I have been very satisfied with my 36" Toshiba CRT set for the past 8 years,
however I have been looking at 54 - 60 inch sets. The lcd sets are beautiful
but out of my price range when you get that big. There seem to be a lot of
new technologies in projection sets. I thought I would seek the advice of
those here who maintain them.

If you were looking for a set of this size in the $1500 - $ 2500 range, what
would you buy? Also what would you avoid? I have read postings here in
regards to coolant leaks and such, is this still an issue? On certain sets
(DLP technology I believe) the light source is good for only 1000 - 2000
hours. Is this user replaceable or are adjustments required at the time of
installation? I have not paid much attention to developments in the past 8
years, it is amazing the number of choices, and also confusing.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Larry Fowkes

In article ,
Larry Fowkes wrote:
If you were looking for a set of this size in the $1500 - $ 2500 range,
what would you buy? Also what would you avoid? I have read postings
here in regards to coolant leaks and such, is this still an issue? On
certain sets (DLP technology I believe) the light source is good for
only 1000 - 2000 hours. Is this user replaceable or are adjustments
required at the time of installation? I have not paid much attention to
developments in the past 8 years, it is amazing the number of choices,
and also confusing.


I've just bought a Sagem DLP rear projector - 45" 16:9. 2000 gbp, and it's
a French maker new to TV, although they've made STBs for ages. Dunno if
it's available worldwide, though.

Replacing the light sounce is definitely a DIY job - instructions given in
the handbook. Haven't found out the cost yet.

On the whole I'm pleased with it. Not as good as a decent CRT, of course,
but one that size wouldn't fit in my room. ;-)

Better flesh tones than plasma, and more accurate gamma than LCD.

It does appear rather sat up on low key scenes - so like real film, only
worse.

Stunning on progressive scan material. Also HDTV ready.

The first set I've had with more than enough inputs. ;-)

--
*Be more or less specific *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Bingo. The lamps used in the LCD and DLP projection sets are good only
for 1000-2500 hours maximum. You have to buy from the tv manufacture
as every lamp assembly is different and there is no real source for
just the lamps.
The catch, the lamps cost between $300 and $500, every 1000-2500
hours!!!!

A tv in that size and price range is likely not going to be full HDTV
and from a 'decent' brand. i.e. Sony, Toshiba, Panasonic, Mitz. At
this time I would still stick with a 3 picture tube rear projection set
or a large diret view picture tube tv set. Best picture for the $$ and
proven technology.

David

Larry Fowkes wrote:
I have been very satisfied with my 36" Toshiba CRT set for the past 8
years,
however I have been looking at 54 - 60 inch sets. The lcd sets are
beautiful
but out of my price range when you get that big. There seem to be a
lot of
new technologies in projection sets. I thought I would seek the
advice of
those here who maintain them.

If you were looking for a set of this size in the $1500 - $ 2500
range, what
would you buy? Also what would you avoid? I have read postings here
in
regards to coolant leaks and such, is this still an issue? On certain
sets
(DLP technology I believe) the light source is good for only 1000 -
2000
hours. Is this user replaceable or are adjustments required at the
time of
installation? I have not paid much attention to developments in the
past 8
years, it is amazing the number of choices, and also confusing.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Larry Fowkes

wrote in message
ups.com...
Bingo. The lamps used in the LCD and DLP projection sets are good only
for 1000-2500 hours maximum. You have to buy from the tv manufacture
as every lamp assembly is different and there is no real source for
just the lamps.
The catch, the lamps cost between $300 and $500, every 1000-2500
hours!!!!

A tv in that size and price range is likely not going to be full HDTV
and from a 'decent' brand. i.e. Sony, Toshiba, Panasonic, Mitz. At
this time I would still stick with a 3 picture tube rear projection set
or a large diret view picture tube tv set. Best picture for the $$ and
proven technology.

David


Hi David,

Thanks for the input. I have seen this size range in some of the better
brands, but I believe you are correct when they are not fully HDTV. I may be
happier with a smaller screen of better quality. I have been very happy with
my Toshiba 36" crt. It is just starting to get a jumpy picture now and then.
Kind of a quick vertical jump. I may go ahead and replace the electrolytics
in the vertical and power supply section just to keep this one going until I
can settle on a replacement.

Larry Fowkes

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...

I've just bought a Sagem DLP rear projector - 45" 16:9. 2000 gbp, and it's
a French maker new to TV, although they've made STBs for ages. Dunno if
it's available worldwide, though.

