Please help... I'm choosing between the Samsung LNT5271F (a 52-inch LCD) and the Sony KDS-60A3000 (a 60-inch SXRD rear-projector). I know these screens might seem to be dissimilar, but these are most likely the two I'll decide between. I have the opportunity to buy either of these for the same price new and with full warranty (its a 'steal' no matter which I go with).

Both are superlative examples of their technology, very large, have good viewing angles (though worse than plasma), accurate color, and properly display 24p cadences.

Viewing distance is 7'6", relatively on-axis (say... 4 people sitting together fairly tightly). The room is bright but with little glare or direct light, and my main concern is night-time viewing anyway. The main source will be Blu-Ray via an HTPC.

I've always found LCD's to strike me as impactful but not particularly filmic in image quality. I haven't yet seen the SXRD in-person, but other DLP rear-projectors seem very filmic, though I'm sensitive to geometry issues and unevenness of the image (and I've always disliked the overscan on RPTV's; don't throw away image information!). While I'm at it I'll say that I find plasma the most pleasing but somewhat noisy (due to the duty cycle and dithering), and the occasional color banding is distracting. I should also admit that if I could afford it, I would most likely purchase a Panasonic TH-50PZ800U 50" plasma.

So what'll it be? 'Dead' but superb LCoS RPTV or 'the future of TV': 120hz LCD?

P.S. I probably need to decide some time between Friday and Sunday...

Please help... I'm choosing between the Samsung LNT5271F (a 52-inch LCD) and the Sony KDS-60A3000 (a 60-inch SXRD rear-projector). I know these screens might seem to be dissimilar, but these are most likely the two I'll decide between. I have the opportunity to buy either of these for the same price new and with full warranty (its a 'steal' no matter which I go with).

Both are superlative examples of their technology, very large, have good viewing angles (though worse than plasma), accurate color, and properly display 24p cadences.

Viewing distance is 7'6", relatively on-axis (say... 4 people sitting together fairly tightly). The room is bright but with little glare or direct light, and my main concern is night-time viewing anyway. The main source will be Blu-Ray via an HTPC.

I've always found LCD's to strike me as impactful but not particularly filmic in image quality. I haven't yet seen the SXRD in-person, but other DLP rear-projectors seem very filmic, though I'm sensitive to geometry issues and unevenness of the image (and I've always disliked the overscan on RPTV's; don't throw away image information!). While I'm at it I'll say that I find plasma the most pleasing but somewhat noisy (due to the duty cycle and dithering), and the occasional color banding is distracting. I should also admit that if I could afford it, I would most likely purchase a Panasonic TH-50PZ800U 50" plasma.

So what'll it be? 'Dead' but superb LCoS RPTV or 'the future of TV': 120hz LCD?

P.S. I probably need to decide some time between Friday and Sunday...

I can't comment on the samsung, but my dad has the Sony KDS60A3000 and it's a TV I might purchase as well (the other option is the samsung 67" based mostly on the size) this week as well.

The picture on the Sony imo, is one of the best I've seen personally on an LCD RPTV - even rivals my Toshibia 57" (57H84) CRT RPTV that I'm donating to my sister tomorrow. Black levels on the Sony are excellent, colors are great, etc. I've watched SD, HDTV broadcasts, DVD and Bluray on it and all look excellent. It's also a very highly rated set.

So my vote would be for the Sony - the deals you can get on them at places with them still in stock are hard to beat from a bang for the buck stand point.

-d

Thanks for the feedback, I'm actually leaning towards the SXRD as of right now...

Get the Sony. Best electronic purchase I've made. I'm just a fan of the film like quality on these sets. IMO, Flatpanels picture quality are unrealistic compared to SXRD.