Should I buy a used DLP?

[cr2250]

Looking for a cheap tv. Around 300

Can't find a decent size lcd or plasma BUT found a Mitsubishi 57" DLP. Has no issues, bulb still going bright.

He wanted 375 with stand, I got it to 325 with the stand.
WD-57733

Looks good to me but I know the bulbs are an issue but what do you guys think?

I've asked around and people usually want more (working) or less (usually b/c bulb is out or color wheel issue).

 

[Duder1no]

I just boutht a Mitsubishi 50", looks/sounds great, I'd say go for it.

 

[waggy]

i have a 65inch dlp and i love it.

 

[cr2250]

Yeah I had a sony dlp 42"

It was a great tv! Didn't mind the slow startup or the fan noise. Just feel DLP is such a bargain when it vs. lcd, plasma. I guess this tv was a bedroom tv and wasn't used much at all.

Should be picking it up tonight if I don't get any negative insight!

 

[JulesMaximus]

I have a 50" Samsung DLP I've had for about 5-6 years and I just replaced the original bulb about a month ago because it was getting dimmer and dimmer. It was very noticeable. New bulb and the picture looks like it's a brand new TV again. Bulb was $150 delivered. This TV is in our living room and we use it constantly.

The bulbs are very easy to replace yourself. I bought one with the housing, just unscrew the back panel, remove two screws holding the bulb in, pull out the old one and slide in the new one. Hook up the electrical connector and screw the rear panel back on.

Edit-Make sure it has HDMI inputs. Pretty sure all of them do but I'd double check just to be sure. My set has 2 and it is 1080p.

 

[cr2250]

I have a 50" Samsung DLP I've had for about 5-6 years and I just replaced the original bulb about a month ago because it was getting dimmer and dimmer. It was very noticeable. New bulb and the picture looks like it's a brand new TV again. Bulb was $150 delivered. This TV is in our living room and we use it constantly.

The bulbs are very easy to replace yourself. I bought one with the housing, just unscrew the back panel, remove two screws holding the bulb in, pull out the old one and slide in the new one. Hook up the electrical connector and screw the rear panel back on.

Edit-Make sure it has HDMI inputs. Pretty sure all of them do but I'd double check just to be sure. My set has 2 and it is 1080p.

It has 3 HDMI inputs version 1.3? if that matters

Bulbs seem to be around 70 on amazon prime. I dont think it has to be OEM.

 

[BrokenVisage]

It's the mirrors!

 

[Schfifty Five]

I just hate how you have to sit pretty much directly in the center to get a good picture. That and the extra space you need to fit a DLP. Not a fan of it's big footprint.

 

[JulesMaximus]

It has 3 HDMI inputs version 1.3? if that matters

Bulbs seem to be around 70 on amazon prime. I dont think it has to be OEM.

I'd be wary of the cheap replacement bulbs. I've heard horror stories of people getting dead bulbs and issues with RMAing defective bulbs.

Get an OEM bulb with the housing attached, preferably locally so if you have a problem you can just go return it. I bought online but the place is actually in San Diego so I could deal easily with them if I had a problem.

 

[JohnnyMCE]

i've had a 60" mitsubishi dlp going on three years now and I love it. For the price vs lcd/plasma at the time it was great. I really don't care that I can't mount it on the wall so i think it's perfect.

 

[cr2250]

I just hate how you have to sit pretty much directly in the center to get a good picture. That and the extra space you need to fit a DLP. Not a fan of it's big footprint.

I wouldn't say dead center. You can get away with being at an angle. Sure the viewing area is smaller than a Plasma but I think the viewing area issue can be overblown sometimes.

 

[yh125d]

I bought a 2007 model mitsu 52" off craigslist 1.5 years ago for $250 and it's been the best purchase I've ever made. Highly recommended

 

[Linflas]

I wouldn't say dead center. You can get away with being at an angle. Sure the viewing area is smaller than a Plasma but I think the viewing area issue can be overblown sometimes.

I just replaced my 62" Toshiba last February and gave the old one to my brother. I told him that something was going in it and I didn't know if it was the ballast or the lamp. When it finally quit a couple months later it was the lamp which cost $165.00 to replace. Just check the model number and see what a replacement lamp would cost and if you are comfortable with it go for it. The picture quality on the Toshiba was great.

 

[waggy]

I just hate how you have to sit pretty much directly in the center to get a good picture. That and the extra space you need to fit a DLP. Not a fan of it's big footprint.

you don't have to be dead center. while the angle is not as big as a lcd its not bad.

 

[NutBucket]

Mitsubishi is selling bulbs for my TV (7 series purchased in January last year) for $99. I'd check that out first if you need a bulb.

 

[swanysto]

The only downside to a DLP is the size. The picture is great. If you got it for a price you feel is fair, I don't see any downside.

