Samsung HL-R5067W 50-Inch HD-Ready DLP TV
Great TV - But Beware of Rainbow Effect
First, let me explain that I hate to give this set a 3-star rating, because it's really quite incredible. Brilliant picture, very good sound, crisp HDTV reception from the built-in tuner when attached to simple rabbit ears (your mileage may vary), and worked great right out of the box.<br /><br />BUT...now that I've finally seen the dreaded \\"rainbow effect,\\" the picture is starting to drive me crazy, and I'm feeling the first stirrings of high ticket buyer's remorse.<br /><br />When trying to decide between big screen technologies, I went with DLP because of the lower cost, as well as the fact that there was no burn-in risk (and much of my viewing is still in standard 4:3 ratio...I can't stand the squeezed and zoomed efforts to fill a 16:9 screen by artificial means).<br /><br />I'd heard about the \\"rainbow effect\\" - where viewers see brightly colored rainbow flashes of color - but hadn't noticed the effect in the showrooms where I looked at DLP sets. To understand the \\"rainbow effect,\\" you need to know that DLP sets - from any manufacturer - can really only display one color at a time across the entire screen. By changing these colored pictures quickly on the screen, your brain artificially perceives the intermediate colors. And the effect is great.<br /><br />But if you move your eyes rapidly, looking from one part of the screen to the other, or if the picture on screen is moving wildly/rapidly, some viewers will see a trailing image in which the individual colors blink into existence. It happens as fast as a strobe light, and many (most?) people can't see it at all. But if you CAN see it, it may significantly reduce your viewing pleasure (my nice way of saying that you may throw your hands over your eyes and scream \\"RAINBOWS!!! AIYEEE!\\")<br /><br />I watched this set for a week without seeing anything, then I watched \\"The Bourne Supremacy\\" which is filled with jolting camera work and super-fast cuts. I saw rainbows EVERYwhere.  So my recommendation to anyone considering a DLP purchase is to find a way to spend some real time watching a real movie on the set before buying - not just 10 minutes in a showroom. In fact, take a copy of \\"The Bourne Supremacy.\\" If you don't see rainbows watching this film, you're home free.<br /><br />Summing up, I'd really say that this Samsung is a 5-star set, but if your eyes and brain pick up on the rainbow effect, you may only get 3-star enjoyment. So take the time to really watch a DLP picture before ruling out LCD or Plasma.nyone considering a DLP purchase is to find a way to spend some real time watching a real movie on the set before buying - not just 10 minutes in a showroom. In fact, take a copy of \\"The Bourne Supremacy.\\" If you don't see rainbows watching this film, you're home free. <br /> <br />Summing up, I'd really say that this Samsung is a 5-star set, but if your eyes and brain pick up on the rainbow effect, you may only get 3-star enjoyment. So take the time to really watch a DLP picture before ruling out LCD or Plasma.