Ok, a few are aware that there are two pretty decent units available to be had at Sam's Club:

HL T6156 - samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?catg=535&item=366948&prDeTab=2&pCatg=8306#A
KDS 60AL120 - samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?catg=535&item=368825&prDeTab=2&pCatg=5885#A
(sorry about the URLs, I don't have 3 posts)

I've been scouring the net for reviews on these and like models, and the most common thing I've found is that most everyone else considering these models are also in a rut as to which one would be best!

Some known info:
KDS 60AL120 is a rebranded KDS 60A2020 directly from Sony. I've personally confirmed this with Sony. The KDS 60AL120 is offered with Sony's recommended stand for free.
HL T6156 is a rebranded HL T6156W from Samsung.

Let's talk pros and cons of each specific model... pros and cons of SXRD vs DLP, or... should we be looking elsewhere? They *seem* be good TVs at cheap prices, but do these models sacrifice too much in the name of a bargain?

I have not been able to confirm whether or not the T6156 is new enough that it is unaffected by the rainbow effect.

And finally, a little side question, how does the HL T6176s factor in to these? It seems to be a step up, but I'm not 100% sure.

nobody??? whataf!!

nobody??? whataf!!

Ok, the Sony SXRD won't have any rainbow issues. It will also have better geometry compared to the Samsung. Its last years a2020 model, so it doesn't accept 1080p/24, only 60, but this is not as big an issue as you might think since the newer a3000 doesn't really do a perfect job with 24p anyway. I think you are better off using a source that does a perfect job with 1080p/60 (like the Reon HQV equiped players) and matching it to this set.

The DLP will have slightly better black levels, but as mentioned above, those Samsungs are known to have significant geometry issues. I don't know enough about the Samsung to tell you if it accepts 1080p/24 or not. Samsungs website is pretty vague.

Look at them instore and decide. I personally think the Sony is a better unit and I've been considering the 50" SXRD to replace my older CRT RPTV.

That's the odd thing.. looking at them in the store, the Samsung looks better... but then again, they show mostly whites (I.e. a guy talking about how great sam's club is against a white background).

What significant differences are there between the AL120 (A2020) and the RBX series? I read the Cnet review and it seems that the picture in a picture is the only real thing I'm sacrificing.

The prices just seem to be really low (especially w/the fact that the Sony comes w/the stand as well) and I'm wondering what the big sacrifice is. There's always a sacrifice when it comes to retail....

Thank you for your response!

I have not been able to confirm whether or not the T6156 is new enough that it is unaffected by the rainbow effect.


If its an LED model then the RBE is less likely for someone to see it but its still there. Its not a defect of a unit but rather only certain people have the eyes to see it. I own a DLP and have never seen the RBE.

Yeah, I read that it's something that only affects 10% of people...

Which is really hard to understand if you're not that 10%!!

I'm still debating which to get, or if I should just wait for a fatwallet/slickdeal...

That's the odd thing.. looking at them in the store, the Samsung looks better... but then again, they show mostly whites (I.e. a guy talking about how great sam's club is against a white background).

What significant differences are there between the AL120 (A2020) and the RBX series? I read the Cnet review and it seems that the picture in a picture is the only real thing I'm sacrificing.

The prices just seem to be really low (especially w/the fact that the Sony comes w/the stand as well) and I'm wondering what the big sacrifice is. There's always a sacrifice when it comes to retail....

Thank you for your response!

Do you mean XBR series? I doubt you will miss anything that would be on the 60XBR2, if you could even find one right now, especially if you consider the price difference. Compared to the A3000 series, the sacrifice on the A2020, is lack of receiving a 1080p/24 signal, 1 less HDMI input, and not being able to get 1080p over component. Some have complained about geometry issues with the A3000 series, so be careful what you wish for.
The price is so low right now because its a closeout type deal and Sony has lowered the price structure on the newer (but not necessarily that much better) A3000. I'm so close to pulling the trigger on the 50" version at Sam's. I'd go bigger, but my house has a built in corner unit that cannot be removed easily and it will only fit the 50"

oh wait.. you can't get 1080p over component?? I think I missed that tidbit...

That might pose a slight problem for me as that was the route I was going to go with getting 1080p. So which inputs *DO* support 1080p?


EDIT: and yes, I meant XBR... I always get that wrong...

oh wait.. you can't get 1080p over component?? I think I missed that tidbit...

That might pose a slight problem for me as that was the route I was going to go with getting 1080p. So which inputs *DO* support 1080p?


EDIT: and yes, I meant XBR... I always get that wrong...

HDMI will always do 1080p. Some TVs do 1080p over component and others only do 1080i, it depends on the TV. Check out the manual for specific details on the inputs.

what exactly is the extent of my component "not doing 1080p" (but doing 1080i)?

Does that mean I can't get a good quality picture? Will there be blockiness as the TV tries to convert it? Does that mean it's only good quality if the signal comes in via 1080i and NOT when it's 1080p?

what exactly is the extent of my component "not doing 1080p" (but doing 1080i)?

Does that mean I can't get a good quality picture? Will there be blockiness as the TV tries to convert it? Does that mean it's only good quality if the signal comes in via 1080i and NOT when it's 1080p?

A lot of people say you can barely tell the difference between 1080i and 1080p. But we wont get into that argument, its been hammered enough.

I have an XBOX 360 running through component to my Mitsubishi TV that only accepts 1080i over component even though the 360 can do 1080p. The TV upscales the signal to 1080p (since thats its native resolution). Picture quality is great, I have a 73" TV sitting about 12' back and its crystal clear.

You will not see any blockiness when it upconverts the signal. Dont be worried about 1080i upconverting to 1080p. Lots of things do it, DirecTV HD-DVRs only output 1080i over HDMI.

I think I'm going to pull the trigger on the 60AL120 tonight

Thanks for the help!

I ended up buying the samsung HL-T6156. It looked a lot better in the store compared to the sony.

I love it, and superbowl sunday was awesome on it (I've had it since mid december, but I just now re-visited this thread and thought I'd update).

No rainbows.... looks great..... only problem I have is that in darker settings, I seem to see outlines of figures... ghosting I guess... but like I said, only in specific settings. Unfortunately my experience w/large TVs is not large enough that I know whether or not this is typical.