Pros: Fantastic picture for HD channels or when using an upconverting DVD player.
Cons: Average picture for standard definition channels or VCR video.
The bottom line: For HD signals and upconverting DVD players, the picture in the best. As the price drops to around $2000, this large TV will be an even better bargain!
I bought a Samsung HL-S6187W (61") TV after looking at the Sony 60" XBR. I think both sets offer about the same quality of video (with Sony maybe doing a little better job of displaying regular [standard definition] TV or VCR signals). But for anything HD, you'd be hard pressed to find the difference between the two. Others have said the Sony might be slightly brighter, but that's a non-issue for me since I usually dim the surrounding light prior to watching a movie. In my opinion, I think the Samsung is as bright as it should be (even with ambient light).

I bought it from Best Buy because they have pretty good customer service. I did purchase the extended service plan ($400 for 4 yrs), because Consumer Reports recommended it for Microdisplays, since they didn't have enough data to know their reliability after the first year (when your manufacturers warranty runs out). Plus their warranty also covers the replacement of the bulb, which should last around 2000 hours. Also, any DLP TV has more moving parts (the spinning color wheel), whereas the Sony LCD projection doesn't have any moving parts (except for a cooling fan, which they both have). So this was another reason to get the warranty.

Ultimately, what convinced me wasn't something technical. It was the style/design of the TV. I just loved Samsung's piano black (only on the 56", 61" and 71") and the slim bezel around the TV. BTW, the stand that best suites this TV is not the Samsung stand, its the Bush TV stand (Model: VS74962). It is a little taller, and wider (you can fit a total of 6 components on two shelves). The Samsung stand would barely allow you to cram 4 components across two shelves, It also has a shiny black finish on the metal and black frosted/tinted glass: check it out!

I connected my HD cable box (via HDMI) to the TV and tuned in the HD channels. Most of the channels are wonderful! I'm not much of a sports fan, but I did notice that football looked very detailed and clear. Most of the primetime shows were shot wtih HD cameras, so the clarity is fantastic! And for a 61" set, you can really appreciate the benefit of a HD image. Smaller sets (42" or less), might not have the ability to display the full HD resolution (1920x1080). But this set can display this full resolution! Discovery HD is one of the best channels to watch!
I'm into lots of animation. If you have newer DVD releases of Disney favorites, you'll love the detail, beauty, and colors. As for Anime, newer Anime (late 90's and beyond) will look great!

One of the cool features of the TV is that you can plug in a USB Thumb drive and play MP3s and display Jpeg pictures and even watch a slide show. And if you're into using your PC, you can connect it to the back, because of the built-in VGA connector.

I did have one big problem: the TV set would not come on three times. I contacted Best Buy and they will send out another one. So we'll see if this was just a fluke. I got a replacement TV delivered and so far everything has been working fine.

I highly recommend the following web site: http://www.crutchfield.com. They have THE BEST web site for product descriptions, technicals details, and large pictures of their products. They also have an excellent technical support staff!