Deciding between two rear-projection sets.

Sony KDS60A3000
Mitsu Diamond 62927

The Mitsu is a Diamond Plus floor model, and while it has a supposedly great Plush1080p engine, it is from the era before 1080p inputs (it accepts 1080p through firewire and pc only).

My cable company only spits out a max of 1080i anyway, and I've yet to get HD-DVD or BluRay. The Mitsu is $1600 with 5yr warranty thrown in and a professional calibration, the Sony is $2000 with 1yr - significantly more to buy an extended warranty. Cnet ranks the Sony as "excellent."

The consultant at a high-end Home Theatre store said the Mitsu is a better TV even if they were the same price. Seems like a knowledgeable guy (and I've bought from him before), but I thought I'd throw it out to you videophiles since he's a little biased towards moving (very) stale inventory... The Sony would just come from BestBuy or CircuitCity. Visibly I have to admit they both look stunning...

Thanks for any help you can provide!

Ummm, the Sony is a few classes higher than that Mits. If you work at it, that Sony can be had for $1800 (or less)

Honestly, a few hundred dollars either way doesn't bother me too much, I just want the best value. Like buying a computer, it seems the best value price point is a few iterations behind cutting edge. FWIW, I doubt I could tell 1080i from 1080p if it poked me in the eye. I have a 720p 52" Mitsu I love, I just want BIGGER! :D

Call the Mitsubishi $200 cheaper based on your $1800 price, plus having a pro calibrate the Mitsu, plus a 5yr. warranty that would include bulb replacement.

Is your opinion that Sony is "classes" better because it is newer and full 1080p, or do you really think the quality is higher: non-1080p picture, reliability, etc. etc. It can't really be "classes" higher, I don't think, as the 927 was Mitsubishi's top set (Diamond Plus) in 2005/early 2006. Has the technology come so far that the 2007 Sony beats it so handily?

Again, video guy might have been blowing smoke, but he seemed to believe the picture on the Mits would be better than the Sony's over a range of different inputs (HD and non-HD cable, 480p dvd, etc.). I know the Sony is newer, and will accept 1080p input over HDMI, but is that it?

I read some drivel about the Sony's developing a green tint over time (forget where, now - I've been on a crazy research goosechase all evening :p). I admit that I'm troubled by CNET giving Sony it's highest rating. Makes me want to go that way, but this Mitsubishi seems like an opportunity...

Thanks for your advice - although I seem to be fighting it, I really do appreciate it! I have to decide in the next day or two so I can get something done at work! :rolleyes:

Best,
FranklyTodd

I have also been doing tons of research for my friends, and they just pulled the trigger on the 60a3000 today. RC WILLEY is selling it for $1799 and five year warranty is $250 more. Opinions are like...well you know, BUT overall I think the Sony will be a better TV. Mits, I have found out, can have a higher commision for salesman, so they tend to push them. DON'T listen to salesman as they are just that. Do your own research, which you are. My vote is Sony.

60A3000...no need to think about it really.

Well, I thank everyone for their advice. In the end I didn't listen to it, but I appreciate it nonetheless.

Bought the WD62927 for $1499 with 5yr warranty including bulb coverage. To duplicate the tv & warranty in the Sony here locally would have been $1949+$469 for four year warranty (and that's one bulb replacement - the sonystyle $249 is NO bulbs).

Final dealbreaker on the Sony was no PIP. Fairly often I watch football, while the kids play Madden video game football (or other show/video game combination). Mitsu can handle this and Sony can't.