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Presenting some of the best Projection HDTVs
Rear Projection TV Reviews

Thinking of going BIG? Nothing beats a rear projection TV as an immediate no mess, no fuss solution to getting a bigger screen. If you have got the necessary floor space, just unpack one of these 'big' boxes and you are ready for your big screen entertainment.

So... if you are looking for a big screen, we hope that our Rear Projection TV reviews will help you discover some of the best top-selling systems for home theater use.

Samsung HLT6187S 61" Slim LED Engine 1080p DLP HDTV For our detailed review, click here.

As prices for big-screen flat-panel plasma and LCD-based HDTVs continue with their fast downward trend, many are predicting the demise of rear projection HDTVs. Yet if you want to go truly big, rear projection TV is still the best way to big screen entertainment without going broke.

These 'BIG' TV boxes have got slimmer over the last couple of years, making floor space requirements less of an issue. Samsung ultra-slim series of 1080p DLP HDTVs start at 11.4-inches in depth for the 50-inch HL-T5076S, reaching a maximum of 12.3-inches for the 61-inch HL-T6176S 1080p DLP HDTV. Both sets are lamp-based using the standard lamp/color wheel set-up.

At these depths, you can literally hang your rear projection TV on a wall - just like a plasma or LCD TV! In contrast, old CRT-based RPTVs used to be anything from 24 to 30 inches in depth.

But rear projection TVs did not only get slimmer, developments in digital projection technology namely, DLP, LCD, and LCoS, have led to brighter, sharper images, and more compact TV 'boxes'.

Furthermore, the latest use of LED light technology to replace the traditional lamp color wheel set-up in DLP HDTVs as is the case with the recent LED DLP HDTVs from Samsung, has led to rear projection TVs that are capable of exceptional picture performance, with deep blacks, accurate colors, and equally important - no rainbows.

Mind you, we are not saying that LED DLP HDTVs equate to no rainbows, but the possibility that the average viewer will ever see rainbows on an LED DLP is practically non-existent.

There is even more to rear projection TVs. The use of wobulation techniques in DLP RPTVs to generate the 1080p image has an added benefit over 1080p display plasma and LCD display panels. Wobulation helps create a more film-like image with no apparent pixel breakup than that possible with plasmas and LCDs.

And as if these technological developments are not enough, we have recently witnessed the first 3-D enabled HD 1080p rear projection TVs. Once again, this world first came from one of the most innovative TV makers - Samsung.

Today, rear projection TV sets start at about 50 inch diagonal, with the most common sizes being anything between 56-inch and 61-inch, though 70-inch plus RPTVs are also readily available. RPTV sets come in wide-screen 16:9 format, and support a display resolution of at least 720p. We say at least because most 2007 rear projection models come as 1080p HDTVs.

It is true that the hot spec of the moment is 1080p HDTV, but when it comes to rear projection television, moving towards 1080p is not just a matter of trend. 1080p HDTV was made for big screens and a rear-projector TV is a great way to enjoy it.

Price wise, a premium 50-inch rear projection 1080p HDTV set would set you back by about $1,300. That's almost $1,000 less than a similar spec 50-inch 1080p plasma HDTV, while an equivalent spec 1080p LCD would may cost anything up to twice as much.

This price difference would get even more pronounced as one starts to approach the really big screen sizes. Samsung HL-T6187S Slim LED Engine 61-inch 1080p DLP HDTV reviewed recently on our site is presently selling on-line at under $2,000. In contrast, the slightly smaller Samsung FP-T5884 58-inch 1080p plasma HDTV is presently selling at amazon for around $1,300 more while the 63-inch Samsung FP-T6374 1080p plasma HDTV is selling for around $2,500 more.

It is more than obvious therefore that at these prices, if you are after a BIG TV, rear projection gives you the biggest screen size for your money.

This does not mean that a rear projection TV purchase may be taken lightly - in monetary terms - it still represents a substantial portion of any home theater budget.

We therefore hope that you will find the rear projection TV reviews included under this section of some assistance to you in your selection process. In particular, we hope that the analysis presented here will serve as a guide as to what to look for when planning a rear projection TV purchase.

Rear Projection TV Reviews

Surprisingly enough, the majority of rear projection television systems available on the market are capable of doing a good job in presenting a quality big screen image to the viewer - independent of the price. 

Most of us would simply look at the brand as their primary selection factor and then proceed accordingly. 

