I recently (February 2010) purchased a replacement lamp from advancedlamps.com for a ae3000u. First, the lamp arrived “unhinged” from the chassis. I had to reseat the bulb for it to fit. I had them note this on my order. So, I installed the lamp in the projector. Amazingly, and to my dismay, this “new” lamp was dimmer than my 2700 hour OEM “old” lamp!
To say I am angry is a bit of an understatement. Hopefully, I will get my money back. Before I do that, I first wanted to find out if a lamp takes time to “brighten” after its intial startup time.
After waiting 30 minutes for it to stop its “dimness” and brighten, there was no change. While doing a little research and after asking around, it seems the bulb should be ready for viewing after 5 minutes, including on first use. It seems my “new” bulb is just a crappy oem replacement.
This is what I get for trusting this company. The bulb is so dim, it is useless to watch. My screen is only 88 inches at 10 feet away. Playing CODMW2 was impossible, despite the room having no sunlight and with all the lights turned off. I still couldn’t see in dark areas that were no problem with my “old” bulb.
Be careful who you trust. If you are going to take a chance, do it with someone who has a reputation to protect and lots of satisfied customers.
Buying a Projection Lamp in Australia.
I really did not want to publish anything to harm a business’ reputation, so before posting, I contacted Advanced Lamps to review my post and correct any errors. They did not respond, so here is my story.
My JVC Order.
In December 2009 I purchased a “Genuine Original JVC Lamp” for my HD750 projector. It arrived in Australia quickly but was held up due to the value on the package. It was incorrectly marked as $1388 rather than $388.
This meant the package required customs clearance. Also, GST (sales tax) was now due because of the higher, marked price.
I contacted UPS and reported the mistake. However, since it had already been processed, UPS demanded $66 for agent charges before delivery to me. I told them it was not my mistake so they should get it from Advanced lamps. Next, I emailed Advanced Lamps and told them of the problem. After 1 week, 5 emails, and 2 telephone calls without an answer, I just paid the charge.
Testing the Lamp.
After installing the new lamp, it was the same brightness as my old lamp! Before complaining about this, I arranged with my projector dealer to test the lamp in his projector. We measured the lamp as 1/3 less bright than his original lamp. So, I requested a replacement lamp from Advanced lamps.
The replacement lamp arrived and I installed it. Once again, it was dim. Can you believe 2 lamps could be that far from specification? I had JVC inspect my projector. They confirmed the second lamp was 70% as bright as their reference lamp.
I contacted Advanced lamps to return the lamp and get a refund. They said they would not give a refund. However, “as a courtesy” they would send another replacement. I asked for an assurance this 3rd lamp would perform as expected and wanted them to confirm the lamp was a genuine JVC lamp originating from authorized JVC channels.
Poor Customer Service.
After more than a week, they have not replied. After emailing them about publishing this report, they replied to my emails. After several emails, they decided a refund would be best. They said they would arrange a refund of the customs agent charges.
So, they sent me a refund for the price of the lamp. However, they did not pay for shipping or customs charges. I emailed them and after 5 days, they have not responded.
The Bottom-line.
After the refund, I lost $230 and spent more than 10 hours on this issue. I suppose it is a lesson learned. But, it is also an opportunity to warn prospective customers of the problems dealing with this company.
There is a happy ending. I bought a lamp from the local JVC distributor. It was a considerably higher price, but I am happy since it perfoms perfectly to specifications!
Western Digital USB 2.0 WD TV Live Network-Ready HD Media Player
If you don’t have a ps3 or x-box to stream movies try this Western Digital.
All you do is connect this small box to your TV.
Then you have 2 options:
you can stream the movies from your pc, or
you can connect 2 extrrnal hardrives to the wd tv live box [it has 2 usb ports]
The Western Digital will PLAY HD movies in mkv,avi, and other formats.
No more burning DVD’s!
The quality looks better than the DVDs you burn on my setup.
Western Digital USB 2.0 WD TV Live Network-Ready HD Media Player remote control
It’s like having it in on your hard drive. You click the folder, select the file, and click play.
I have movies stored in folders like DVDRIP, R5/SCREENER & DOCUMENTARY.
You can either have the files look like a list or thumbnails.
It plays music and you can view pictures, too!
