What is the best rear projection HDTV currently?

[deacongreg]

The JVC I-DLA`s are excellent.

[Happy Camper]

If you can still find one, the Sony KDS60A3000 is the best display we have of twelve sets in the house. A pity Sony quit the RPTV market. We also like our 73" Mits 73833 set-it just does everything well without complaint and almost made a DLP fan out of me. Absurdly bright and BIG, for those who do not want a projector.

[rex]

Originally Posted by Happy Camper

We also like our 73" Mits 73833 set-it just does everything well without complaint and almost made a DLP fan out of me. Absurdly bright and BIG, for those who do not want a projector.

The 73833 is from their Diamond series, isn't it? They also have a Medallion series (73733) for about a grand less. This is the brand Costco carries which means you can get it, locally, at a discounted price with a free extended warranty, and a 90 day return policy if you decide you don't like it. Does anybody know what the difference is between the "Diamond" and "Medallion" series? The specs are virtually identical; there must be some reason to pay extra for the "Diamond"? They both appear to have the same 6 color light engine.

[Happy Camper]

The WD73733 is the basic set, and lacks Mitsubishi's "deep field color" and the more refined color and hue adjustments.

The best Mits deal in the 73" series is the WD 73734, which has all of the picture circuitry of the Diamond, but dispenses with the mostly useless glossy black cabinet and some other bells and whistles. In my opinion, Mitsubishi's deep field circuitry and color refinements in the the 734 and 833 are worth it, but the 733 is also a fine set, a huge picture, and if not side by side with one of Mits' better sets, you probably can't tell the difference.

I saw Mits' new laser sets at CES and was not really all that impressed and decided not to wait for them. Also, no telling what the new sets will cost. The 73" is a big bang for the buck, and a blu ray movie on that screen is a real movie theater experience in my opinion.

[rex]

Camper,
Thanks for the info. And welcome to the forum!
Another difference may be the 120 Hz refresh rate, though I am not sure how much improvement this makes to the viewing experience. I guess the only way to really compare different models is to see them side-by-side in a showroom somewhere. Even there it may be difficult to compare due to differences in calibration, etc.

[Happy Camper]

Rex, I was fortunate enough to see them side by side in the 65" versions and to play with remotes and settings-the 65" models are identical throughout the model line except for the screen size. I could tell enough of a difference to go for the 734 or 833. I got a dream deal on the 833 because they were out of the 734 and the guy knew I was going to get the 734 elsewhere. I certainly did not need the Diamond, but I wanted the better electronics, so I got the Diamond for a 734 price.

I only have one set in the house which tops with the Mits-our Sony KDS60A3000, but it is only 60" and I wanted to go big or go home in the dedicated HT in our new house and I did want a projector. So, now we have an HT with all HDMI, no other wires except speaker and power cables. Amazing to me, an old guy who started buying Pioneer products with tubes in Hong Kong in 1970.

This stuff is rocket science to me. To me, the 73" picture with one of the HD audio formats played on our Blu Ray is perfect. If that was all I ever had, I'd be happy. It's good enough so that I do not look for drwbacks-really can't see any.

Our system is sound calibrated with Audyssey MultiEQ XT, but I have not had the Mits calibrated-I just worked it over with my Avia and Joe Kane disks. The Audyssey program is perfect-you cannot beat it with your Radio Shack soundmeter and calibration disks no matter how long you play with it. It had a little trouble with my dual subwoofers for a minute, but I fixed that-awesome. Plenty good enough for me. For video, even standard def DirecTV stuff, usually garbage, looks o.k. to me now.