My dilemma. 61" Samsung DLP or 60" Sony XBR2?

[DLPFreak]

I know these TVs are fairly priced apart, but I'm really torn on which to get. I love the picture and pixel density on the Sony, but having already owned a DLP, I like and know that technology and am really happy with the quality of picture from my 3 year old DLP.

I realise this is a somewhat open ended question, but what are the drawbacks and pluses of either? I'm particularly interested in reliability as I've heard horror stories about the Sony's, which is a little disconcerting

[jay07]

To me, XBR2 looks much better than DLP, but the price is much more expensive as well, so it depends on how much money in your pocket.

[rikee]

I would go for the Sony, look nicer and more reliable.

[pedro]

Have you checked out the non-XBR SXRD Sony (KDS60A2000)? It's $1,000 cheaper, still full 1080p.

I would go with the Sony over the Samsung to avoid DLP - the spinning wheel is another moving part I would want to avoid over the long haul.

[fuzzy32]

Another option is to get the DLP with an extended warranty. Love my 61" DLP.

[DLPFreak]

Thanks for the input guys.

Rikee, I'm interested what makes you say the Sony is more reliable? I've had my DLP for 3 years with no issues and on the Sony forums I've seen through polls that about 50% of owners on the American forum have had some kind of issue. I much prefer the Sony picture, but a disproportionate amount of complaints like that makes me seriously rethink going Sony.

That, and the fact that the new DLPs @ 1080p look pretty good and cost a decent amount less.

[pedro]

I guess the jury is still out regarding long-term reliability. Consumer Reports says "they don't have enough data to report fully", but so far the micro display RPTVs as a group are more error-prone in the first year than their CRT-based cousins.

I've had a Toshiba CRT RPTV for about 6 years and never required any service.

I hope Sony is going to be reliable, I just bought one

[ncnmra]

on the Sony forums I've seen through polls that about 50% of owners on the American forum have had some kind of issue

Be careful on using forum posts as a statistical method of determining reliability. Generally, if you're happy with your equipment, you don't go out looking to complain about it.

I think the general consensus is that LCOS/LCD have less moving parts and therefore less prone to physical problems, however LCOS is very difficult to manufacture, so perhaps prone to its own set of issues. I have a DLP that I'm having problems with now (it appears to be a systemic issue with that model of TV), but as they always say: "YMMV"!

[DLPFreak]

I can certainly see how folks who are having problems would be more than likely to post problems, but when the poll asks all members of a forum to vote on whether they've had problems and the result is 50/50 almost, then I start to worry myself.

Can you tell me which model of DLP is supposedly have a systemic issue and what that issue might be? The more informed I am, the better decision I believe I could make.

Thanks

[rikee]

Well, I'm browsing many hdtv forum since one year and found that DLP are not very reliable(Many problem reported especialy with Toshiba). This is probably why future shop doesnt sell DLP anymore. A lot of moving parts on a DLP compared to LCD or SXRD.

[DLPFreak]

So I managed to find a floor model of a 60" XBR2 for $4500 incl stand. It supposedly has 2 months worth of use on the floor, but I'd def ask you guys to help me check in the menus (if that's possible) to verify.

Is this a decent price? I figure if it's been on the floor and in use that long and doesn't have the green blob then hopefully I'm safe?

Any input would be great.

Thanks again

[ncnmra]

poll asks all members of a forum to vote on whether they've had problems and the result is 50/50 almost, then I start to worry myself.

My point is that most people that don't have questions or issues with their sets, don't ever step foot in a forum. Typically it is only those that are experiencing problems, or the more tech savvy that want to help others out that populate the forums. For example, I wouldn't be here, if it wasn't for my issue:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/show...t=30828&page=9

I'm definitely glad this place exists, but the point is that those polls are a poor representation of general product distribution.

PS: I think you made a great choice with the Sony. The picture quality always blows me away, and part of me regrets not biting the bullet and getting one in the first place. But hindsight is 20/20 and my wallet wasn't that fat.