Getting a new TV....which of these is best for me?

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Yeah, rear projection can be great. Especially finding one

by NM_Bill Feb 11, 2008 2:48AM PST

of the remaining SXRD series that Sony has dropped because they wer great, but Sony lost money making them that way. Because of superior internal processing, they are the greatest of DLP type sets.

OK, I fess up - I have a Samsung DLP, & it's fine, but I'd swap it for a Sony SXRD any day.

T he SXRD version of DLP does not have motion lag problems like LCDs or pixelation like plasma.

OK, you also have listed a Pioneer Kuro that I would die for. Examine its picture carefully - astounding. With the best 720, forget 1080.

Your concerns about too large a size may ned reassessing. Are you familiar yet with big screen HDTVs? It is a different world. Because of the higher def that old warning by mothers about sitting too close to the set are not valid. Yes, too close can give some folks a disturbing sense of sea sickness, but that is a completely different concern.

Best of luck...

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SXRD

by albeach55 Feb 11, 2008 3:56AM PST

SXRD is not DLP...both are rear projection sets, but vastly different technologies.

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If you can wait a little

by givemeaname Feb 11, 2008 4:57AM PST

Take a look at the VERY NEW Sony VPL-VW40 front projector, the MSRP is $2999, but look online for a cheaper price or wait a few months, I am going to wait until I can get one for $2k & then pick one up. The bad is the short lamp life comepaired to RPtv's.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665307855

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dont look at ay of those tvs

by camel485 Feb 11, 2008 9:50AM PST

If you want a tv that is better than all those just go to broadway photo.com and look for the sony kdl52xbr4. You can get the massive 52 inch size of the xbr4 for just $2415.00. If your willing to spend two hundred dollars more this would be the way to go.

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Broadway Photo

by albeach55 Feb 11, 2008 10:39AM PST

Do your research before buying from a no-name online site like Broadway Photo...a Google search brought up "Broadway Photo scam" and stories of baiting and switching.

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Broadway Photo sham

by nedman51 Jul 17, 2008 2:06AM PDT

I read all the posts about dubious dealings with BroadwayPhoto.com. Like a fool I didn't listen and ordered a JVC minicam from them two days ago. I got an e-mail from BroadwayPhoto.com today alerting me to call them to confirm the order. Flags went up.

I called them only to learn from their hack salesman that the one I ordered for $302 (which was about $70 cheaper than those found at most other vendors) was made in Japan and not in the USA, meaning that it came with a smaller battery, no warrantee, and cables that "may" not be compatible with other audio/video components I have. He then tried to sell me the "USA manufactured model" for $399! Say WHAT?!?!

I told the guy that their advertising was deceptive and that I was ready to contact the Better Business Bureau over this. After his unwillingness to give me the camera at the advertised $302, I canceled the order. Shameless.

Moral of the story: Believe what you read from CNET postings and stay FAR from BroadwayPhoto.com. Scam artists at their best.

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Broadway Photo ... No, no , no.... don't waste your time

by crazytel Sep 11, 2008 4:15AM PDT

Again, it is a "bait & switch" scam outlet.

You'll never buy anything unless you also get a $ .99 filter for $ 39.95

There are more reputable stores out there.

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Broadway photo

by flyshades Oct 28, 2008 2:49AM PDT

broadwayphoto.com

I ordered a camera 4 weeks ago. Then someone called me to confirm card info. Three weeks later still no camera. I called to find out the status and they tried to up sell me on batteries telling me that the one that came with the camera would only last 10 minutes. This was for a Canon d50!

Then they told me that the camera i was getting would not have info in English since it was coming from Japan. All the dials features etc. But for an extra 500 bucks I could get the English version. Of course when I first tried to purchase the camera they used a photo of a camera that had all features in English.

i canceled the order and will look somewhere else.

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DLP for me.

by lilsim89 Feb 11, 2008 1:18PM PST

I own the Samsung DLP you listed, at 50" (in a smallish room) and simply love it. I just used CNet's guide to calibrating an HDTV and I now love it even more (after the initial ***, this is calibrated! phase.)

I couldn't really appreciate the new LED DLPs until it was calibrated (mind you, I did not have a professional calibrate the set.) The blacks are black enough that my siblings constantly leave it on after they turn off the STB and mistakenly think the set is off. Motion is no problem, either.

One problem is that the set gets noticeably (not deathly) dim when you sit more than a few inches from the center of the screen (vertically). Since my TV is higher than eye-level, I have to sit almost completely upright to appreciate its full brightness.

