Hey all,

I know there are TV threads out there... and believe me... I've read them all... but never found what I was looking for. So I was hoping our resident TV gurus could chime in.

Anyway, here are the details...

The Room:
The TV is going into a two story great room that is well lit and pretty big (23' x19.5'). We currently have the Samsung 50" DLP in here... and we love it. Picture is nice, etc. My biggest gripe is that during the daytime it can be tough to watch TV with the amount of light this room gets... but at night it's perfect (assuming the kitchen lights aren't on as they reflect off of it). Both TVs below would fit nicely in our entertainment center. I wish the 60" Sony would... but it's 2" too wide.... (only have 65").

The Choices:
I've narrowed it down to two...

1) Samsung 61" DLP (HLR6167W)
2) Sony Grand WEGA 55" Projection LCD (KDF55XS955)

Now... like I said, I love the DLP, but I'm a little afraid to go that route again (and this time with a bigger screen) b/c of the lighting in the room. My only concern with the Sony is that it won't look as good as the Samsung DLP (although I've heard good things about the Sony). Yes, I've been to all of the stores and compared them... but #1 they're never next to each other and #2, they're never properly tweaked.. so it's hard to do a fair comparison.

User profile:
95% of the time this TV is used for watching actually TV... mostly HD broadcasts. The other 5% is split between PS2 (like 4%) and DVDs (the other 1%). Keep in mind that the purpose of this TV will be to watch television. The Samsung will be going up to my bonus room and will be used for PS2 and DVDs since that room is setup as a theater with surround sound and everything built in.

So basically, once this new TV comes it will be 99% used for TV. About 90% HD programs, 9% digital programs and the other 1% for DVD movies.

Which TV would be the best? Ideas? Opinions?

 

I love my DLP too, but I'm not sure why you'd stay with the same but bigger... you'll still have the same lighting issues, wouldn't you? It sounds like you have a really nice room... are you totally "anti" flat panel type tvs? (plasmas, LCDs)

 

That's what I'm thinking. But I guess the main question is... will the LCD have the same problem? B/C I know they're brighter by nature.

Also, I'd say that 85% of the TV we watch is at night with the exception of football games... and we're on week 4 and all of the games have looked great.. so maybe I'm putting too much emphasis on the lighting when it's only really an issue early in the morning when the sun shines through....

 

from what I have heard/read Samsung is supposed to be better the DLP than Sony LCD. Sony is best with their regular tube tvs

 

what about Sony's "Grand WEGA"LCD? I know it's pricier... but that's the one TV that I replace my DLP with...

 

I love my Samsung 50" DLP....I looked at the Wegas too, I thought they look ugly (I know its not what you should look for, but i wanted sleek and contemporary looking)

 

hahah, oops, sorry... that part number IS for the 55' Grand WEGA.

 

I would also consider the A20 (RPLCD) series from Sony.

 

Yeah, but I'm not so concerned about the looks of the unit b/c with the entertainment center we have, you'll only see the front which is 98% screen. I'm looking for pure picture quality....

 

The DLP should be brighter by nature, it's only reflecting light not requiring it to pass through something. But there are so many other things that weigh in, that it really should come down to actually comparing the two units. One is not going to be significantly brighter than the other. Image quality should be close, the triple LCD Sony's are quite good.

If you are having trouble seeing it, then any projection might not be your best choice. Unfortunitly with something that large, it's either that or plasma ($megabucks$ for one that large).

 

haha, there's my boys... I was hoping you guys were around to chime in. I'm gonna go do some searching on that Sony

 

Id pic the sony line

 

Based on what you consider to be the most important factors, which of those would be the best in your opinion (which I value).....

 

http://www.3day.com/?wt.srch=1

 

Hey I have a WEGA, its not ugly!

 

When you say A20... do you mean the last 3 numbers of the part #... like KDF-E55A20 or KDF-E60A20 (yes, it's 60", but smaller then the other Sony I was looking at... so it would fit perfectly)??

 

haha, we have blinds everywhere but that room... this pic should give you an example of why....

http://www.geocities.com/mygamerevie...Wall_Feb13.jpg

No way we're covering up those beautiful windows ... especially now that all of the trees are in and we can't see any houses... just trees galore....

 

yih


I think they make a 60" in that line.

The A10 series is what I have... Wonderful TV and produces a picture better than the Samsung DLP (in my opinion).


Not to mention there are no moving parts in the Sony LCDs... While I've heard the color wheel techynology in the DLPs has gotten better it can go bad... One less thing to worry about.

