Have plasmas had their day? I have long had the opinion that plasmas are too much money for the picture quality that they produce. Ok, so their thin, but that doesn’t necessarily make a good TV.

I have been following DLP technology from a while back but mainly in projectors which were prohibitively expensive. The other day I was trying to kill some time and wondered into our local Comet. They had this TV set up in a mini lounge setting and it is the first time I had seen the DLP technology in action on a rear projection TV. The picture was unbelievable and the price of £2000 was I thought incredible for a 50” screen. The thickness of the TV is not much more than a plasma screen, yet the brightness, contrast and view angle were superb for a rear projection screen and in my opinion, blew away any plasma that I have seen thus far. They also had this hooked up to the HDTV broadcast (I believe from Euro 1080) and this was breathtaking. I did not get to see a standard TV picture, but I guess this would be a rubbish and unwatchable as TV picture on a plasma, but I could be wrong.

It would be nice to see some back-to-back reviews of this and other rear projection TV’s with this technology. Based on the pictures I saw from this thing, this could be the way of the future. It seems as though all the downsides of rear projection (size, brightness and viewing angle) have been eliminated and there are just positives (if only they would include a digital tuner)


Chris

Hi Chris,

DLP technology does indeed look promising - for more info you might wish to check out this in-depth overview:

www.dlp.com

Al

Hi Chris

I've been speaking to Richard Arrowsmith about this (he'll be writing for AV Review soon, by the way), and he says:

Rear projection TVs have improved immensely since the introduction of DLP technology. Whereas earlier models were constrained by poor brightness and contrast, terrible off-axis viewing and their overwhelming dimensions, newer DLP models have albeit eliminated these flaws.
In terms of pure picture performance, good DLP rear projection TVs can claim more detail, better balanced colours and smoother movement than most plasma TVs.
DLP technology renders large screen pictures more effectively while larger plasma screens seem to reveal picture flaws such as digital noise and motion smearing. And thanks to semiconductor technology they're no longer as cumbersome as they used to be ­ although still not as slim as the flat screen plasma and LCD screens. Depending on the reception in your area you shouldn't notice too much difference in off-air broadcasts between plasmas and rear projection DLP TVs ­ although neither can rival those from a conventional CRT TV design.
And, as far as HDTV is concerned, both plasmas and rear projection DLP TVs will be able to accept HDTV signals as long as they have over 700 lines of horizontal screen resolution so it's worth checking even though HDTV won't be widely available for some time.
Price also plays an important part and falling plasma prices means the difference in cost between a good DLP rear projection TV and similarly sized plasma isn't that great anymore. One of the best DLP rear projection TVs I've seen recently is Samsung's SP50L7HX ­ - it's very stylish, well equipped (including digital video inputs), has a great picture and, at around £3,500, is well priced. Hope this helps.

I looked at dlp.com and have now read a lot more about the various advantages and disadvantages of DLP. Whilst I think this is still is definite improvement on plasma displays, it is not perfect as Dave Oliver points out.

Concerns have been raised over lamp life and cost, rainbowing effects, along with mechanical problems of the colour wheel/fan and dirt ingress into the optics.

Although it is possibly not the ideal environment for testing, I am intending to go back to our local Comet and get some of the setups changed on the Sagem DLP and a new Pioneer 43 inch PDP they have set up in their "lounge" areas. They have said they would at least set up the DVD player via component input so that I can see a near side-by-side progressive picture, and I will push them to set up a dedicated Freeview Box on each.

I may still settle for a new CRT of a much smaller size and budget and just wait until technology such as SED develops and becomes affordable.

I have recently been to the U.S and noticed what i thought was a panasonic 50" plasma on show in wal-mart the picture was brilliant i showed my son and he realised it was a DLP back projector tv i own a pioneer 435XDE plasma and the quality was as good as that if not better, i dont know what feed they had going to it but it really impressed me so much that now i am looking at the samsung SP-50l7HX to replace my plasma (Maybe)

If you want to replace your plasma - I know a good home for it..........

If you are serious i will have a proper look at the samsung and let you know if i will replace my plasma but it will have to be of the standard of the panasonic i looked at in the U.S for me to part withj my pioneer

I was looking at the DLP technology as a serious alternative to Plasma without the price tag. The Pioneer 43" Plasmas are VERY good (if memory serves these are the ones with the separate media box?) and I have seen a few set up. One was in Comet near a DLP screen and frankly didn't seem that good. The other, however, was set up in a local Audio Excellence store being driven by a hi def feed and was absolutely stunning.

I still have issues with standard off air broadcast pictures and plasmas or any other big screen other than a CRT and seeing as though a lot of my viewing time is spent with off air pictures, I still find myself betwixt and between technologies. However, in the interests of Bargain Hunting, I would never turn down an opportunity at the right price.

It is the one with the separate media box has dual tuner Digital and Analog every connection you could want6 Months old 18 months warranty complete with pedestal stand would want £2000 (cost nearly £3000) to cover cost of DLP that is if i have proper look at DLP and like what i see as i can fit a 50" in my house but would not pay for plasma 50" as still to expensive