Unlike the previous generation of color-wheel based DLPs (I owned one), this set turns on *COMPLETELY* between 6 and 10 seconds, much faster than any other rear projection technology. BTW, SXRD is LCoS and *NOT* DLP (What's with all the acronyms?) I believe LED DLPs are the best value, and are overall great TVs: Deep blacks, bright whites, longevity, color accuracy.

Bad: Overscan - http://tinyurl.com/2b3npr

I got mine at Amazon for $1400. Looks like the 61" model (that's huge), runs for just less than 2K (No tax or shipping!)

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that would be easy for me...

by woodygg Feb 12, 2008 11:37PM PST

the Kuro any day. especially in a basement without lighting issues...
(altough i'd get the panasonic and save the $$$$ and still get a great picture)

the sony might be tempting... but 40 is too small for that distance IMO (for me anyway). we have a 50" at that distance - and if i was buying one today, i'd go for the 58" instead...

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by Tuba4me Sep 11, 2008 8:54AM PDT

Have you been to a store to see which of them you liked the best there? Even if it is a different environment than your basement will be, it is still a good visual comparison. If you play with them long enough you can familiarize yourself with the menus and adjust the picture settings as well.

Mainly, you need to determine if you want to get a Plasma, LCD, or DLP. There are differences in the picture so you need to see what you like.

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What I'd get

by bevillan Sep 12, 2008 3:58AM PDT

Given that SXRD sets aren't made anymore, I'd stay away from rear-projection.

I'd go with either the Pioneer Kuro you listed or a Panasonic plasma (as big as you can afford). Panasonic and Pioneer plasmas are excellent. If you go with Panasonic, double check that the one you want isn't prone to the "flicker" problem in 1080p/24fps that a couple models had. I think the latest models have it fixed via firmware, but just be sure.

You will definitely want at leat a 50" HDTV no matter what you go with.

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Sony XBR's have SXRD

by Dan Filice Sep 12, 2008 4:16AM PDT

Bear,

I agree with your suggestions about the poster buying a Plasma. But interestingly I was reading a review somewhere on the Sony XBR 4/5 sets and it stated that they incorporate the SXRD technology. Not sure what difference this makes because these sets are flat panel LCDs vs the rear projection sets, but I found it interesting and thought I'd pass this along.

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SXRD is alive and well . . . in the world of PJ's

by jostenmeat Sep 12, 2008 7:16AM PDT

"Sony VPL-HW10 LCoS Projector

Sony-VPL-HW10.jpgThis new $3500 model from Sony was one of the more impressive systems we'd seen and seemed to really break a price barrier for Sony. They did things like drop electronic zoom, focus and lens shift in favor of manual controls in order to get the price down and offer a truly impressive product to consumers. Black levels looked excellent, colors were natural and accurate and I was quite impressed with the demo overall. The projector has manual horizontal and vertical lens shift, is a full 1080p SXRD light engine and has the Bravia 2 video processing features for deinterlacing and scaling. It has 1000 lumens and a stated contrast ratio of 30,000:1. It is shipping this month and really seems to bring most of Sony's important technologies home for a very reasonable price.

Sony-VPL-VW70.jpgHigher up the food chain is the VPL-VW70 which retails for $8000 and uses the new Bravia Engine PRO video processor. Unlike the Ruby, which uses a Xenon lamp costing around $1000, this projector uses a standard 200W UHP lamp that retails for around $350. For the higher price tag, Sony delivers electronic (1.6x) zoom, focus and lens shift. There is also an anamorphic zoom scaling mode which eliminates the need for a separate scaler when using a panamorph (or other) lens. Dual 12V trigger outputs and an RS-232C port are included and Sony puts its stated contrast ratio number at 60,000:1 with an 800 lumen output. The VPL-VW70 is also very quiet - rated at just 20dB. Availability is this November.

Both projectors are equipped with a panel alignment adjustment function that aligns each red, green and blue pixel for precise images. The adjustment range is an incredible +/-2 pixels in 1/10 pixel steps. The VPL-VW70 takes it a step further with panel zone alignment allowing even finer control. The model also adds a unique automatic lens cover (similar to Sanyo) that helps protect the lens surface from dust."

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Why not the Pioneer Pioneer KURO PDP-5020FD?

by Terry Browne Oct 28, 2008 9:56AM PDT

It has the best picture for that money, hands down. As of now, I'd go with Plasma in any case. It's a known technology that has erradicated most of the initial problems.
Backlit LED look good, but it's too knew technology to be sure that it is going to work. What happens if a couple of LED's burnout. Is that going to be a constant black spot on the screen?

Just my 2 cents.

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