Western Digital USB 2.0 WD TV Live Network-Ready HD Media Player complete package
Question: Does it show full file names? My dvd player only shows eight letters so I often only see the release group name which makes it difficult to look through a few hundred gigs.
Answer: yes in full size names and when you put the shadow over a file the name of the file turns big and scrolls
ok what ever the file name is on the drive thats the name it will have in the HD tv player, it will show the full name no matter how long the title is.
Western Digital USB 2.0 WD TV Live Network-Ready HD Media Player diagram
Question: Isn’t it cheaper and less work to just hook the computer up to the TV?
Answer: Maybe. But, my pc and tv arent close enough to do that. Besides, with this, the pc wont even need to be on. I prefer it this way.
Question: Does anyone use this with a universal remote?
Answer: I got it to work with the Harmony 880. You can basically ditch all your other remotes.
Logitech Harmony 880 Advanced Universal Remote Control
This thing controls just about every electronic in your house. Theres a new version out at as well, called the 890, i dont know what the difference is, but i think it can control IR devices that are behind closed cabinets, something like that.
I caught mines on a deal before the price went back up though.
I updated the firmware on the Western Digital. It was the first thing i did. Took about 3 minutes.
Question: Does it work with all external HD’s?
Answer: It DOES work with all external HD. You only see pictures of it with the WD hard drives because WD will want you to purchase one of their HD, but I repeat, it DOES work with non-WD hard drives and thumbdrives.
Question: Is the firmware upgraded via a usb device?
Answer: Yes. The WDTV has Two usb inputs. You could leave your HD plugged into it and connect a thumbdrive into the other input and easily upgrade the firmware. Just download it to either a HD or Thumbdrive, connect it to the device and it will ask you if you want to upgrade the firmware. Thats it.
Question: I’m still having a hard time updating mine though…
Answer:
If you are using a portable hd, just download the zip file that contains the updates, open the zip and move the files to the portable hd. then just do this:
# Turn the WD TV on and connect your USB drive
# Use the remote control to select SETTINGS from the home screen
# Highlight the firmware upgrade icon, and press ENTER on the remote
# You will be prompted to perform the firmware upgrade. Select OK and press ENTER.
This will restart the system
# After restarting, the system automatically enters firmware upgrade mode
# Once the update process is completed, the HD media player will restart again
Yes, it shows subtitles too.
just make sure they have the same name as the movie, the name on the subs have to match with the movie
This thing made my weekend. i dont think i will ever buy a dvd or blu ray again. It’s flawless. The sound came thru in dtshd and in 5.1 for the blu ray movies i downloaded. What a find! Just get it today!
After many years with a CRT, I gave up my monster Sony 32” Television (bye bye tubes) and went shopping for a hi-definition big screen television.
It would be nice not to have to move that CRT monster. When you consider I had to move it myself (weighing well over 120 pounds), a flat-screen would be welcome relief.
Earlier, my massive Sony CRT computer monitor was replaced with a flat panel. It effectively gave up 72 pounds for less than 16. So, my back would thank me for the lighter screen.
Measuring My Options.
There has been astounding progress in the nearly seven years since I purchased a television. Now there is High Definition Liquid Crystal, Plasma, and Digital Light Projection (DLP). On top of that, there are so many options that it is not hard to get a headache researching and shopping.
Well, my research was enough to justify an honorary engineer’s degree. After thinking about the side effects of taking a bottle of aspirin to relieve the throbbing from all the technical jargon, I was finally ready to visit a store.
Research led me to limit my brand shopping to Sony, Samsung, and Toshiba. To avoid the boredom or make your head hurt, let me cut to the chase. I got the Toshiba 50” Rear Projection, model 50HM66.
Initially, the Sony Rear Projection was my choice. However, the Toshiba 50HM66 was the one I took home.
Getting the DLP.
It was immediately clear the weight was much better than my CRT. It was not too difficult to haul it to my truck to bring it home. Nobody in the store offered to help so it was just me and the HDTV. To my relief, lifting the somewhat large and bulky box up in to the bed of the truck was manageable.
It was nicer once home since the house required climbing a full flight of wooden steps to get to the front door. Getting the TV up the stairs and on a stand in the living room was fairly easy. Just remember to take the TV out of the box, first.
