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General discussion

Mid-range HD RPTV: DLP Or LCD?

Jun 6, 2005 1:22PM PDT

OK Folks,

I have read all reviews and reports I can find and the majority claim that DLP RPTVs are superior to LCD RPTVs. In addition, I have spoken with salesman at both Circuit City and Best Buy and they all push the DLPs REALLY hard. It seems that everyone is saying that the DLPs have better resolution, better "black levels", etc. while the LCDs all suffer from the dreaded "screen door effect".

Just one thing, when I stand there in the stores (I have been to many) and look at sets in the $2500 range such as Samsung's new HLR series DLPs (46")along with newer LCDs (Sony KDF-42WE655 or Panasonic PT-44LCX65 for example), the LCDs just look better. The LCDs look much brighter than the DLPs and I really can't see this "screen door effect" unless my nose is about one inch from the screen. The DLP sets just look too dark to me. The sales guys all tell me that the DLPs look dark because of their "superior black level". Whatever. They look too dark.

Does anyone else feel this way or am I just nuts?

One more thing, the sales guys like to bring up the fact that a LCD TV's picture will fade over time (regardless of how old the lamp is). Is this something I really need to be concerned about? Does the screen noticeably fade in two years or twenty?

Thanks!

Discussion is locked

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re
Jun 7, 2005 1:44AM PDT

be careful talking to most guys from best buy or circuit city. Most of them really do not understand what they are talking about when telling you this information. most are just telling you what they have read off a card or even sites like this but do not understand what they are talking about.

I guess the easiest way to put it is that a DLP tv will have richer and more natural looking colors than an LCD tv. The LCD's will have brighter and more vibrant colors than the DLP depending on what setting you have it on (almost all stores run displays on the brightest setting, such as the sony lcd's vivid setting) so thats why they look birghter.

This is where it comes down to what you prefer. I have found that older people tend to like the LCD sets better for the brightness factor usually because their eyes aren't what they used to be and the brighter picture is better for them.

Most younger people go with the DLP because the colors are more natural and rich looking.

As far as the screen door effect goes your going to see that with and fixed pixel tv such as a plasma, dlp, or lcd. The fact that the LCD's picture fades over time really isn't going to effect you that much. There have been many advances to improve this technology and not too much actual proof out there that there is pixel loss.

Hope this helps some

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Thank you
Jun 7, 2005 3:07AM PDT

Great explanation. Thank you very much. I am 45 now so I guess I fall into that "older" category. Happy

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Just Bought the PT61LCX65
Jun 22, 2005 11:33AM PDT

Hi,
I was in the same boat as you. If you read most of the forums you will see that the Samsung is very popular. But I observed the same things you did at BestBuy. The LCD tvs are much brighter. But the deciding factor for me was the sharpness. If you get a chance, obseerve the picture of a 60 inch Samsung HLR series and the PT-61LCX65. You will see that the samsung is too soft. I cant explain it but there is this shimmery blurryness (for lack of better words) to the image and I was viewing the same video feed. I later read that the 60 inch samsung uses the latest DLP chip from TI and a lot of people prefer the older second generation chip for the same reason. I heard the 56 inch HLR does use the older chip.

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sears guy where are you?
Jul 2, 2005 8:57AM PDT

You seem to be the most knowlagable guy out there And I have been trying to contact you in this forem stewart norrie or cadillacstew@aol.com My question is I own a Sony kp-wv600 rear project unit and I love it great black level and no pixels but I notice the l.c.d and d.l.p sets are a little sharper anyway Iam thinking of upgrading to a projector and 16x9 screen and I have a budjet of $3500 for the projector I have heard Sony makes a projector in this price range any ideas what to buy and will the picture be outstanding with a 6x8 foot screen please respond I wish I had bought my system from you

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Good article in Sound and Vision
Jun 9, 2005 11:34AM PDT

I just read an article in this month's Sound and Vision the compares DLP to LCP RPTVs. The article states that LCD is better with lower quality signals while DLP does a better job getting the most out of high quality signals...

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Better link to Sound and Vision Article
Jun 9, 2005 11:53AM PDT
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PT-44LCX65
Jun 27, 2005 11:39PM PDT

I purchased the PT-44LCX65 and yes the picture is better than the DLP tvs. When I was circuit city comparing the two the LCD is better.

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Couldn't agree more
Jul 26, 2005 3:07AM PDT

I too have read reviews up the wazoo which all seem to give a slight edge to DLPRP over LCDRP. However, when I'm in CC or BB or other and look at the two sets side-by-side, I too feel the LCDRP is a better picture. Specifically the Samsung 46" (which I was ready to buy sight unseen based on reviews -- until I saw it) looked darker.

I also think the LCDRP's had a superior range for viewing front the side (vs. straight on)...

Perhaps it's the factory configuration but I'm going for the LCDRP... Good luck.

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I, also, chose the LCD after ALOT or research and viewing!!!
Jul 26, 2005 6:25AM PDT

I was in the same position as you until a couple of days ago, when I purchased the Sony LCD. I did so after a couple of months of looking and research. The LCD picture was just plain better, especially on SD broadcasts, which, for now, at least, will be watched probably more than HD.
I am absolutely satisfied with my decision of the LCD over the DLP models, and for the same reasons already mentioned in the previous post.
Good luck with your decision.
I think you will be more than satisfied whatever your viewing with the LCD.
If you can find one, and with the new Sony models having just come out, you can probably get a good deal on the Sony KDF-55WF655 (55 inch), which is what I just recently purchased at Circuit City. I bought the last one (besides the display model) my local Circuit City had, and got a REALLY good deal!!!

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I was in the same boat
Jul 26, 2005 5:18AM PDT

I couldn't decide between DLP or LCD technolgies. After reading, oh, about fifty different reviews on both types of units, I ended up going the LCD route. Side-by-side comparisons showed me that the LCD sets had a clearer picture, and I couldn't see that much of a difference in color richness. I did notice the black levels were inferior on LCD sets, but that difference was much less than the difference in picture clarity.

I got a great deal on a Sony Wega KDF-55WF655 (under $2,500) at Circuit City and I'm confident that I made the right choice. With LCD sets, you have a greater range in acceptable vewing radius. That sealed the deal for me.

As for picture loss, a few burnt pixels is hardly going to be noticeable on a 55 inch screen. The CC sales reps might be referring to picture loss due to bulb burn-out but you will have to contend with bulb replacement on either LCD or DLP.

If LCD sets display low quality signals better, than you have to consider how much of your TV veiwing will be HD quality. I can tell you that DVD's look amazing on the Sony Wega; I did side-by-side comparisons with DVD's in the store and the Sonys looked clearer than the new Samsung DLP sets. Hope this help you out!