HP MD6580N Pavilion MicroDisplay 65 Inch DLP HDTV
HP DLP 65" Rocks
Design: Wonderful rounded black set coupled with HP's stand gives the set a uniform and sleek look. Inputs/Outputs (and bulb) accessed through the front drop-down lighted panel is the most thoughful and innovative design I've seen of any HDTV yet. HP gets a huge plus with this. Pop open the front panel and from underneath I fed all cables plugging them in the front panel (2 HDMI inputs by the way). Has the standard component hookups, etc. plus a pass through for 5.1. <br /> <br />Picture Performance: One of the few of the new 1080p HDTV's which accepts 1080p signal without having to upconvert it (using the \\"wobulation\\" technique). Compared in store a number of sets (Hitachi, Sony, Mitsubishi, Samsung, etc.) and the overall impression of this DLP set was it delivered a wonderful picture and best than most (maybe except the Sony). At home even more impressed. Good HD material gives this set its ability to excel at the black level display and excellent colour representation. Some of the HD material almost looks hyper-real. Can't wait for blu-ray 1080p on this set. Current DVD collection using upconverting Samsung DVD player diplays very well. Obviously this set is mean't to handle tru-hd material and that's where it shines. Been watching  HD FIFA soccer and am blown away. I'll actually watch an entire game now where before I left after a few minutes. Watching Hockey and basketball with this set is also glorious. Also movies on the HD channel sends chivers down my spine. This set rocks. <br /> <br />The remote is ok. It has lighted control devices (although the control itself it not backlit). The problem I've had is that it will repeatedly lock up the cable channel menu with certain keystrokes (example, if the thumb cursor used to navigate is pressed too quickly a certain way). Nothing short of pulling the batteries out and putting them back in unlocks the menu. Needs a firmware upgrade (which you can do using a USB connection in the front). Other than that the onscreenmenu has every option you can conceive of including giving your own names to the input devices. <br /> <br />The 2.1 channel sound is excellent. I usually use this for non 5.1 material. Obviously when using 5.1 I fall back on my YAMAHA receiver. Having said that, the addition of a subwoofer and the simulated surround sound seems exeptional. <br /> <br />CONCLUSION: This was listed at Best Buy (Canada) for $4999. I got it for $4600. In about 24 days HP had a huge discount - $3400. Contacted Best Buy and with their 30 day pricing guarantee I was reinbursed $1200. Thanks Best Buy. In any event $3400 for this set has turned out to be a huge bargain. You cannot go wrong with this baby. Get it. Nuff said.