 

[cr2250]

OEM bulb is 249.99 BUT seems 4/5 stars amazon prime http://www.amazon.com/Mitsubishi-915.../dp/B001F0H5S4

Non-OEM but people seem to be happy with it.

 

[Krazy4Real]

I have a 60" Mitsubishi. I really like it.

 

[KlokWyze]

I've had a Hitachi 50" DLP for years, though we paid a premium for it since it wasn't obsolete yet. The bulb has died twice so far in about 5 years, but they are pretty cheap, $70-ish for knock-offs on Ebay.

I am not happy with it due to an issue with the color that is common with this model. It's certainly ok for now, but we will be getting a new one once we save up a little more money. Definitely going to get an LCD or plasma depending on what good deals we can find @ the time.

For those prices though, I'd say go for it if you don't mind the total size of them.

 

[Specop 007]

As a DLP owner I would steer one towards an LCD rather than going to a DLP. Too much maintenance. Bulbs are expensive and if you use it much you WILL be replacing them. Potential color wheel issues as well.

I like(d) mine but I'm plasma shopping.

 

[cr2250]

As a DLP owner I would steer one towards an LCD rather than going to a DLP. Too much maintenance. Bulbs are expensive and if you use it much you WILL be replacing them. Potential color wheel issues as well.

I like(d) mine but I'm plasma shopping.

Just hard for me to buy a 32" LCD, while I can get a 57" DLP. Bulbs are cheap. But yes you have a point, maintenance isn't free.

Still going back and forth on it myself :/

 

[waggy]

As a DLP owner I would steer one towards an LCD rather than going to a DLP. Too much maintenance. Bulbs are expensive and if you use it much you WILL be replacing them. Potential color wheel issues as well.

I like(d) mine but I'm plasma shopping.

I have had mine 5 years or so. i have had to replace teh bulb once and that was $160. if $30 a year is to expensive of maintenance then maybe you shouldn't have a TV.

we have the TV on nearly all day every day.

BUT i do have to agree i wouldn't spend what i spent on my dlp no. i could get a lcd almost as big for the same price ($2500). back when i got it you couldn't touch the price.

but hell a used one for $300? even with having to put in a bulp every 3-4 years? hell yah its a easy choice.

 

[Exterous]

As a DLP owner I would steer one towards an LCD rather than going to a DLP. Too much maintenance. Bulbs are expensive and if you use it much you WILL be replacing them. Potential color wheel issues as well.

I like(d) mine but I'm plasma shopping.

Too much maintenance? I haven't done anything to my Samsung 55" DLP in 3 years other than turn it on and turn it off

Bulbs can be expensive. Its a tough choice. If you have the lighting for it (as in - little to no direct light) and don't need a stand or anything I regularly see 50" plasmas listed on slickdeals for ~$500

If you move around a lot I would go DLP though - those things are light!
$325 seems like a good deal but I would go ahead and just factor in replacing the bulb within the next year or two and then be happy if you get longer

 

[Specop 007]

I have had mine 5 years or so. i have had to replace teh bulb once and that was $160. if $30 a year is to expensive of maintenance then maybe you shouldn't have a TV.

we have the TV on nearly all day every day.

BUT i do have to agree i wouldn't spend what i spent on my dlp no. i could get a lcd almost as big for the same price ($2500). back when i got it you couldn't touch the price.

but hell a used one for $300? even with having to put in a bulp every 3-4 years? hell yah its a easy choice.

Right, and I've replaced mine as well which is around 250 or so.

So take that $300 and throw in another $200 and your up to $500 you better be willing to spend on a used DLP because you have no idea when that bulb is going on a used unit. Sure it might be bright today and it might be out tomorrow. Dont even get me started on color wheel repair costs.

It isnt about "Oh you cant afford $30 a year, you should get one". Its about the fact the cost of ownership and amount of labor on one is significantly higher than on the other.

If you cant sit down and do a cost of ownership to establish which is a better product then by all means hide behind your ignorant "Well its only x per year, you cant afford that!?".

 

[Specop 007]

Too much maintenance? I haven't done anything to my Samsung 55" DLP in 3 years other than turn it on and turn it off

Bulbs can be expensive. Its a tough choice. If you have the lighting for it (as in - little to no direct light) and don't need a stand or anything I regularly see 50" plasmas listed on slickdeals for $500

If you move around a lot I would go DLP though - those things are light!
$325 seems like a good deal but I would go ahead and just factor in replacing the bulb within the next year or two and then be happy if you get longer

WHEN the bulb burns out you will do maintenance to it. I didnt say it was a alot but fuck, on one I have to change a bulb and on one I dont....

The maintenance work on the DLP is higher. Period. Sure, its 1 hour every 4 years compared to 0 hours and 4 years but none the less it IS higher.

And you'll be proper pissed when you turn it on just before the big game and THATS when you realize the fucking thing burned out. Oh, and it'll be 3 days minimum before you can get one.

Enjoy the game down at the bar.