LCD vs CRT vs DLP?

[topspeed]

I'm sure this has been asked before but I couldn't find an answer by searching the new forum...

My friend recently purchased a Sony 40" LCD rptv and I noticed that the blacks weren't very, well BLACK, and it seemed to have a hard time keeping up with action during the Rose Bowl as there were artifacts (or blocky images) like ghost trails when a lot was happening onscreen. This could be due to his satellite because the picture improved considerably during dvd playback.

My question is, outside of the obvious size advantage and an apparent wider viewing angle, does lcd/dlp offer any visual advantages over crt based behemoths? I love their size and the options that affords, but I really wasn't all that impressed with the picture (I thought my 32" Ultravision had much better contrast and definition). Was it a bad set-up or am I missing something here. I'm also not completely convinced that manufacturers have a handle on this dlp thing yet (witness the new dlp2 - 7 wheel set now hitting stores). LCoS sounds promising but it is far too expensive and too new for my taste.

OK all you experts, what's your take on this? Do CRT RPTV's still offer the best picture (lord knows they are the cheapest) or do LCD/DLP sets offer a tangible advantage? This is regarding HD sets only.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Geoffcin]

I'm sure this has been asked before but I couldn't find an answer by searching the new forum...

My friend recently purchased a Sony 40" LCD rptv and I noticed that the blacks weren't very, well BLACK, and it seemed to have a hard time keeping up with action during the Rose Bowl as there were artifacts (or blocky images) like ghost trails when a lot was happening onscreen. This could be due to his satellite because the picture improved considerably during dvd playback.

My question is, outside of the obvious size advantage and an apparent wider viewing angle, does lcd/dlp offer any visual advantages over crt based behemoths? I love their size and the options that affords, but I really wasn't all that impressed with the picture (I thought my 32" Ultravision had much better contrast and definition). Was it a bad set-up or am I missing something here. I'm also not completely convinced that manufacturers have a handle on this dlp thing yet (witness the new dlp2 - 7 wheel set now hitting stores). LCoS sounds promising but it is far too expensive and too new for my taste.

OK all you experts, what's your take on this? Do CRT RPTV's still offer the best picture (lord knows they are the cheapest) or do LCD/DLP sets offer a tangible advantage? This is regarding HD sets only.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi Topspeed, I dont like RPTV anyway so I'm not a good judge. I've never seen a RPTV that could give my the satisfaction that I get from my 36" Panasonic Tau CRT. That being said, I'm not happy with the small size of my TV, especially playing widscreen movies.

My answer to this conundrum is that I'm planning to get a front projector, and it will most likely be the Panasonic PTAE500U. It is an LCD type projector, designed specifically for HT with a native 16/9 display. This model is so new that it hasn't shipped yet, but the street price is going to be about $2500. Ad a good screen for about $500, and for $3k you've got a serious movie theater going on.

[recoveryone]

I'm sure this has been asked before but I couldn't find an answer by searching the new forum...

My friend recently purchased a Sony 40" LCD rptv and I noticed that the blacks weren't very, well BLACK, and it seemed to have a hard time keeping up with action during the Rose Bowl as there were artifacts (or blocky images) like ghost trails when a lot was happening onscreen. This could be due to his satellite because the picture improved considerably during dvd playback.

My question is, outside of the obvious size advantage and an apparent wider viewing angle, does lcd/dlp offer any visual advantageover crt based behemoths? I love their size and the options that affords, but I really wasn't all that impressed with the picture (I thought my 32" Ultravision had much better contrast and definition). Was it a bad set-up or am I missing something here. I'm also not completely convinced that manufacturers have a handle on this dlp thing yet (witness the new dlp2 - 7 wheel set now hitting stores). LCoS sounds promising but it is far too expensive and too new for my taste.

OK all you experts, what's your take on this? Do CRT RPTV's still offer the best picture (lord knows they are the cheapest) or do LCD/DLP sets offer a tangible advantage? This is regarding HD sets only.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Howdy topspeed, I own a RPTV (MIt's WS55805) All I can say is I have not looked back back since I brought it 3 years ago. In most cases its what is being feed to the unit. Regular analog cable just sucks, but Digital feed or HDTV signal is awesome. Progressive DVD player really shine. I went over to my brother-in-law's to see his new Samsung (don't know why he got a 4:3 size screen, properly the price) His picture was nice, but when I came home and look at mine I really saw the difference. Mine just out shined his by a mile.

Back to your question, I would say that the new LCD and DLP is made for a true Hometheater. Blacked out room, a totally controled room enviroment with only Hi res type of picture feeds (progressive DVD, HDTV, HD-VCR). Just not made to endure/look good for the everyday type viewing.

[yakkosmurf]

[QUOTE=recoveryone]Howdy topspeed, I own a RPTV (MIt's WS55805) All I can say is I have not looked back back since I brought it 3 years ago. In most cases its what is being feed to the unit. Regular analog cable just sucks, but Digital feed or HDTV signal is awesome. Progressive DVD player really shine. I went over to my brother-in-law's to see his new Samsung (don't know why he got a 4:3 size screen, properly the price) His picture was nice, but when I came home and look at mine I really saw the difference. Mine just out shined his by a mile.

