I wouldn't say every 2-3 years. My TV is doing fine and it's had something like 4 years of use so far.

 

Our DLP bulb went out after 2 years

 

[QUOTE=MikeyCB,Nov 7 2007, 01:53 PM] I wouldn't say every 2-3 years.

 

I saw the 56" in person and really like it. Luckily it was next to a 50" and I saw that the extra 6" really makes a difference. I might get the DLP and cross my fingers that I don't have to replace the bulb for a long time.

How hard is it usually to change the bulb?

 

You WILL have to replace the light bulb eventually, depends on how much you use. Changing it is very easy, but finding and buying the part are the hassle. Currently, a bulb can run from $200-300/each.

 

I went with a 55" Sony SXRD DLP, and could not be happier

 

I might end up spending the extra couple hundred and getting the 56" LED.

http://www.buy.com/prod/samsung-hl-t5687s-.../204087678.html

Ryan

 

You can usually get the bulb ordered from any electronics shop.

The bulb for my 52" Mitsubishi DLP cost $250.
Most of the time, you can keep using the bulb even after the TV says to change it. It's just that things will continually get dimmer until the bulb finally burns out.
The TV has a timer much like the S2k Maint. Req. light. It's just a usage counter. The bulb should be changed after X hours (2000-3000 for most bulbs).
Just figure how much TV you actually watch and you'll know an approximate on when you will need a new bulb (at a minimum, could be longer).

Some extended service plans include bulb changes, so you may want to look into that as well to see if it's worth the cost (if you watch a lot of tv and plan on going through 2-3 bulbs before the plan runs out).

Changing the bulb varies by the TV. I posted this already, but mine has both a rear and front access panel so you can change it from either side. Took me 10 minutes. 5 of that was just trying to make sure I got the lamp cartridge inserted propery because it would catch a little when I got it "in". Two screws were all that held it, so it was really really simple.

 

The one downside to the Samsung DLPs is that thin bezel they have is also weak. That weakness means the geometry is not very good.

IMO, LCoS sets are a better tech than DLP. They are similar but LCoS sets use 3 chips (one per color) instead of one so there are no rainbows or color sequencing issues. The LEDs get rid of the rainbows but the sequencing issues are still there as the LEDs show the colors individually.

LCoS is in sets like Sony's SXRD and JVC's HD-ILA.

 

SXRD is not a DLP, it is a LCoS (liquid crystal on silicon). If you were going to compare it to anything, compare it to a 3 chip theatrical DLP.

I have the 50" SXRD. Great picture. Definitely better than any flat panel IMO.