[fluffhead]

though this is my first post to this forum, i've been reading it daily for months and like many others, have spent a borderline embarrassing amount of time reading about the sammy dlp's. plz dont be biased by my post count because i do know what im talking about for the most part and am not gonna ask questions that are easily found by searching. anyway, here we go:


preface: i own a 50" hlp5063 bought at CC 28 days ago. though i got a great price on it, im suffering from buyers remorse. Although i am happy with it in most ways, theres a few factors which are making me consider trading it in and buying a cheaper HLN model.


foremost, i dont like the fact that each pixel is not clearly defined as they are on the HLN with the HD2, as i use the TV about 40% computer monitor, 20/20/20 hdtv, dvd, sd. i just get the feeling after examining HLN pixels at the store that it would be far superior for displaying fine text. as far as HDTV and DVD goes, this HLP is excellent. i just dont know if the improvements made over the HLN (clay faces, black levels, internal reflection) justify the extra price.


questiions:

1. the HLN 5065 i was looking at at BB (floor model) had a different menu than the one i looked at at SAM'S (labeled 5065WX). the menu in the HLN at SAMS looked identical to that on my 5063. does this mean that it was a W1 model ? definitely prefer the newer menu interface.


2. the sams 5065 is 300$ less than what i paid for my 5063, the floor model at BB is 700$ cheaper. at that price, i could get their 4year plan + TV for the same price as at SAMS. so, how important is the W1 upgrade to those who have it? also, would my tv be upgraded to W1 if i called and had them fix the lip synch and IR problems? ive read a lot of posts indicating that samsung is pretty liberal about sending out techs to change the 'guts' of the tv if u call and complain... would this include new digital circuitry to give me the new menu ?


3. does anyone have first hand experience comparing side by side a HLN and HLP for displaying text, such as internet explorer and windows desktop? how much better are we talkin here? at 96 dpi, and on 50" can u use smaller and smallest text in IE? when i go below normal size text in HLP, it gets pretty mushy.


4. should i be completely afraid to buy an open box floor model ? i dont wanna buy a tv that someone else had problems with.



hd2+ tvs are not an option due to price at this point, and the kirk is fugly anyway. at the very least, i figure i will get another 30 day test drive.



i would appreciate any feedback, this is the greatest place on the internet

 

[tjk]

Quote:

Originally posted by fluffhead though this is my first post to this forum, i've been reading it daily for months and like many others, have spent a borderline embarrassing amount of time reading about the sammy dlp's. plz dont be biased by my post count because i do know what im talking about for the most part and am not gonna ask questions that are easily found by searching. anyway, here we go: snip i would appreciate any feedback, this is the greatest place on the internet

In my opinion, regardless of which set you choose, I would never buy a floor model or open box when it comes to DLP. The bulbs have a limited lifespan (much less, according to many on this forum, then the specs claim), and stores run those things all day at high brightness settings. It's just not worth it unless you can get a free bulb or get the bulb covered in an extended warrenty. Again, just my $.02.

 

[gimphboi]

I'll say one thing in relation to you using the HLP as a computer monitor.


I am speaking from experience here as I am typing this on a HLP5063.


Use the DVI input for your PC, not the VGA input.


The difference is not subtle.


Text is quite readable. This is my only computer monitor.


-Tony

 

[fluffhead]

at this point i dont have dvi out on on vid card (its a laptop) but im sure i'll be buing a new 'desktop' htpc probably within a year so i am interested in the difference between vga and dvi.

text on my 63 (which im typing on now) is definitely readable, actually its quite clear. how would u quantify the difference between the two inputs?


its not that i am unhappy with text on this display really, its just that if i can get better for cheaper, thats where i wanna go.


can anyone comment on hln text via vga VS. hlp text via dvi? looking cloesly at the perfectly square hln pixels makes me think the hlp couldnt compare regardless of input.. thanks for the feedback.

 

[jojo57]

The samsclub is W1 newer firmware::HLN5065wx

 

[cyberbri]

On my HLN4365W, text looks good with VGA and DVI. Can't comment on the HLP, though.


If you are using VGA...I know on mine, with the VGA input you can go to the PC section of the User Menu and select Auto Adjust. If you do this with text on the screen (maximize a website, etc.) it will make sure the screen pitch is properly adjusted. If that's not right, doing this may help.


You can also get ClearType Tuner from here to help make text easier to read:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/d...powertoys.mspx (as well as some other cool toys)

 

[jb33]

I would have helped until you called my kirk fugly ...


just keep what you've got and enjoy. The HLPs have significantly better PQ than the HLNs. Everyone getting the W1 upgrade was hoping to get something HLP like, then stoked to get upgraded to an HLP if there was a problem.


If I was in your shoes, the only change I'd consider is an upgrade to the Kirk. You spent that HLN money a month ago, You can pay the upgrade budget out of this months entertainment budget. You gonna be broke all year building your HTPC anyway so you might as well dive in.


enjoy.

jb

 

[fluffhead]

thanks for the advice, i'll look into how clear text works on my screen and report.


jb, trust me, if i could be in your shoes with the 85, i would. so take my fugly comment with a grain of salty jealousy. if the lady would let me i would seriously consider it... the 3500$ delivered to door from tva is very enticing, but couldnt sell my fiance on it during the trip to best buy. i'd been toyin with the idea of getting the hln from sams for a month and then hoping there would be a tva powerbuy on the 74 once they hit, but that would put me out of a tv for a while i imagine. plus, no way would i go down in size, so i'd have to go up to 56 and take that price hit. (uggggghhhhhh, 56 would be nice though )


jojo, yeah i figured that the sams hln had the new firmware and was w1. tempting.



actually at the BB they have 2 5065's, one on the floor, and the other in the warehouse that i imagine was a return.. i guess i shouldnt have said floor model, i meant 'open box' if thats what they call it. still, for 2450 its hard to pass up. at that price i could get warranty and still be a good price. what are the paths thru which one would get a 5065 modded to the 5065wx1, samsung might be generous but i doubt theyre running a charity operation over there in seoul. has anyone feigned problems to get upgraded? is that unethical?

cc actually had an open box 617w for about 3700, NICE set but too rich for my blood. was the first time i noticed the difference in remotes from hln to hlp.


one more question: do u think that the hlp's will end up with a similar incidence of problems/failures that the hln's seem to have (hard to extrapolate the number problems reported here to total amount of sets sold) over the long run? theres still a voice in the back of my head thats saying that the hln is a gamble.

 

[cyberbri]

Quote:

Originally posted by jb33 I would have helped until you called my kirk fugly ... just keep what you've got and enjoy. The HLPs have significantly better PQ than the HLNs.

Although they are slightly different technologies, and I know the HLPs could have something that makes them better (better contrast ratio / deeper blacks, perhaps?), many people have commented that the HD3 chips aren't quite as sharp as the HD2 chips (unless you are talking HD2+). To some this is better and more film-like. To others, this is softer and doesn't have as much detail.


I've never seen an HLP and really looked hard at it, but I imagine this is another "subjective" call, whichever look you like better.

 

[Barrybud]

Popular opinion in this forum is that the HLP is a softer over all PQ. Not that that is a bad thing! If you like a shaper image the HLN might be the way to go for you. Maybe the HD2+ is the way to go. We cant decide for you. Your eyes have the final call on this.


The fact that it comes just before you 30 days is up is a function of buyers remorse. If this was a significant issue wouldn't it have come up a few weeks ago?