[QUOTE]
I'm going to have to go with Topspeed on this one. The CRTs provide a much better picture than even the highend RPTVs that do HD. I don't think your comparison is the same as topspeed's. He's comparing to a higher quality CRT than a Samsung. I think that some of the RPTVs can be better than tubes, but when you compare the best against the best, as I did, it was easy to see that the CRT had the better picture quality. Yes, the screen size was a little smaller, but picture quality was more important to me. Also, since my room only allows for a 12' seating distance from the set, the poorer quality would have been very noticable.

[topspeed]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Hi Geoff,
I considered a projector but my room is simply not conducive to that type of set-up. The only place I could put the screen would be above the fireplace which put the viewing angle too high for my taste. Because of this, I'm forced to look at rptv's. BTW, are you still waiting for the HCA5 (or whatever Paul's going to call it)? A friend of mine just picked up a n-i-b Conrad Johnson 5 channel on e-bay for only $2K!!

Hey Recoveryone,
You brought up a good point. I'll be using this in a room where the side and back walls are almost completely windows, therefore there is a TON of ambient light. Because of this contrast and brightness are very important to me. I think dlp's are leading the pack in this regard, at least from what I've seen.

Yo Yakko,
So I'm clear, are you referring to a regular crt tv or a crt rptv? It sounds like the former. I know that crt tv's have the best blacks and contrasts but I really want at least a 50" viewable screen as I sit about 11' from the screen.

So guys, my questions relate to only rptv's. It will be fed by a progressive scan dvd player and an HD Dish Network feed as soon as they get the package out (supossedly very soon). Is there any advantage to fixed pixel displays such as lcd/dlp versus crt rptv? Better picture? Better contrast? Blacks? Native displays? Upgradeabilty? If the only advantage is that they are lot smaller and lighter physically, I'll probably save the $ and buy a crt based rptv. Any ideas?

Thanks again for your help.

[woodman]

Hey speedo -
Here are the differences between the various types of RPTV displays:

LCD - DLP - LCoS (fixed pixel displays)
1. Thinner cabinet
2. Lighter weight
3. Light producing engine is via a lamp - much cheaper to replace than a set of (3) CRTs - although replacement will be more frequent.
4. Slight gain in briteness with DLP over CRT-based

CRT-based
1. Deeper cabinet (although not as much as in previous years)
2. Heavier
3. Needs convergence to look its best
4. If run in "torch-mode", CRT life will be compromised
5. By far the "biggest bang for the buck" - no contest!

From what you describe of your viewing room, it sounds like you'd be well-advised to seek some sort of window treatment to cut down on the excessive ambient light - especially if you opt for a CRT-based RPTV set.

If you do go for the latter, here are the brands I recommend:
Toshiba
Hitachi
Mitsubishi
Panasonic

In closing, let me add that direct-view CRT sets do not produce better quality images than other types of display ... they just look "better" because of the smaller screen sizes. This is a VERY popular misconception, that's helped along by the fact that many RPTVs are not properly setup and adjusted at the factories. Setting up and adjusting a direct-view (in the factory) is a much simpler process than doing so with a big RPTV.

Hope this helps you

[topspeed]

Thanks Woodman,

What is "torch mode?" Excessive reds? Contrast and brightness max'd out? I'm a newbie at the video stuff so you'll have to forgive my lack of understanding.

I just got back from Best Buy to pick up a new computer screen (NEC LCD1765...using it now...Holy Clarity Batman!!!) and took a peek at the rptv's for giggles. I'd probably only buy Toshiba or Hitachi. I love my Ultravision and from what I understand, everybody gets their tubes and lenses from Hitachi anyway but they keep their cutting edge stuff proprietary. Whether this is true or not, you tell me. However, I wanted to check out the Sony KP57WS510 (I know you're not a fan) because:
1) It just won product of the year from TPV
2) It's only $2,099
Unfortunately they had the damn thing on a rack a foot above my head (nice marketing there, sport) so I couldn't see anything. On the ground level tho, the Samsung DLP that was projecting the CU game in HD was clearly the brightest and sharpest picture, by far. It smoked the two Mitsu's broadcasting the same game on each side. Now I know they probably weren't dialed in but I have to admit the difference was substantial.

This brings me to another question. Another poster asked about ISF calibration. I asked the same about a month ago. How much do these things cost and are they worth it? Could a novice like me with the AVIA or S&V calibration disc dial it in pretty well or do I need to hire a pro like you? TPV and others have noted Hitachi's "Magic Focus" convergence function is pretty well useless. This is important because one of the reasons the Sony got POTY was because it was "right" straight out of the box and ISF calibration was a marginal improvement. OTOH, the Hitachi had the best picture and resolution but only after a $600(!) ISF calibration. Tack that onto the considerable price difference and now the Hitachi is fully TWICE as much! What's your take on this?

BTW, I have blinds AND curtain for all the windows and shut everything out when I'm doing critical listening or watching movies.