Hey all. My beloved Pioneer has suddenly developed what may turn into big problem. I'm fairly certain the power supply is about to die as it occasionally pops and shuts down. One time it popped a few times, gave some loud static through the speakers and shut down. Luckily it seems to fire back up and yesterday it worked fine without issue.

I did some research and I have a plan to get the power supply fixed, but I've also noticed another issue. My whites seem really bright and washed out while everything else looks normal. This has been over the last few days; basically since the initial pop and shut down. This I don't know what to make of as my picture settings are correct. I adjusted them a bit and the issue is less, but it's still doesn't seem "right" to me. I'm going to run through my AVIA dvd tonight to see what happens.

I've been wanting to replace the TV for at least the last two years mostly because of form factor. The TV is surrounded by gigantic entertainment center that I'm completely tired of looking at. It's 11 years old initially wrapping my 55" Mits (4:3) RPTV and for the last 5 years it's wrapped my Pioneer 64" (16:9). Here's a pic:

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a90/TJHUB/Home%20Stereo/DSC02598Small.jpg

This situation has me considering new TV. I really wanted to go plasma (58" Panny or 60" Pioneer), but I'm thinking it's just too much $$ for them and my seating position is just over 15' which seems to almost require at least a 65" plus screen. I've been researching the forums and reviews and now I have my sights set on a Samsung 67" (HL67A750). Looks to be an incredible TV for $$.

My biggest problem is now I'm just confused about what I should do. I have been advised that DLP TV's are VERY expensive to fix when (not if) they have problems. The picture looks like crap from any angle (not straight on) compared to plasmas. I'm my own person and I make my own decisions, but I sure would appreciate some thoughts from some of you.

My thoughts are:

- I should probably just keep my 730HD and figure out how to fix it for less than the $600.00 I was quoted (this did not include the potential white washout issue).

- I could trade the TV in ($400.00) against a Pioneer 60" plasma (6010) for about $3,500.00 to boot and sell my entertainment center. This would be a lot of money for me.

- I could move my current setup to the basement, figure out how to fix the TV cheaper, and use it for the kids who are getting old enough to actually use the setup in the basement. I would purchase the Samsung 67" as a replacement and build the entertainment center I've always wanted.

Thanks.

TJHUB,

I went through the same situation with my PRO-710 a month ago, Like you, I have an entertainment center and the width and depth of the Elite was perfect. I found the Sharp LC-65SE94U 65" LCD to be the closest dimensional solution. It is 1.5 inches wider than the PRO-710, so I was able to stretch out the entertainment center shelf another 1.5" to accommodate the width.

While I did not want to wall mount the new LCD panel due to the "tunnel vision" effect, I have embarked on gutting the cabinet of my PRO-710, cutting 1" off the upper face of the cabinet, and using a mini stud wall inside the cabinet to hang the wall mount there. With some careful measurements, it can be carved out so that I can use the cabinet with the casters intact, to pull it out from the entertainment center to get at the other AV component connections in the two side cabinets.

Sounds complicated - - but it really isn't. Took me about an hour with a skill saw and saber-saw to make the cabinet cuts yesterday, and I am going to mount the two 2x6" studs this weekend. Then to position the wall mount so the face of the Sharp LCD is in the same vertical dimension as the speaker grille below. The added benefit is that I can now place my Center Channel speaker directly below the screen recessed in the Elite cabinet, where the CRT guns once were. The full width speaker grille conceals the Center Speaker perfectly.

Have fun!:)

Ray

Thanks for sharing Ray. I would like to see pics of that.

Well, this thread doesn't really matter to me as I just spent some time at my local BB. I stared at the 67" Sammy DLP and thought is was ok. Walking around a little, I ran into a 58" Panny plasma. It took about a minute to decide that if I can't get the Panny, I'm not getting anything. Absolutely beautiful picture from any angle. Just awesome. Too bad such BIG $$...:(

Be careful of the reflective properties of the plasmas. If you have any lighting or reflections in the rear of your room, plasma can be a bad way to go. I even took the protective screen off my PRO-710 the day it was delivered, as it reflected light from windows, etc. In a store environment you won't notice it - - but when you get the set home.....

That is why my only replacement choices were DLP or LCD. I was going to originally go with a 65" Mitsubishi Diamond DLP, but as we have a "L" shaped seating area, the off-axis brightness of the DLP was rather poor. The LCD on the other hand, had a wide viewing range.

You can get the Special Edition Sharp (120 Hz. and some other premium features) for under 5 grand today. Samsung is another good brand, but I liked the image field of the Sharp, and it has the smallest bezel that I could find which was of importance in embedding in my entertainment center.

Frankly, if I had the (newer) PRO-730 as compared with my PRO-710, I would seriously consider having Mr. Bob resolder the power supply board, as the under $300 cost would give you a functional second TV for your basement, etc.

Ray

Be careful of the reflective properties of the plasmas. If you have any lighting or reflections in the rear of your room, plasma can be a bad way to go. I even took the protective screen off my PRO-710 the day it was delivered, as it reflected light from windows, etc. In a store environment you won't notice it - - but when you get the set home.....

That is why my only replacement choices were DLP or LCD. I was going to originally go with a 65" Mitsubishi Diamond DLP, but as we have a "L" shaped seating area, the off-axis brightness of the DLP was rather poor. The LCD on the other hand, had a wide viewing range.

You can get the Special Edition Sharp (120 Hz. and some other premium features) for under 5 grand today. Samsung is another good brand, but I liked the image field of the Sharp, and it has the smallest bezel that I could find which was of importance in embedding in my entertainment center.

Frankly, if I had the (newer) PRO-730 as compared with my PRO-710, I would seriously consider having Mr. Bob resolder the power supply board, as the under $300 cost would give you a functional second TV for your basement, etc.

Ray

I've already contacted Mr. Bob via PM. He had me email him and I haven't heard back as of yet. I'm going to fix the TV, but I'd still like to move it to basement duty. Having my TV down for a couple of weeks will just be an excuse to finally upgrade to a table top form factor (plasma on a stand).

I only have one small window that I'll get a reflection from in the plasma. Luckily I have good blinds on my windows and I can darken the room and block reflections to a minimum. Plasma should be just fine for my room.

BTW: Now I have a 58" Samsung PN58A550 on the list. Good price and 3 years to pay... I may just talk to the wife and make the plunge tomorrow.

Thanks for the advise.