Two different Samsung 46" DLP's?

[mike_15]

I am shopping for a High def TV and have narrowed it to a Samsung 46". I thought it was as simple as find the most recent and buy it. It seems that Samsung has two different current 46" DLP TVs.

I found some differences between them but cannot come to which is better.
comparison2.pdf

Option 1 HL-S4666W $1700 (1700 list)
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1138085296407

http://www.samsung.com/Products/TV/D...S4666WXXAA.asp
2.2" 14,400 rpm wheel
2-HDMI inputs


Option 2 HL-R4667W $1500 (2300 list)
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1110265593112

http://www.samsung.com/Products/TV/D...4667WAXXAA.asp
2.6" 10,000 rpm wheel
1-HDMI input
Cable card input


I like the faster wheel on the ..66 but the cable card option could be nice.
does anybody else see one over the other?
Thanks
Mike

[ToxMox]

I believe the S series is this years models and the R series is last year so the S is probably a little bit better. AVSForum is a great site for info about TVs.

[Lucas]

Despite the similar model numbers they seem to be totally differrent models.

The '7' model seems to be a newer(maybe uses later DLP tech) and has a 7 segment color wheel which will give a better picture but does not have an ATSC tuner for OTA HDTV.

The '6' model probably uses older DLP technology(4 Seg wheel RGB, Yellow and Clear) but has more niceties like an ATSC tuner and Cable card support.

I think the RPM quoted are misleading or wrong. Something doesnt make sense. A 7 segment wheel should be at least 4x.
A 4 Segment is probably just 2x.

[ToxMox]

Just some facts. The HL-S4666W is the 2006 model. Has a Gen-6 light engine vs Gen-5 for the HL-R4667W. Has a faster color wheel so less rainbows. Has less inputs over all but 2 vs 1 HDMI ports which is important these days.

Personally I'm planning on getting an LED based DLP when they come out. Most likely the HL-S5679W.

Also it is a 5 segment wheel not 4 vs 7 for the older model but I'm guessing thats what the faster wheel is for.

2/3 things bother me about standard DLPs and why I won't get one. This may not be as much of an issue for you.
1) Has a Mercury based bulb that needs replacement every couple of years or so.
2) Bulb dims from initial brightness after some use.
3) Spinning color wheel which is a moving part as well as causing Rainbows for those that are susceptible to them. Moving part also means more heat as well as the mercury bulb causing heat meaning there is a spinning cooling fan that is running and making a little noise and is another point of failure.

Thats pretty much it. Although no reviews exist yet for the LED based DLPs the LED system pretty much eliminates all those issues I mentioned above which is why I'm waiting for one. They are pricier though.

[mike_15]

Thank you for the replies.

I couldn't find where it said what model was which year. I was thinking that the R series was the newer one. Must be where that whole ass-u-me thing comes in.

I would love to be able to hold off for the LED versions but this is already pushing my budget. Though if they come out in the fall I could save the money needed to pay for it. but I doubt they will have it in the smaller sizes right away. They will probably start out in the 60+ inchers. that is too big for my basement media room.

I think I may be leaning toward the HL-S4666W. I doubt that cable card will come to fruition. I will probably be able to use the HDMI at some point in the future.

We are going to the store tonight to see if we can see any rainbow effect. Unfortunately I don't have Sin City which people have said is the torture test for the rainbow effect. I will have to look through the collection to see what else could work.