DEAD...Dell: Mitsubishi DLP-TV 3dReady 65" for $799

[Kaido]

What sizes do they still make these in? Any sub-60s? I've always been impressed with DLP over LCD and plasma.

60" is the smallest they go. It just barely fit in the corner at my parent's place. Going to have to rearrange the furniture due to the size. The pictures I've seen online don't do justice to the size or picture quality - it really is a fabulous picture. I can't imagine the higher-end models being much better. Here's a link to their DLP website:

http://www.mitsubishi-tv.com/theater.html

They currently come in 4 sizes:

60"
65"
73"
82"

There is also a 92" coming out later this year:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/04/mitsubishis-big-year-at-ces-includes-92-inch-dlp-155-inch-ol/

They currently have 9 lines listed: 838, 738, 638, C10, 837, 737, C9, 835, 735. It looks like the 3D-ready models are the C10, 638, 738, and 838. The C10 is the least-expensive among them. It looks like the C10 and 638 lines are pretty much the same (share a manual even, according to AVS Forum), but both supposedly have inferior non-HD processing to the 738 & 838 models. I tested out direct antenna in (SD to 1080p) and it wasn't great, but it was watchable. A bit overly sharp for SD content from the antenna input, I'd say. Anything remotely HD looks incredible. 720p looks fabulous. Even Netflix HD looks really great. Color me impressed!

Lucid69 over on AVS Forum posted some detailed settings for calibration:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=19683231&postcount=382

If you want to go 3D, I've read that 3D is actually pretty great on these, especially with video games. These $60 glasses were recommended for the DLP ("Ultimate 3D Heaven" Ultra-Clear DLP LINK Wireless 3D Glasses):

http://www.ultimate3dheaven.com/uldlpliwi3dg.html

You also need the IR emitter setup adapter thingy (technical term). Mitsubishi sells the 3DC-1000, which is $400 for the IR emitter and two pairs of glasses:

http://www.amazon.com/Mitsubishi-3DC...dp/B003KTN0B4/

I'm not really interested in 3D, but I think it might be cool for my parents. Just not $400 cool :biggrin:

 

[NutBucket]

Kaido, the difference between an 838 and 837 is the model year. I believe my 65" is an 837 (purchased January 2010). 838 is the current model of the same set. So really, there are typically 4 versions of each size; C10, 638, 738 and 838. Surprising that the older models are still shown on Mitsubishi's website.

All that said, I couldn't be happier with my set. Really glad the wife didn't complain about it not being a flat panel

 

[Lucifer Lost]

I picked up one of the 73s from Dell a few months ago when they went on sale to replace a 3 year old Mitsu 65 with a failing light engine (a $450 fix.) I loved my 65.

The 73 is bigger and 3d ready, but since it's a lower level in their model line than my 65 was, I was disappointed to find that it had had no front/side inputs and only one rear coax. Fortunately, since most of my use on that TV is OTA HD and HTPC, it works well enough for my personal use.

The remote is really cheap, too, so make sure you have a decent universal.

I don't regret the purchase, but it is worth mentioning that these are definitely low in their line-up and do sacrifice some bells and whistles. You're buying SIZE here.

The new $99 bulb replacement cost and 3D Ready are the biggest "improvements", but like others in this thread, I'm not in a hurry to add 3D at $400 a kit. I'll start thinking about it at half that price.

 

[Kaido]

Kaido, the difference between an 838 and 837 is the model year. I believe my 65" is an 837 (purchased January 2010). 838 is the current model of the same set. So really, there are typically 4 versions of each size; C10, 638, 738 and 838. Surprising that the older models are still shown on Mitsubishi's website.

All that said, I couldn't be happier with my set. Really glad the wife didn't complain about it not being a flat panel

Ahh, that makes sense. Is the 738 or 838 worth the premium? The C10 looks so good as it is...

What size did you go with? I think I might have to sell my LCD + Projector setup and snag one of these puppies :biggrin:

 

[Kaido]

I picked up one of the 73s from Dell a few months ago when they went on sale to replace a 3 year old Mitsu 65 with a failing light engine (a $450 fix.) I loved my 65.

The 73 is bigger and 3d ready, but since it's a lower level in their model line than my 65 was, I was disappointed to find that it had had no front/side inputs and only one rear coax. Fortunately, since most of my use on that TV is OTA HD and HTPC, it works well enough for my personal use.

The remote is really cheap, too, so make sure you have a decent universal.

I don't regret the purchase, but it is worth mentioning that these are definitely low in their line-up and do sacrifice some bells and whistles. You're buying SIZE here.

The new $99 bulb replacement cost and 3D Ready are the biggest "improvements", but like others in this thread, I'm not in a hurry to add 3D at $400 a kit. I'll start thinking about it at half that price.

How does the picture quality of the 73" compare with the 65"?

And do you know which 65" model you have? They said the 65" C10 and 638 are pretty much the same beast. I'm curious (1) if the higher-end models have a better quality picture, or just more features, and (2) if the 73" looks as good as the 65". Thanks!

 

[NutBucket]

I have a 65" and couldn't be happier. Picture quality is excellent. Viewing distance is between 8-9'. I tried sitting closer but when it was a bit uncomfortable when the picture filled my entire field of vision!

To honest, in the store I couldn't really tell if the 837 was worth the premium...and I'm still not convinced it is but I figured a couple hundred bucks is small beans in the long run. I don't anticipate replacing this set for a long time and I hate the "what if" factor.

I don't think picture quality really suffers with the larger sets. However, I understand that the 73 and 65 use the same bulb, possibly even the 82. Logically, it would mean they're not as bright but it didn't seem that way in the store. Also, no real reason to go bigger unless the room allows for it. For me, any larger would have made arranging furniture difficult.

 

[yh125d]

I so want to get the 65 to replace my 07' 52" mitsu, but that responsible side of me is telling me no.


Oh well, at least the 52 only cost $250!

 

[Lucifer Lost]

How does the picture quality of the 73" compare with the 65"?

And do you know which 65" model you have? They said the 65" C10 and 638 are pretty much the same beast. I'm curious (1) if the higher-end models have a better quality picture, or just more features, and (2) if the 73" looks as good as the 65". Thanks!

I'd say that the 73 and 65 have pretty much the same picture quality with HD sources. The 73 was brighter but the bulb was new. And I have actually noticed less occasional flickering with the newer 73. I would sometimes notice flickering on screens that were heavily white on the 65.

With SD, the 65 was better. Probably for 3 reasons:

1) It's not stretching the lower resolution quite as much.
2) There was better imaging tech in the higher end model for SD sources.
3) The higher end model had a better on-screen viewing mode for a 4:3 source. The 73 has something close, but it's not as smart about how it fits it to the screen as my 65 was. Again, that's likely to be a higher end vs lower end model issue.

That said, I really don't expect much from SD sources... let alone SD sources being blown up that large. I watch as little SD as possible.


So, bottom line: If you watch a lot of SD sources, want front input ports (and more rear ports), and want a better remote... then the higher end models are where you'll find those features. If you watch a lot of HD and the remote and inputs don't matter to you, go with the lower end.