question for DLP tv owners

[In Flames]

my mind is made up. the dlp is going to be my next "big ticket" purchase. my question is this, how expensive are the lamps (i know each manufacture differs) and how long was it before you had to replace it, AND, was it easy or hard to replace. these are the 2 tv's im looking at right now. thanks in advance for the help!!

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7705717&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat95100050004&id=1138085296523

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7705708&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat95100050004&id=1138085296465

[GrapeApe]

On the samsung website, they have the lamps listed as $198.06 for both of those models. I'd expect the price to come down. Not sure how long they are lasting in real world conditions. I can't imagine they are difficult to replace.

[MWLthe1st]

We have a 62" Samsung - we've had it for 1.5 years and have yet to replace the light. I was wondering the same.

[chomerics]

I signed up for the service plan, and it covers the lamps. Mine went after about 1.5years, and it was covered. I'd absolutely go for the coverage plan, as the lights are $200 and go about every year and a half.

[cjcdaman]

my mind is made up. the dlp is going to be my next "big ticket" purchase. my question is this, how expensive are the lamps (i know each manufacture differs) and how long was it before you had to replace it, AND, was it easy or hard to replace. these are the 2 tv's im looking at right now. thanks in advance for the help!!

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7705717&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat95100050004&id=1138085296523

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7705708&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat95100050004&id=1138085296465


I have the 56" Samsung. I've had it for about 6 months. I'm not looking forward to replacing the lamp, but it's a small price to pay for a great TV. Here's mine . . .


http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/3403/hpim0029ba7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[hockeyguy1721]

I have the 56" Samsung. I've had it for about 6 months. I'm not looking forward to replacing the lamp, but it's a small price to pay for a great TV. Here's mine . . .


http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/3403/hpim0029ba7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


i need one of those....

[The Evil Genius]

We stayed away from DLP for that very reason - it's a hassle to replace lamps.

I, personally, would go LCD if you can.

[cjcdaman]

i need one of those....

The only advice I can give to anyone looking to purchase a big-screen TV is that nobody has ever said,"Man, I wish I would have bought a smaller TV." I was looking at the 46" and 50" before deciding on the 56". I say get as big as you can but not big enough to where you have to sit across the street in order to watch it. :D

[CrabR]

We have a 62" Samsung - we've had it for 1.5 years and have yet to replace the light. I was wondering the same.

how many hours a day is it on ?

I ruled out the dlp because of the lamps, my tv would probably be on 20 hours a day and I seen where lamps only last from 2000-8000 hours

[HOF44]

We stayed away from DLP for that very reason - it's a hassle to replace lamps.

I, personally, would go LCD if you can.

Cost wise your right, but as far as actually changing the bulb, its a snap. You take the cover off unpug the old one, plug in the new one and your good to go. Takes about 3 minutes.

LCD panels do limit the size in comparison to mico displays also. Inch for inch LCD's are more expensive than the microdisplays.

[In Flames]

I have the 56" Samsung. I've had it for about 6 months. I'm not looking forward to replacing the lamp, but it's a small price to pay for a great TV. Here's mine . . .


http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/3403/hpim0029ba7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


sweet tv. how do you like it, picture wise?

[Buddha]

Cost aside, can someone tell me why I should get a DLP over a plasma? I have been comparing the TVs at Best Buy and Circuit City and I can't get past the darker color and weaker contrast when viewing from the sides compared to a plasma.

[HOF44]

Cost aside, can someone tell me why I should get a DLP over a plasma? I have been comparing the TVs at Best Buy and Circuit City and I can't get past the darker color and weaker contrast when viewing from the sides compared to a plasma.

The 2 big things are cost and burn-in. If neither are an issue for you go plasma. I went LCD projection because a plasma the size i wanted cost near 40K.

[zoony]

Cost aside, can someone tell me why I should get a DLP over a plasma? I have been comparing the TVs at Best Buy and Circuit City and I can't get past the darker color and weaker contrast when viewing from the sides compared to a plasma.


Do yourself a favor and PM HOF44... I did. :)


I ended up with the 55" Sony LCD... couldn't be happier. I think the LCD has it all over the DLP's with regard to image quality. But many disagree, and that's fine. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference. (DLP's suposedly are better with blacks and browns... while LCD's showcase color better)

The other thing that came into play was brand name... I've just heard to many conflicting things about the reliability of Samsungs/Panasonic/etc... but you never hear that about Sony.

