3. Rear projection TVs
These traditionally big, hulking screens have trimmed down and sharpened up their appearance in recent times. Image-wise, there's no resemblance to that jagged edged, fuzzy picture you've seen down at the local RSA over the past 10 years. It's a whole new playing field.
Rear projection Pros & Cons
- New technologies with sharper images: New LCD and DLP based models have sharper, brighter images and much slimmer casings. Overall picture quality isn't too far off flat panel TVs either.
- Cost per inch: Huge screen sizes (42 – 60" and beyond) at relatively low prices compared to flat panel screens.
- Room lighting: View well in a brightly lit room.
- Picture quality: Remarkably sharper than the old RPTVs at the local RSA, but still noticeably fuzzier than a comparable flat-panel TV.
- Viewing angle: New RPTVs have a wider viewing angle, but still, sit too far off centre and the image will start to disappear. Your seating position is much more limited than with flat-panel TVs.
- Weight and size: Even with the newer, slimmer LCD and DLP based models, these are still large, heavy and cumbersome compared to flat panel TVs.
- Placement: There's definitely no wall mounting option here. RPTVs will take up a significant portion of a medium sized living room. Still, their powerful presence is half the appeal to some people.
- Bulb life: All rear projection screens use a lamp which will need replacing after about 8,000 hours. At a realistic 5 hours of viewing per day that's nearly 4.5 years. Remember that you only have to replace the bulb at this time, not the entire unit. Just bear in mind that bulbs can be quite expensive.
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