LCD, DLP, HDTV, Plasma ???

Best Buy had a Toshiba DLP 56" for $1200 on black friday

Do you plan on using this with a PC? If so I think you will want one that is true 1080P (as in 1920x1080 res). A lot of the lower price HDTV on the market only support 1280x720 or 1366x768 as native althoug they will accept a 1080I/P signal and down-convert it for display.

For true 1080P display, unless you are made of money. You only have LCD and DLP to choose from as 1080P Plasma is quite expensive as they have just hit the market in the last months (50" $7000+). LCD would be a better bet if you can live with 52" or below but you'll have to live with DLP for larger size. Problem with DLP is that the light blub has a lifespan of about 5000 hours then you'll have to replace them while LCD are generally rated at 60000 hours +.

Don't forget about SXRD--Sony's take on LCoS technology (Liquid Crystal on Semiconductor). This is reflective LCD tech.

I used to prefer plasma, then DLP, then LCD, in terms of black level and color accuracy (not counting old-school CRT). With SXRD-flavored LCoS in the mix, I'd rate them:
SXRD, Plasma/DLP (hard call), LCD.

All of them in the 50 inch-ish range.

But as Wiz has mentioned, expect to pay $200-$300 every 2-3 years for bulb replacement on the projection systems (DLP/LCoS).

They say plasma TV's have the best viewing angle. Plasmas also have better bright/dark range.

I, however, prefer LCD's for their crisp picture and rich colors. They're also easier for me to stare at for long periods of time.

I just bought a Sony Bravia for myself, and that's a LCD. Basically in Theory Plasma's are better then LCD's for Video, where LCD's are better then Plasma's in Image Quality. First and foremost I say pick up a 1080p Screen because you can see the difference, and watching 1080 in HD is differnt then 780 in HD.

LCD's are noted to having trail lines when dealing with a large amount of motion (Action), where Plasma's don't have any problems. Basically the Plasma's are chemical reactions and therefore they produce a better picture when seeing action, but on average I don't belive any Plasma to date has worked perfectly with no signs of age after 8 years. <--- This informaiton was told to me by a few reviews, and seconds hand sources, but I do belive it!

Basically if you look at an LCD and you can't tell that it's an LCD, Then that's what you should pick up. My Sony Bravia is an LCD, and it has a 178 (I generally say 180) viewing angle and everyone who looks at it thinks it's a plasma. THe picture quality is great, but at the time I was only picking between a Samsung and a Sony. Watch a college football game in HD, and you'll see the difference.

The Sony Grand Wega XBR LCOS 1080P are certainly is a good choice at 50" and above, My friend just got a 60" and even regular DVD (not up-converted) looks pretty good. I myself prefer LCD for the higher res and although the Black level is not quite as good as Plasma, they latest one is ceratinly a lot better. I just picked up a Sharp 46" LC-46D62U and according to reviews, this set have the best Black level of any current generation LCD on the market (unfortunately the store was out and they have to get one from another store so I won't have it till tomorrow or Tuesday) but I'll report back once I got it setup and compare with my current Sceptre 42" 1080P set.

I have the 62 inch version of this tv and its AWESOME, only costs about 1400-1800 depending on who you buy from, try craiglist.

don't get DLP... any DLP you buy, you will continue to buy lamps for it years after you buy it... DLP is terrible terrible technology

read the reviews of that TV you posted:


The lamp Issue is VERY REAL...don't minimize it ! , August 25, 2006
Reviewer:lanier "mom" (IL, USA) - See all my reviews
I too overall love the TV. But the let down is the lamp unit issue...it has a short life span. We purchased our TV in Nov'05...and lamp went out Aug'06.

And the Service stinks...at least at Sears. The TV went out on 8/15, I called on 8/15 to inform Sears my lamp went out. They refused to send me a replacement lamp but had to come out and check the TV first...which happenen on 8/23 and now we have to wait until they return with the lamp on 8/30. OUTRAGEOUS !

I wish I would have known about this lamp issue...I would have never purchased the TV...the great picture & features don't out way the potential of the lamp blowing at any given moment.


Wait to buy, lamp bulb issues, June 1, 2006
Reviewer:MarioLemeow "candybo" (Livonia, Mi United States) - See all my reviews
I've had my 52 inch DLP Toshiba (52HM95) for 4 months, almost to the day. The lamp bulb blew last evening. When I did the math, that means I got about 500 hours of use for a lamp Toshiba's documentation boasts would last between 6000-8000 hours. Toshiba recognizes, because of countless complaints (check out their site if you don't believe me), that there may be a problem. They are replacing the lamps for several models. Luckily, because lamp bulbs are dying so quickly, many people still are able to get them replaced under the one year warranty. Now Toshiba has extended the waranty to 2 years because of the many complaints. By the way, bulbs can cost up to $350!!

So, although the TV is awesome, if you are wanting to buy this TV, or other similar rear projection TVs, it may be wise to wait until this issue is resolved. I will have to go without the use of mine until the lamp is shipped, they say 3-5 days. On a particular forum, many complain of a much longer wait. I did a lot of research on this TV before I bought it. I'm surprised I didn't find the complaints until now.

as of right now.. LCD is the best way to go... click on the red link in my sig to see my 37 inch LCD HD-TV 1080p

No one is currently broadcasting in 1080p... so it doesnt matter what HDTV you buy if you have HDcable... the max is 1080i currently and even that is a stretch. You won't see 1080p broadcasts for 5-10 years if longer.

But that is not to say you can't buy an HD-DVD player and watch it in 1080p. But HD-DVD and Blu-ray are the only hi def options at this point..not counting QT trailers.

Duke, interesting tidbit that I heard recently:

Some company (sorry forget who) is planning to come out with a DLP/LCD/LCoS (forget which, but whatever technology, it's a microdisplay--that is: slimline rear projection) that uses white LEDs as the light source...

My xbox 360 does 1080 and even though your TV may not support 1080 normal HD does look dirrent on a 1080 screen compared to the norm. I know this for a fact because my Television has 2 versions (one in 720) and they look differnt.

Telling someone not to buy DLP is is like telling someone to stay away from Radeon Video Cards...There are good and their are bad.

DLP is outstanding technology and anybody who says otherwise is mis-informed. Every TV has its ups and its downs, whether you go with LCD and burnt out pixels or Plasma with burn in, or DLP with so called bulb issues.

Just find a TV that you like with good clarity and buy it and enjoy! lifes to short to worry about the small stuff!

actually its quite different. Radeon Video cards will not definitely fail like DLP. There is 100% chance your DLP lamp will burn out.

And there is a 100% chance your going to die....So should we not buy either cause neither will last a lifetime?

Thank you,

DLP ROCKS!

no you used a worthless analogy and i corrected you. its not a matter of BRAND... its a matter of failure rates. your most recent retort makes even less sense.

Well, I just got my Sharp 46" LCD and the unit looks great, they also have many screen mode including dot by dot (no overscan) for HDMI inputs. The Black level is awesome, while it's still not as good as the top plasmas they are damn close and viewing angle is great also.

Is Black REally an issue when you watch TV? Perhaps in Movies, but not so much with Television.