Thoughts on DLP?

[vespastrano]

I have been looking for a TV and recent deals. I thought I was looking for an LCD since the room it is going in is really well lit thus taking me away from Plasma. Mitsubishi 60" for $999 at BB! Makes me wonder. What are other thoughts and experiences. I understand the bulb replacement issue, but beyond that what are experiences and comparisons to Plasma and LCD? Thanks for the help.

[emptynest-2]

DLP (Digital Light Projector) - Yes they have lamps which depending upon how much you watch or listen to the tv various on life of lamp. Power surges when the set is on can shorten the life of the lamp. Lamps run appr $250, the extended warranty will only pay for 1 replacement or could even NOT pay at all. The Mitsubishi DLP like any DLP have their problems. Thermal sensor and one os the sandwich boards. DLP has acolor wheel which spins all the time when unit is on. This motor can and will go bad. Sometimes the color wheel can be purchased separately and sometimes part of the light engine. The light engine being the most expensive part in the set.

The LCD rear projection simular to the DLP, except instead of a color wheel the LCD rear projection has a 3 chip color panel (no moving parts). Lamps run roughly the same. The Optic block assembly (light engine) is still the most expensive part of the set.

LCD flat panels - depending upon brands, I since LESS breakdowns on the SonyLCD flat panels. Philips (now Funai) small signal boards going bad. Good luck getting a good part first time around from Philips. Samsung main boards failing, LCD panels failing.

Whatever you buy, do yourself a favor and buy the extended warranty. The new technology will breakdown in and out of warranty. They are board level repairs and expensive. Boards start out around at least $300 and go up.

I've been told....If the room that you are planning on putting the tv in has a LOT of light go for the LCD flat panel. If it does't have a lot of light then Plasma. Because of the glass on the plasma, a lot of light will cause a glare on the glass, where the LCD flat panel has a matte type finish.

I hope this helps. Good luck

[bmwmommykids]

I've had a Samsung DLP for over 2 years. This thing is on all of the time, plus used regularly for the Wii. I have young children that turn it on and off. I have never had a problem (knock on wood) and have not replaced the bulb. It is very light (56" and weighs about 32lbs.). Our new house has a spot that screams for a wall-mounted LCD, but I am going to stay with the DLP for now.

[zadyju]

We have had a DLP for three years. We had to replace the bulb the month after the original year warranty went out. The bulb was actually cheaper via an E-bay electronics company out of California. The manufacture had the bulbs on backorder but I was able to get one from this company within days. We have only changed the bulb one time. We love our TV. We play the Wii, Xbox 360, PS2, and DVDs on this TV all th time. I would difinately buy another DLP. Good Luck with your purchase.

[andybrooke]

We have had our 61 inch samsung dlp for almost 2 years now. We love it! No bulb replacement, yet.. .knock on wood... we do seem to notice now when we go to the store and see the plasmas and lcd's the picture looks grainy... it doesnt at all on our dlp.

[kincdan]

I have had my 46" Samsung DLP for 3and a half years. I love it. I went out and bought a Toshiba 58" DLP about a year and a half ago. For the money I did not think the LCD and plasmas could compare. I had a 32" LG LCD in my bedroom I bought a year and a half ago that has already gone out and of course I did not buy the extended warranty. The LG guy came and replaced every circuit board on the TV and still did not work. If I have to ever buy another TV I would always recommend a DLP.