Hi All,

I need to pick up a new rear-projection line. We have Sim2 and LG currently, but need something better at the middle pricepoint. I was excited when Sharp decided to release their sets, but they were ugly, had no discretes whatsoever, and now Sharp has pulled the plug on the line. My experience with Samsung has been terrible, so that is ruled out. What are your views on Mitsubishi, JVC, etc? I'm probably not going to go in the direction of Sony even though the SXRD sets are beautiful, they are just a little too difficult to deal with on the business end. I need a line that supports small dealers and has great product support. My past experience with Mitsubishi has been great, but I'm having a b!@#h of a time trying to find a rep.

Easton

Easton,

We have yet to have a samsung DLP problem in the two years we have been selling them. We looked at the other three lines you listed and we saw flaws in all three. The D-ILA and SXRD both had problems (to me anyway) with a producing a smooth picture along with the inherant motion artifacts assocaiated with technology based on the LCD platform. We looked at them all at CEDIA and wasn't very impressed overall. I recently have the Mits rep in our showroom and the 2006 line-up looks promising, but I won't make that call until I see them in action. I am probably a little baised as I have nad nothing but problems with Sony in the past and their arrogance about themselves and their products. The last review I read on the SXRD technology was as I expected, still laking in greyscale detail, black level and motion artifacts compared to DLP. Call Mits and ask them who you rep is. They are (from what I am being told) trying to get more local reps to support the "custom" installation firms in the US. They have the entry level line in BB and want to get the upper levels into our locations. Just my thoughts.

Toshiba Cinema Series maybe for a middle line. Discrete codes are available for them and everyone knows their name now.

We've had good luck with JVC's DILA sets. They hit a much better price point than the Sonys and they're more space efficiant (JVC's 61" is less wide than Sony's 50"). On the downside, the Sony picture is noticably cleaner, especially with standard definition pictures. Still, they don't look bad.

Mitsubishi Hands Down.

In the past we have tried the other manufactures with ok to bad results. As CI dealers we need support and product that has parts avalible for a long time.

Mits is the only one so far In the middle lines that do this.

They can be a little though to get though. their Support is great Full discretes ect.

Yes in the past they thought the CI dealers were to small but they now have great programs. They are not in Distribution. If you have a problem they take care of it.

Their price protection is by far the best in the industry.

Everybody buys the product at the same price and margins are better than Samsung and the other Korean Manfactures.

Best of all it is very easy to sell.

Jason

I recently picked up the HP line.. 65" and 58" are, IMO, the best RPTV under 10K. I am sure there are others that will disagree.. Regardless, very easy to sell when a client sees them.

Personally, I prefer the JVC HD-ILA sets for their ability to produce a very film-like image.

I love their projectors too, and there is a Hollywood tie-in brand story to tell with Francis Ford Coppola and Jerry Bruckheimer ads to reference.

DLP single chippers are popular and there are many that look very good. Mitsubishi and Toshiba Cinema are probably the best at any price, and Samsung and LG are probably the best values.

The Sammys have had their share of issues that they say are behind them... (but then what are they going to say??)

Installerlax, if you have NEVER had a Sammy issue, then you either have a horseshoe lodged in an uncomfortable location, or you haven't done very many from over a year ago...

Also, D-ILA and SXRD are not based on LCD, it is a reflective technology (liquid crystal on silicone or LCOS) while LCD has panels where light travels through the panel.

Here is the primer that outlines the differences between the current display technologies. It is obviously weighted toward D-ILA, but it is informative nonetheless...
[Link: pro.jvc.com]

They aren't out yet, but keep an eye out for the new Epson RPTVs. I saw the new sets at CEDIA and they looked awesome. They should be out Jan/Feb.

Told Ed I wasnt too fond of the Samsung line. The name just STILL doesnt sit too well with me, and the PQ is far from the best as far as Im concerned. He ALSO said Samsung had their issues behind them.

When I was in your position, the answer was:
Cash, check, or charge??

These days, I am just happy to have stock to sell from ANY video manufacturer...

Maybe in March or April we can go back to being nit-picky and tweaky...

I saw the HP sets at Cedia and was very impressed with them.

However...

I want to develop a relationship with a company that I feel is in it for the long haul. It makes me nervous to see a product like a projection set from a computer manufacturer. But, we'll see.

..............................

I left a message on your voice mail, call me at the office...

Thanks,
I hope you get to see the LG sets we spoke about...