Buying late model Samsung DLP rear projection TV?

The unit we got was an HL61A750. I agree with Aggielaw...DLPs might not be as bright as LCDs (especially in the show room - if you ask me). Ask the sales person where the brighness, contrast and related settings are for anything you are watching. I thought many of the LCDs in the show room were max'd out on picture, brightness and contrast etc. FWIW - I'm not an LCD hater - we have a Sony LCD in another room. At home the DLP does fine in "standard" mode (not even on "dynamic" mode) with picture, contrast, brightness etc settings at 50% or less.

OK - I'm checking my owners manual...recommended horizontal viewing angle is +/- 70 degrees Left or Right of Horizontal. Recommended vertical viewing angle is +/- 30 dgrees.

I will do a "walk around" tonight and see if the quoted Samsung values seems reasonable. Again, horizontal viewing angle hasn't even come up for us.

Hope you find something that is good for you.

GH

Thanks Ghosthouse.

I think I will see if I find a LED light source DLP w/ 1080p for a good used price. This might be a tall order. If not I will have to wait for more $$s.

There are an aweful lot of 1080p LCD flat panels for cheap-ish, but I'm not sure how old the technology on these cheaper LCDs are, and how they may compared to a LED light source DLP.

I would never buy a DLP projection unit again. NEVER

Mjcmt -
I did check out the view from different angles along the horizontal...I'd say if anything, the 140 degree optimum is maybe a little conservative. I didn't have a protractor or anything - but you have to be way off axis before you notice any darkening of the picture. If you decide DLP is the to go for you, you should also check out Mitsubishi. They had just introduced a laser-powered DLP when we got the Samsung with LED. I haven't kept up with things so don't know how successful that was. Search the net and read reviews. I did find some helpful info on CNET. Most importantly, visit Best Buy and other retailers and see what looks good to you. By the way, we generally don't go for extended warranties or service plans but the Samsung LED was relatively new and I did hedge my bet and got one when I purchased at Best Buy. Spreading payment with no interest over 3 years, it was a minimal increase in cost. If you go LCD, you might be interested to know Samsung mftrs. the screens for Sony (at least that's what we were told at the time).

My Samsung DLP is about 4 and 1/2 years old, works great and I have never had to replace bulb. Use TV every day for a few hours.

Neal