RCA Scenium DLP vs. Anything Plasma?
 

I'm considering buying a DLP high definition television. The RCA Scenium has an absolutely amazing HIGH Def picture in the store and it's pretty sleek to look at although not as cool on the gadget scale as a plasma ultra thin flat panel. From what I've read the DLP's don't suffer the potential for burn in like the plasmas but I'm curious if anyone else has either experience or background on DLP's?

aside from the burn in aspects, I don't like the mesh look of the plasmas. If I concentrate I can see the individual pixels and they just don't seem as smooth as a DLP does.

True. DLP models cannot suffer from burn in. We have a Scenium 50" and a Samsung 61" DLP sitting on either side of a 50" Pioneer plasma. The Pioneer plasma is by far and away the best looking plasma at a reasonable price point (sub $35,000 for a Runco), and it is absolutely humbled by the DLP's. DLP kills plasma in contrast and color saturation. It's not actually all that hard to see the individual pixels on a plasma panel. Look closely and you will see the black barrier walls between phosphors (least noticeable on a Pioneer). Now look at a DLP very closely. You cannot see any black between pixels because the mirrors on the DMD (digital micromirror device) flush up next to one another.

A DLP TV addresses all of the shortcomings of other methods of TV. They are thinner and more energy efficient than a CRT rear projection, have a better contrast, color saturation, and are more enery efficient than plasma, much better contrast than LCD, and have better contrast than LCoS.

Thanks for the replies. I'm still amazed at how well the DLP look relative to the plasmas and man it's still thousands less. I'm going to pull the trigger on it.

My next investment will be a good progressive scan DVD player. :D

aiiie dont buy DLP sets..

at work we recently sold pioneer DLP models and they were such a pain in the ass, we sent them back to Japan and vowed never to sell anymore again.
Plasma and DLP models both suffer from burn in, but DLP models have mechanical adjustment inside, so if you ever need one serviced you are looking at spending a pantload of cash. With Plasma sets, you just replace a part (which could also cost ya). Personally.. id just go with a rear projection HDTV and save cash or get a 56 inch or bigger set.

Edit: i guess it's too late.. enjoy your purchase.. and good luck!

I wasnt aware that Pioneer was making DLP TV's. I'm almost certain that DLP is not susceptible to burn in. There isn't really anything in there to burn into. They are comprised of a white light, color wheel, and a DMD (a mirror basically). I would still recommend a DLP over all other methods of HDTV.

The biggest bother for me on the DLPs is the rainbow effects. I can see 'em a mile away and it bothers me. While everyone panics about burn in, plasma still has a sleek, sexy look to its picture. I'm pretty sure that, with any technology you decide you want, you can find good and bad models. As you have picked a technology that you like, get the best one you can with the picture that looks best to YOU, not the sales guy, not your nosey neighbor. Just you!

sorry.. correction, these werent pioneers they were Texas instument DLP's
the color wheel is mainly the problem with the thing, also the way the glass is held onto the frame of the set. It may be a difference between our sets which are industrial models versus consumer models, but they work the same.
I dont trust em. They are a pain in the ass to tweak correctly, dont survive any disturbances well, and are a "good idea" but havent been perfected yet. I'd wait until all the bugs were worked out and for the technology to mature before i put any coin into it.

Well I've purchased the RCA Scenium 50" DLP. It's a perfect fit for the room where I have it placed. It's also a sleek framed set and the accompanying stand makes for a nice display.

With the volume at very low levels there is an audible humming that comes from it but as soon as the volume is turned up to normal listening levels the humming becomes completely inaudible. The sound quality coming through the built in speaker system is okay but not quite the home theatre bang that I'm ultimately looking for.

The picture is just phenomenal especially with an HD feed. All I can say about it so far is WOW! I must get a good progressive scan DVD player to go along with this and of course a replacement set of audio equipment for my current gear. (Yes -- with the ex-wife's influence I was convinced a BOSE lifestyle system would cut the mustard -- oh well).

I'll post more about this set when I've had a little more time with it but so far it's spectacular.

For a good (i.e. real) progressive scan player, look for something that bears the mark of a video processor. Look for the DCDi by Faroudja or PureProgressive from Silicon Image logos on the player. If you don't see these, don't even bother. If you can wait 'till June, Yamaha has a new universal player with a DCDi chip in it that will sell for $399. This should make for an awesome piece.