Seeking HDTV set recommendations

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

"Neil Bradley" <nb_nospam@synthcom.com> wrote in message
news:10alpurdgnla416@corp.supernews.com...
> Well, my damned 6 year old NTSC 53" Sony TV died over the weekend. It's
> looking to be
> $600+ in repairs (the "M" board is giving me a jittery picture, double
sized
> picture, oscillating between normal color and very green, and picture just
> going away). So either I repair it or buy a new one, and I'm leaning
toward
> buying a new one.
>
> I've been looking at the DLP based televisions, and I'm impressed. The LCD
> TVs don't have a black enough black for me. I won't consider a tube based
> rear projection due to burn in problems.
>
> Thoughts? Recommendations? Caveats? I'd like to get a 61" or larger if
> possible, under $6K, too (also if possible). I'm eyeing the Samsung
HLN617W
> (DLP 61" ) and if any of you have recommendations or things to avoid, I'd
> very much appreciate hearing about it. Thanks!
>
> -->Neil

I really like the Samsung DLPs so I think you're making a good decision.
The HLP series of Samsung DLPs is supposed to be coming out very soon.
There's some kind of big Samsung show going on this weekend in NY. I
believe you'll probably hear by Monday when the HLP series will be available
(there's been rumors in AVS forum that it will be this month). Once that
announcement gets made I believe you'll see the HLN prices drop a bit to
make room for the HLP series. You will probably want to wait a week or so
to buy so that you either get a better price on the HLN or you can get one
of the new HLP sets.

Brad

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

Neil Bradley wrote:
> Well, my damned 6 year old NTSC 53" Sony TV died over the weekend.
> It's looking to be
> $600+ in repairs (the "M" board is giving me a jittery picture,
> double sized picture, oscillating between normal color and very
> green, and picture just going away). So either I repair it or buy a
> new one, and I'm leaning toward buying a new one.
>
> I've been looking at the DLP based televisions, and I'm impressed.
> The LCD TVs don't have a black enough black for me. I won't consider
> a tube based rear projection due to burn in problems.
>
> Thoughts? Recommendations? Caveats? I'd like to get a 61" or larger if
> possible, under $6K, too (also if possible). I'm eyeing the Samsung
> HLN617W (DLP 61" ) and if any of you have recommendations or things to
> avoid, I'd very much appreciate hearing about it. Thanks!
>
> -->Neil

See this link for information on upcoming Samsung sets using the newer
HD2+ and HD3 chipsets from TI:
http://www.digiupdate.com/105_DLP_ [...] oc62794044

In my experience, the black levels on the current crop of DLP sets is
not better than the current LCD series from Sony (WE610). I like the
Sony's better as they offer better color rendition using the 3-LCD
panels. The Sony also came in second place in a recent Home Theater Mag
HDTV review, behind a CRT RPTV set. I can see the rainbow effect on the
Samsung sets. I'm eager to see the new sets from Samsung that use the
7-segment color wheel.


--
David G.

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

"Neil Bradley" <nb_nospam@synthcom.com> wrote in message
news:10alpurdgnla416@corp.supernews.com...
> Well, my damned 6 year old NTSC 53" Sony TV died over the weekend. It's
> looking to be
> $600+ in repairs (the "M" board is giving me a jittery picture, double
sized
> picture, oscillating between normal color and very green, and picture just
> going away). So either I repair it or buy a new one, and I'm leaning
toward
> buying a new one.
>
> I've been looking at the DLP based televisions, and I'm impressed. The LCD
> TVs don't have a black enough black for me. I won't consider a tube based
> rear projection due to burn in problems.
>
> Thoughts? Recommendations? Caveats? I'd like to get a 61" or larger if
> possible, under $6K, too (also if possible). I'm eyeing the Samsung
HLN617W
> (DLP 61" ) and if any of you have recommendations or things to avoid, I'd
> very much appreciate hearing about it. Thanks!
>
> -->Neil
>
>

In addition to big-screen rear projectors, you might also consider a front
projector setup, if you have an adequate room:

- able to darken the room (light control)

- 12 - 14 feet on one dimension

- blank wall for screen or paint treatment for direct projection


I have such a setup in my finished basement, and it provides the closest
experience to a theater, but without annoying crowds. Projectors are
cost-competetive with big-screen TVs and can produce really big pictures.

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

For around $2k, you can get a very nice 57" Hitachi rear projection CRT set,
keep the brightness and contrast at a reasonable level to prevent burn-in,
and have the highest quality picture. Not to mention you have no premature
bulb replacement (at $300+) and rainbows to worry about. If you do happen
to get burn-in in a couple of years, you can scrap the CRT set and get a
much more refined DLP or LCD or LCOS set for at least $2K less than today's
models. That's my rationale and I'm sticking to it!
"Neil Bradley" <nb_nospam@synthcom.com> wrote in message
news:10alpurdgnla416@corp.supernews.com...
> Well, my damned 6 year old NTSC 53" Sony TV died over the weekend. It's
> looking to be
> $600+ in repairs (the "M" board is giving me a jittery picture, double
sized
> picture, oscillating between normal color and very green, and picture just
> going away). So either I repair it or buy a new one, and I'm leaning
toward
> buying a new one.
>
> I've been looking at the DLP based televisions, and I'm impressed. The LCD
> TVs don't have a black enough black for me. I won't consider a tube based
> rear projection due to burn in problems.
>
> Thoughts? Recommendations? Caveats? I'd like to get a 61" or larger if
> possible, under $6K, too (also if possible). I'm eyeing the Samsung
HLN617W
> (DLP 61" ) and if any of you have recommendations or things to avoid, I'd
> very much appreciate hearing about it. Thanks!
>
> -->Neil
>
>