Compared to my old CTR which required me to summon all my strength, this Toshiba was easy! It didn’t matter that the Toshiba was much larger out of the box. The weight did not prevent me from putting it whereever I wished.
Set-up.
The Toshiba is easy to install and set-up. This is assuming you have the correct cables. The remote and menus are simple and easy to use. Of course, this assumes you actually read the manual… well at least the important parts.
Using the DLP.
I tried 2 smaller LCD televisions. Neither appealed to me. The picture sharpness and clarity were lacking. Plus, it was difficult to get the color right. The Toshiba has no such problems.
High-definition digital light projection (DLP) technology seems to have taken TV viewing to a higher level of enjoyment. This is particularly true with high definition channels from your cable or satellite provider. Colors just jump out at you.
Sharpness and clarity is phenomenal. Also, the Toshiba model allows one to change the “lamp mode” to different settings, such as ‘sports’, ‘cool’, ‘warm’ and so on. It just depends on your preference.
The Gotchas.
The integrated speakers are of poor quality. You won’t want to watch this with the built in sound. So, I suggest immediately getting a nice surround sound system.
My sound system has a total of thirteen satellites. Watching a movie on that 50 inch screen is almost better than going to the movies. The only things you need are popcorn, a date, and noisy rude cell phone users. (The popcorn is easy, the date is another matter.)
Uh Oh!
After having the Toshiba for a few weeks, two strange things showed up one day.
1) A thin pie wedge of a shadow appeared. It begins at approximately the center top of the screen while gradually widening to a couple of inches toward the right hand side.
2) There is a high pitched whining noise. It varies in pitch when the changing channels.
Over the next couple of weeks, I called around the problems. Should it be taken back to the store? Or, do you wait for Toshiba?
In the meantime, the shadow began to grow until it extended all the way across the screen. It got wider too! It was gradually blacking out a sizable portion of the screen!
Return to the Store.
I returned the TV to the store. They replaced it with the identical model. After returning home and installing it, everything was fine. This lasted for a few days. Then, this one started to do the same thing as the 1st one!
By this time, the return period at the store had expired. So, I called Toshiba. This led to one of those classic customer nightmares no one should have to endure.
Toshiba Customer Service.
First, Toshiba denied any inherent problems in this model. They claimed my particular problems were limited to me, out of every customer who ever used this model. I even played the whining sounds over the phone for them because they refused to believe me.
After a lot of persistence and numerous soul-sucking phone calls, Toshiba finally sent a repairman. At the time, Toshiba had no procedure in place to deal with customers who did not live near an authorized service center. It took over 2 weeks, but they decided to just pay a repairman. He came from a city 120 miles away to drive to my home to see what was wrong.
The Repairman.
The repairman tried to fix the problem by adjusting (in his words) the “light engine” of the TV. Apparently, something in it was not made very well. It kept slipping out of place. This caused this pie wedge shadow on the screen.
He seemed confident when he left that he had repaired the TV. This did not solve the strange whining, but at least the picture was okay. BUT… a few days later, the problem re-appeared. This time it was worse than ever!
Several weeks later, I turned on the TV. Within a few seconds, there was a rather loud pop and the screen went black. Believe it or not, the lamp had actually blown up inside the TV. After another set of phone calls, the repairman came to my house and replaced the lamp. He tried to fix the TV shadow again. However, he could do nothing about the whining.
More Toshiba Customer Service.
More calls to Toshiba and the repairman followed. The repairman and Toshiba went back and forth about the problems and how to fix them. Eventually, he told me Toshiba was designing and manufacturing a “new light engine” for my model.
Toshiba was getting lots of calls about the problem with the black wedge. The channel whining was another story. At this point, all I wanted was a viewable TV.
The Frustration Is Building.
All this time, I was paying over $80.00 a month for high-definition satellite programming. It was becoming rather frustrating staring at a blank wall and an empty TV stand.
A few weeks later, I got a call from the repairman. He told me he had a “newly designed” light engine. So, I drove the TV to him and spent the day in the city while he installed it.
Once again he could do nothing about the whining. At least I went back home with a TV to watch. But, you had to hold your ears while changing channels.
Yet Another Call To Toshiba.
I believe Toshiba would have let the issue go away because they never contacted me about my problems, after meeting with the repairman. So, I called them back weeks later. After reminding them that the TV whined between channels, they continued insisting was not the TV.
