Large image projections draw you 'IN' and make you 'FEEL' more part of the onscreen action. It is this immersive feeling that is so peculiar with the movie theaters that the big screens of video projection helps you create in the home.

Today's video projection technology can create large high quality video projections to provide you with the size you want at a reasonable price. This makes projection television, and in particular home theater projectors, the most flexible of all BIG screen TV technologies.

Many are predicting the demise of rear projection TVs within the next two to three years as flat panel plasma and LCD-based HDTVs continue to get bigger and cheaper. However, if you want to go big - anything bigger than 55-inch diagonal, rear projection TV is still the best way to an immediate big screen TV solution without breaking your bank account.

Just to get an idea, the popular Samsung HLT-6187S 61-inch LED 1080p DLP HDTV is selling at less than the price of an equivalent premium class 50-inch plasma 1080p HDTV. Similarly, the latest 73-inch Mitsubishi giant - the WD-73734 1080p HDTV DLP, is selling at less than a 58-inch plasma HDTV.

And what if you want to go really, really BIG?

Well, your only real affordable option as things stand today is a front projection set-up using a home theater projector and a projection screen. It is true that both plasma and LCD HDTVs are available at giant screen sizes, but these are still extremely expensive.

In contrast, 720p home theater projectors have become truly affordable. The Mitsubishi HC1500 720p DLP Home Theater Projector can easily drive a 12ft screen thanks to its high lumens output, yet it is selling at amazon at less than $900.

Well, one may argue that you still need to add the cost of an appropriate projection screen, but a typical manual 100-inch screen would not cost more than $100, while an electric-driven equivalent would sell for around $300.

At these prices, a projection TV solution based on a home theater projector and projection screen set-up should prove an inexpensive big screen solution. It is true that the Mitsubishi referred to here is a 720p projector. In order words, it does not support full 1080p content (without downscaling the image), as instead is the case with present-day flat-panel and rear projection 1080p HDTVs.

But even if one were to move on to a 1080p home theater projector such as the Epson Powerlite Home Cinema 1080 ($2,386) or the Mitsubishi HC5000U ($1,998) 1080p home theater projector, you are still better off - price wise - if what you are after is a giant big screen projection TV in your dedicated home theater room.

Note that we are saying the 'dedicated' home theater; the video projector - projection screen solution is most suitable for use in a dedicated home entertainment environment. Admittedly, this is not necessary. Yet for optimum performance, a front projection set-up calls for a dedicated room solution where you have total control over the room environment. In particular, with front projection, you need to have all lights switched off completely.

This should not be interpreted that a front projection set-up is the best option. If you are after a big screen TV in your living room, or in that case, any shared room where viewing will take place under either partially dimmed or full room lighting while some other member of the family is reading, etc. - without missing on picture quality, then a rear projection TV is the way to go. In these circumstances, rear projection systems would do a much better job since the room lighting would not interfere with the light path between the projection unit and the projection screen on the front of the TV.

Equally important, we are not saying that a direct-view TV system is a no-go solution. Both plasma and LCD HDTVs have got their pros as well. These systems are so slim that they can be hung on the wall - just like a picture. And there is nothing that can beat a direct-view display if all you need is a medium size screen (in home theater terms) for general TV viewing under normal ambient light. An LCD TV such as the 46-inch Samsung LN-T4665F 1080p LCD HDTV reviewed on our site, or the Panasonic TH-50PZ700U 50-inch 1080p Plasma TV, are both top performers in their respective category, thanks to a deep level of black and overall exceptional picture performance.

But as you move towards bigger screen sizes - up to around 73-inch, the rear projection TV start to become the most viable big screen solution in the home. For anything greater than 73-inch, your only affordable option is the home theater projector solution.

But selecting a projection TV solution is not just a matter of size:

It is true that a projection TV set-up provides you with more screen estate for you dollar than any other video display technology, yet there is more in favor of projection television:

	A Rear Projection TV provides an immediate no mess, no fuss affordable solution for a thoroughly big screen TV - simply unpack the product and there you have a big screen TV in front of you ready for immediate use.
	A Home Theater Projector set-up gives you the possibility to enjoy a picture whose quality and size resembles more that enjoyed at the movie theater - making true cinematic experience within the comfort of your home theater, a reality.

What is your main concern - Size, Performance, or Price?

A rear projection TV or a front projection solution? Here are a few basic considerations worth thinking about if you still feel uncertain re. the type of projection set-up to opt for.

Is it SIZE your main concern?

If you have the necessary room space, a front projection TV solution is the way to go. Home theater projectors are more affordable than ever and can theoretically support video projections up to 300-inch diagonal.

