The sony is not the same LCD technology as the samsung but a different technology similar to their Qualia flagship. I've seen them both. Both are very good. I believe the sony has better contrast. Your picture quality will most likely be more dependent on your source than which ever of these two sets you get. I personally like the sony and am waiting to get it at a more reasonable price (approx $2800-3000) than the $3600-4000 they go for at most authorized dealers. |
As noted above, SXRD, is a different form of LCD. It is a reflective LCD vs. a transmissive LCD. Reflective LCD (Sony SXRD or LCOS, the term used by other manufacturers) respond much faster than transmissive LCDs so they do not have problems with blurred motion. Also, they do a much better job at blocking light so they have deeper blacks, better contrast, and less murky pictures in dark scenes.
The Sony sets have been hailed by a lot of reviewers as the best RPTV sets ever made.
I own the Qualia version of the Sony set. Aside from a few minor features, a bigger screen and more powerful bulb, I really don't think there is ANY advantage of the Qualia set over the regular Sony models. It really would have paid to wait since the Qualia costs $13,000.
Picture quality is quite good with the SXRD. My only real issue is what is termed false contouring (blotchy, course, transitions between different shades at low light levels), but I see this with all kinds of sets, so I think it is more of a problem with low bit rates of information from my crappy cable provider. It's just more noticeable on a really big screen (mine is 70") that is extremely detailed. |
I would highly reccommend that you look into getting a front projection system instead of a TV. It will give you a fantastic hi-def image, allow you to have a picture that can be anywhere from 70" to 120' diagonal or more if you go extreme and cost less than the tv's you are considering. All from a unit weighing in at less than 12 pounds or so. |
Sorry for not reading your post with my glasses! The sony SXDR is superior to all the DLP sets that I've seen and I've seen nearly all the major consumer models. Samsung has a new LCD (45 or 46" to my best recollection)in their Time Warner show room that is spectacular but far more expensive than the sony. New LCD technology with LED light sources and new phospors are around the corner at some very fancy prices. For now I'd go with the sony as it is their first consumer TV in a long time that brings them back as the technology leader they were in the past (IMHO). |
LCD technology, IMO is superior to DLP. DLP sets can have color artifacts that LCD's dont. DLP uses a 'color wheel' moving real fast to get the colors. To me, that's sort of like the old 'passive matrix' color LCD in early laptops, whereas each pixel had to wait a short time to be lit. Modern laptops (and LCD TV's) use Active Matrix where every pixel is directly controlled.
That's the tech side - from the "eye test" LCD is clearly superior IMO. |
Joeylawn3611, while what you posted is true for most affordable DLP's that use 1 chip. It's not true for high end DLP's that use 3 chips. |
thanks I am always impressed with the brains and fast answers from the members at audiogon. thank you all. cj |
Unsound, you are correct. But aren't those 3 chip DLP's ultra-pricey?? |
The Yamaha DPX-1100( currently own and love it), Sim 2 C3x, Sony VPL-VW100. My choices. |
I believe that 3 chip DLP's are only used for projectors and not for TV sets. Texas Instruments, owns the patent for the DLP chip. I also believe that they are the sole manufacturer, and have not licensed any other corporation to manufacture this chip. T.I. has just released their latest version of the DLP chip referred to as the "dark chip". T.I. sent me a link to the white paper [28 pages!] which describes the interesting manufacturing and operational method of the chip. I will post a link here later today...need some sleep now, though!
The LG DLP TV's blew away the other LCD and plasma TV's that I saw in a side by side comparison...although I didn't compare the LG with the other premium [and expensive, I'm sure!] models mentioned by otheres here. |
I saw the SXRD Sonys at Best Buy.
This is the set I'm buying (when I can).
I suggest purchasing the extended warranty as the demo 50"
unit already had some "dead" pixels (black spots on the screen).
Damn good picture, however... |
Cj1capp,
There is a lot of information on these and other 1080p sets at www.avsforum.com. Based on reports at avs, you might want to consider the 1080p sets from HP when comparing choices. My interpretation of the bottom line of their comments is the Sony SXRD is great, while the Samsung and HP are very good but less expensive, with the nod going to HP over Samsung.
One of the hot buttons at avs is the ability to accept 1080p inputs. The Sony SXRD cannot accept 1080p, only 1080i. For normal use (current DVD players, HD STB, OTA), this is irrelevant.
However, if you have an interst in using an external scaler, a HTPC, or using your TV as a computer monitor (different application than a HTPC), then a 1080p input would be an asset. The HP accepts 1080p digital input over HDMI. Samsung accepts 1080p analog input over VGA. Both achieve 1:1 pixel mapping at 1080p. Samsung has stated their next models will accept 1080p input over HDMI. If this picks up momentum, then I would expect others such as Sony to follow suit at some point.
Thanks
Bruce |
Bruceomega,
You are right about the Sony sets not accepting 1080p input. This is idiotic, considering that the display operates at a native 1080p rate. I own a Qualia set and I've been looking into outboard processors. It would be nice to input a fully processed and scaled signal that bypasses all of the set's processing. |
Yes, 3 chip DLP's are expensive. Now that TI is getting strong competition, I suspect those prices may come down. Yes, as far as I know 3 chip DLP's are currently only available in front projectors. |
Not only are they quite expensive, but unless you are willing to spend REALLY big bucks, they are still 720X1080 and not 1080X1920.
The 3-chip SXRD front projector from Sony is the the one everyone now has to chase in front projectors. It is amazingly good and even more amazingly CHEAP. |