The satellite provider and Toshiba refused to take responsibility for thewhining. At first, Toshiba said it their problem, then changed their story to bad cables. Next, Toshiba and the satellite provider said it was something in my stereo system.
Will Someone Fix This Whining?
Round and round I went with Toshiba and my satellite provider. It got more and more frustrating. BEFORE calling customer service, I like to think the “stupid stuff” is already covered. I check the cables. I eliminate things and consider the possibilities. I investigate and try to repair. Only after all that and feeling utterly lost, at a dead end do I finally call customer service.
When they continue to blame all the “stupid stuff” when it’s already been checked… well, let’s just say I am not a happy puppy.
Will Toshiba Finally Fix This?
After several weeks, I worked up the customer service ladder and spoke to various supervisors. Finally, I got a call informing me that Toshiba had decided to ‘replace’ my television.
They offered no reasons and no explanations. They simply told me they were delivering a TV from a far away city. Later, I learned, like the faulty light engine, Toshiba found out these TVs “whined.” They just did not want to tell me!
It seems I had been one of the first to own this particular Toshiba model. You could say this is why Toshiba customer service refused to acknowledge the problem. They were not aware of these problems until unfortunate customers, like myself, beat them over the head with complaints. Rather than fix the problem, they decided to blame everyone and everything else.
What An Experience.
Currently, my Toshiba DLP HDTV is working fine. Overall, I am pleased with its performance. With a more understanding, receptive and proactive manufacturer, the customer service would not have been a nightmare.
The Good.
The picture is awesome. The size and portability are great. My living room is now a private theater. Just be sure to research the brand for a quality TV manufacturer.
You will need high definition compatible equipment. This means cables (high definition media input and fiber optic audio,) and a high definition channel package from your provider. It is like computers, cell phones and other such modern technologies. If everything is not compatible, you will not get the full potential and enjoyment from the product as advertised.
The Bad.
You may need to upgrade your stereo system because the TV audio is not good. My previous receiver was only seven years old with an old 3 speaker surround sound system. It was not compatible with the new TV.
The receiver only had RCA inputs and outputs. There were no optical audio plugs. So, I purchased a new receiver, new surround sound system and a bunch of too-expensive cables for my new and existing devices.
You need high definition media input cable, optical audio cable, and a good surge protector. Don’t forget to allocate space for your new giant TV. But, it is not impossible to move, so you can if your wife does not like where it is.
Be prepared for customer service. They may or may handled your problems in a professional and productive manner. The repairman advised me that everyone who buys one of these televisions should purchase an extended protection plan.
The repairman’s reasoning for the extended protection was the cost of a new lamp, when the OEM blows. He siad many of them cost hundreds of dollars and they blow like light bulbs. In other words, you never know when.
The Ugly.
If you buy a TV from a retail store, they only care about you until the return policy expires. Know what that is BEFORE you buy the TV. After that, it’s you and the manufacturer.
When that happens, you could find yourself stuck on the automated menu from hell (press 10 if you would like to talk to real human). Worse yet, the manufacturer may fight you tooth and nail to not fix the problem or replace your TV.
Be aware the manufacturer would rather commit suicide then admit to an intrinsic and inherent design problem. If your new device has a problem and it persists, the manufacturer usually knows. They just do not want to tell you.
It is why Toshiba called me (“out of the blue”) and told me they were replacing my whining TV. They knew there was indeed an audio problem. On the phone, I asked the representative whether Toshiba was sure the replacement TV would not “whine.” She guaranteed me it would not.
Sure enough, the “NEW” Toshiba 50HM66 has no “whine.”
After using this TV for about a week, it suddenly stopped working. I called Toshiba and was walked through their quick fix. This involved removing the lamp housing door and the lamp houseing. Then, I was directed to tap on all sides of the housing (NOT the glass).
After that and it still didn’t work. So, my tv was registered and was set-up to get a replacement lamp sent. This was Friday morning. Several hours later, I decided to give it one last shot. I took the housing out and tapped it again. This time it worked!
I called Toshiba back and cancelled the replacement lamp.
Start Cycle.
A month or so later and the same problems returned. It would work in the morning but let it do its eight start cycle and it came back to life.
