get a dlp or keep my sony? help all you smart people!

[kong73]

i have a VERY OLD(6 YEARS) SONY KP57WS510. still looks great and i"m in love with my sony! i really only like to buy things i really need not just want. But i've always really liked DLP's and now they are so cheap..and on they way out ( no one seems to sell them in store any more)! i don't want to wait to long b/c if i do i may not be able to get one. i just really have a hard time parting with my sony b/c i know it will last me a long time...i'm just not sure if DLP'S WILL last as long and give me no problems. I may have to order from amazon and i've never done that either (buying a tv on line).....ANY SUGGESTION?

keim kong

[ObiTrentKenobi]

odd... most people shy away from products that they know are on their way out of the market. Oh well, hope you get something that lasts you 6 years +!

[TVguy86]

Yes DLP is on its last legs but it is still a comparable HDTV technology.

The thing you need to be aware of on a DLP is a bulb that will need to be replaced. It varies from use and conditions. They say 2-3 years. Bulbs can be anywhere from 100 dollars on up so just be aware of that.

Unless you get an led dlp then you will not have to change bulbs.

As far as how long will it last hard to say. Newer technology is great but it is also more complicated. I would suggest, especially for a rear projection, if you buy a DLP get an extended warranty. That way you know for 4 years your tv is going to be good.

Just my 2 cents

I own a plasma, DLP and LCD tv. All have thier advantages and disadvantages. Just do a little research on DLP and decide.

[Uniquely]

If you can find an LED DLP at a good price...... go for it! It's a great way to get a great picture on a good sized tv for half the price you would pay for a plasma or LCD of the same size with a similar pic quality.

[househead]

DLP owner here and would not do it. You sound like a patient and frugal person. The Sony set you have is very top notch. So when you make purchases you get the best you can afford and stick with it for a while.

I wouldn't short change yourself on the next tv purchase. If you like plasma & LCD, don't go for DLP because you can get ___ inches more for the same price.

Rear projection TV's are on their way out. Check out the 50" Pioneer plasmas if you're looking for an awesome display at a great price.

BTW- I love my DLP and the PQ is top notch - but I bought it in 2006 and could not make that same purchase today even if the prices are rock bottom. I'd pony up the extra scratch for an LCD or plasma.

Good Luck!

[rogman]

Originally Posted by kong73

i have a VERY OLD(6 YEARS) SONY KP57WS510. still looks great and i"m in love with my sony! i really only like to buy things i really need not just want. But i've always really liked DLP's and now they are so cheap..and on they way out ( no one seems to sell them in store any more)! i don't want to wait to long b/c if i do i may not be able to get one. i just really have a hard time parting with my sony b/c i know it will last me a long time...i'm just not sure if DLP'S WILL last as long and give me no problems. I may have to order from amazon and i've never done that either (buying a tv on line).....ANY SUGGESTION?

keim kong

While DLP RPTVs are certainly a fading technology, I think they'll be around a few more years. After all, look how long it took tube (CRT) TVs to finally die! I'm sure you'll still see DLP technology in front projectors for years to come, but everyone seems to want the 'sexier' flat options like LCD and plasma. Since the markup is more on those, manufacturers will continue to put their resources into making bigger, better, and cheaper flat panels.

If it were me, I'd save my money and wait until I could afford the biggest, best LCD that I could fit into the space. You have a 57" now, are you looking to stay in the same size range? How far from the TV is your main seating area?

I'd say hang on to your Sony as long as you can, and then see what's out there. When the time comes, you may need to decide between increasing your budget, or settling for a slightly smaller flat panel. Then you won't be stuck with a 'dinosaur DLP' 3-5 years down the road.

[lifeboat]

"odd... most people shy away from products that they know are on their way out of the market."

Yes, most people get nervous and stay away from the good deals. Not me!

"I may have to order from amazon and i've never done that either (buying a tv on line).....ANY SUGGESTION?"