 

Wow!! I hate to say this... but a room like that? You really should get a (very big) plasma... just because... you can "hide it" with a cover (like one of those "fake" paintings, to hide a plasma or flat panel TV), then a piece of modern equipment won't take a way the aesthetic of the room like that... just my

 

haha, I just edited my post above to include the 60" screen. The part number i edited in above only 62" wide whereas the other 60" they make (KDF60XS955 which is 66" wide). I prefer to go 60" if I can....

 

'nuff said

62" x 39 5/8" x 20 1/2" (1574 x 1055 x 518mm)

 

Well, we got a really hot entertainment center, so we're just looking for a nice TV to fit it. Gonna stay with DLP or LCD since this is the main hang out, but not the "TV" room... so don't need anything super crazy.

The bonus room will be set up with all of the pimp stuff down the road. Gonna move the DLP up there for now once we get the new TV for that room... but I will likely be doing a front projector up there down the road. Should be hot. That and don't have the money for a plasma right now... that's only one room of the house... imagine the furniture I'm still paying off

 

Scrib, you're making my day b/c that's the way I've been leaning... but wanted to get as much input as possible before making my decision

 

NICE HOUSSSSEEEEEE!

These units are both packed with features, its going to come down to personal preference. The only one feature I really like on the Sony is the remote. Sony remotes kick ass. But I'm willing to give that up for picture quality.

For me, the Sonys look great - but I love the look of the DLPs, and the new ones are WOW. So stinkin sharp, and insane contrast ratio. The Samsung is 1080p native as well - won't be that long till you can put it to use. The Sony should accept it, but will have to do some processing to knock it down to 720p.

Honestly, having one DLP already - it would probably drive me nuts looking at both types - so I'd prob +1 for another DLP just because of that.

 

you could always go with a 1080p DLP from Samsung...

 

..is that out?

 

:nevermind:

I misread the model number in the first post, I thought it was the 1080p model. I def reccomend considering it.

 

LOL ... Scrib ... you're funny. Funny how much your bias changes once you commit to a purchase. 3 months ago you were fighting tooth and nail for the Samsung DLP's


Anyway, personally, I would go with the DLP if we were comparing apples to apples. But as you already said... you ALREADY HAVE THE DLP. If it washes out in all that light, then get the LCD.

IMO, the picture quality is better on the DLP's. But ya know... any differences are really negligable here. This can be shown by the amount of differing opinions here. There's really very little if any difference.

However, I may be nuts, but for me... I can't get passed the screen door effect or the poor color on LCD's. My buddy just bought the 70 something inch grand wega and I think the picture is awful.

 

yep


A bit more than the 720p sets... Not terribly priced though.

By the time they come down in price, there may actually be some 1080p broadcasting out there to make it worth while.

 

ya, but when you compare the 42" Samsung with the 42" Sony, it's clear who wins. Samsung really cut corners on that model. And considering I didn't have many choices considering my space issues...

My inlaws have the 720p 50" Samsung HLR and I prefer my TV more. Maybe they haven't messed with the picture much. But I think I get a better picture.

 

Scrib, you have a link to the 1080p set?? None of the "regular" stores seem to list it yet... plus I'm on a conference call and "working"

 

Samsung HL-R6168W

 

Gracias... looks like I have more research to do...

1080p Samsung vs. Grand WEGA LCD

 

http://www.tvauthority.com/avs-members-only.asp

Got it from:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=545162

Enjoy.

 

haha, nice

 

I have the 55" version of that model and it rocks the block .

 

i have the 1080p HLR-5668w Samsung DLP. Samsung DLP's just looks better aesthically to me. Sony will be coming out with their 1080p tv's soon.

on that note, none of these tv's hdmi inputs will take a 1080p signal, only through the vga port.

 

Personally, I have the 30" Sony WEGA direct view LCD and it absolutely rocks. Color reproduction is fantastic...the only slightly lacking aspect is the black reproduction (unfortunately a problem with all back-lit LCDs, meaning all LCD TVs). If you can get the DLP, I would highly recommend it, though, since DLP doesn't suffer from burn in and it gives a beautiful picture.

 

Have you given any thought to a 3-chip dlp system? They will be coming out in not too long and blow eveything away. As for right now true rear projection is the best for picture hands down. LCD, Plasma, DLP, etc.. will never touch rear projection.

 

LCDs don't suffer from burn in either, so he's good there with either choice.