A week later it did its trick again. I tried the fix but no success. So, it meant another call to Toshiba. They again set me up for a replacement lamp. Once again, later that day it came back. This time, I let the order go through, for the replacement lamp. The TV worked fine the next day and the morning after.
That evening it was tempermental again but came on during its mandated 8 attempts.
The next morning, Sunday, it decided it was not going to come on.
Replacement Lamp.
Hopefully, the new lamp will arrive tomorrow. Replacing the lamp every 4,000 or so hours or maybe twice a year is fine. However, it shouldn’t be this time consuming after only a couple of months.
Like I said, these lamp probelms aside, the tv is absolutely beautiful and for me 65″ is just the right size.
Other concerns.
It’s too bad the VGA input didn’t take 1080p. I wanted to use a VGA cable with my Xbox 360 to get 1080p. Can’t do it with this set.
There might be a small defect in the upper right corner of the screen. It bows in slightly, which gives the corner a rounded rather than straight edge like the other 3 corners. I don’t know if this is a defect with my TV or the model.
Finding a stand was a bit of a pain.
Good TV.
The speakers inside the TV have a nice sound quality. That is unusual for most HDTVs.
Overall,if you want BIG and 1080p, go for this TV. But you need at LEAST 9ft of viewing distance for HD to look good. Increase it to at least 12ft for Standard Definition to look decent (as good as standard can look).
The dimensions of this TV say it is 22″ deep. However, the footprint is actually closer to 19″ deep. When you get your stand, keep that in mind.
Compared to SONY, SAMSUNG and MITSUBISHI, this TV had the best side viewing angle. It didn’t darken like the others when standing from the side (at least not nearly as much).
From the start of a movie to the end, you can’t help but be awed by this great TV! Its edge-to-edge screen (the side and top borders are barely more than half an inch thick), multiple HDMI ports, and easy on-screen menu, the Mitsubishi WD-65C9 65 inch TV is a winner. After 3 months of watching it, and having bought many other large-screen TVs before this one, the Mitsubishi WD-65C9 DLP has been a real pleasure.
Primarily, I watch movies (DVDs and Blu-Rays) and play video games (PS3). I considered the larger 73 inch Mitsubishi TV, but decided the slightly smaller size would not matter. In hindsight, I’m glad I went with this 65″ one.
The Deciding Factors.
What makes this TV a clear winner to me? Let’s start with the good, and then consider important things to know before purchasing this TV.
The Basics.
With TVs and monitors, the screen size is larger than the physical dimensions of the display itself. This is because the size is measured diagonally. For the Mitsubishi 65C9, this means the TV is really 58″ wide, by 38″ tall (from the base, excluding the matching stand).
Remember that, as a DLP projection TV, it is deeper than your standard LCD or Plasma display. The Mitsubishi 65C9 is roughly 17″ deep. Keep in mind that the back does get slightly warm. It needs airflow due to the bulb.
Placement.
In the back, the bulb/fan is slightly recessed. You could probably shove the TV against a wall. I recommend giving it at least two inches of “breathing room”.
Have in mind where you want the TV to go. Just because you want the biggest TV available, doesn’t mean it is the best for the room you have in mind. Generally, I’d say this TV is good at a viewing distance of 7 to 12 feet (3 or 4 meters/metres).
Viewing.
As a DLP TV, it doesn’t have a great viewing angle. So, you will want your seating positioned directly in front of the screen as much as possible. The farther from the TV you are (or the larger the room) the more off-center your view becomes of the TV. This results in reduced picture quality from that viewing angle.
The Technology.
What is DLP? What is the difference between this and the typical “flat-panel” TV. DLP is Digital Light Projection. DLP displays use a DLP chip, made of millions of mirrors which reflect a “digital image” onto a screen.
While the technology itself is well established (invented in the 80′s), today’s DLP sets are a far cry from the early projection TVs. The modern DLP TV gives you a full 1080p Hi-Definition image that looks great!
Performance.
DLPs boast deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. The colors can be adjusted using the on-screen menu, if needed. Also, since DLP technology is just light projected on the screen, no burn-in worries. Leave a movie paused during dinner, or play a video game with a heads-up display for hours without fear of screen damage. This is problematic with Plasma displays, but not with DLP!