Any thoughts on front projectors? Good? Bad?
--
N

The reality is that the average tv set in the US is on 6 hours a day.
That is 6x365= 2165 hours per year.

Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article . com,
wrote:
Bingo. The lamps used in the LCD and DLP projection sets are good
only
for 1000-2500 hours maximum.

At say 3 hours per day viewing, that's between approx 3 and 6 years
use.

You have to buy from the tv manufacture
as every lamp assembly is different and there is no real source for
just the lamps.
The catch, the lamps cost between $300 and $500, every 1000-2500
hours!!!!

A tv in that size and price range is likely not going to be full
HDTV
and from a 'decent' brand. i.e. Sony, Toshiba, Panasonic, Mitz.
At
this time I would still stick with a 3 picture tube rear projection
set
or a large diret view picture tube tv set. Best picture for the $$
and
proven technology.

CRT tubes used for rear projection have a limited life too - if you
want
to maintain performance. And they're always out of registration on
any set
I've seen. Nor do they go anywhere near as bright as a DLP system -
which
can do 500cd/m2.

Of course like everything else it depends on your priorities.

--
*The more people I meet, the more I like my dog.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

We often see lamps (and often lamp driver boards) go out in as little as 2
to 6 months of normal use.

Mark Z.


wrote in message
ups.com...
The reality is that the average tv set in the US is on 6 hours a day.
That is 6x365= 2165 hours per year.

Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article . com,
wrote:
Bingo. The lamps used in the LCD and DLP projection sets are good
only
for 1000-2500 hours maximum.

At say 3 hours per day viewing, that's between approx 3 and 6 years
use.

You have to buy from the tv manufacture
as every lamp assembly is different and there is no real source for
just the lamps.
The catch, the lamps cost between $300 and $500, every 1000-2500
hours!!!!

A tv in that size and price range is likely not going to be full
HDTV
and from a 'decent' brand. i.e. Sony, Toshiba, Panasonic, Mitz.
At
this time I would still stick with a 3 picture tube rear projection
set
or a large diret view picture tube tv set. Best picture for the $$
and
proven technology.

CRT tubes used for rear projection have a limited life too - if you
want
to maintain performance. And they're always out of registration on
any set
I've seen. Nor do they go anywhere near as bright as a DLP system -
which
can do 500cd/m2.

Of course like everything else it depends on your priorities.

--
*The more people I meet, the more I like my dog.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Mark D. Zacharias" wrote in message
news:1112781156.c12ac4c6415adb742e56b70144104e9a@t eranews...
We often see lamps (and often lamp driver boards) go out in as little as 2
to 6 months of normal use.

Mark Z.



Sounds like the cost-to-own on one of these may make them more expensive
over a few years then an equiv plasma or regular lcd.

One concern I have with straight lcd displays is that in computer use I can
see a marked loss of brightness and clarity over a couple years use with lcd
computer monitors. I have also seen a few where you get a group of pixels
that go dark or sometimes grey, then this blemish will grow larger over a
period of months. Given the short upgrade cycle of computers this is not so
big a problem, but with such an expensive television it would be. Is this a
valid concern ?

So many choices, it's mind numbing.

Larry Fowkes

In article 4LF4e.1248$7Q4.183@clgrps13,
NSM wrote:
I've just bought a Sagem DLP rear projector - 45" 16:9. 2000 gbp, and
it's a French maker new to TV, although they've made STBs for ages.
Dunno if it's available worldwide, though.

Any thoughts on front projectors? Good? Bad?

They can be very good. However, to me, it makes it too much of an event
having to lower a screen etc. I don't have a suitable wall in my 'viewing'
room. Many keep an ordinary set too in the same room for causal viewing.

--
*Everybody lies, but it doesn't matter since nobody listens.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On Wed, 6 Apr 2005 06:39:15 -0400, "Larry Fowkes"
wrote:


One concern I have with straight lcd displays is that in computer use I can
see a marked loss of brightness and clarity over a couple years use with lcd
computer monitors. I have also seen a few where you get a group of pixels
that go dark or sometimes grey, then this blemish will grow larger over a
period of months. Given the short upgrade cycle of computers this is not so
big a problem, but with such an expensive television it would be. Is this a
valid concern ?

I hear the sharp aquos lcd models have a replaceable lamp panel.

The problem with stuck pixels (as well as high prices) is a deal
killer though.

I've been in the market for a new TV for six months now and the more I
look, the less I like. Will probably get a 27" NTSC sony and wait
three or four years for the dust to settle.