Samsung HL67A750 or ???

[Maximus DukusErectus]

I reconned some previous posts and ran across one concerning the HL72A650 which you had a link to Tiger Direct back in March.Of course they are gone, but it made me a little curious concerning a 67" or 72" 1080p that is an LED and states that there are no lamps/bulbs to burn out.I have a TOSHIBA 62MX195(62") now,and it has been a decent(not great)tv for about 2.5 years now and I do not have $6000.00 to drop on a large plasma...well that's what my wife tells me.Watcha think about the HL67A750?New technology?Old technology?All hype concerning the LED and the engine that is supposed to be 40% brighter?Any response or opinion is welcome.

[MrBoylan]

I reconned some previous posts and ran across one concerning the HL72A650 which you had a link to Tiger Direct back in March.Of course they are gone, but it made me a little curious concerning a 67" or 72" 1080p that is an LED and states that there are no lamps/bulbs to burn out.I have a TOSHIBA 62MX195(62") now,and it has been a decent(not great)tv for about 2.5 years now and I do not have $6000.00 to drop on a large plasma...well that's what my wife tells me.Watcha think about the HL67A750?New technology?Old technology?All hype concerning the LED and the engine that is supposed to be 40% brighter?Any response or opinion is welcome.

Well someone is going a little upgrade crazy!! You're a one-man stimulus package and more power to ya for it! Chris Chiarella reviewed the 61-inch version of that TV here on Big Picture Big Sound last year:

Samsung HL61A750 61-inch LED-Lit DLP HDTV: Review by Chris Chiarella on BigPictureBigSound

The benefits are of course the large screen size (particularly for the price), good black levels and lower maintenance (compared to traditional lamp-based DLP projectors), and the lack of a color wheel (which eliminates DLP's "rainbow effect"). Chris found the unit to be a tad soft in detail and also, as an RPTV, the colors shift a bit off axis, so it's best to view from straight on, where possible.

Samsung, like everyone else, is getting out of the RPTV business which is ironic, because with LED lighting and the latest DLP micro-mirror device, the DLP RPTV has really reached the pinnacle of its performance in the A750 series. IF you want REALLY BIG and FAIRLY CHEAP, then the A750 series is a good pick.

To my eyes, Plasma is still better overall compared to any RPTV, but even the most afforable 58-inch model (the A550 Samsung plasmas) are still usually over $2000, and several inches smaller than DLP models. But speaking of big plasmas, that Samsung 58-inch model (the PN58A550) is available from B&H for $1895 shipped. If you look around, you'll see what a steal that is, and they're an authorized dealer. Here's the link:

Samsung | PN58A550 58" 1080p Plasma TV | PN58A550S1FXZA

Happy shopping!

-Chris

[Maximus DukusErectus]

Chris,I saw your other post with the 15% off,and the 73" MITZ had me licking my chops with the awesome price.Back in the 90"s my first big screen was a 45' rear projection"box" MITZ,in 1999 I upgraded to a 60" MITZ with the "new 3DYC COMB FILTER"...I think that was what it was called.Both my MITZ's were in the "Diamond series" and to me they were worth the money compared to all the low-end rear projections that were available at that time.I was a Mitsubishi Diamond fan up until the technology changed and I just felt they were left in the dust and did not keep up with the advancements of LCD,PLASMA etc.I have not seen a decent review of a MITZ in some time now,and I have no idea where they rank anymore.I know I have been on an upgrading frenzy(all because of you and your advice!lol),and I really want to upgrade my 62" TOSHIBA HD DLP before I have to start investing in new lamps/bulbs,but I have limited resources and cannot afford what I really want.I always purchase six months to one year behind the technology(be it computers,camcorders,cameras,tv's etc)and is why I went DLP in the first place.Should I stick with DLP and save a ton of $,or now go LCD,LED?PLASMA?I love the large screen for my DirectTV HD FOOTBALL and my son's XBOX ,but I still desire a clean,crisp picture.Do you have any advice left?,I feel I have squeezed it all out of you!!!!

