ive been looking into 3 tvs all samsung dlp's
model numbers
hls5086w
hls5686w
hls5087w

87w is 1080p is it really worth it enough to spend the extra cash or should i just save my self money. i dont plan on getting a ps3 and maybe at some point in the future i will get a hd dvd player or blu ray player. so should i future proof myself and get it or go for one of the other 2 cheaper models

How far are you sitting from the TV?

i would say around 9-12 ft maybe matters where im sitting

The 50" models are more appropriate for viewing from 8' or less.

At 9-10', look at the Samsung 61" models. At 12', look at the 70-72" models. You will be disappointed with anything smaller.

If depth is a concern, consider Samsung's new models for 2007 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=779782) with slimmer profiles and reduced cabinet depth. The new 61" HL-T6176S takes less space than the older 50" HL-S5087W.

Distance is really a matter of personal taste. I like my 56" Sammy DLP at 11' away (IMO, 61" would be too big).

I'm getting ready to order the HL-S5687W today. I decided on this after about a month of studying reviews and this forum and then actually going to BB and looking. BTW I laughed off the guys at Best Buy because they tried to tell me that Samsung didn't make a 1080p DLP in the 50" model, LOL! Needless to say, I won't be purchasing the TV from BB.

Distance is really a matter of personal taste. I like my 56" Sammy DLP at 11' away (IMO, 61" would be too big).Unfortunately, you won't resolve beyond 720p resolution at that distance.

Simple formula:

1.5 x screen size / 12 = ideal viewing distance in feet

1.5 x 60 / 12 = 7.5

Unfortunately, you won't resolve beyond 720p resolution at that distance.
That's what I have -- a 720p DLP.

I can't imagine sitting 6.5' from a 50" t.v. That's way too close.

I can't imagine sitting 6.5' from a 50" t.v. That's way too close.

I thought so too, but with my research for a new set I'm getting a 50". It's really not that massive when you go to the store and look.

I can't imagine sitting 6.5' from a 50" t.v. That's way too close.It's only massive if you're watching traditional 4:3 NTSC. Find a Sony Store and sit 5-6' in front of their 70" XBR2 playing a Blu-ray disk. Sit watching for 15 minutes then compare the 50" models from the same distance -- they'll seem inadequate.

It's only massive if you're watching traditional 4:3 NTSC. Find a Sony Store and sit 5-6' in front of their 70" XBR2 playing a Blu-ray disk. Sit watching for 15 minutes then compare the 50" models from the same distance -- they'll seem inadequate.

That's only for 1080p models. I think he was talking about 720p. No one in this topic has actually specified what resolution their seating recommendation applies to.

Simple formula:

1.5 x screen size / 12 = ideal viewing distance in feet

1.5 x 60 / 12 = 7.5

Is that for 720 or 1080?

I'm also about to get a Sammy 5086/5087, and, at a distance of 6-8 ft was wondering whether 1080p was worth it? I could always save the money and get a 5086, or 5686 for the same price as a 5087...thoughts?

The closer you sit to the TV, the more you'd be able to immerse yourself in the media and on top of that, the closer you sit the more capable you become in resolving clarity.

This means that if you sit 8-10 feet away from a 50" set (too far in my opinion) you probably will not be able to tell much of a difference between 720p and 1080p. But to answer your question, at 6-8 feet 1080p is definitely worth it! Besides, 720p is quickly fading into oblivion as HD-DVDs and Blu-Ray become more widely available.

I can only fit a 50" set in my room and my seating distance is 10' (9' if i lean towards the coffee table and 11' if i sit back in the corner of the couch). Do I get a 1080p set of a 720p set? I see no point in getting the 1080p if my eyes cannot see a difference, but what do you experts think?

I can only fit a 50" set in my room and my seating distance is 10' (9' if i lean towards the coffee table and 11' if i sit back in the corner of the couch). Do I get a 1080p set of a 720p set? I see no point in getting the 1080p if my eyes cannot see a difference, but what do you experts think?Why can you only fit a 50" set in your room?

JVC recently announced a 58" model with a depth of 11", and Samsung announced new 56" and 61" models with depths of 12-13".

At 10' from a 50" display, you won't be able to resolve more than 720p resolution, although the 1080p models offer other advantages, such as superior contrast.

Well, yeah, I can rearrange my furniture, but I don't really want to do that. I was in CC last night and I was hard pressed to notice much of a difference between the Samsung 720p and 1080p sets at 10'. If you get closer, yes, the 1080p was crisper. This is with a 1080i feed. I'm just weighing my options before I pull the trigger.