Since you have a nice 57" inch, I personally wouldn't get a DLP unless you wanted a big 73". I recently bought a WD73835 off eBay.com for $500 less than if I had bought it off amazon.com. I was replacing a ten-year-old (400 lb) 61" Sony that only did standard resolution. I made my purchase with PayPal so the delivery of a working TV was guaranteed or my money back.

I would not recommend buying any extended warranties as the reason they are sold is that they are so profitable for the seller. Take a slight risk and save a bunch of money.

Eric Klien
Lifeboat Foundation
+1 (775) 329-0180 Voice
+1 (775) 329-0190 Fax
Skype ID lifeboathq
http://lifeboat.com

P.S. Note that the WD73735 is the best deal out there but I went for the latest and greatest as I tend to keep stuff a long time. The TV was still A LOT cheaper than my 61" Sony had cost me.

[TVguy86]

[QUOTE=lifeboat;.]

I would not recommend buying any extended warranties as the reason they are sold is that they are so profitable for the seller. Take a slight risk and save a bunch of money.[QUOTE]

Im gonna have to respectfully disagree with you on this one. If you get a 4 year extended warranty for your DLP it will pay itself back easily. Lets say the extended warranty is hmm 250 bucks. Well then when your bulb goes out and you need a new one im guessing that a bulb will be around the 200 ish range. So your extended warranty is pretty much paid for itself on the first bulb purchase.
Common problems with DLP sets are for samsung color wheels. If your color wheel goes out you have a pretty heafty expense. Your extended warranty paid for itself again. The bad thing about DLP is the light engine is pretty much contained in one assembly. So say your light engine goes out it could be difficult to find individual pieces. Not to mention a new light engine can be 1000 bucks to replace.
I know this because i have had to tell people with DLPs that its not worth fixing their 2 year old tv because the cost of fixing the tv they own is more then buying a new one.

[kong73]

Originally Posted by rogman

While DLP RPTVs are certainly a fading technology, I think they'll be around a few more years. After all, look how long it took tube (CRT) TVs to finally die! I'm sure you'll still see DLP technology in front projectors for years to come, but everyone seems to want the 'sexier' flat options like LCD and plasma. Since the markup is more on those, manufacturers will continue to put their resources into making bigger, better, and cheaper flat panels.

If it were me, I'd save my money and wait until I could afford the biggest, best LCD that I could fit into the space. You have a 57" now, are you looking to stay in the same size range? How far from the TV is your main seating area?

I'd say hang on to your Sony as long as you can, and then see what's out there. When the time comes, you may need to decide between increasing your budget, or settling for a slightly smaller flat panel. Then you won't be stuck with a 'dinosaur DLP' 3-5 years down the road.

i am looking to go just a little bigger (like 61inch). but how much better is lcd? and do u have to replace parts, how long do they last i wonder? its funny b/c i've love my old sony with its 1080i pic..maybe i should just wait til it dies, i went to PC RICHARDS( they always have great deals) and they just got in some DLPS with LED SO I'M still very temped i guess in the end it's all up to me but you guys have been very helpful and i thank you all for your advise!

KEIM KONG

[franklinpross]

I would def keep the Sony

[ThriceBB]

my dad has a DLP that he bought probably 4 or 5 years ago and he has already had to replace the bulb twice. luckily he had an extended warranty. i would definitely suggest getting a warranty if available.

personally, i think DLP is a waste but thats just me..

[kong73]

But led you don't have to replace the bulb right? Are led dlps a better choice?

[Hypnopooper]

Mitsubishi DLP lamps are $99. I just bought a 65" DLP and love it. It has Darkchip 4 technology and an excellent picture

[Riff Magnum]

Originally Posted by robinandtami

If you can find an LED DLP at a good price...... go for it! It's a great way to get a great picture on a good sized tv for half the price you would pay for a plasma or LCD of the same size with a similar pic quality.

+1
I got my Sammy LED for $999 at Conns. It has plus and minuses like all sets, but the Super Bowl on OTA HD looked amazing, as well as all my blurays. The vertical viewing angle is a little finicky and i do see some sparkle on very white scenes, but overall i'm very impressed. No bulb to replace, so this set should last me until the price of 65"+ plasmas come down to earth.