Issues.
One thing to consider with a DLP TV, however, is what’s called the “rainbow effect”.
The Rainbow Effect.
It is produced by a spinning color wheel that the light passes through when reflected back towards the screen. It results in fast-moving, bright-colored (usually white) objects trailing a slight red, blue, or green after-effect.
This was very noticeable to me at first, since it is not seen in LCD or Plasma displays. However, you get used to it. It’s barely noticeable anymore, and some people don’t even see it.
The Bulb.
The other issue with DLP technology is the dreaded ‘bulb’. DLP is powered by a lamp. Like all lamps, the bulb will eventually need to be replaced. You may have read horror stories of lamps costing hundreds of dollars.
DON’T buy a bulb from a 3rd-party vendor. They will just rip you off with outrageous costs. Buy a replacement bulb directly from Mitsubishi for only $99. To order one, go to the Mitsubishi TV website.
The Features.
This TV has an abundance of connectors! As with most modern TVs, the Mitsubishi 65C9 has 3 HDMI ports. This is a must to play Hi-Def Blu-Rays or connect to a PS3/Xbox 360.
Connectors.
It has three Component inputs (the red/blue/green cables) and standard RCA audio inputs. One of these Component/RCA inputs is located on the right-hand side of the TV for easy access.
The back has an RCA audio output, plus a Digital Coaxial audio output, for audio pass-through to a receiver or compatible speakers. There is an output for a 3D Glasses device (this a 3D-ready TV with the purchase of a 3rd-party package from nVidia).
NOTE: It lacks an RGB input for connecting a standard computer. However, for a computer with an HDMI out port (or a DVI out), you can connect it via the HDMI port (for a DVI out, you would need a DVI-to-HDMI connector).
On-screen menu.
The menu can be called user UN-friendly. You must remember to press the ‘Enter’ button on each category to advance and change the setting. Hardly any display menus are similar so this menu is no harder to learn than a typical one.
Once you master it (and you will be using the menu rarely), it starts to make sense and looks sleek, which compliments the design of the TV.
The menu offers standard color/picture adjustments. This includes 3 presets and a ‘custom’ with audio adjustments.
The remote.
The remote is small, but fits nicely in the hand. All the navigation buttons are located at the top, conveniently close to your thumb. The numberpad is below.
Outside the menu, there is a button labeled ‘Activity’ on the remote.
It lets you select your various video inputs. Initially, you set it up in the menu and label each of input with a variety of predefined labels (i.e. DVD, Blu-ray, Xbox, PS, PC, etc). Then, you use the ‘Activity’ button to select what you want to do.
Watch a DVD.
Play your Xbox.
etc.
It is a nice feature. You do not have to memorize each input connection.
Miscellaneous Features.
There are channel, volume, and ‘Activity’ buttons behind a small front panel on the base of the TV. This is good when you misplace the remote and want to watch a movie without it.
Other Considerations.
TV stand.
Mitsubishi makes a matching stand which I highly recommend buying. It has a groove in the top that the TV base slides into to ‘lock’ the TV in place. This is great if you fear accidentally knocking the TV off the when you walk past it.
The stand is the MB-S60/65. I’ve heard the MB-S60/65 works as well, so maybe that’s worth investigating. Keep in mind that the stand itself will probably cost an additional $300-$400.
Sound.
I have never used the built-in speakers. My surround sound speakers are used instead. While the included speakers sound adequate for the news, you would be doing yourself a big favor having crystal-clear audio with your great picture. I recommend getting a surround sound system for this TV.
Should You Buy It?
All in all, I am very impressed with the Mitsubishi WD-65C9 DLP. The colors are great and the TV is BIG!
Whether playing games, or watching a stunning Blu-ray movie, it’s no mystery to me why I feel this is one of my best TV purchases ever!
HDTVs have certainly gotten cheaper with better image quality since 2004! Comparing this new WD-60737 to a 62″ 2004 Mitsubishi WD-62725 is quite an eye opener. The picture quality is superior, while being much lot cheaper.
The 2009 is much brighter (with the mirrors on the old one cleaned and the bulb replaced) with much better contrast.
1080p vs 720p.
