I am looking for a new big screen TV and size is important (the bigger the better). I am seriously considering the Mitsubishi 73" but I am concerned that DLP seems to be a dead technology...

If I want a 73" screen are there other options? Why is DLP going away?

I am looking for a new big screen TV and size is important (the bigger the better). I am seriously considering the Mitsubishi 73" but I am concerned that DLP seems to be a dead technology...

If I want a 73" screen are there other options? Why is DLP going away?

If you have the dough, I believe Sony has a 70 inch LCD;)

Ok.....assuming I dont have $20,000 what's the next choice???

Sounds like you want a projector...

Also, what's wrong with buying a "dead" technology? It still looks good.

If you want big, there is always front projection. Speaking of which, DLP is not going away. Front projectors will be using the technology for years to come. IMO, Rear Projection in general seems to be going away. Dunno why, I guess now that LCDs and Plasmas have reached the 60" range it's not cost effective for the manufacturers to make DLPs for the 60"+ group. We are somewhat of a niche market.

I don't see why it matters though. The TV you buy will still work, and if necessary, you will still be able to find parts for years.

If you like the 73", get it. I just bought mine last month and have no regrets.

Edit: I also have a front projector and a 100" screen. I will say, if you want BIG, there is no comparison to a good front projection setup.

-Thomas

If you want big, there is always front projection. Speaking of which, DLP is not going away. Front projectors will be using the technology for years to come. IMO, Rear Projection in general seems to be going away. Dunno why, I guess now that LCDs and Plasmas have reached the 60" range it's not cost effective for the manufacturers to make DLPs for the 60"+ group. We are somewhat of a niche market.

I don't see why it matters though. The TV you buy will still work, and if necessary, you will still be able to find parts for years.

If you like the 73", get it. I just bought mine last month and have no regrets.

Edit: I also have a front projector and a 100" screen. I will say, if you want BIG, there is no comparison to a good front projection setup.

-Thomas

One of the things about FP that has always bothered me is light output. Even in a completely dark room the image simply lacks pop because it isn't very bright. It may be ok for movies, but for sports in HD plasma and RP DLP look better, TO ME. Since you have both, do you prefer a football game on your RP or FP?

One of the things about FP that has always bothered me is light output. Even in a completely dark room the image simply lacks pop because it isn't very bright. It may be ok for movies, but for sports in HD plasma and RP DLP look better, TO ME. Since you have both, do you prefer a football game on your RP or FP?

Hi egrady,
It really depends on the situation, but I generally use the TV. It is difficult to get that pop with FP, but not impossible. I have found there can be absolutely no ambient light, you'll need a screen with gain and a PJ with a high lumen output. The problem is it's not always cool to make your buddies sit around in the dark watching the game, that's really no fun.

-Thomas

I am looking for a new big screen TV and size is important (the bigger the better). I am seriously considering the Mitsubishi 73" but I am concerned that DLP seems to be a dead technology...

If I want a 73" screen are there other options? Why is DLP going away?

Image processing and features in current DLP sets are comparable to LCD and Plasma sets, some would argue even better but that's subjective. You still get 120hz 'FullHD' 1080p processing on these sets.

There are a combination of reasons why DLP has become a dead technology the most important factor is probably retailer and distribution cost which eats into profit margins on these type of sets. They are heavier and cost more to ship and require more retail 'shelf space' space to display. On a showroom floor these sets no stick out to consumers because of their off angle viewing problems which other technology aren't as effected by. Lastly, a lot of people just don't want a giant television in their den... There is a general ideal held by several of my friends with LCD sets that something that big just won't work with their decore. It's just not slick and sexy enough I suppose (although once they see my solid-wood cherry stand and my viewing distance they agree I picked the perfect set for my den.

Mitsubishi and Samsung are the only two companies still making these DLP sets and Samsung is stopping production sometime in 2009. However, both of these companies are well established and not hurting... I have faith they will be able to support/repair any defects or problems that may arise for years to come and certainly for the duration of the warranty and any extended warranty you may purchase (read terms carefully if buying an extended warranty from a retailer and unless it's offered for free avoid Best Buy extended warranties)

If were going to buy a 70+" screen and didn't want to go front-projection, this is the only one I would consider
http://www.mitsubishi-tv.com/product/WD73833
http://www.amazon.com/Mitsubishi-Diamond-WD-73835-73-Inch-Glossy/dp/B001AS9ZDY/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1234364588&sr=8-2#

^^ I concur.

It's cheaper to make LCDs and plasmas than RPTVs.

Samsung made the RPTV affordable by minimizing moving and replaceable parts.

But now retailers want to display more TVs in the same amount of floor space, and as also as per above, shipping is more expensive with these things.

And alot of consumers want to reclaim space by wall mounting their TVs..

Most importantly, TI the makers of DLP chips, wants to charge an arm and a leg for the new generation Dark4 chips.

The future is LED LCD of which Samsung, Sharp, Panasonic, LG and many others have heavy investments in.

Next year may be the last year for plasmas, I know this year Pioneer is pulling out of the plasma market and they were the king of that technology. But regardless of their high prices, they haven't profited in 5 years...probably mostly because of of their American assembly plant costing too much to operate compared to Panasonic, Samsung and etc. plants in slave labor countries.

I say, that if you set up your DLP RPTV environment properly (right stand, cornered, etc) the value of the size and the calibrated PQ will be next to impossible to beat regardless of display technology.

Thanks for your input guys. I like the top end 73" Mitsubishi (pretty reasonable at at BB at $2,600), and just wanted to be sure I wasn't missing something.

Go for it

you'll be swimming in your 73" of orgasmism while everyone else snuggles with their tiny screens.

The RPTV tech can be die tomorrow, but you'll still have the biggest TV, and with excellent PQ within your circle of friends.