How obvious are the flaws with DLP to the naked eye? Am I correct in my thinking that current issues are screendoor, silk screen effect, rainbows and screen sagging?

Would you agree with the statement that DLP is the least flawed technology out of plasma, lcd and DLP?

I'm not trying to start a technology debate here. Just trying to get objective facts.

I've narrowed my search down to one model of each tech:

LCD: Sony XBR non-led (KDL-52XBR6)
Plasma: Pioneer non-elite (PDP-5020FD)
DLP: Samsung (HL61A750)

I think each presents such a different type of picture that it's really totally up to each person to choose the one he/she likes best. So no debate, it's up to your eyes. They all have issues associated with them, but none big enuf to sway a buyer completely away from it. So pick the one you like best for pic and price.

Rainbows (aka RBE) are less of an issue on the Sammy led set since it uses three leds instead of a single bulb and color wheel. SSE (silk screen effect) is only discernible during white or bright scenes when most of the picture is taken by the bright or white color. I thought it was really bad and almost deterred me from getting a DLP when I was doing my research. Funny thing though, I don't even notice it now. It was in my face at the store, but now I just don't notice it and it in no way detracts from the picture quality. I think SSE more than anything else, is one of those things that is really noticeable but once you train your eyes to look through the front screen and actually at the picture, it goes away (takes all of 10 seconds to train your eyes to do this). Honestly, it's something that you will definitely notice in the store, but goes away immediately once you get it home. SDE or screen door effect is not an issue with the DLP sets at all. That is something that is specific to plasmas and really only the 720p models. Also, back to the rainbows, most people can't see them at all. If you really sit close to my set, and move your head around to different areas of the screen, you might see it when trying really hard. However, just watching at normal distance, I doubt you would ever see it (if you end up with a bulb based set). The geometry issues are usually self resolved. I was able to get mine pretty close to perfect in the service menu and for all intents and purposes, when I'm watching anything with straight lines (tickers on news channels, logs, or 4:3 content with black bars), I honestly can't see any visible bowing or hour glass on the lines.

They all have their issues. What swayed me to the DLP side for my main tv was price relative to screen size. Hard to beat a 60" 1080p picture for less than a grand!

Thanks Derek! Really informative. So from what I gather:

1. RBE and SDE are not issues with DLP.
2. SSE is not really discernable and doesn't take much to get used to.
3. Sagging can be fixed with calibration if it's even a problem in the first place.

Seems like DLP is the least flawed to me out of all three technologies then.

Now only thing left to figure out is if Samsung is going to continue to make DLP's in 2009. If not, it would seem their 7 series DLP's are going to be the last of the "classics."

Make sure horizontal and vertical viewing angles aren't an issue in your viewing area. Normally it's not a problem but if you have lots of seating spread across the room it may be a problem with DLP. Usually the most I have are four friends watching a football game and it's not a problem.

I'm not sure there's a "least flawed" technology. They all have their compromises, it just depends on which ones fit your needs the best. RBE is going to be dependant on how sensitive you are to it. I can't see it at all. You need to go view some in person to see if you can see it, and if it bothers you. Even today's bulb based sets use faster color switching, so it's not as prevalent as it was in the early days of DLP. SSE... it's there. I see it if I look for it, but it doesn't jump out at me if I'm watching the content on the screen rather than the screen itself. SDE is not present in today's wobulated DLP designs.

To me, the biggest negatives to DLP are: viewing angles/hot spots (center of the screen is brighter than the edges), geometry (including inherent overscan), and no current sets are capable of proper 24fps cadence. Viewing angles are going to be dependant on your layout. The bulb based sets seem to have slightly better viewing angles/less pronounced hot spots, but it's not a huge difference. Geometry is a bit of a trick... it can be corrected to a certain degree electronically, but doing so eliminates 1:1 pixel mapping, which reduces resolution and sharpness. Personally, I've turned geometry correction off in my set. I only notice slight inward bowing on the vertical lines of pillarboxed SD material (which I don't watch a lot of), and some slight bending of horizontal lines towards the top of my screen. Viewing angles and geometry issues are more an issue of rear projection than DLP itself.

