Rear projection TVs started out as the simple "big-screen TVs," but they have evolved dramatically in the last few years. A rear projection TV, or RPTV, has a relatively small light engine inside the box plus a set of mirrors that enlarges the picture up to the size of the TV's screen. The devices inside the box that make the picture can consist of either traditional CRTs, or one of several digital microdisplay technologies including LCD panels, LCOS chips, or DLP chips. In other words, they use the very same technologies that appear in projectors. That should not be a surprise, because in essence the rear projection TV is simply a projector in a box, with a TV tuner and audio integrated into it.

In this product overview we are staying away from the technical details that distinguish LCD, DLP and LCOS, since ultimately those who watch TV don't care what's in the box--they just care that the picture looks good. But if you want a bit of technical info on LCD and DLP and the differences between them, click here. And for some technical information on LCOS, click here.

Big picture. Rear projection TVs come in various sizes from about 42" diagonal up to 80" at the moment. The 42" models are more like large televisions, but those in the 60" to 80" range are approaching a scale more appropriate for home theater.

Low cost per inch. A rear projection TV is much less costly than a similar sized plasma TV. Budget conscious buyers who want the biggest picture possible for the money will forego the plasma and LCD TV flatscreens, and opt for either a rear projection TV, a front projector, or even a tube television. At the moment 50" high-resolution plasma TVs go for around $6,000, while 50" RPTVs are under $3,000. And if a 50" picture is what your room needs, you can even do it with a projector for under $1,000 if you want to shine it on a white wall. (Note, however, that with a projector you must add in the cost of an audio system to come up with a fair cost comparison since the RPTV has audio on board while the projector usually does not.)

Thin format. Rear projection TVs used to be rather thick and boxy looking, and they took up a lot of floorspace. These days with the new digital light engines, most of them are less than 18" deep. And the thinnest one at the moment is a model from InFocus, which is 61" diagonal and only 7" deep...not too much thicker than a plasma TV. So those who are considering the wall-mounted flatscreen TVs in order to save floorspace really are not saving much as compared to the RPTV solution. In point of fact, a television that is 7" deep is certainly wall-mountable as well. Furthermore, if you were to get a flatscreen TV and mount it on a table instead of wall-mounting it, it would save you no space at all compared to an RPTV. And for half the price per diagonal inch, the RPTV becomes a very attractive alternative.

Ease of installation. The RPTV is the simplest video system to set up, next to a conventional television. All you need to do is uncrate it, put it where you want it, plug it in and turn it on. No drywall work is required. And the fact that they tend to be lightweight makes it even easier.

Not bad in ambient light. RPTVs tend to perform reasonably well with some ambient light in the room, as long as you a viewing them head on at eye level. In this regard they are more versatile than front projectors, but less accommodating than CRT tube televisions and flatscreen TVs, both of which look great regardless of the ambient light level.

Integrated audio. Many people upgrading to large screen systems are opting for multi-speaker surround sound systems as well. However, the rear projection TV has very adequate audio on board. So you don't have to spring for a full multi-channel audio system along with your TV if your budget can't handle it all at the moment. Conversely, with a front projection system, you will need separate audio capability set up along with it from the outset.

Limited viewing angles. Anyone familiar with bigscreen TVs knows the phenomenon of the picture dimming considerably as you move away from the center viewing axis. This happens when you move from side to side, looking at the picture from increasingly oblique angles. But it is also quite evident when you get off axis vertically. If the center of the picture is at eye-level when you are sitting on your sofa, the picture will dim when you stand up. For this reason, rear projection TVs are best for viewers that can be positioned directly in front of them at eye-level. If you have a viewing space that requires seating to be placed at relatively wide angles to the screen, you should go to a local consumer electronics store and evaluate the RPTVs they have on display from those same angles of view. If the picture degradation is acceptable to you, then the model in question may be a fine solution for you.

Physical space requirement. As noted above, rear projection TVs have gotten much thinner than they used to be, with many of them being 18" or less in depth. So they certainly take up less floorspace than they once did. However, they are still big boxes that demand a significant portion of a wall or corner of a room. When compared to front projectors and flatscreen TVs, they are the bulkiest of the video solutions on the market.