Major brands in the area of rear projection TV systems include Samsung, Sony, Toshiba and Panasonic. However there are others as well worth looking into - JVC, Hitachi, Mitsubishi and Philips just to mention a few.

Rear Projection TV Reviews Index - Sorted by Brand:

• Sony

• Panasonic

• Toshiba

• Philips

• Samsung

• Mitsubishi

Sony

Sony is considered by many as one of the main leaders in the field; its dominance in the areas of audio and video has been going on for more than a decade now. This is not just marketing. Sony has been consistent in delivering a vast selection of high-quality, feature rich products.

Sony's present line-up of rear projection HDTVs - excluding holdovers from 2006 - comprises a total of six different models covering screen sizes from 37-inch up to 60-inch.

There are two other models in the pipeline - the 60" KDS-Z60XBR5 and the 70" KDS-Z70XBR5. The XBR5 represents Sony's flagship series and these sets were supposed to be released some time late during 2007. The 70-inch model is now expected for January 2008; no release date has yet been set for the 60-inch version.

As with the XBR5, Sony present premium line - the A3000 series - is based on Sony LCoS chip, re-branded in 2006 as SXRD (Silicon X-tal Reflective Display).

Sony SXRD 1080p HDTV sets have turned out to be extremely popular due to their excellent color accuracy and overall picture quality. In particular, the A3000 series - with its 55-inch Sony Bravia SXRD KDS-55A3000 HDTV set, has been labeled by major review sites as one of the best performers in the rear-projection HDTV category.

News Update - 28th December 2007: An unfortunate news to many. Sony just announced  that they will exit the rear projection TV business by February 2008.

Despite the excellent picture quality of the latest projection 1080p HDTVs, many consumers are opting for the more expensive flat panel LCDs and plasma TVs. For this reason, Sony will join other major TV manufactures - Seiko, Hitachi, and Philips - and will stop its loss-making rear projection TV line in favor of LCD and the latest OLED display technologies.

Sony Rear Projection TV Reviews:

• Sony SXRD 60-inch KDS-60A3000 1080p HDTV

For our archived Sony rear projection TV reviews, check out the following links:

• Sony LCD range of Rear Projection HDTV's

• Sony 2004 line of CRT Rear Projection TVs

• Sony KP-46WT500 and KP-57WV600 CRT HD ready RPTVs

Panasonic

Another favorite brand - Panasonic is mainly renowned for its range of top plasma HDTVs rather than rear projection televisions. In fact, Panasonic is the number one plasma TV maker in the world.

Nevertheless, Panasonic has still managed to come up with some innovative technology related to its line of rear projection HDTVs. Based on a three-panel LCD projection set-up, Panasonic rear projection HDTVs greatest feature is their long-lasting bulb. According to Panasonic, it lasts as long as the set lifetime - in other words, you will never need to replace the bulb!

Branded as LIFI™ light source (LIFI stands for LIght FIdelity), this innovative Panasonic light source has various advantageous over the traditional 'High Intensity Discharge' (HID) lamp. The LIFI light source has an exceptionally long life - thus minimizing overall cost of ownership, relatively accurate primary colors, and quick start-up time (typically turn on time is 10 seconds against the 30 seconds necessary with traditional lamps). Equally important, the LIFI light source has a stable performance over the bulb lifespan.

Do not take it that this leads to the perfect RPTV. Panasonic rear projection televisions seem to lack the deep shade of black as that of the completion. This in turn leads to less saturated colors. Still, having a light source that does not need replacement is something worth all our praise.

The Panasonic RPTV line-up consists of 5 models, three of which being 1080p HDTV sets. The 1080p line-up, namely the PT-LCZ70 covers screen sizes from 50-inch up to 61-inch, with the Panasonic flagship being the PT-61LCZ70 61-inch 1080p LIFI Rear Projection HDTV. These 1080p rear projection HDTVs come with the typical feature set - including 3 HDMI inputs - one would associate with similar rear projection TVs, with the real innovation  being - as already expressed earlier on - the LIFI™ light source.

Archived Panasonic Rear Projection TV Reviews:

• Panasonic LCD rear projection TVs

• PT-47XD64 CRT rear projection Panasonic HDTV

• Reviews at Topreviewshop.com: Panasonic PT-61LCX65

Toshiba

When it comes to rear projection HDTVs, Toshiba represents an inexpensive, yet feature-packed pick in rear projection TV systems, and competes very well with other major TV makers.