I have three HD displays: a 73" Mits DLP, a 42" Samsung plasma, and a 46" Sony RP-CRT. The Sony is the least enjoyable... it's five years old, and just can't compete with the newer technologies in resolution/sharpness. The other two are good for their purposes... the plasma is good for the kitchen because it can be mounted on the wall, and it looks good no matter where you are in the room, even if you're standing right under it at a very sharp angle. But the DLP is in our den and is by far the most preferred set to watch. It's ability to envelop you (due to it's size) far outweighs the relatively minor negatives I've mentioned, and the layout of the room prevents the viewing angle from being an issue.

It's less about which set is best, and more about which one suits your needs the best.

Thanks Derek! Really informative. So from what I gather:

1. RBE and SDE are not issues with DLP.
2. SSE is not really discernable and doesn't take much to get used to.
3. Sagging can be fixed with calibration if it's even a problem in the first place.

Seems like DLP is the least flawed to me out of all three technologies then.

Now only thing left to figure out is if Samsung is going to continue to make DLP's in 2009. If not, it would seem their 7 series DLP's are going to be the last of the "classics."

RBE is an issue, but most people can't see it. Just make sure you watch it plenty enough in the store to see if you can see it. SSE is discernible but is one of those things you will easily be able to overcome once you train your eyes to look through the screen and at the picture.

As stated, the geometry can be made better in the service menu, but it will kill 1:1 pixel mapping (not a big deal unless you will be using the tv as a computer monitor). I honestly think my DLP has a sharper HD picture than my Panny plasma and as mentioned above, due to the screen size, it just totally envelopes you in what you are watching. It really gives it that home theater experience IMO. I probably would have preferred a large plasma to my DLP, but I just couldn't stomach the $3K extra it would have taken to get me a 60" plasma.

RBE is an issue, but most people can't see it. Just make sure you watch it plenty enough in the store to see if you can see it. SSE is discernible but is one of those things you will easily be able to overcome once you train your eyes to look through the screen and at the picture.

As stated, the geometry can be made better in the service menu, but it will kill 1:1 pixel mapping (not a big deal unless you will be using the tv as a computer monitor). I honestly think my DLP has a sharper HD picture than my Panny plasma and as mentioned above, due to the screen size, it just totally envelopes you in what you are watching. It really gives it that home theater experience IMO. I probably would have preferred a large plasma to my DLP, but I just couldn't stomach the $3K extra it would have taken to get me a 60" plasma.

I would just want to add that geometry varies from set to set. I have a 65" HP DLP with modest geometry issues, but very acceptable. I recently tried a 73" Mits which was barely acceptable in terms of geometry, screen focus and resolution. I ended up with a 72" Samsung and the screen geometry is almost perfect. Depending on your size requirements you might consider the Sammy LED sets. I would have gone that way but I have a long viewing distance so size was critical to me.

Based purely on picture quality, the Pioneer Plasma is clearly the best. While plasmas are energy hogs and burn in is still an issue, the latest Pioneer models are usually rated by pro reviewers, such as CNET, at the best sets on the market right now.

I see no reason to consider the LCD, if you want a flat panel get the Pioneer. You might also consider a Panny. Your other option is the Samsung DLP. Now you are balancing size and cost verses quality. I have a Samsung HLS6188 and really like it. As all DLP's do, it has some minor geometry issues. It's ability to reproduce a true black is weak. It has some RBE, but I can largely control it with proper calibration and ambient room lighting. The good news is DLP sets have such strong light output they don't need to be watched in the dark. In any event, the LED Samsung's have had far fewer complaints about RBE than the lamp sets like mine.

I seriously doubt anyone will claim that on an absolute basis a dlp set has as good a picture as a 9G Pioneer. Still, only you can balance size and cost verses quality. The LED Samsungs are fine sets, the only real downside to me is they still don't do black very well. If you watch a very dark scene in a dark room, the difference between it and the Pioneer is substancial. For live sporting events the black level issue isn't as significant. Finally, to some extent this depends on your viewing distance. Once you get past say 10 feet, I'd say the extra size of the Samsung would tip the scales in its favor.

I seriously doubt anyone will claim that on an absolute basis a dlp set has as good a picture as a 9G Pioneer.

I totally agree with this. Nothing out there will beat a 9G. When I was doing comparisons between DLP and plasmas, there was nothing on the plasma side that could compete with the picture quality within the same price range of the DLPs considering the considerable screen size difference. For what I paid for my own DLP ($1K for 60"), that put me in the same range as the PX80U and A450 from Panny and Sammy. To me, it was an easy choice.