Sony LCD VS. Mitsubishi DLP

[Sam Sparkman]

I have been researching HD TV's. I can't decide between Sony 50 In. LCD
Or Mitsubishi DLP. I have always been a Sony Fan, but am told DLP is the new generation TV. Of all the DLP's I prefer the Mitsubishi.

I don't want to pay for a 50 In. TV that I will regret in the near future.

I keep on flip flopping between these two and lately have thought about just buying a SOny HD 34 CRT, because I could alway use it in different room and wait to see which will be the next generation LCD, DLP or even LCOS before buying a Big Screen TV.

Any thoughts, ideas or opinions, will be appreciated.

[LeeS]

Hi Sam and welcome to the forum.

I guess it depends when you want to start enjoying HDTV and widescreen DVD movies. The wait for new technology can be a never ending proposition.

Either of the sets you are talking about would be great. I've seen excellent PQ on both new LCD and DLP sets.

Viewing HD and movies on a 34" HD set is good but not the same as on a big screen.

It boils down to 'when' , 'how much' and what looks best to you. Remember in the stores the sets have th contrast turned up all the way, torch mode, lighting conditions and angles are not always the best.

If you buy from a local dealer and you can come to an agreement that if it doesn't look good in your home that you can exchange it for another set.

There a lots of FAQs to read through. Especially 'what to do to your new HDTV'.

Good luck and let us know what you decided to try. There are lots of things we can help you with after you get the set.

Lee

[Sam Sparkman]

Thanks for the reply. I had decided on the Sony and went to look at Best Buy. The one they had set up had four separate Fixed Pixels (Four Red, Black Dots on the Screen, so I left dissapointed. The next time I went a few days later, the problem was gone. I don't know if it was fixed or replaced.

I am afraid of buying a Big Screen and getting stuck with a TV with some problem like this or buying a DLP and seeing the rainbow effect. I recently saw the JVC Lcos, great picture except when motion scenes, the rainbow effect was completely obvious.

I keep on leaning toward the Sony, I also like the idea of the Dream System DVD and surround Sound. Keeping it simple. If I buy separate components, I will continue my endless research.

I have also been told that around the super bowl is the best time to get a deal on a TV.???

Hopefully others will read this and give me more input. I am really close and really ready to buy a TV.

Thanks for your help

Sam

[MICKEY T]

Hi Sam. It seems LCOS is on it's way out, as stated in slackrl thread in General Disc. As Lee said, the wait for new technology is a never ending proposition. The 34" crt is 200 pounds! GO
with the SONY LCD !
Mick

[summerfun]

I looked at both the LCD and the DLP and choose the LCD. I think it has the best PQ and no rainbow. Some say they cannot see rainbow, but I sure could.

You did make one comment in your first post that you thought DLP was the newer technology. Not true. DLP has been around for years. It competes with LCD but most certainly is not an improvement or replacement to LCD, just different.

As you can see, I have both the Sony LCD for the family room and the Sony CRT for the bedroom.

[Eddy]

I looked at both technologies myself before I bought. Picture quality is hard to judge and compare critically since most vendors don't bother to tune their sets optimally. I opted for the lcd sony and crossed my fingers. Sony had always been good to me in the past. After 5 months, I am completely satisfied and have no regrets. Right now, it is hard to say that there is one best technology--lemons come in all brands. I agree with those who say that waiting for a technology that everyone agrees is best will be like waiting for Godot. Good luck!

[Sam Sparkman]

I feel better about the Sony , after reading your comments. Have any of you had problems with fixed pixels???? Or any other problems?? I am afraid of getting a 50 Inch TV with a problem that I would be stuck with..

Would you recommend a service plan?? Who does the service work or does the TV have to be shipped to Sony??

Also does anyone have the Sony Dream System DVD Surround Sound??
Can you get a better picture with a different DVD player.
I want the best picture I can get, Sound is secondary to me.

Is there a Best Time to buy a TV

Your comments help alot.

