I am in the market for a new TV, and after weighing the pros and cons I believe I want a RPTV set. I have a LCD now but it is too small (32") for the distance I am trying to cover (10'). I mainly play games via my PS3 (HDMI), Wii (Component), and Xbox 360 (VGA), watch TV via my Tivo Series 3 (HDMI), and Blu-ray/HD-DVD movies using the the PS3 and 360. I would say if I had to break it down for TV/Games/Movies it would look something like 50/30/20. I definitely want 1080p, as few issues as possible, and as many inputs as I can get that accept a 1080p signal.

I do have a few questions though. First being about the bulb life and replacing the bulb once the times comes. What is the average bulb life from a good manufacturer like Samsung or Sony, and when the bulb burns out will I have a problem buying once myself and installing it? Or is it a job I would need to hire someone for? Second being do I want DLP or LCoS? Samsung seems to be DLP, but is the rainbow effect still prevalent? Is LCoS a better option?

So far I have been looking at the following models:

Sony KDS-60A2000 60" SXRD
Samsung HL-S6187W 61" DLP

Any reason to spend a few hundred more on the Sony? Will the Samsung do what I need it to with 1080p over VGA and component inputs?

I appreciate any and all help you guys could provide!

Thanks!

Supposedly the new samsungs are going to start showing up in April. I would wait and see what comes out, if anything you will get a price break on a older model.

I recently got my HLS6187 and I absolutely love it! One of the main reasons I got it is because it accepts 1080p over HDMI, Component and VGA.

I have a 360 as well so 1080p games and movies through VGA is great!

If you're going with this years model though you better not wait too long as they are getting harder and harder to find (online at least).

As far as bulbs go, I obviously haven't had to replace mine yet but I've heard it's very easy to do yourself. Also, you can get an extended warranty that covers bulb replacements.

For rainbow, it is still prevalent but apparently only a very small percentage of people see it. I never noticed it in the store but once I got it home I do notice it when I dart my eyes away quickly from white text but it's not very noticeable and doesn't happen when I'm watching an actual show/movie/game. However, for some people it's a deal breaker so I would definitely make sure you don't see it before you go DLP. Otherwise you will probably want to go with the Sony.

Good luck!

Sweet man, thanks for the details. I will probably check one out tonight and purchase it if I like it. A friend of mine has a DLP projector and I don't see anything when I watch movies on it, does it use a similar color wheel?

ohmyblazes has nailed it. I have a 5687W and love it! I see rainbows, and it's not an issue for me. Only with white text and a black background (credits and the like).

Do you guys have any good recommendations on a stand?

I have the following components:

Onkyo TX-SR603 Receiver
PS3
Xbox 360 and HD-DVD Attachment
Wii
Tivo Series 3
Polk Audio CS2 Center Channel

Thanks for all the help guys, the Samsung sounds like the best choice, I can't wait to see it!

Do you guys have any good recommendations on a stand?

I have the following components:

Onkyo TX-SR603 Receiver
PS3
Xbox 360 and HD-DVD Attachment
Wii
Tivo Series 3
Polk Audio CS2 Center Channel

Thanks for all the help guys, the Samsung sounds like the best choice, I can't wait to see it!

I have THIS (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7306346&st=init+dlp+stand&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1118842521954) Init stand from Best Buy. I'm cheap when it comes to that sort of thing so I didn't want to pay $250 (it looks like it's gone down to $200 now) but I got it on sale for $150 a couple months ago.

I have six things on mine (360, receiver, center channel, PS2, Game Cube, Cable Box) and it has plenty of room for the TV. Although, you may be going for a completely different look.

Well, it has been purchased. I am pretty hyped to get it, ordered from Amazon due to their great price and free white glove shipping/delivery. I bought this (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Slam-Brands-Nea-Moda-Evo-60-TV-Stand-220337/sem/rpsm/oid/110765/catOid/-12892/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do) stand from Circuit City w/ a 10% off coupon, which was a pretty good deal I thought. Any advice on settings or calibration? I bought the DVE HD-DVD from Amazon and hopefully it ships soon, but is there a lot of calibration that needs to take place from the factory defaults?

Thanks again for all the help!

Well, it has been purchased. I am pretty hyped to get it, ordered from Amazon due to their great price and free white glove shipping/delivery. I bought this (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Slam-Brands-Nea-Moda-Evo-60-TV-Stand-220337/sem/rpsm/oid/110765/catOid/-12892/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do) stand from Circuit City w/ a 10% off coupon, which was a pretty good deal I thought. Any advice on settings or calibration? I bought the DVE HD-DVD from Amazon and hopefully it ships soon, but is there a lot of calibration that needs to take place from the factory defaults?

Thanks again for all the help!


I wouldn't say there are "a lot" of changes that need to be made out of the box but there are definitely some changes that need to be made. Check out docrings awesome Tech Links (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=697413) for tons of info and make sure you check out the "official" HLS thread.