I've done my research, and just want to make sure I'm not overlooking anything. I'm looking for a new set around 50" and under $2k (inc tax, 8.25%) to replace my current 38" RCA F38310 CRT HDTV. Precedence is given to HD content via E*, OTA, and HD-DVD (x360, so needs to do 1080p over component or VGA)), but needs to have top notch SD performance too as most of what the wife watches on E* is still SD. The room the set will be in has a fair amount of ambient light even with curtains and (paper) blinds in the windows, so that's an issue.

I've been looking at sets for the last 3 months or so, and determined that the Samsung 50" 1080p DLP set is my front runner. Sony's 50" SXRD looks excellent also, but seems to be going for $300-400 more than the Samsung, and I'm not sure it's justified. Any plasmas or LCDs I've seen in my price range all have issues I can live with - crappy video processors, poor shadow detail, etc. This disappoints me as I'd like to one day mount a flat panel above my fireplace - I guess that will have to wait a few years.

thoughts? are there other sets I should be looking at?

Sony is the leader in the RPTV marketplace right now...they also fall at the top of the charts when it comes to reviews. That says something.

It seems like you've narrowed your choices down pretty well...all you need to do is go out and spend spend spend.

Have the 55".

Amazing

is that still relevant for the current models?

SXRD experience was in Tweeter watching a Basketball game Thanksgiving weekend. The picture could not keep up with the action when play was quick.

It is possible that other factors attributed to the slowness of the image but when I asked the sales rep he told me that SXRD's across the board are not going to match up with DLP's for speed but otherwise are a great picture.

Thoughts?

I just bought the 56" version of this from Beach Camera. They shipped it and I set it up. I'm very happy with it. And the shipping box has an impact indicator built into it that will tell you if the box has been mishandled in shipping.

Beach Camera will also ship it for free, and unless you are in NJ, I think there's no sales tax.

JVC's HD-ILA is another LCoS technology like SXRD. Take a look. you can see these in person in Best Buy.<ul><li><a href="http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/product.aspx?omid=122&amp;ref=pricegrabber&amp;utm_source= PriceGrabber&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=JVCHD52FA 97&amp;sku=JVCHD52FA97">the link</a></li></ul>

Could also have been the source (sat, local station etc) A true test would have been a blue ray disk

Often the source or even the type of filming used initially can be responsible for that effect sometimes.

but then again, by the time I'm in the market something better will probably be out. I have a 2 yr old sony WEGA 42".

I spent quite a few hours in BB going back and forth from the DLP to the SXRD and I would definitely give a slight advantage to the sony. In the end it came down to price. I got the sammy for 1699 AND they through in a nice stand and I bought the service plan. The sony was $2100. In the end I went with what I thought was a great deal and it hasn't failed me yet. Time Warner on the other hand is a joke.