Thanks

Sam

[summerfun]

I feel better about the Sony, after reading your comments. Have any of you had problems with fixed pixels???? Or any other problems?? I am afraid of getting a 50 Inch TV with a problem that I would be stuck with..
No problems with pixels. Did have a bad bulb, but they replaced at no charge.

Would you recommend a service plan?? Who does the service work or does the TV have to be shipped to Sony??
Personal preference. I choose NO. It is just an insurance policy and I think the premium is way too high for the possible payout. You would never pay that kind of insurance rate for home or car insurance.

Also does anyone have the Sony Dream System DVD Surround Sound??
Can you get a better picture with a different DVD player.
I want the best picture I can get, Sound is secondary to me.
Your talking about "home theater in a box". I think the Sony is one of the higher end HTIB, but I believe you will still get higher quality with individual components.

Is there a Best Time to buy a TV
IMO, there is no time like the present. You can wait forever for the best deal or the best product, but every day you wait, it's a day you can't enjoy your new HDTV.

[Eddy]

I tried to get the dealer to put something in writing about how many bad pixels would justify returning the unit--to no avail. Same with Sony. So I just had to take a chance. I was lucky. No bad pixels that I have been able to find--and I have looked

[57U]

The allowable "bad pixel" count is usually in the fine print of the manufacturer's warranty. It also depends on "where" the bad pixels are. Ones in the center of the screen are considered "worse".

[Sam Sparkman]

You have a fantastic room. I really like your set up for components.
Makes me want to go out a get started. But I think I will wait until December or January.

I really appreciate the comments and welcome any more.

THe TV I saw at Best Buy Had four Large BLack and red Dots In the upper middle section of the TV. This would drive me nuts if it couldn't be repaired.

I still would like any opinions on Out of the Box Sets or separate components.

Thanks,

Sam

[57U]

My opinion is that separates are going to be better - more flexibility, better performance, etc. HTiBs can suit people who's priority is space, rather than sound.

[TrojanScott]

Just thought I'd chime in. I love my Sony 50 LCD. If you do Best Buy, ask them to give you the 5 year warranty at the 3 year price. Only way I went with it. The extra two years at the 3 year price made me go for it.

(I kept saying, NO, NO, NO)

Have had mine about 3 months, no problems at all. Love this TV.

[mace]

I had my Sony KDF50WE655 for a month now I couldn't be happier with this set. I got a 5 year service warranty for $99

[Sam Sparkman]

I have been looking at the 50 inch model. But checked out the sony web sight a was looking at the 55 inc. KDF 55XS955 3,999.00

or the 55WF655 3,599.00

THe XS has more inputs. What are the other differences and is it worth the
Difference??

How do these compare to the KDF 50WE655?? 3,299.00


ALso wondering how VHS Tapes look on big screen??
I assumed I would not put a VHS recorder on my set up.

Any Thoughts,

I appreciate this board!! You give much better advise than the guys at all of the stores trying to sell me anything they can. They always argue that DLP is the way to go and they look at me funny when I tell them I like the looks of the LCD better.

Funny Thing, a salesman at a local high end store, told me a story about the local cable company coming out to install a cable card on his TV. He told me a long tale. After he was finished I told him I already read the exact same story in the last edition of Sound and Vision.

[summerfun]

To start with, I am a salesman. Not in the A/V world, but a salesman non the less.

My experience has been that most of them are full of s***, even the ones at the high end stores. Either they don't know what they are talking about and just make things up or they may know their stuff, but spend their time BSing you into buying what they have in stock or the high gross products.

You will get much better info from this board than you ever will from a store salesman.

DISCLAIMER... before you post hate mail, this is not EVERY salesmen. Some are good, but most are not.

[Sam Sparkman]

I have been looking at the 50 inch model. But checked out the sony web sight a was looking at the 55 inc. KDF 55XS955 3,999.00

or the 55WF655 3,599.00

THe XS has more inputs. What are the other differences and is it worth the
Difference??

