Rear Projection TV going away..........

[flash]

I've been sitting on the fence for so long on replacing my 7 year old HD Ready Sony RPTV that I may sit a while longer..........
Everything I've been reading has forecast that RP HD TV's will be gone within 2 years clearing the way for Laser, Plasma and LCD. (not to mention all the other technologies coming)
I've noticed at BB and other retailers that their rear projection lineup is getting smaller and smaller. I know that they are making more profit on the other technologies but your best "bang for the buck" is still in the RP arena.
I just passed on a deal at a local place that was offering a Mits 65833, matching stand and 3 year bulb warranty for $2900!!!!

What is everyones opinion on the future of HDTV technologies and pricing?

[Ralph Kramden]

$2900 sounds expensive to me. I guess I'm spoiled by my 106" diagonal screen and HD projector for $850. Not only are RPTV's the best bang for the buck TV, but they have the best image quality also. The only disadvantage is their large size.

[flash]

$2900 sounds expensive to me. I guess I'm spoiled by my 106" diagonal screen and HD projector for $850. Not only are RPTV's the best bang for the buck TV, but they have the best image quality also. The only disadvantage is their large size.

The deal wasn't too bad considering the TV is $2,999.00 the stand was $329.00 and the warranty was $399 which is a total of over $3700!!

Still wondering 'cause they're always running the no interest thing for 24 months. :cool:

[SRW1000]

Prices will continue to fall, and the technology will continue to improve.

Dollar for dollar, it's hard to beat the value of a front projection system, especially if screen size is important to you.  Rear projection is a close second.  Of course, you pretty much have to have a light-controlled room to get the full benefit of a front projection system, which will increase the value of a rear projection system for a lot of people (as long as you don't mind the bulk of the actual set).  

The one thing that I would be worried about is replacement bulbs.  As sets age, getting the correct bulb may be difficult or more expensive than you might expect.  There are LED based rear projection systems, which make the replacement issue moot.

The other technologies do have their benefits, but are more costly at this point.  I don't see how they will be able to beat the prices of their projection counterparts.

Personally, I own both a rear projection set (everyday viewing) and a front projection set (weekend movie nights).  The combined cost was probably close to what a good plasma set would cost, and I get the best of both worlds.

Scott

[Blitzburgh]

Dollar for dollar, it's hard to beat the value of a front projection system, especially if screen size is important to you

The problem with front projection is the picture sucks.

[gparris]

flash, before you consider the Mits set, check to see if anyone that will be viewing that Mits DLP set if they sell get any headaches or see any "rainbow effects" watching it.
One of my family members got very unconfortable with a Mits DLP at a friends house and asked me about it...it was the setup and the colour wheel doing it.

Samsung offers a great looking DLP LED set in a 61" size that does not require any bulbs to burn out (20,000+life) or a colour wheel to breakdown and replace and of course, no "rainbows". Here is an example of pricing (free delivery and no sales tax):
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=147350&i=305HLT6187&tp=162
Matching stand: http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=15730&i=305TR500X&tp=1321
I have bought from this location many times without incident and their customer service is outstanding.

Sony also has their model 60A3000 (2007-08 model) SXRD on sale now for $2199 on the Sony web site - it offers a great picture with no "effects" as described above.
I mention this because you had a Sony set previously and many of my associates like their newer SXRDs.
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665153957
The stand : http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665227479&tab=Features
FYI: There is a really cool Sony Outlet Center near me in Pleasant Prairie I have used in HT setups with great success (they also have some nice TV stands),
so if you have a truck or van to pick up one of their lower-priced sets, you get one heck of a deal in savings...check it out!

Just some other sets to consider before you take the "leap".

[RLJSlick]

I've also been doing a lot of research on this matter, I really don't see RPTV's going anywhere in the next 5 years or so, just because of the great cost/ size ratio. I do believe as the prices of LCDs and Plasmas come down, that RPTV will become as obsolete as Black & White TVs.
I've also been messing around with our Front Projection unit we have here at school, and I LOVE the size, but I haven't been that excited about the picture. The type room  is critical. Rooms with windows, I've read, have been a real issue.
I use to have my TV Room in the basement, I could turn off every single source of light there, but now my TV Room is in the family room, with windows. So I'm thinking front projection isn't for me. Though the cost is coming down, even the cost of the bulbs have come down. I just ordered 2 for college here, and they were $275 a piece.

[Tom Snyder]

I may be weird, but I prefer the PQ of an RPTV to either Plasmas or LCDS... I'm still planning on getting a DLP RPTV for my basement after Christmas.

Talk about prices coming down... I just did the math this morning, and realized that I got my 46" Samsung LCD for the living room, the 32" LG LCD for the sunroom, and a new 32" inch Philips LCD for the bedroom... all for about what I paid for my 40" Toshiba RPTV back in 1999. Admittedly, there were some promotions involved, but even my Toshiba was an open box, so I got a deal on that one, too...

[Ralph Kramden]

The problem with front projection is the picture sucks.

You couldn't be more wrong.

[gparris]

Honestly I think it's an "evolutionary" sort of thing, HDTV-wise:
-First HDTVs were based on the older, bulkier CRT-driven sets from the analogue TV days, direct CRTs or rear projection, which are still around, BTW, unless you visit your local BB or CC store, for the most part.
(They tend to hide these in the back or to the sides if they still have them).