[MrBoylan]

Chris,I saw your other post with the 15% off,and the 73" MITZ had me licking my chops with the awesome price.Back in the 90"s my first big screen was a 45' rear projection"box" MITZ,in 1999 I upgraded to a 60" MITZ with the "new 3DYC COMB FILTER"...I think that was what it was called.Both my MITZ's were in the "Diamond series" and to me they were worth the money compared to all the low-end rear projections that were available at that time.I was a Mitsubishi Diamond fan up until the technology changed and I just felt they were left in the dust and did not keep up with the advancements of LCD,PLASMA etc.I have not seen a decent review of a MITZ in some time now,and I have no idea where they rank anymore.I know I have been on an upgrading frenzy(all because of you and your advice!lol),and I really want to upgrade my 62" TOSHIBA HD DLP before I have to start investing in new lamps/bulbs,but I have limited resources and cannot afford what I really want.I always purchase six months to one year behind the technology(be it computers,camcorders,cameras,tv's etc)and is why I went DLP in the first place.Should I stick with DLP and save a ton of $,or now go LCD,LED?PLASMA?I love the large screen for my DirectTV HD FOOTBALL and my son's XBOX ,but I still desire a clean,crisp picture.Do you have any advice left?,I feel I have squeezed it all out of you!!!!

I have nothing left to give.

J/K

A bulb for a DLP projector will cost you around $300-$350 if you go that route. These typically need to be replaced 3-5 years into ownership assuming you keep your TV fairly bright and watch it a "typical" amount of time.

A new HDTV will cost you anywhere between $1500 and $3000 depending on what size you want and what technology you select. There is no picture quality advantage to going RPTV. The only thing you get when you go RPTV is a bigger screen for the same amount of money. For me, I'd rather have a *BETTER* picture instead of a *BIGGER* picture (within reason of course).

So If I wanted to get something around 60 inches in the $2000-$3000 range, I'd either get a 58-inch Panasonic plasma or a 58-inch or 63-inch Samsung plasma. With plasma you'll get the best contrast (black levels), the best viewing angles, the best moving image reproduction, no lamp replacement ever, no hot spots or picture uniformity problems, no lamp replacement, over 100,000 hours of use until half brightness, etc.

There are some nice flat panel LCD TVs out there, but at the 60-inch size, the cost of the good ones (LED backlit with local dimming) is excessive. And there are some decent DLP RPTVs, but these generally don't do as well with off-axis viewing, don't do as well as plasma for contrast levels and can have uniformity problems as well. Plus they're bulky as hell.

I'd say hang onto your current DLP a little while longer, but if you really want to upgrade to something that provides a clear improvement now, then go with a 58-inch or 63-inch plasma flat panel. Here are a few I would recommend as far as performance *AND* value goes. And some of these prices reflect instant rebates which are time-limited (so prices are subject to change):

58-inch Samsungs:

Samsung | PN58A550 58" 1080p Plasma TV | PN58A550S1FXZA - $1895 (last year's model)

Samsung PN58B550 Plasma TV - OneCall.com - $1999.99 (free shipping)
Amazon.com: Samsung PN58B550 58-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV: Electronics - $1999.00 (free shipping)

58-inch Panasonic PZ800 (THX approved):

Amazon.com: Panasonic Viera TH-58PZ800U 58-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV: Electronics - $2297.00
Panasonic | TH-58PZ800U VIERA Plasma 58" TV | TH-58PZ800U - $2295 (free shipping)

63-inch Samsung:

Samsung 63-inch PN63B550 Plasma TV - OneCall.com - $2974 (free shipping)
Amazon.com: Samsung PN63B550 63-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV: Electronics - $2974 (free shipping)

And... the wildcard... with bragging rights...

BEST... HDTV... EVER (and 32% off, to boot):

Pioneer PDP-6020FD KURO 60" Class Plasma 1080p Plasma HDTV JR.com - $3749.00

Hope you have a nice sized credit line on your Visa.

-CB