Home theater people....got a couple DLP questions, please help.

[StephenX]

Hey guys. Well, I've been shopping around for an HDTV lately, so I'll give a quick background for what I need....

1. Getting married in May, and we'll have our own place. Neither of us watch TV ALOT, >6 hours per day. Usually a movie, or a show or two at night at the most. Nothing else really. When we do, its sports, and I'd like a big TV to have guests over. We will have HD.

2. My budget is less than $1000 at the most. I've got a year left at UGA (Go Dawgs), so I don't have a lot of money. I know it won't by what a lot of you recommend, but bear with me....

3. I want something reliable...

Anyway, I've been eyeing a TV that a little birdie told me was 799.99 at Circuit City really soon. It's a 50inch DLP Slim HDTV made by Samsung, model # HLT5075S.

Now, my questions are:

-How big a problem is bulb replacement? I don't mind spending around 200 bucks in a couple of years if I need to, and partstore.com has GREAT prices on bulbs. But how long should I expect the bulb to last?

-Samsung reliability, particularly with DLP....How are they? I know the TV's picture (to me) looks beautiful, so how does the TV hold up?

Any more insight on this TV would be fantastic. Thanks.

[Chew]

Although I did not consider a DLP, I did consider Samsung for my recent purchase. In multiple online places, I read Samsung reliability has not been proven yet. In fact, somebody here at work had her TV repaired and the repairman said Samsung is the brand he's called out the most for. But, that's just one repair guy.

The TV I'm replacing is a RPTV and the blubs have, thus far, lasted 4.5 years without issue.

I'd be considered a fairly "heavy" TV watcher. ;)

[StephenX]

Although I did not consider a DLP, I did consider Samsung for my recent purchase. In multiple online places, I read Samsung reliability has not been proven yet. In fact, somebody here at work had her TV repaired and the repairman said Samsung is the brand he's called out the most for. But, that's just one repair guy.

The TV I'm replacing is a RPTV and the blubs have, thus far, lasted 4.5 years without issue.

I'd be considered a fairly "heavy" TV watcher. ;)

Is that 4.5 years on one bulb? Thanks for helping out.

Also, other input is welcome everyone!

[Chew]

I would think there's 3 bulbs in my RPTV? But, since the day I bought it new, I've never replaced any of the bulbs.

[Spiky]

So, more than 6 hours/day is not a lot?

Chew, do you have a CRT model? That does not have lamps, and wouldn't compare. Any digital RPTV with a lamp, like DLP, has only one.

Lamps usually last for the estimated life. But it is an expense to consider for this type of TV. They also dim a bit as they go on. LED models are going to take away much of this, that is why there is so much discussion about them.

[Drexl]

So, more than 6 hours/day is not a lot?

I took it to mean >6 hours a day was a lot, but that he didn't watch TV that much.

[Chew]

Chew, do you have a CRT model? That does not have lamps, and wouldn't compare. Any digital RPTV with a lamp, like DLP, has only one.


I have the Toshiba 51h83. I wasn't sure how many bulbs it had.

[StephenX]

I took it to mean >6 hours a day was a lot, but that he didn't watch TV that much.

Indeed, that's what I meant.


So no one really has any experience with DLP tv's and their bulbs?

[Pistol Pete]

I have the Toshiba 51h83. I wasn't sure how many bulbs it had.
That would be a CRT TV. It uses 3 CRTs, no bulbs. The CRTs typically last 10-20K hours if properly cared for.

[Gojhawks]

I bought a 50" Samsung DLP in June 2004 (HL-P5063). I finally replaced the bulb about a month ago. The original was still working, but a little dimmer it seemed. The replacement was easy.

I have been happy with my DLP. As a rule I limit how often I turn on/off the set. I only turn it on if will be on an hour of more. I often will leave it on when I leave the room if plan to return in 30 minutes or less. I also have it on a battery back up so if lose power it does not shut down without cooling cycle. I have no complaints about the DLP technology.

[Spiky]

So no one really has any experience with DLP tv's and their bulbs?
Sure, hence my post above. The lamps are essentially the same whether DLP, LCD projection, or LCOS. So if you are looking for user reports, you can look at all these TV technologies.

I agree with Gojhawks, also. Turning the lamps on is very destructive. (irony, fun) So limit the number of times you do so if possible. Lamps can just stop, like any light bulb. Note that the warranty on the lamp is different from the rest of the TV, much shorter, this is why.

A trick for lamps is to use one til it nears time to die, then buy a new one. Don't stick the new one on the shelf since the warranty runs out fast and it could always be a $200-400 dud. Plug in the new one, use it long enough to be satisfied it won't die right away, maybe til the warranty runs out, then switch back to the old one and use it up. This gives you a known good backup on the shelf.

[tommyp007]

My Dad has this exact tv, bought a couple of months ago at BB. Great picture, esp. on HD content.

