LCD / DLP Based RPTV's

[mhz40]

I am ready to jump into the HD arena and  want to avoid registration errors, 'blooming' & 'burn-in' which affect CRT based systems.  DLP based sets IMO, lack the resolution and produce some very strange looking artifacts.  Black levels were compressed as well.  Discounting DLP's, lead me to my current front-runner, a Sony 50XBR800, which leverages LCD technology.  I have read that the 'blacks' of this set lean towards 'gray', but I think this is one tradeoff I'm willing to take.  Another potential downside (which concerns me most), is that Sony converts all inputs to the resolution of the LCD's, which is 1366x768.  The pictures I observed rivaled Plasma displays (seriously), although the colors were not as saturated.  Any thoughts or experience with this LCD technology?  Are there  any other options I should be looking into at the $3700 price range?
Thanks all...

MHz

[HiFiTy]

I do not have specific experience with Sony TVs, but I have talked to a few manf reps about LCD RPTVs (Panasonic specifically).  Here are a few drawbacks that I have heard about:
There is a special light bulb that acts as the light source.  These bulbs have a limited life and need to be replaced.  These bulbs are not cheap.  I would guess you can expect to be in the $200+ range for a replacement.
The bright lightbulb can "bleach" out the transparent LCD screens.  I can't say how fast they will fade, but they will lose their colors over time.

These are just a few questions you should get answers to before you invest in this type of RPTV.

[Pat]

Don't discount the importance of black blacks.  Blacks make the picture seem clearer and the colors more vibrant and true.  Be sure to observe how the set reacts in a home setting with the lighting you will have during daylight.

With regard to upconverting to the pixel-based nature of the set, be sure to observe how you like the various "modes" you may watch -- DVDs, analog TV, HD tv, digital cable, VCR, etc.  Each may be affected to differing degrees.  Many people complain of artifacts introduced by pixel-based sets.

For $3700 you can get an awesome CRT-based RPTV and a hell of a sound system as well.  I have never seen ANY evidence of blooming on my Mits.  Even in Avia, where you deliberately try to induce blooming and back off, it won't bloom.  I believe all CRT based RPTVs in this price range would behave similarly, since its an electronics issue, not a CRT issue.

[borghe]

If you are really looking at $3700 price range, I would reconsider CRT based sets. As Pat pointed out you will get some sets (Mits and SonyXBR in particular) that will IMHO rival LCD and plasma. That being said my experience with LCD (front projection) is that you generally don't haev as strong of a picture as with CRT or plasma. It is very crisp but sort of two dimensional IMHO. Not almost three dimensional like a good plasma, DLP, or CRT.

Your other option is to wait for LCOS to come down in price. Toshiba has a 57" set out now that does 1080p native, deinterlaces 1080i, and interpolates 720p.. Unfortunately it is $9,000, but within 18 months those prices should be down a bit.

[mhz40]

All good points.  In terms of grays-to-black, I agree with Pat.  Nothing I have seen comes close to CRT's.  IMHO, DLP's & LCD compress anything around 10-12IRE to total black.  On the plus side, solid state clearly has the edge on corner to corner registration.  What I was hoping for was something light.  I have a built-in space which is already 2' off the floor of my basement.  Since all of the CRT based models have their screens elevated 16 to 18 inches already, the bottom of the screen would be nearly 3' 6" off the floor.  I may opt for a direct view tube set for now and wait for LCoS to come out in mass.  From what I have read, they rival CRT's.  Maybe in 18-24 months they will be in the price range I'm looking for.  Thanks for the feedback.

MHz