[kong73]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

+1
I got my Sammy LED for $999 at Conns. It has plus and minuses like all sets, but the Super Bowl on OTA HD looked amazing, as well as all my blurays. The vertical viewing angle is a little finicky and i do see some sparkle on very white scenes, but overall i'm very impressed. No bulb to replace, so this set should last me until the price of 65"+ plasmas come down to earth.

ok but here is where i get confused.....if all i have to do is replace a dlp bulb everytime one blows oout won't it be like getting a new tv everytime. i know LEDs have a long life but what happens when it runs out...can i replace that too or is it that they last so long it wouldn't matter?

[Uniquely]

Originally Posted by kong73

ok but here is where i get confused.....if all i have to do is replace a dlp bulb everytime one blows oout won't it be like getting a new tv everytime. i know LEDs have a long life but what happens when it runs out...can i replace that too or is it that they last so long it wouldn't matter?

Theoretically speaking.. the rest of the tv should wear out before the LED bulb does. That's one advantage of the LED... the other is better color, less "sparkle" than regular DLP's, and truer blacks.

[FendersRule]

Stay away from Projection screens. People are always wanting to just give them away because they are unreliable, big and heavy, and the quality is not near as good as an LCD/Plasma.

[kong73]

Originally Posted by FendersRule

Stay away from Projection screens. People are always wanting to just give them away because they are unreliable, big and heavy, and the quality is not near as good as an LCD/Plasma.

how long do LCD/PLASMA's normally last..if thats a ??? that can be answered.

[FendersRule]

*We know that LCD's are built like bricks. This technology is in it's golden years from many previous years of being on the market. I've never heard, or seen of an LCD screen failing (I'm sure they do, but at a very low rate). I have seen some computer displays have some dead pixels (primative LCD screens from the late 90's), but they just work.

• We have a good hunch that Plasmas are very reliable as well. Aside from the burn-in problems that has now because a "thing of the past". Any "semi-recent" plasma will have automatic pixel resetting technology. You'd really would have to TRY to get a burned in image on your screen on a newer plasma. Aside from this, I cannot vouch much for plasma technology, but I do trust it just as much as LCD technology.

• Projection screens are just $hit. I'll say it to anyone who owns one too. Go to any college website, and look in the classified sections. People are just wanting them gone. They are a pain to move around, and require a damn truck to haul around. People who still have projection screens will always boast about the size, but they completely forget about the quality and weight. Hince, not even speaking of the bulb replacements. I heard $100 from this thread, but try to multiply that cost by 3-4 to get a better accurate cost.

• Aside from weight, Projection screens are dying. They are being replaced asap in stores.

• Most importantly, reliability with Projection screens are just simply bad. We had a Projection screen for 8 years. The first 6 years was fine, but the remaining years it would chose to work when it wanted to. We threw it off the rear deck, and took some chainsaws to it. That was really fun.

• My grandmother had a projection screen. 6 years seemed to be a lifespan for that one. As of now, it seems to work when it wants to. When it does work, you can barely see what's on the screen because it's so dim. Projection screens were in competition with Tube screens. In order to go BIG, people had to purchase projection screens. They simply are a thing of a past, and even then, they could not match up with tube TV technology reliability.

• I myself have almost purchased a Projection screen for $150 through my school paper. I even think it was a DLP screen, and it was about 3-4 years old. I looked up the model number, and just like most other projection screens, it had a big list of documented problems. The common answer I got from "should I buy it" was "Hell no".

• From a maintenance standpoint, when you DO have to repair them, it is very very very costly. Almost do the point of just chucking it.

Stay away. Get rid of it. Give it away.

[ground chuck]

i have 2 dlps, the 720p tv has not had it's bulb replaced yet and its about 4 years old. my 1080p tv has had it's bulb replaced and it's 2 years old, but is the primary tv in the house.

i'll switch out when lcd's are dirt cheap.