Samsung HLP5063W 50-Inch Widescreen HD-Ready DLP Television
A very nice transition...
I recently moved up from a Toshiba 34HFX direct view to the 'new' DLP technology.  I bought the Toshiba three years ago because of the direct-view HD.  I wasn't happy with plasma prices or the ED standard that it was limited to.<br /><br />My Toshiba is still giving one of the best HD views I've ever seen, except now, my nephews are enjoying both HD cable and wicked gaming, and I'm enjoying my 5063.<br /><br />The 34 cost 2500 three years ago.  I paid a shade under 3000 for the 52.  And I'm very happy.<br /><br />Side to side comparisons from both DTV and cable give the edge to the tube.  [this may be one of those 'nothing sounds better than a tube-driven amp' arguments ...personal pref for a ray gun?].  Rearranging the furniture comparison goes to the 5063 - although bulky for one person, it weighs in at +-75 pounds.<br /><br />If you're a computer geek, and you want convergence, you have a super choice.  Tie your graphics card to the component inputs (2), the DVI input, the HDMI input, the PC input (rez up to 1920 x 1080i, including 1280 x 720p), and the standard composite and s-video inputs.<br /><br />The nature of DLP means no 'burn-in'.  If you forget to turn off the x-box/ps2/gamecube and you're gone for a couple months, the screen won't have a 'burned-in' image.  For you geeks out there, this includes the HTPCs you want to connect for a convergence appliance.<br /><br />Since I've been using convergence in non-technical terms, I'll visit rear-projection convergence.  It does not apply.  The halogen lamp image is reflected off the DMDs through a color wheel, which requires no calibration that you would expect with tradition rear-projection sets.<br /><br />DMD-DLP technology is not 'new.'  How the D-D technology is being applied is new, and you should be aware of that.  The current gurus of digital display technology see plasma as a dead-end gap-filler (thin, relatively light, big screens) with the real slug fest between DMD/DLP and LCD.  Both DMD/DLP and LCD have advantages over the other.  In the end, I chose currently available top-of-the-food-chain quality over specifications.  You will find no better convergence resolution and size in anything but DMD/DLP today.  After viewing the range of products from LG to RCA(?) to Samsung, my eyes chose Samsung.  If you promise not to buy a plasma, use the following tips to buy your next display:<br /><br />-Grap the remote and reset everything to factory presets (do a google on how to do that via the remote, then when you go in the store, do it!)<br /><br />-Put your favorite video in.  What do you see?  Better than your current setup?  If not, adjust until you find a better picture.  If you can't, leave.<br /><br />-Turn off the sound.  Sound evokes emotion.  Watch the show.  What do you see?  Montovani (or RHCP) might emote you into an unqualified decision.<br /><br />-DO NOT BY PLASMA<br /><br />In the end, this is not a buying decision left to guys like me on A.com or your local retailer.  It's up to you.  Buy what your eye likes, and remember that next year is a better model.er.  In the end, I chose currently available top-of-the-food-chain quality over specifications.  You will find no better convergence resolution and size in anything but DMD/DLP today.  After viewing the range of products from LG to RCA(?) to Samsung, my eyes chose Samsung.  If you promise not to buy a plasma, use the following tips to buy your next display: <br />-Grap the remote and reset everything to factory presets (do a google on how to do that via the remote, then when you go in the store, do it!) <br />-Put your favorite video in.  What do you see?  Better than your current setup?  If not, adjust until you find a better picture.  If you can't, leave. <br />-Turn off the sound.  Sound evokes emotion.  Watch the show.  What do you see?  Montovani (or RHCP) might emote you into an unqualified decision. <br />-DO NOT BY PLASMA <br />In the end, this is not a buying decision left to guys like me on A.com or your local retailer.  It's up to you.  Buy what your eye likes, and remember that next year is a better model.