Even though I wasnt really ready to make the jump yet but my neighbour wants to buy out our 57"Hitachi CRT RPHTDV so that now gives me an excuse to finally plunge myself into 1080p goodness. Wife also approved since the replacement DLP/Lcos set would take up less space unlike my Hitachi mamoth.

I've read enough to create mass confusion in my head so I'll post my questions instead and hopefully I can get straight up answers for fellow owners.

Here are my final 2 choices::
JVC HD61FN97 ...LCos ...no color wheel and SSE can be defeated from my research
HL-S6187W ....voted best in the RPTC Shootout ...owners seem to like it a lot.

I would have gone with the LED but for the same price, I can get one of the above PLUS a 5 yr warranty. I will be buying the set from my local Video Only store as they know me there and always give me the best deal possible.

Ok, time for questions::
1) Im aware of the short bulb but in reality, how long does it last? I will have the extended warranty but dont want my TV to constant be out cos of a dead bulb

2) Is Lcos a better technology than plain DLP? Does either one have lasting bulb than another? Would LCos be a less problematic set than DLP?

3) Any CRT RPTV owners that have jumped to DLP, Lcos and regretted their decision?

4) I still have some SD stuff so am I doomed with a 1080p set?

5) If you were in my shoes, which set of the above would u go for?

TIA
Frag

1. There is a thread from last year on lamp life.
2. Better protential since it doesn't have a color wheel, but not without issues (as all technologies have).
3. CRTs' are not the holy grail. They have advantages, but they are dinasours.
4. No. There is a 'adjustment' curve though.
5. Have you considered Mits? Best user interface and input setup, far better than JVC & Sammy. If you wanted to stick with Sammy, get a LED. It's their 2nd generation. Though I would check out the owners thread first.

...1) Im aware of the short bulb but in reality, how long does it last? I will have the extended warranty but dont want my TV to constant be out cos of a dead bulb...2) Is Lcos a better technology than plain DLP? Does either one have lasting bulb than another? Would LCos be a less problematic set than DLP?...

The lamps are generic products, often made by other companies, so the type of RPTV they are used in is probably not that important as far as life is concerned. More important is proper cooling, and minimizing the number of on-off cycles. From what I've seen, people who buy a set now should expect 6000 or more hours if the sets are properly treated. But it's a good idea to get a spare lamp. Some people put the spare in right away to make sure it works, and keep the old one as the spare.

I like my JVC D-ILA after a year and a half. As to long-term reliability I'm just not sure that I'd feel that much confidence in two million flipping mirrors plus a wheel spinning near supersonic speeds. I feel more comfortable with solid-state devices. That said, there are many satisfied DLP owners. Probably the DLP that would tempt me the most would be the new LED ones.

Here are my 2 cents.
1. Bulbs should last 6000-8000 hours, and lamp life is the same, DLP or LCOS. I'm still on my 1st bulb on my almost 4 year old Samsung DLP.
2. No, neither technology is better than the other, either for reliability or PQ. Last year in a Home Theater mag 1080p shootout, Sony LCOS (SXRD) came out on top. This year, Samsung DLP came out on top, with JVC LCOS 2nd and Sony 4th. An EW is needed for any microdisplay, whether LCOS or DLP.
5. Nobody can answer which you will prefer since it just comes down to personal preference. You need to go look at them in stores and make the decision yourself.