JVC HD56G886 56-Inch HDILA Rear Projection HDTV
Tough choices in HD
There are a bewildering number of technology choices when you set out to purchase a big screen High Definition Television. My choices quickly narrowed down to DLP (Digital Light Processor) a Texas Instrument chipped rear projector, an LCD rear projector and JVC's HD-ILA series 3 chip rear projector. My house has a wall cutout that is set up for an older 4:3 ratio big screen - and the 56\\" diagonal in 16:9 ratio was the largest size that would fit the wall cutout in the family room. I had a TV budget of $2500 delivered and wanted the best picture possible.    Putting a Samsung 56\\" DLP rear projector, 56\\" JVC HD-ILA rear projector and a Sony 56\\" LCD rear projector side by side at a local store - I quickly made the following observations:    The Sony LCD was bright, the Samsung DLP was sharp - but the JVC had the best brightness, detail, color saturation and sharpness. It was a clear winner in my size and price range. Plasma was left out because of continuing issues with dead pixels, phosphor fading over time and burn-in issues which may or may not have been solved.    I purchased an aftermarket TV stand table suitable for a 56\\" HD set, Accoustic Research audio/video cables for home theater hookup and an extended 5 year warranty.    Why the extended warranty? JVC has had bulb burn-out issues on earlier models. I've been told the bulb replacement could be as much as $300.00. The bulb has a scheduled 6-10,000 hour life. JVC must have solved the problem - as the warranty cost less than a replacement bulb!!!    OK already - how does it do? It shines brightly with great color saturation. My set needed adjustment for tint, color, brightness and detail to suit my tastes and I LOVE the picture. In broad daylight or night time viewing - the set comes through. Viewing angles out to about 120 degrees are still clear with no viewing loss. This allows a large crowd to watch the football playoffs. I have DISH network satillite - which is going to upgrade their HD systems in March - and I'll be first on line. The set comes with  cable card slot that I cannot use - but an internal tuner that I can with the satillite box. I live too far away from broadcast stations to use the local antenna. TIVO in HD will be part of the Dish Network March upgrade. I believe DirecTV has this NOW...    At about 54\\" wide and 19\\" deep - weighing in at about 75lbs (not the 150 Amazon lists for shipping) the set was easy to set up. The Home Theater System I ordered was a 1000 watter from JVC with Center channel, surround and subwolfer (JVC THC6- see my review). Speakers on the set are 30 watt and adequate...    My advice is to see and compare these sets for yourself. Brand names with excellent reputations in tube tv aren't necessarily the best in rear projection. JVC's pricing for a superior 56\\" rear projector is very good - allowing me to meet my budget with a set I didn't have to \\"settle\\" for. A 30\\" or higher TV table is perfect height for recliner viewing - vertical axis washout not noticable at different chair heights...    JVC has built a 56\\" rear projector HDTV worthy of your consideration. Armed with an aftermarket purchased 5 year warranty from a national service provider - I have full confidence that I've made the best purchase at this time of what is available. A bewildering number of technologies continue to emerge - but if you want to buy right now - this is it!