DLP vs LCD, General Questions

[melomania]

About a year ago I purchased an Olevia 237v LCD HDTV and I love it but naturally, I want to get something bigger.

I don't really care about thickness anymore if I can get a 65" 1080P DLP HDTV for substantially less than an LCD the same size. So far the only drawback I can find for buying something that is DLP technology is the possibility that I will have to replace the expensive bulbs in the TV if they die, and LCD picture quality is a little bit superior. My uses would be movies, TV, and Xbox (duh!).

Am I wrong to be attracted to one of these DLP beasts for less money than an LCD? I'd like to hear your thoughts.

 

[jbzx86]

Nope, make sure they are of the new kind, using LED lighting versus the old, heavy bulbs. Do know that there is usually noticeable banding along with terrible vertical viewing angles where the color accuracy is affected. Basically, if you aren't sure you'll be looking straight at the display in the center of the screen, go for LCD. Otherwise, save money and go big with DLP.

 

[wtburnette]

Yep, I just got a 50" Samsung LED DLP and I'm very happy with it. Like the above poster said, the viewing angles are not great, but from our love seat directly in front of the TV and a couch at an angle to the TV we can see everything perfectly fine. I do detect a slight bit of graininess at times, but most of the time it looks great.

 

[TechLarry]

I don't know that I'd sweat the bulbs.

I have a 4 year old Samsung HLP-5085W that is 4 years old and has just shy of 8000 hours on it, which is excessive. The lamp is just starting to show some weakness and a new one is on the way.

Mine is under warranty, but while not cheap they are not horribly expensive. Mine retails for $149 and can be had for around $110.

My next one will be an LED probably, mainly because it's on the fancier sets which I tend to buy. The LED's are rated for 20,000 hours. Be advised, if the LED fails you have to replace the entire display engine!

I love my DLP. LCD just doesn't provide nearly the value once you get above 46" or so.

I also happent to think DLP looks better, especially the blacks.

And burn-in is quite impossible on a DLP.

 

[SH1]

Nope, make sure they are of the new kind, using LED lighting versus the old, heavy bulbs. Do know that there is usually noticeable banding along with terrible vertical viewing angles where the color accuracy is affected. Basically, if you aren't sure you'll be looking straight at the display in the center of the screen, go for LCD. Otherwise, save money and go big with DLP.

Off angle DLP goes darker, off angle LCD gets lighter and loses contrast, which is much worse to me...

However, I do think that a 65" is only available in a bulb version. And bulb DLP units are associated with causing an intermittently noticeable rainbow effect, which may or may not bother you. And geometry can also be a weak point for DLP. Finally, it won't be quite as sharp as an LCD.

I got a clearance like deal on a huge DLP and it's fantastic for TV. And also I've got an LCD for a bedroom TV/computer monitor. Both have their strengths and weaknesses...

 

[wtburnette]

Samsung makes a 61" LED DLP, but I don't think anyone makes a 65" LED version of a DLP. The super high end LCD TV's with 1080P and 120Mhz refresh rates have phenomenal pictures and viewing angles, but they're very expensive. I think the 52" Samsung I was looking at was $3100 several months ago and the last I looked it was up to $3900. Beautiful, but a little rich for my blood.

 

[TheGooch69]

I just bought a Samsung 61" LED DLP and I am very glad I did. Picture quality is great and you just cant beat the size: price ratio. Tons of inputs as well which is great. I have yet to hookup my computer to it but I am sure CoD4 on a 61" is orgasmic

My tv does have a loud buzzing sound that needs to be fixed. If you are going to buy one, do it local so you can get an exchange a lot easier.

 

[CoolGuy90]

+1 on the Samsung 61" LED DLP. Bought it in early February and it is fantastic, no problems whatsoever.

 

[TechLarry]

You can get the LED engine in units up to the 61" (Samsung).

Rainbow is something that either affects a person, or doesn't. You either have it or you don't. You can't catch it or develop it. It's a brain wiring thing

Off angle DLP goes darker, off angle LCD gets lighter and loses contrast, which is much worse to me...

However, I do think that a 65" is only available in a bulb version. And bulb DLP units are associated with causing an intermittently noticeable rainbow effect, which may or may not bother you. And geometry can also be a weak point for DLP. Finally, it won't be quite as sharp as an LCD.

I got a clearance like deal on a huge DLP and it's fantastic for TV. And also I've got an LCD for a bedroom TV/computer monitor. Both have their strengths and weaknesses...

 

[TechLarry]

Amazon has the 61" LED DLP Samsung for $1899 plus shipping, which was around $150 when I looked.

Samsung makes a 61" LED DLP, but I don't think anyone makes a 65" LED version of a DLP. The super high end LCD TV's with 1080P and 120Mhz refresh rates have phenomenal pictures and viewing angles, but they're very expensive. I think the 52" Samsung I was looking at was $3100 several months ago and the last I looked it was up to $3900. Beautiful, but a little rich for my blood.

 

[wtburnette]

Yep, great price. I was talking about the newer LCD's running over 3 grand though. The LED DLP's are great, especially buying online. I got my 50" from Newegg for $1499 and another $99 shipping. That was way better then the local shops who were selling it between $1899 and $1999. I was tempted to go with a bigger screen, but I'm glad I didn't. The 50" is perfect for our living room. Anything else would have been overwhelming IMO. Would be different if our living room was bigger, but as it is I'm happy with what I got.

