Which DLP?

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

Armond,

I imagine that once you get out there and compare all three sets you will
find that all of them are very impressive. Keep in mind that even if the
picture quality on one is slightly better than another in the store that may
not necessarily mean it is better since the stores often fudge with the
settings. Another thing to keep in mind is that once you get it home you
won't have it sitting next to a dozen other HDTV sets so any slight picture
quality differences will most likely be un-noticeable once you get it home
unless you are a super viewer.

Given my comments above on the picture quality I think it wise to consider
some of the other factors/features:

1) Built-in tuner: What will be your source for HDTV? Over the air (OTA)?
Satellite? Cable? If you will have satellite then a built-in tuner will
not be useful for you as your satellite STB will have the built-in tuner.
Some sets have CableCard which allows you to watch HDTV from your cable
provider without a STB. However, you can not view video on demand without a
STB so personally I am not too gung-ho about CableCard. The built-in tuner
or cable card will cost you at least $400 more for the set. If you don't
intend to use it then you may want to purchase a DLP that comes without it.
However, if you're dead set on getting rid of that STB then you'll
definitely want one with the built-in tuner/CableCard.

2) Digital inputs: DLP is a digital display. For example, if you put in
an analog input like component video the DLP will convert the signal to
digital and then display it. With this in mind it is better to give the DLP
a digital signal to begin with (DVI or HDMI). Most STBs these days have a
DVI output and there are many up-converting DVD players out there now that
also have a DVI or HDMI output. If you plan to have a STB and an
upconverting DVD player then you will want a DLP with more than one digital
input.

3) Form Factor: Some sets have speakers on the side and some have a
speaker on the bottom. If you a pre-existing cabinet or some other sort of
space constraint then you will want to check the set's dimensions. With the
sets already being widescreen the speakers on the side makes the tv wider
yet.

4) Price: This is influenced of course by the features on the set (i.e.
built-in tuner adds to the price), but if you narrow it down to two models
you find suitable then I guess price would be your tie-breaker.

I'm sure whatever you end up getting you'll be very happy with it. I hope
this helps!

Brad

"Armond Perretta" <newsgroupreader@REMOVEcomcast.net> wrote in message
news:nd6dndzDXNWMIPLcRVn-rg@comcast.com...
> Now that a few more manufacturers have entered the market, I am trying to
> find technical comparisons for larger size DLP sets, specifically the
> Samsung, Toshiba, and Mitsubishi sets above 60 inches. I've looked at the
> "usual suspects" sites, but no luck so far. Meanwhile none of my local
> retailers carries all of these to enable side-by-side comparisons. Any
> ideas for making an informed choice will be appreciated.
>
> --
> Good luck and good sailing.
> s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
> http://kerrydeare.home.comcast.net/
>
>
>

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

Before actually dumping the $$$ It may be wise to check the service records
for the associated companies and their products. You may be unpleasantly
surprised in the future if you do not do your in-depth studies before
purchase.
"Rob" <rvonder-nospam@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
newsP9cd.5057$6k2.4273@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> Brad's comments are all good ones. Let me add one more: I saw the
> Mitsubishi DLP for the first time last weeked and was disappointed to see
> that it has a very high-glare screen. I don't know whether this is a
> removable protector or if it's the screen itself, but if it's *not*
> removable, that feature alone would eliminate this set from my short list.
> It causes horrible reflections of every light source, and is even worse
> off-axis. When compared with the Samsung DLP or even the JVC D-ILA sets
> next to it, I thought it made the picture look like I was wearing
> sunglasses (too dark and contrasty, with reduced brightness).
>
> Personally, I have the Samsung 61" and couldn't be happier -- and mine is
> one of the very first they made, so doesn't even include some of the
> improvements made in the last 18 months or so.
> Rob
>
> "Brad Griffis" <bradgriffis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:Ry_bd.9856$Rf1.6340@newssvr19.news.prodigy.com...
>> I imagine that once you get out there and compare all three sets you will
>> find that all of them are very impressive.
>
>