The 2009 has a much more refined and mature bag of processing technologies (Smooth120hz, Deep Field Imager, etc) for improving picture quality. SD pictures, particularly SD digital, are considerably nicer on this set than the older DLP. It is better upscaling tech (Plush1080), no question.
Setup & Operation.
Setup was a easy. The new device menu only display what inputs are actually attached rather than forcing you to scroll through all the possibilities like the old model does.
Anoter nice feature to me is that when you turn this TV off, it blanks the screen. However, for the first 60 seconds, it is in a standby mode. It is ready to leap back to life if you want to turn it back on in a second or so. With the older DLPs, you know how nice a feature that is. If you hit the wrong button, or your cat steps on the remote, or you simply changed your mind; whatever. It doesn’t need a 30 second process to for you to watch TV.
Dimensions.
The 2004 weighs 165lbs (which is nice when you have a nearly 300lb CRT RPTV to replace). The 2009 weighs 64lbs! You need two people to carry it, but it’s mostly because of the size, not the weight!
Seriously, for fans of BIG screen TVs, and you have the room for it, nothing touches the value of these new Mitsubishi DLPs with excellent picture quality.
It’s Not All Good News.
The built-in sound is not good. Then again, built-in sound is *never* great. The remote is relatively poor. It is small, has no backlight with uncomfortable menu buttons. It is not terribly intuitive to find things like the “Format” button which gets used a lot. Invest in a good programmable remote.
The speed of changing digital channels using the OTA tuner is not impressive. If you have cable or satellite, this won’t be an issue for you. If you have an antenna, it took me a little over 3 seconds to go from one digital channel to the next. That’s slower than the 2004.
Since it is DLP, you will get the usual limitations. If regular viewers are watching the set from severe angles, to right or left or below (e.g. laying on the floor directly in front of the set) on a regular basis, DLP is not your best choice. You will want to look at plasmas.
The viewing angles are definitely better to the sides than the 2004 DLP. However, at extreme angles (say > 60% off center) it definitely dims. And just under the screen, like laying on the floor two feet away, is just bad. However, if your viewers don’t do this, then you will be fine.
The lowdown.
This is a *very* impressive TV. I would reccomend it to anyone looking for a TV this size. It is great for the TV/movie watching experience.
After doing a lot of research (probably too much), I came to the conclusion that a DLP set would be the best purchase. For those who have experienced problems with this set, I bet 90% were made before November 2004. Before then, these sets had numerous problems with its color wheel and bulb. I requested they ship me a version made either on or after November 2004. The date on my TV was November 2004.
My impressions.
The picture quality is amazing! After 39 months, no noticeable deterioration in the quality has happened. Brightness of the picture is still great, though it does seem a little dark during the day. However, I am a freak about brightness so maybe it’s just my bias showing.
The DVD quality is fantastic but I had to play with the DVD settings to remove the “grain” from the picture. Maybe it’s a result of my decision to use a Panasonic DVD player. At any rate, DVD movies look great now.
The Drawbacks.
There have been a few minor problems. While rare, my screen will freeze. It has happened much less frequently in the past year. Maybe the problem was with my cable TV company. The sound, while not horrible, is not good. So, I use my surround sound system. Yet, it does not seem to work well with HDTV channels. Though it is fantastic with DVD’s.
The reception on some analog channels is still disappointing. Though, it is an improvement from 3 years ago. The difference is significant. Again, maybe it is my cable company. With so many HD channel options, I rarely watch analog channels anymore so that issue is not a big deal to me.
The Final Analysis.
Overall, this Samsung has been a great TV.
One tip – The Dynamic brightness setting is ok for a sports event. However, don’t forget to reset it to the standard setting. Some, familiar with HDTV’s, say to expect the bulb to last anywhere from 5 to 7 years.
Well, it was time to sell my 65″ SONY rear screen projection set. While it gave me 3 years, it had no HDMI connectors. Since, I had an opportunity to sell both my Sony TV and my old Yamaha receiver, I felt it was the time to make a change.
With my newly acquired wealth, I got the Samsung HL67A750 TV. In earlier days, if you wanted an HDTV with a 60″ or larger screen, yout got a rear screen projector. They were MUCH cheaper than a flat panel. Today, the same situation is still true! A SONY 73″ flat screen costs over $10,000! A similar-sized micro display, or rear screen costs about $2,000. The difference is LCD or Plasma. The micro-display reflects a video source on to a screen using some type of mirror configuration.
