rear projection TV question

polktiger · November 2007

I am now considering a rear projection TV...

Is there really much difference between the 3 main screen technologies (LCD, DLP, SXRD)?

Kind of thinking about the Sony E3000 that is on sale on line for $999 for 46" or $1199 for 50".

Systems · November 2007

polktiger wrote: »

I am now considering a rear projection TV...

Is there really much difference between the 3 main screen technologies (LCD, DLP, SXRD)?

Kind of thinking about the Sony E3000 that is on sale on line for $999 for 46" or $1199 for 50".

That’s a big question

I have a Sony SXRD 60" and besides the fact that I bought the absolute worst possible piece of crap as far as problems goes... I still think it’s the best technology right now. I bought the SXRD1 and it’s been a complete cluster f' across the board for all owners but was fixed in the SXRD2 and now they are at like SXRD5. But even at that, the image is amazing, it just had some OB issues in the first model (aka they would bust and need to be replaced). No owners at all of the SXRD2+ have had those issues.

For rear projection (projector) I still prefer a 3 panel LCD based unit. This is when you are going 90+ inches. I have the Panasonic unit now dropped on a 133” screen

For flat screens LCD is the way to go. Especially those new 120hrz 15000+ units. I especially like the Samsungs.

Pablo · November 2007

Silveri is correct, that is a huge question.

I have an old 56" RGB Panasonic rear projection and I think the picture is still amazing. I perfer the picture it has to my 36" plasma on the wall (720p). The biggest problem with it is the size (it's huge). Luckly I was able to make a hole in the wall into the garage, so it's only as deep as my entertainment unit.

If you do some searches on comparisions to the different types, you can find most of the pros and cons. There are just so many things you can take into account (viewing angle, black level, lifespan, ect...). You can still find people that perfer the older technology to the newer stuff (but it's hard to compete with something that's only 4" deep).

polktiger · November 2007

Pablo wrote: »

Silveri is correct, that is a huge question.

I have an old 56" RGB Panasonic rear projection and I think the picture is still amazing. I perfer the picture it has to my 36" plasma on the wall (720p). The biggest problem with it is the size (it's huge). Luckly I was able to make a hole in the wall into the garage, so it's only as deep as my entertainment unit.

If you do some searches on comparisions to the different types, you can find most of the pros and cons. There are just so many things you can take into account (viewing angle, black level, lifespan, ect...). You can still find people that perfer the older technology to the newer stuff (but it's hard to compete with something that's only 4" deep).

I think I misworded my question. I am not really trying to compare rear projection to the thin flat panel TVs. But rather the three screen types of rear projection TVs (DLP, SXRD/LCoS, and LCD - not sure how or why but they actually rear project onto an LCD screen for screens under 55")

Seems like Samsung is partial to the DLPs I think Mitsubisihi has a few DLPs. Sony and other Mitsubisihi appear to be the LCD on smaller (under 55") and SXRD on screens bigger than 55".

Trying to determine the pros and cons of those three screen types seems really confusing.

Pablo · November 2007

I haven't done all that much research on the projection sets. When I did look into it a few years back, they all had thier problems (but technology on these things change so fast, that much of that is probably not true anymore). If you do a search, you should find some good info on the different types. Here's an article on CNET that gives you some of the pros and cons (they even talk about the CRT based projection tvs)

http://www.cnet.com/4520-7874_1-5108443-3.html

MacLeod · November 2007

Im (hopefully) closing on a house next month so Ive already started looking for a big screen TV in the 50" range.

Currently the best value Ive found is the 50" Panny plasma 720p for $1600. However, I really like rear projection for 2 reasons - 1) bigger screens for the same money and 2) I think the color looks more natural than on plasmas.

Now to your question, what I have found out so far is that the LCD sets are the worst performing. They still look decent but the color and detail arent up to the other 2.

LCoS looks pretty awesome and IMO opinion its a toss up between it and DLP. LCoS seems to have better color but the overall picture quality of DLP appeals to me more as being more "realistic".

Another advantage LCoS seems to have is that it seems to be a little more reliable the DLP.

So while on paper LCoS appears to have a few more pros than DLP, I still, for some reason, prefer DLP.

One thing to remember is that it will also depend on the brand. A Samsung or Mitsubishi DLP set will look a pant load better than an RCA DLP set.

tonyb · November 2007

First think of where you will place it.LCD AND DLP are no good near a wood burning fireplace as the fan on the back sucks everything in.Found this out the hard way.Also a plasma above a fireplace may look nice....untill your neck hurts from looking up at it.Rear projection lcd is pretty good and probably the most dependable out of the three.Have a 60 in. sony for 3 years with no issues related to manufactoring.

MacLeod · November 2007

Just found a Sony SXRD 55" 1080p set for $1500 at Circuit City!

That just moved up to the top of my list for best value. Thats a lot tv for $1500!

You may want to check that out.

halo · November 2007

Have had a 50" Sony RP LCD for almost three years here. Aside from the "screen door" effect the only other issues are that the blacks aren't black (more of a really dark gray) and the heat it puts out.

Looked at a JVC LCoS set and it sucked - did not like the picture quality. I hear the Sony's are fantastic. Mitsu DLP's are nice too.

mark090852 · November 2007

An important thing to remember is that you can't really compare the picture of one set to another in one of the big retailers showroom. People dick around with the settings so one day set A may look best and the next day set B may look better. Those sets are usually set up with maximum brightness to make them stand out against the others. Do your research...read the reviews of the various sets that are online. Lot's of good info over at the AVS forum, too.

I have the Sony 60" SXRD XBR2 and love it. Got it about a year ago and read all I could read about it and others for two months before buying it. Very happy with it. No issues at all.

Pablo · November 2007

Mark is right, what you see in a show room is nothing compared to what the set can really do. They always crank up the brightness and the blue is also cranked (more relevant on the older sets than now adays). Remember, all the manufacture wants to do is draw your eye to the set among a couple dozen others, so they don't care if it's true to life, just that it "glows".

Also, 1080p should be kept in mind when picking a new set. I know it's not what it should be, but with blue-ray, hd and new gaming, it's something to consider since you will keep the set for years to come.

rskarvan · November 2007

Welcome back Silverti.

halo · November 2007

rskarvan wrote: »

Welcome back Silverti.

still Banned, no?

BSmart · December 2007

I own a 50" Samsung DLP and a Sony 50" LCD. Samsung about 3 years old and the Sony about a year and a half. To me the DLP pciture is much better. Hard to describe exactly why but it looks crisper, colors are brighter and no question the blacks are blacker. Now that said, I did have a major repair issue on the Samsung that required the entire light engine to be replaced so that made me choose the LCD when I went to replace and old rear projection unit. Fortunately, I had purchased an extended warranty and it was covered but the part took 3 weeks to arrive. Anyway, I would go DLP again for the picture quality is really nice and they seem to have greatly reduced the "rainbow effect" that used to bother a lot of folks.

engtaz · December 2007

The newer faster speed 7 color segment wheels have less of a problem with rainbow effect.

engtaz

bigaudiofanatic · December 2007

FYI when I worked at best buy the tought use that all dlp tv's and rear projections are becoming obsolete.

izafar · December 2007

If you are going DLP then look for one with LED light engine. You wouldn't have to worry about bulb replacement cost and picture would be much bright with natural tone.

MacLeod · December 2007

Ive looked at the LED sets up against the DLP sets and I actually like the DLP sets better. Granted this is on the showroom floor with their horrible lights.

Im starting to like the LCoS sets a lot. They seem to have a lot less noise in the picture.

rear projection TV question

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