[rgathright]

This may be in the wrong place, but my question is has anyone

seen or bought a DLP Rear Projection TV? If so, what is your

response to them?

 

[Radar]

I saw the Hitachi DLP real projection in a local dealer. At $20000CAD (about $13000USD) I don't think it's worth it. Although the picture was very vivid, colors good; for that coin you can get a Sharp or better DLP projector that won't break your back and your friend's back if you try to move it.


As you can tell, I'm not a great fan of RPTV. Just a personal view.


Ray

 

[JustMike]

I've auditioned the Panasonic and the Mitsubishi, and found them overpriced (by a long margin) and disappointing in contrast ratio and black level. Pity.


I also checked out the JVC D'Ahlia (D-ILA RPTV). It looked absolutely awful in the store where I saw it (several times worse than the Mitsubishi DLP), but I'm told that they can be made to look okay. It's also quite expensively priced, though. The problem with the D'Ahlia is that JVC has very few dealers in California (my state). Two, actually. None near me, and none which are HT shops that would bother to have the set calibrated. Very sad.


By the way, RPTV units are discussed more often on the HDTV Hardware part of this forum, and you should be able to find more opinions over there.


Enjoy!

 

[rgathright]

Thanks, for the responses.


Radar - I was thinking of a Front Projector at one time, because

I move at least once a year and it would be a lot easier to move.

Then I started to hear about all of the extra components you had

to have and fiqured it was to much trouble.


JustMike - The only one I could find to look at was the Hitachi and

the picture was not that good. The prices are already coming

down and I was hoping in a year or so they would be even lower.

I am looking to get the biggest picture in the lightest weight

possible. The Panasonic only weighs 130 pounds and that is even

less than the 43" Sony I have now.

 

[Free]

I have the Panasonic and have seen the Hitachi and Mitsubishi. Of all of them I think the Panasonic has the best picture but not by much. All of them have poor black levels and some shimmering in the picture. When viewing bright scenes in a lighted room the set looks ok but trying to watch dark scenes is painful.


There is also a bit of fan noise but not any more than a DLP projector.


One other warning, after about 2 months the bulb exploded in my set. It took about 2 weeks for Panasonic to get me another one. If it was out of warrantee the bulb would have cost about $400.


I paid about half price for the set and even that was a bit much for the picture quality you get.

 

[DaViD Boulet]

Quote:

Then I started to hear about all of the extra components you had to have and fiqured it was to much trouble.

What extra components?


Just get the Sharp 9000 (sit it on the coffee table), hook your DVD player up, and shine it onto a white wall.


Instant magic.


Of course, there are a ton of exta components you *can* buy, if you want it to get even better. But even at the level of just shinning your DVD image on a wall you'll be quite impressed!


-dave

 

[Free]

I would just like to add to what David said. If I had known that it was so easy to set up a projector, I would have done it long ago. I just got my Seleco HT200DM in the past few weeks and have been viewing an Exquisite picture on a sheet!! It has really changed my whole theater experience. My Pioneer elite pro-710 is just sitting there neglected. These digital projectors are perfect for someone who moves a lot. They are lightweight and very portable, they set up in seconds and the picture quality is quite amazing. I say, go for a projector!!

 

[rgathright]

The extra equipment that I was talking about is scalers and line

doublers (sp). Would the projectors have outputs for the DD5.1, do 16 x 9 and do HDTV in the future. Also would I be able to hook

up my Directv system.

 

[dfriend]

While DLP RPTVs are far too expensive at present and are somewhat disappointing in black level, those are really the only downsides. I saw the Panasonic (I think) some time ago and the sharpness and color blew away the tube units in the store. And at 50" the things are *light* compared to a tube unit. Plus no convergence to worry about.


I'm of the opinion that DLP (or a simliar technology) is the future of television. We're just not quite there yet.

 

[rgathright]

FREE - The one store that had the Panasonic before do not have

them now because of the bulbs burnt out. I have read and the

salesman said it was because someone kept turning off the power to them and turning it back on to soon.

 

[Free]

All you need with the Seleco HT200DM is a progressive scan DVD player that runs directly into the projector, no line doubler necessary. It will do 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratio's at the touch of a button.


I also run my directv DTC-100 directly into the projector for HDTV. While it is not full resolution HDTV, it still will handle the signal and looks great.


If you want to run your NTSC signal into the projector you just hook your VCR to it you might want to use an Iscan or similar doubler when viewing this signal but it is not absolutely necessary.


The Seleco HT300 has a built in Faroudja line doubler in it and will do true HDTV.


As for DD5.1 all you need is a reciever and speakers just the same as you would need if you were buying a regular TV.

 

[Free]

I don't know if the salesman was correct about the Panasonic DLP. When I turn off my set it goes into a cycle where the fan runs to cool off the bulb. If I were to try to turn on the set right away it will not let me until the fan completely runs its cycle and shuts off.


I would imagine that repeated cycling of the bulb would shorten its life. I try to keep switching on and off to a minimum.

 

[rgathright]

Now I am more confused than before. I would love to have a

bigger picture, but would not like to have wires run across the

floor. This is how I would have to run them for a FP, being I am

moving around so much. Some has said the Panny DLP is great and others say it is not worth the cost.

 

[Free]

If you are looking for a TV that has a great picture, and don't want to run wires for a projector, you might want to consider the Pioneer 503CMX 50 inch Plasma. You could get it for less than the Panny DLP and it is approximately the same size screen but a Gorgeous picture!! and it is about 88lbs, easy to move.


Oops, now I have confused you more

 

[rgathright]

I was looking at that once, but the DLP price came down below

the Plasma. Will you need a tuner with this Plasma unit?

 

[Free]

I believe you can find the Plasma for around 8 grand so they have come down in price as well.


You would need a tuner, although I have heard that they are working on a tuner card for it. Any Vcr will do as a tuner.