Doing the research.
Really, there are only two major players in the micro-display market, Samsung and Mitsubishi. Keep in mind, I am a home theater consultant for a local retailer in the Northeast. I have seen fewer returns on the Samsung than the Mitsubishi’s. Unfortunately, we don’t have a track record on the Mitsubishi LaserVue, yet. These are the new sets powered by lasers.
The Pros and Cons.
After narrowing my choices with a lot of internet and dealer research, I decided on the Samsung. Let me explain why.
One, is the previously mentioned reliability factor. Another is that Samsung does not use a bulb for illuminating the screen. It uses LED’s as a built-in backlight. This means no bulbs to replace. Plus, these LED lights are smooth, bright, with the power to provide whatever brightness you want.
This set has a 67″ diagonal screen, which is more than adequate for most home use. Sure, the 70-73″ projection set was available, but it meant having to replace bulbs eventually. Using a bulb as a light source has its pros and cons. While it gives a nice bright light, it dims over time. Once you replace the bulb (at a cost from from $100-$300), it restores the original brightness, which is nice. However, the money for bulbs adds up, if you require numerous replacements.
Without bulbs, this Samsung was a great advantage to me over other TVs. I can get bulbs at cost, so that should tell you something.
The screen has a nice piano black bezel frame, a red/green power light on the lower right, with a large round blue circle showing the set is on. Samsung sets play a little “tune” when they are turned on.
Dust adheres to the screen and the bezel. You will need a special “dust cloth” that cleans dust from a solid surface. Remember, do not put your finger on the screen! The oil from your finger can damage the display.
By the numbers.
Here are some specs…
VIDEO:
Screen Size 67”
Aspect Ratio 16 : 9
Resolution 1920 x 1080
Contrast Ratio 10,000:1
DNIe™ Yes
Digital Noise Reduction Yes
AUDIO:
Sound Effect System TruSurround XT
Sound Output(RMS) 10 W x 2
Input & Output(Side)
HDMI 3
composite (AV) 2
S-Video 1
Input & Output(Back)
HDMI No
composite (AV) No
S-Video No
PC input (D-sub) No
Component(Y/Pb/Pr) No
FEATURES:
Picture-in-Picture Yes
Price $2,399.99
System
Tuners NTSC / ATSC, Clear QAM
Accessory
Dimension
Set size(WXHXD) with stand 60.8″ x 41.5″ x 16.6″
Set size(WXHXD) without stand 60.8″ x 41.5″ x 15.5″
Package size(WXHXD) 60.8″ x 41.5″ x 15.5″
What Impressed Me.
The real advantage is the video/picture is beautiful. It is a true 1080P picture! There are no artifacts, judder, or negative video qualities. The audio is passable. It is probably expected that an audio receiver will be used or a good speaker system. For those without external speaker systems, the sound is fine. It is without any real distortion or muddiness. This includes higher output levels.
The menu has plenty of options to customize the set the way you want. Without giong into all the menu settings, let me just say there are enough options to calibrate the picture the way you want. By switching from STORE MODE to HOME MODE, and using the THX setting, the picture is great! This was minor tweaking, compared to having to redo the entire settings page. Some sets require you to do this. Not this Samsung!
The Bottom Line.
Let me finish by saying if you want a great 67″ set and no need for a bulb, this is it. It is a little too thick to hang on a wall, but works great on a TV stand. Off-axis viewing only becomes a problem outside 160 degrees from the axis. That is is fine for my family room.
The set has a nice design, great picture and adequate sound. Samsung has discontinued this set, so if you are thinking about it, get it!
A side note.
One last thing is the remote. It comes with all the normal “bells & whistles” with one “extra”. When you press the LIGHT button, the backlight displays, which makes it perfect to use in dimly lit or dark rooms!
I think you’ll enjoy the Samsung HL-67A750 67″.
6 months later.
There is a very nice feature I forgot to add. The Samsung has a LINK set-up. To activate it, use MENU and the remote. This ties any HDMI components together through a receiver. When you turn on the TV, the receiver comes on automatically! It does this for my new Blu Ray player, too! Plus, it switches the receiver to the correct input! This is one good use of HDMI connections, despite their troubles.
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