and why do you prefer this type over the other. Thanks for your responces fireshoes and Polkthug.

PolknPepsi

The wife and I have been looking at the extremly expensive 37" & 45" Sharp LCD and Panasonic Plasma tv's. For our smallish living room we are about 9' to 11' away and the 37"- 50" size is looking pretty good. Someone said to me not to even consider plasma but I am yet to get an explanation why.

I just seem to like the plasma and flat panel LCD for clarity and detail but a lot of $$$ is needed for these. Our living room has tons of uncontrollable light too.

There is a Sony 3LCd rear projection that has a pretty darned good picture and is much more affordable if we consider rear projection. Someone on this forum recently bought a EDTV plasma for $1800.00 and if it is good enough for DVD's that may be the way for us to go.

Grimster74

Well ladies and gentlemen, I finally made a decision. Looks like I will be purchasing a 62" Mitsubishi 1080P DLP television. It's model no is WD-62628, just in case anyone wanted to check it out. Went to the big screen store today and spent the better part of a hour just flipping channels and was floored by its performance. Tell me what you guys think.

BIZILL

god bless it!! i am jealous. for whatever reason, i just want dlp.