 

[Mr. Wolf]

I've been a DLP guy, but those new Samsung 120Hz LCDs look fantastic. The 52" keeps calling to me. Amazon has that 61" Samsung LED DLP for $1800 w/free shipping. It's calling me, as well. I just can't decide which one to answer.

 

[TheGooch69]

I am going to post pictures of my setup later. I have a large living room, but the space between the couch and the TV is small, and 61" is a bit overwhelming, but thats how I like it Screw going to the theater anymore Just got to work on my audio setup and I am set.

 

[Mr. Wolf]

I am going to post pictures of my setup later. I have a large living room, but the space between the couch and the TV is small, and 61" is a bit overwhelming, but thats how I like it Screw going to the theater anymore Just got to work on my audio setup and I am set.

I've not been to a movie theater since seeing The Phantom Menace in 1999. I just wait for movies to come to DVD or pay-per-view and enjoy them at home.

Can't wait to see those pics of your 61"-er... DLP, that is.

 

[TheGooch69]

I've not been to a movie theater since seeing The Phantom Menace in 1999. I just wait for movies to come to DVD or pay-per-view and enjoy them at home.

Can't wait to see those pics of your 61"-er... DLP, that is.

I usually only go to the theater to see movies I am too impatient to wait for, only because I cant stand dealing with asshole jerks otherwise that annoy the crap out of me. Indy4 is my next must see film.

Anyways back on topic. LCDs are still very under developed. I am still amazed that they took off like they did. DLP is the better technology by far.

 

[wtburnette]

Here's my 50" Samsung LED DLP:

 

[SH1]

If viewing angle is critical, and a thin, wall mountable style, flat panel a must, that requires a plasma...

As to DLP rainbow effect with the bulb sets; I see it; I suspect a lot of people eventually do. (I didn't at first see it.) However, it's just not a big deal to me...

 

[kalrith]

If viewing angle is critical, and a thin, wall mountable style, flat panel a must, that requires a plasma...

I agree with you there. I've seen the viewing angles on rear-projection sets and LCDs. They pale in comparison to my Pioneer 5080 plasma. The viewing angle is practically 180 degrees. The picture doesn't degrade by viewing it from the side until I get so far over that I can't see the picture any more and I'm staring at the side and rear of the panel. If it were wall-mounted, I wouldn't be able to get that far to the side.

 

[b4dk4rm4]

Ive owned both, and I can honestly say I love my LCD more.

DLP has size going for it. Thats about it. If you compare a DLP that costs X amount of money and an LCD that costs the same, yes the LCD is going to be smaller, but more often than not its going to have a crisper and cleaner image.

Besides, ive yet to see a DLP that can beat the image quality of my current toy.

My old Toshiba 52HM84 DLP.

New Sony 52XBR4

Granted, my old DLP was max 720p, but even after shopping for a new tv for several months, the more expensive 1080p dlp sets failed to really wow me. Nothing had that image pop like either a plasma or the Sony with 120hz. So I went with the Sony.

 

[wtburnette]

Yeah, when I was shopping around in Circuit City before getting my current TV, the Samsung 52" LCD with 120Mhz refresh was definitely the best looking screen in the store. They had a Sony version of it (the one you have I believe), but it was off. Just too expensive for me. I could justify the $1500 plus shipping on the DLP, but over $3k for the LCD was just a bit too much. The wife woulda killed me...

 

[b4dk4rm4]

Yeah, sony likes to really stick it to their consumers. =[

The term "wallet bum rape" comes to mind.

=\

 

[SH1]

Ive owned both, and I can honestly say I love my LCD more.

DLP has size going for it. Thats about it. If you compare a DLP that costs X amount of money and an LCD that costs the same, yes the LCD is going to be smaller, but more often than not its going to have a crisper and cleaner image.

Besides, ive yet to see a DLP that can beat the image quality of my current toy.

My old Toshiba 52HM84 DLP.

New Sony 52XBR4

Granted, my old DLP was max 720p, but even after shopping for a new tv for several months, the more expensive 1080p dlp sets failed to really wow me. Nothing had that image pop like either a plasma or the Sony with 120hz. So I went with the Sony.

Well...the direct view flat panels have higher ANSI contrast than the rear projectors, so that factor is in there. Some of the price/performance deals one can get with a rear projector are pretty incredible though...

And it certainly depends on where and how things are set up. When I brought my DLP back from the store, the first thing I did was clamp down the iris to lower the eye searing brightness, which also yielded a much better black level. And I then changed some other settings. It's amazing how horrible the default settings can be, but it didn't take much adjustment at all to bring out a great picture...(and a huge one that was relatively cheap...) Too bad about Sony and SXRD. Hope Samsung and Mitsubishi stick with DLP, as it is such a great option for many...

Also got a great price on the 4065F Samsung LCD I'm typing this on now. (Plasmas and LCDs have admittedly also made great strides as well...)

 

[TechLarry]

Now that's funny. That's the same last-movie I saw in a theatre Won the ticket in an office challange.

I've not been to a movie theater since seeing The Phantom Menace in 1999. I just wait for movies to come to DVD or pay-per-view and enjoy them at home.

Can't wait to see those pics of your 61"-er... DLP, that is.

 

[TechLarry]

Does anyone know if the digital audio out on the new samsung LED DLP's passes the full 5.1 signal, or does it chop it down to 2 channel like a lot of sets do (who's the dumbass that thought that up?).

To clarify, if you have your DVD come in via HDMI, it also gets the 5.1 digital audio from the DVD over HDMI. Now, some sets do not pass the full 5.1 to the optical out jack, which would go to your receiver.

Is this a problem on the new Sammys....