It is all about content resolution verses $$$. I don't have any content available that is any better then DVD quality so 720p is actually overkill. But it does get me into the door for HD.

I think sometimes the guys on the forum are always leaning towards the "biggest and the best" -- not that there is anything wrong with that. But sometimes $$$ becomes a constraint.

Truth be told I bought my 5686 knowing it would become a SECONDARY TV in 24-36 months. Of course it replaced an aging 27" trinitron; which now is seeing servicable duty in the bedroom. I expect the 5686 will move into the bedroom position in 24-36 months.

So I guess what I am saying is plan ahead but don't pay today for what you can't see today. Blu-Ray, HD-DVD, or whatever will be cheaper in a couple of years, and may even be close to replacement, or at least the "next best thing" will be on the horizon and the guys on the fourm will be saying WAIT for the new 2048p sets 'cause you can see the SEE on the 120" 2048i sets from four feet.

[Editor] Please, if you have no sense of humor put down the flame thrower and move away from the keyboard. :)

No matter what you get you will probably want to go bigger at some point. I recently went for a 43" to a 61" which looked plenty big for the first couple of weeks (Its a 6187 and I am sitting @ 8'). Now I'm thinking that maybe the 71" would have been nice. IMO if you are going to keep the TV in use for 3-5 years the price difference isn't big enough to worry about especially with all of the no interest deals out there. Also since I am very happy with DLP I just keep reminding myself how much cheaper they are than LCD or Plasma.

I love the Sammy DLPs. I have had one for 3 years. Loved it. Just sold it and got the 5687w. For me it is an upgrade of 6 inches, and from 720 to 1080, not that at that size it matters much, but still I feel part of the 1080p club, LOL.

ive been looking into 3 tvs all samsung dlp's
model numbers
hls5086w
hls5686w
hls5087w

87w is 1080p is it really worth it enough to spend the extra cash or should i just save my self money. i dont plan on getting a ps3 and maybe at some point in the future i will get a hd dvd player or blu ray player. so should i future proof myself and get it or go for one of the other 2 cheaper models


Like some astute members have already mentioned, your viewing distance to the TV will help determine size. Since you will be sitting more than 8' away, I would not recommend anything less than a 56". How large is a matter of preference. I sit 7' away from my 50" Sammy, and its ideal. Really, a superb TV.

I can heartily recommend the Samsung HLS-5087W, and any 56", 61" or higher versions.

Sorry for barging in on the topic. I'm in a similar situation, and have some troubles deciding on a set. I'm looking at 47" - 56" 1080p DLP, and LCD's. So would any within this range be adequate for a viewing distance of about 7.5 feet ? Or could I simply vouch for a 720p ? 1080p sets are so cheap now a days, it seems as if I should just go that route.

That's one of the last kinks I have to get over. The last one is finding a set that is best for our viewing habits of 10hours a day.

The 50" models are more appropriate for viewing from 8' or less.

At 9-10', look at the Samsung 61" models. At 12', look at the 70-72" models. You will be disappointed with anything smaller.

If depth is a concern, consider Samsung's new models for 2007 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=779782) with slimmer profiles and reduced cabinet depth. The new 61" HL-T6176S takes less space than the older 50" HL-S5087W.
Disagree! I sit 10-12 feet from my 56inch and I have never been happier.

Disagree! I sit 10-12 feet from my 56inch and I have never been happier.I'm sure your display is great. I'm sure you are happy with it. However, the only reason you are completely satisfied is because you haven't seen a 61" or 70" 1080p display in your home. At 12' from a 56" screen, 1080p resolution is wasted -- you can't see more than 720p resolution from that distance. Quality high-def content -- like that from a Blu-ray player -- viewed on a 70" 1080p display at 10' is a dramatic upgrade in both PQ and the "theater experience" over a 56" viewed from 12'.

The #1 reason people upgrade on this forum is to go bigger. Many started at 50" and upgraded to 55", then to 60", and finally to 70". Buy a large screen from the beginning and avoid the upgrade bug down the road. A few years ago, such large displays could require ridiculous amounts of space, but we've seen several manufacturers demonstrate / announce new larger displays in slimmer sizes. For example, Samsung and JVC are about to ship new 60-65" displays with depths of 12-13" and bezels (borders) less than a half-inch wide.

For others, I have appended a nice resolution chart showing the appropriate viewing distances for 720 and 1080 displays.

http://comcal.wboc.com/img/resvsdist.jpg

My dad just bought the HLS5086W today - should be delivered tomorrow - got a great price form Circuit City. He'll be sitting about 7.5 - 8 feet back; this set is 720p and I think that will be ideal for him.