Reflections. Some RPTV screens have a tendency to reflect anything that is illuminatd by ambient light in the room, and some do not. For those that do, this can be quite annoying. Your choices are to (a) watch in a completely dark room, or (b) choose a TV that does not have the reflective glare to begin with. Some TVs come with a protective shield that allegedly improves black levels and contrast. But is also quite reflective. The shield can be removed, but it may invalidate the warranty if you remove it. You can get rear projection televisions that do not have any problem at all with reflections, but you need to be aware of the issue in order to avoid it.

Lamp replacement. As with front projectors, the new microdisplay-driven rear projection TVs have lamps that burn out with usage. Lamp replacement costs can run in the range of $150 to $300. Before you buy a rear projection TV, find out how much the replacement lamp costs, and how long it is expected to run. That way you will not be caught by surprise down the road. In point of fact, lamps can fail unexpected and before their normal life cycle. It is good practice to have a spare lamp on hand so that you don't lose much downtime if this should occur.

DLP rainbow artifacts. As with DLP projectors, viewers can sometimes see color separation artifacts on rear projection televisions that use DLP technology. TVs that use LCD or LCOS technology do not have this problem due to the fact that their light engines do not use spinning color wheels like the DLP televisions do. Most of the population is not sensitive to rainbow artifacts. But for those folks who are sensitive to them, they can be a serious distraction. You and your spouse should spend some time in retail stores watching DLP rear projection TVs to gauge your sensitivity to this potential problem before buying one and bringing it home. And don't be surprised if your spouse can see the problem while you cannot. Sensitivity to this artifact varies greatly from person to person.

Aesthetically unappealing when not in use. A big box with a large black screen does not look good as a piece of furniture in the room. In a dedicated theater room this is not a problem. But in a multi-purpose entertainment room a big screen television can create an imposing presence that simply doesn't look very good. In this regard the flatscreen TV on the wall is somewhat less imposing, and a front projection system can be made to disappear entirely when not in use. So consider what other uses for the room you have in mind, and who else has to live with it. Think about whether the big box television will fit with your overall lifestyle and room décor when it is not in use. For some people this is a big issue, and for others it is not.

When you walk into that local TV store you will find several different types of rear projection TVs. The newest technologies, which also deliver brighter images in a thinner, sleeker cabinet, are DLP, LCD, and LCOS. You will find the CRT-based units in the back of the store--they are being phased out as demand for the newer technologies booms (which means you might find some good deals on them.)

As a consumer, you don't really care if your television has DLP, LCD, or LCOS inside the box. What you care about is how the picture looks. And they do look different. You will do yourself a favor if you resist the temptation to prejudge which technology is better, as conventional wisdom is often wrong. Not only that, but the truth changes rapidly in this industry. What is the "best" today is old and antiquated tomorrow.

If at all possible, find a store near you that has side-by-side demos and check them out. As you look at them, don't allow yourself to be mesmerized by the bright flashy pictures. Evaluate them carefully. Ask yourself which has better contrast? Which has blacker blacks? Which has more realistic color, more natural flesh tones? Which has better shadow detail? Can you see pixel structure on any of them from the distance you intend to watch them from? Can you or your spouse see rainbow artifacts on the DLP models? Which model looks overall more natural to you? If you plan to have folks watching from wide angles, move to those angles of view and see if the picture remains vibrant.

Of primary importance in doing a side-by-side viewing of rear projection TVS is this: Make sure to view them each head on at eye level. Do not view one head-on, and the one next to it at an angle. Since both the angles of view from side to side, as well as up and down, change the picture dramatically, caution should be used to ensure that you are viewing each set from a good viewing position before making a decision.

After noting all of these factors, then ask yourself which image you like the best. Which would be easier or more pleasant to watch for hours at a time? Then decide for yourself which is right for you based on your personal tastes. Above all, ignore the salesman if he is pushing a particular model or brand, for it is reasonable to suspect he is being paid to promote the product with the highest profit margin.

Projectors-Advantages and limitations

Flatscreen TVs-Advantages and limitations

Direct-view CRT TVs-Advantages and limitations

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