How do these compare to the KDF 50WE655?? 3,299.00


ALso wondering how VHS Tapes look on big screen??
I assumed I would not put a VHS recorder on my set up.

Any Thoughts,

I appreciate this board!! You give much better advise than the guys at all of the stores trying to sell me anything they can. They always argue that DLP is the way to go and they look at me funny when I tell them I like the looks of the LCD better.

Funny Thing, a salesman at a local high end store, told me a story about the local cable company coming out to install a cable card on his TV. He told me a long tale. After he was finished I told him I already read the exact same story in the last edition of Sound and Vision.


I was dissappointed to check for post this afternoon to find no new posts.
Please feel free to make comments or share your opionion .

All comments are appreciated

Thanks,

Sam Sparkman

[fredinva]

Sam,

I've had my 50" Sony KF-50WE610 for 11 months now.

It's got alot of hours on it, and it has been great.
If the extended warranties cover the replaceable bulb, go with it if you like.
I opted for the standard factory warranty (don't believe in extended warranty mumbo-jumbo).

I got a better price from a local Sony dealer (A/V store) than either CC or BB.

LOVE my Sony !!!!!!!!!
Just go get it.

fred

[HDlink]

I have been looking at the 50 inch model. But checked out the sony web sight a was looking at the 55 inc. KDF 55XS955 3,999.00

or the 55WF655 3,599.00

THe XS has more inputs. What are the other differences and is it worth the
Difference??

How do these compare to the KDF 50WE655?? 3,299.00


ALso wondering how VHS Tapes look on big screen??
I assumed I would not put a VHS recorder on my set up.

Any Thoughts,

I appreciate this board!! You give much better advise than the guys at all of the stores trying to sell me anything they can. They always argue that DLP is the way to go and they look at me funny when I tell them I like the looks of the LCD better.

Funny Thing, a salesman at a local high end store, told me a story about the local cable company coming out to install a cable card on his TV. He told me a long tale. After he was finished I told him I already read the exact same story in the last edition of Sound and Vision.

========================================

Check pricing on Circuitcity web site. They have 5 hours (11:00-4:00) special this week, ending today, and have Sear or Bestbuy beat the price. They are much lower. It is not much diff between the 60" and 55". Should check them both. Best buy also have 10-12% off coupon this weekend.
I was told that the XS has better picture quality and better sound system (surr sound).
VHS should be fine. If you have the DVD/VHS and S connector available, use that instead of just Video/Audio.
Cable company would install cablecard if they are supporting it. Charter does not support cablecard where I live, so I am out of luck.

Good luck.

[cuslh]

I've also had my KF-50WE610 for 2 months now. I love this TV, you won't be disappointed. I also purchased the Dream system. I believe, as previously stated, you could get better sound with components, but for a HTIB, its pretty good ! The only thing I would mention is the DVD on the FR8 (and like models) does not upscale...but with the $200 rebate from Sony at the time, who can complain ?

Not to threadjack, but anyone with this TV getting OTA HD signals ?...I'm having some issues with this and am beginning to wonder if it is capable. I've read through much of the FAQ and thought I'd ask. TIA

edit for clarification: Does the TV require a digital receiver to receive OTA HD ? or can you just connect the antenna to the UHF/VHF input and receive these signals...

[fredinva]

cuslh,
you need a tuner of some kind, HD cable or dish hd receiver.

my OTA via Dish 811 is great with roof top uhf ant.

fred

[cuslh]

Thanks for your quick reply fredinva. I figured as much, looks like I will be getting the 811 with the roof top...

Regards !

[Bonezilla]

I posted this in a different thread. I just purchased the Mitsubishi WD62725 last week and it's going back. I can't adjust the brightness scale to my satisfaction. It has a green cast (in the shadows), and color adjustment doesn't help. I feel the Sony XBR or the XS series has a better picture. Everyone has been raving about the Mitsubishi DLP for a while, even stores are pushing the Mitsu. I just need to decide XBR or XS.