Looking for some input. Am considering purchasing a large screen projection TV. I have looked at several and am about to commit to the Mitsubishi Platinum Plus 55" (model WS55819). It seems to have a better picture than the Sony, RCA, Toshiba, etc and they have "no interest or payments until 2003".

Any opinions on this set?

 

You won't like it after awhile. My wife an I finally settled for an RCA 38-40" screen. Big picture and clear. Unless you have a large viewing area to put the TV in you'll never get the clear picture you want. Projection TVs just aren't good when you only 10' away.

 

I agree with Jeff. You've ony got to compare 'conventional' and projection screens side by side to see that the picture just isn't as sharp with projection models. There are some very nice big flat screen 'conventional T.V.s on the market now, although the larger ones do tend to be pricewise!

 

The best projection sets in my opinion (used to sell them when i was going through college) are Mitsubishi, Hitachi, and Sony.

I too am looking to get a widescreen projection. The Mitsu's are very nice. FWIW Mitsu stopped producing direct view televisions (tubes) to concentrate on their projection units a few years back. They make wonderful sets.

On the high-end sets like the Mitsu you mentioned, along with the Hitachi Ultravisions, and the Sony V-Series and XBR Series big screens. The picture will always be bright and clear as they use brighter, more powerful guns, with better optics than lower end sets. Additionally all of these sets should come standard with a plastic cover over the actual TV screen, which usually stops a lot of glare when viewing the unit from the sides.

I'm probably going for the 65" Mitsu when I get my new set. The only direct view I'm considering is the new Sony 40" XBR, which is about the same price if not a little more. You should also make sure you get a progressive scan DVD player so you can take full advantage of the TV's capabilities, unless you have a HD DBS Box.

 

If you're going to go with a rear projection, the Mitsu's are tough to beat. Last time I shopped around, I felt they were better - a bit richer, a bit more vibrant - than Sony's XBRs which had previously been my top pick. Not as familiar with the Hitachis, however. Ultimately, it's your set of eyes and you have to go with what appeals to them.

Regarding Jeff and Cedric's reference to size, you have to analyze your room setup. A 55" TV has in "ideal" viewing distance of 11.5' to 14' away. If you're going to be closer (or farther) you might want to scale the TV appropriately. I'll assume you've already done this. 2.5-3 times the TV's diagonal size (55" in this case) is the "ideal" viewing distance.

My only reservation about a rear projection is if you forsee people watching the set from an extreme angle. This is common when people put the TV in the corner, then put seating along the wall - those who end up close to the TV are looking down the screen and can't see much. Something to consider (especially if your significant other has control over arranging the room).

 

My sister just bought the Mitsu 65809. Delivered last night in fact. Very nice set in my opinion. And picture quality on rear projectors rival tubes in my opinion.

Don't discount the Pioneer Elite's if you have the cash. I bought an Elite about 4 years ago and it has been a great set. In my mind they are the best in their class.

I have a 60" and I am 16 feet away from the TV and it looks great.

 

I got a 36" toshiba 16x9 flat CRT...I love it. I could've gotten a bigger projection unit for the same $$, but i'm glad I made the choice i did. super picture quality and got it half price on ebay. I am in a studio apartment and viewing is nice from anywhere in the room. The wide viewing angle is especially nice. My sofa is about 10' away, my bed is twice that distance and viewing is great.

 

Check out:

www.hometheaterspot.com
www.hometheaterforum.com
www.avsforum.com

After tons of research and looking at the picture from various sources (cable (both analog and digital), dvd, dss, hd ota, etc.) I finally settled on a Sony 51" widescreen. It was between the Sony, Mits., Toshiba, and Pioneer. The Sony seemed to do the best with a substandard signal which was important to me. It was delivered last Tuesday and I love it.

There are great forums at the sites I mentioned above, with hometheaterspot being my favorite. There are manufacturer specific forums for advice/tweaks/etc.

Apparently most rear projector tv's are shipped with the setttings at less than optimal settings for picture quality and overall health of the unit. You can 'tune' it by utilizing either Avia or Video Essentials. I plan on trying out the Avia dvd this weekend to fine tune my set.

I am strictly an rookie in this field (home theater), so make sure that you do plenty of research and seek advice from the experts. I thought that there were a number of HT experts around here somewhere.....

 

I'm an HT nut. I just added an M&K 350 Mk II THX Subwoofer for the back of the room to go with the M&K 5000 THX Subwoofer I already have in the front. I played the pod race scene from The Phantom Menace. I thought the ceiling was going to come down. I love it.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mns2k
[B]Looking for some input.