[hdtv00]

Buy a projector , REALLY impress everyone with your sports. Especially since you don't watch a lot a day one bulb will last couple years. 110 inch HD NFL games....win/win for you and your friends.

[StephenX]

Buy a projector , REALLY impress everyone with your sports. Especially since you don't watch a lot a day one bulb will last couple years. 110 inch HD NFL games....win/win for you and your friends.

I would, but its not ideal at all for an apartment with newlyweds i dont think.

Thanks for the help guys. Keep the info coming...I'm learning quite a bit!

[Geauxn]

I would, but its not ideal at all for an apartment with newlyweds i dont think. Shut up and buy the projector. I'm sick of having parties at my house.

[hdtv00]

LOL you should see my Apt then....hehe. Free up a lot of space with big ol tv sitting there, now just wall for screen, with screen of course. Anyway don't mind me I always say get a projector, anything else is waste.

[StephenX]

Shut up and buy the projector. I'm sick of having parties at my house.

No you're not. You love waking up with 20 of your close friends, and 3 or 4 strangers.

Also, anyone attest to the SD picture quality on DLP's (Specifically the Samsung in the op)?

[Spiky]

I don't think Samsung is high rated for SD material, typically. Not great upconversion usually. Panasonic and Sony tend to be the highest rated, and they don't happen to make DLPs.

You do realize that you can get an HD projector (DLP, btw) and excellent screen for under $1000, right? People seem to think that they are more expensive than "regular" TVs, but they no longer are. Then you just make the screen whatever size you want. Light is the biggest issue for most people to consider since they tend to be a little dimmer than RPTV.

[4KRG]

StephenX

I bought a Samsung DLP last year for a Christmas gift to myself.

I have 5 friends that have various generations of the samsung DLP and none have had any problems. One friend I speak with weekly has a stay at home wife and 3 kids, the TV is on all the time (greater than your 6 hours a day) and he has not replaced the bulb in 4 years (slightly dimmer wouldn't bother him). None of the others have had to replace bulbs either, but their TVs are newer and not on as much.

I have no problems watching SD on mine, I think the display is fine in SD mode, and excellent in HD mode.

I would buy this TV again, no question. As far as traditional DLPs go, I would say Samsung has the most reliable.

When searching for bulb life info, do not include LCOS technology as indicated by someone above. The LCOS tends to run the bulb brighter and thus burns out quicker (Sony SXRD comes to mind) also, do not use the Samsung DLP in 'Dynamic' mode as that will burn the bulb out quicker as well.

[StephenX]

StephenX

I bought a Samsung DLP last year for a Christmas gift to myself.

I have 5 friends that have various generations of the samsung DLP and none have had any problems. One friend I speak with weekly has a stay at home wife and 3 kids, the TV is on all the time (greater than your 6 hours a day) and he has not replaced the bulb in 4 years (slightly dimmer wouldn't bother him). None of the others have had to replace bulbs either, but their TVs are newer and not on as much.

I have no problems watching SD on mine, I think the display is fine in SD mode, and excellent in HD mode.

I would buy this TV again, no question. As far as traditional DLPs go, I would say Samsung has the most reliable.

When searching for bulb life info, do not include LCOS technology as indicated by someone above. The LCOS tends to run the bulb brighter and thus burns out quicker (Sony SXRD comes to mind) also, do not use the Samsung DLP in 'Dynamic' mode as that will burn the bulb out quicker as well.

Thanks, that clears up A LOT. So I'm assuming I should be good for a few years based on others' experiences?

Also, how is the sound on your TV? I don't need superb, just sufficient for the time being.

[tdirgins]

I also have a 2004 vintage Samsung DLP. I haven't changed the bulb yet. Great set.

[buckee1]

I've got three Sammys. A 61inch DLP, 46inch DLP & a 42inch LCD and have had nothing but the best experiences with all of them. I would suggest pulling the trigger for the extended warranty tho. You figure that the cost of a bulb is at least the cost of the extra service contract and the bulb IS included in the additional warranty as well. My sets are 3yrs., 1.5yrs, and 4mos. in age and size order and they all work like dreams. SD looks good but of course, HD looks crystalline. No worries & no problems.

[4KRG]

Also, how is the sound on your TV? I don't need superb, just sufficient for the time being.

The built in sound is ok, nothing to write home about, but it's fine when I don't feel like powering up the whole sound system.

You can't go wrong with a samsung DLP *IF* you want a DLP :)

[ResIpsa]

My 61" Sammy DLP has been great for me since late 2003. The bulb did eventually need replacing earlier this year so I got over 4 years out of it with moderate (4-6 hours a day) usage. I got the extended warranty and did end up needing it to replace the color wheel (early Sammys were notorious for this problem). My warranty did not cover bulbs but the tech who came out to replace my color wheel apparently didn't get that memo since he threw in a new bulb for free :D.