Today, it is possible to watch your DVD movies on a 100-inch projection for a truly immersing cinematic experience at less than $900. A case in point is the Mitsubishi HC1500 720p DLP Home Theater Projector; this is selling at amazon for less than $850. Similarly, the highly rated Optoma HD72 720p DLP Home Theater Projector is available online at under $1000.

Up to the recent past, 720p home theater projectors used to sell at around $3,000. The latest pricing for video projectors has made front projection a truly mass market proposition for all those looking for quality big screen entertainment in the home.

More information on available projector solutions can be found under the Business & Home Theater Projector Reviews section of the site.

Is it a combination of SIZE and PERFORMANCE?

Rear Projection Television systems may be your answer. Prices vary considerably according to make, model, and supported features. Equally important, today HDTV rear projection TVs can do a remarkable job in delivering a great image that lacks nothing in comparison to that from their latest rivals - plasmas televisions and LCD HDTVs.

720p rear projection TV systems start at around $1000. At this price level, you can get an entry-level system up to 50-inch. The slim design Samsung HLT4675S 46" Slim 720p DLP HDTV is selling at amazon at just under $1000. It is a 720p HDTV - meaning that it has to downscale 1080p content to fit the screen native resolution. But at this screen size, it would be hard to differentiate the level of picture detail between 720p and 1080p content when viewing takes places from normal viewing distance.

However with today's competition from flat panel displays, the move towards a rear projection TV starts to make real sense as one crosses the 55-inch boundary and move on to larger displays. 60 to 61-inch rear projection HDTVs are quite common - with 1080p rear projection TVs topping out at a maximum 73-inch screen size.

Great 1080p HDTV performers reviewed on our site at these screen sizes include the 61-inch Samsung  HLT-6187S LED DLP, the 60-inch Sony KDS-60A3000 SXRD, and the affordable 73-inch Mitsubishi WD-73734 HDTV.

More information on present top-selling products can be found under the Rear Projection TV Reviews section.

Are both PRICE and SIZE a main concern? 

Are you looking for a giant screen TV where picture quality is not a major issue and where the main concern is the capital outlay?  A possible way out is a do-it-yourself projection TV, i.e. a video projection unit that you can build using some readily available TV projection plan.

Cheap simple designs use a Fresnel lens as an add-on to an existing TV. These cost around $50 to build - excluding your existing TV or computer monitor. Do not expect crisp picture detail or a bright image - no big screen TV miracles here. Picture clarity is 'acceptable within the limitations of the design' for moderate projections (less than 80-inch diagonal), as long as viewing takes place at the appropriate distance and in total darkness. Main drawbacks include a dim image and an overall bulky set-up.

More complex designs use a DIY LCD projector set-up. These are capable of larger, brighter, better quality projections, but would cost a few hundred dollars to build one.

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The DIY projection TV option used to make more sense up to a few years ago when prices of giant rear projection TVs and home theater projectors were out of reach of many household budgets. Things have changed. Big screen TVs have become a real mass-market preposition - making DIY projection TV more of an interesting and fun experiment in optics than a solution to a big screen TV in the home.

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Full details on Do-It-Yourself projection systems are available under our DIY Projection Television section.

Projection TV Section Index: Guides & Product Reviews

Projection Television Guides:
	How-it-Works: Projection Television Technology Operational principles behind projector technologies in common use today: CRT, LCD, DLP, GLV, and LCoS.
	TV Buying Guide to Projection Television  Features to look for when making a rear projection TV or video projector purchase; in the process, it also presents a set of guidelines to help you choose your projection system wisely.
	Front Projection Systems - An Introductory Guide Discover the Pros and Cons of a front projection set-up.
	The Home Theater Projector - A Technical Guide Analyzing the different characteristics of CRT, LCD, and DLP video projectors as applicable to home theater use.
	Video Projectors: Business vs. Home Theater Projectors Multimedia projectors wear many hats, yet there are distinct differences between business and home theater projectors; discover more in this article.
	Guide to Rear Projection HDTV Technology Pros and Cons of the different rear projection technologies: CRT, DLP, LCD, and LCoS
	Rear Projection Television Facts Understanding the advantageous and limitations of rear projection TV.
	The Contrast Ratio Game - Playing with Numbers! Discover to what extent high contrast ratio ratings affect the performance of a home theater projector or a video display device.
	A Guide to DIY Projection Television An objective analysis of what is achievable through a DIY Projection TV set-up.
	We also recommend the following guides under the Digital TV Basics and Home Theater Design sections of the site: Should You Opt for a 1080p HDTV? - A Guide to HDTV formats Discover the strengths and weaknesses of the different HDTV formats and see when it is worth opting for the more expensive 1080p HDTV set. TV Viewing Distance and Screen Placement A big screen TV for your home theater? Do not fall into the trap of buying a too large TV!
Projection Television Reviews:
	Front Projection: Video Projector Reviews
	Rear Projection Television Reviews