....

[Shadowplay]

Great thread to jump in to....

My "housewarming" gift to myself is going to be a Panasonic TH-37PX600U 37inch plasma. I was going to go with the 50-58 inch but this one is a lot cheaper and I can move it up to the bedroom when I get the 58 inch one eventually. Has anyone seen/owned one of these?

[GrapeApe]

Wow, the projection units have really come down. I was looking at the 42" Sony LCD projection unit less than a year ago and it was near 2K. Now it's only 1299. I may have to go get the 50" version.

[HOF44]

For any of you guys that might be interested in HUGE screens and have a dark room to view in this little unit for the cost is amazing.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?ProdID=11110043

To get anywhere close to this performance is 3000+ and this is selling for 1400. I found this because my brother-in-law wanted a projector sit up and I researched a bunch of them. The screen size is 40 to 200 inches.

[The Evil Genius]

For any of you guys that might be interested in HUGE screens and have a dark room to view in this little unit for the cost is amazing.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?ProdID=11110043

To get anywhere close to this performance is 3000+ and this is selling for 1400. I found this because my brother-in-law wanted a projector sit up and I researched a bunch of them. The screen size is 40 to 200 inches.

Two good things about buying from Costco.

1) They will take anything back with a receipt. So if you get the TV at home and it sucks - you can take it back without a "restocking fee". We made the plunge on a lesser name brand (albeit one with excellent reviews on CNet), Vizio, for this very reason.

2) If the TV breaks in the first couple of years, they will take it back with a receipt.

Also, if you buy it from them, make sure you upgrade to the Executive membership. It costs $55 more for the year (it'll be prorated to when you current membership expires), but you get 2% back on all of your Costco purchases (except gas and tobacco).

So a $1500 tv will get you $30 back.

[allskinz]

I just picked up a 50" Vizio Plasma from Costco.. beatiful screen for $1980.00 or so..

[cjcdaman]

sweet tv. how do you like it, picture wise?

I love it! As for comparing DLP and LCD, zoony is right. Many say that LCD's have slightly brighter colors while DLP shows blacks and browns better. I don't see much of a difference. When I was purchasing mine, I had two seperate salesman from different stores tell me to go with the Samsung DLP before the Sony LCD. The Sony was and still is, I think, more expensive so commission wasn't their reason for telling me this. But again, I just don't think there is that much of a difference.

[The Evil Genius]

I just picked up a 50" Vizio Plasma from Costco.. beatiful screen for $1980.00 or so..

We got the 42" LCD and have loved it *knock on wood*. Now, if I could just redo the mistake of going to Comcast and go back to Dish. Luckily, I can in about 3 more weeks. :laugh:

[jbooma]

Great thread to jump in to....

My "housewarming" gift to myself is going to be a Panasonic TH-37PX600U 37inch plasma. I was going to go with the 50-58 inch but this one is a lot cheaper and I can move it up to the bedroom when I get the 58 inch one eventually. Has anyone seen/owned one of these?

can I be your friend :D

[jbooma]

We stayed away from DLP for that very reason - it's a hassle to replace lamps.

I, personally, would go LCD if you can.

Don't you have to replace the LCD as well??? We have a Samsung 26 inch LCD (LOVE IT) but we will need to replace the bulb as well.

[HOF44]

When you talk about the different TV's you really have to be careful about making sure people understand the type your reffering to. There is a difference between LCD and LCD projection. I really don't know alot about the straight LCD ones, but alot about the lcd projection ones.

Main Types

LCD
Plasma
LCD Rear Projection (Micro-Display)
DLP (Micro-Display)

[The Evil Genius]

Don't you have to replace the LCD as well??? We have a Samsung 26 inch LCD (LOVE IT) but we will need to replace the bulb as well.

Projection one's you do, I think. Not aware of any replacements for staight LCD tv's.

[TorresA]

I have the 56" Samsung. I've had it for about 6 months. I'm not looking forward to replacing the lamp, but it's a small price to pay for a great TV. Here's mine . . .


http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/3403/hpim0029ba7.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)

that's same one I got....

[Rypien 91]

I got the 42 inch Samsung DLP. I love it. My two brothers in-law have the same TV. Both of them love it also.