-Then the "microdisplays" came out a few years ago, using the similar configuration of the CRT RPTVs, only using progressive-scanning with mirrors and colour wheel (DLP), LCDs or LCoS and a light bulb for the illumination source.
-But I believe that in time, these bulb-based RPTVs, no matter how much slimmer they will try to get, these will be replaced by better and better flat panel displays.
It's not just the form factor or that these can be hung a wall, but the way these can be left on for longer periods of time like the older CRT-based sets could:

No bulbs to replace or cool down after you shut them off.

You would be surprised at the calls I get for bulb replacement sometimes, since many still treat their bulb-based HDTVs like their old CRT sets.
These folks treat their "bulb sets" like their old CRTs and it just wears down the bulbs:
1) Some being turned on and off several times a day
2) Many times they don't even allow the bulb to completely cool down, like during a storm (no UPS backups)
3) They just leave their sets on all day (one said for "backround noise" to catch her "soaps".):rolleyes:

So I think panel sets (LCD and Plasma) will eventually take over RPTVs, at least the bulb-driven ones, unless these all go like the Samsung sets with LEDs.
That is why I always ask how the set is watched, what it is used for, the distance from the seating position and so on...saves a lot of aggravation - for everybody!

[SRW1000]

The problem with front projection is the picture sucks.

I don't think that's right.  There are some front projectors that look bad, of course, but there are others that are amazing.  The price/size ratio cannot be beaten, though.  Don't underestimate the immersive experience of a big screen.

Scott

[SRW1000]

I may be weird, but I prefer the PQ of an RPTV to either Plasmas or LCDS...

No, you're not weird.  I've always preferred the look of rear-projection to plasmas.  The screen door effect was too noticeable, and the picture just didn't seem that vivid.  I will admit they are looking better, though.

And I do like LCDs (but not rear projection LCD sets).

Scott

[SRW1000]

Then the "microdisplays" came out a few years ago, using the similar configuration of the CRT RPTVs, only using progressive-scanning with mirrors and colour wheel (DLP), LCDs or LCoS and a light bulb for the illumination source.
-But I believe that in time, these bulb-based RPTVs, no matter how much slimmer they will try to get, these will be replaced by better and better flat panel displays.
It's not just the form factor or that these can be hung a wall, but the way these can be left on for longer periods of time like the older CRT-based sets could:

No bulbs to replace or cool down after you shut them off.

I've had very good success with both of my old bulb-based system.  I've got over 2000 hours on my first Infocus X1, and I've had my Panasonic DLP set for almost three years now, still on the original bulb, with 5-15 hours of daily use.  I'm hoping my luck will hold out on my newest DLP projector.

I've been very careful to follow a few basic rules, though:

• Always leave the set on for a minimum of two hours
• Always allow the bulb to cool for at least two hours before turning it back on
• Put the set on a battery backup if practical

I've often left the set/projectors on for more than 12 hours, and it hasn't seemed to affect the lifespan.

There is also an advantage to bulb-based sets.  For the price of a new bulb, you are practically getting a brand-new set (visually).

With the advent of LED bulbs, the few disadvantages of bulb sets may be disappearing.

Scott

[SRW1000]

I've also been messing around with our Front Projection unit we have here at school, and I LOVE the size, but I haven't been that excited about the picture. The type room  is critical. Rooms with windows, I've read, have been a real issue.

I use to have my TV Room in the basement, I could turn off every single source of light there, but now my TV Room is in the family room, with windows. So I'm thinking front projection isn't for me. Though the cost is coming down, even the cost of the bulbs have come down. I just ordered 2 for college here, and they were $275 a piece.

Light control is critical for front projection, but it's not that difficult.  Basements are ideal, but you can make or buy blackout cloth liners for your drapes (if you have drapes) that will take care of most of the outside light.  If you're doing most of your watching at night, it's even less of an issue (except during summer).

That's why I settled for both options.  The rear projection set is used for typical TV watching, and works quite well during the day.  On weekends, the front projection rules the living room.  Watching movies on a 95" screen really makes a big difference.

Scott

[flash]

I was close to pulling the trigger when Sam's was running the Sony 60A2020 for $1987 including the stand but then the A3000's came out with 120 Hz etc.....
I've got a 42 Samsung plasma in the bedroom and love that picture but 60+" plasma is out of my price range right now. The new Mits 65833 doesn't have the rainbow effect (from what I've been reading at AVS etc.. and I'd get an extra 5" of viewing screen.:cool:
I have way too much ambient light in my family room (where the new TV will reside) so front projectors are out of the question. My current Sony has issues during daylight with the blinds open. :bang:
We sit between 8-12 feet from the screen so that's why I'm staying away from 70+" TV's. We watch TW cable so analog tv is what it is so no matter how good the tv is....... most of what we watch is going to look like $h!$%.
I enjoy my shows when they're on the HD channels and that is growing ('cmon Uverse and get to Muskego!)

Overall, I've been pretty patient waiting for over a year to buy my next HDTV and I know that I can't wait another year or two till laser prices come down.......... or OLED...... or (insert next technology here)