Toshiba range for 2007 includes three DLP sets in the HM167 series covering screen sizes from 50-inch up to 65-inch. In particular, we like the 65HM167 65" 1080p DLP HDTV with its very good overall picture performance.

Toshiba DLP HDTVs are rather 'fatty' in comparison to Samsung ultra-slim range; the Toshiba 57-inch 57HM167 in this same series is 18.75-inch in depth against the 12.3-inchs for the 61-inch Samsung HL-T6176S ultra-slim 1080p DLP HDTV.

All models are based on what Toshiba defines as 'TALEN' or 'Toshiba Advance Light Engine'. And as with most 2007 models, the Toshiba 'TALEN' range come with 3 HDMI inputs. Furthermore, except for the 50-inch, the remaining 57-inch and 65-inch sets support 1080p display resolution.

For our selection of Toshiba rear projection TVs, please check out the following rear projection TV review articles: 

Archived Toshiba Rear Projection TV Reviews:

• Toshiba 'xxHM94' DLP Rear Projection TV Sets

• Toshiba 'xxH84' HDTV-Ready 16:9 CRT RPTV Series

• Toshiba 'xxHM84' HDTV-Ready 16:9 DLP RPTV Series

Philips

Philips Electronics - overlooked by many in the US - is one of the world's biggest electronics companies and Europe's largest in annual sales. A global leader in the general electronics market, and with a vast product portfolio ranging from color television sets and one-chip TV products to medical systems.

Up to end 2004, Philips was involved in the field of rear projection TV technology with its LCoS based sets. Since then however, Philips had dropped its rear projection television product line to concentrate its resources in its LCD and Plasma televisions products.

Archived Philips Rear Projection TV Reviews:

• Philips HDTV rear projection systems

Samsung

If there is one particular TV maker we cannot leave out in this rear projection TV review article, this is Samsung. Samsung is the largest overall TV marker in the world - covering tube-CRT TVs, LCD, plasma and rear projection HDTVs.

The latest ultra-slim Samsung rear projection HDTVs and the innovative range of Samsung LED light DLP RPTVs are turning out to be extremely popular with many home theater enthusiasts.

The Samsung DLP rear projection HDTV line-up for 2007 comprises a total of 17 different models - this being the largest line-up from a single TV manufacturer. The whole range covers screen sizes from 46-inch up to 72-inch; twelve of these are 1080p HDTV sets.

All 2007 Samsung DLP TVs use an 8th generation DMD (Digital Micro-mirror Device) for improved dynamic contrast performance. As with previous consumer 1080p DLP TVs, this year design relies on a DMD with 960 x 1080 mirrors. An optical actuator is used to offset (wobulate) the image by ˝ pixel 120 times a second to create the 1920 x 1080, 1080p 60Hz image.

Samsung has always been innovative and a leader in the field. This year line-up of LED light DLP HDTVs, together with Samsung's usual comprehensive array of features and connectivity options, affordability, and excellent picture performance, means Samsung continued success is assured.

We have just recently reviewed the entry-level series of Samsung LED DLP HDTVs - the HL-T87S. The set on review was the Samsung HL-T6187S 61" 1080p LED DLP TV. We were impressed with the set deep shape of black and accurate colors - with an overall picture performance that compares favorably with premium plasma HDTVs. For our latest Samsung rear projection TV review, follow the link below.

Samsung Rear Projection TV Reviews:

• Samsung HL-T87S LED DLP 1080p HDTV range

For our archived Samsung rear projection TV reviews, check out the following links:

• Samsung HL-R66W/67W DLP 720p HDTVs

• Samsung HL-R87W/88W DLP 720p/1080p HDTVs (with integrated pedestal stand)

More Rear Projection TVs...

Sure there is a lot more on offer when it comes to rear projection TVs.

In this rear projection TV review round-up, we have just touched upon but a few of the most known models from the top leaders in the fields. But there are many others that would also classify as 'TOP' performers. In particular, both Mitsubishi and JVC have interesting products worth considering.

JVC: The ultra-slim JVC HD-58S998 58" 1080p HDILA Projection HDTV does not enjoy the very best in picture geometry, but this is not enough to outbalance an otherwise overall solid picture quality. 

Mitsubishi: Similarly, the Mitsubishi WD-65734 65" 1080p DLP HDTV, despite not among the list of top performers, its excellent feature set and highly adjustable picture help make up the difference. 

And if you want an even larger TV with lots of connectivity options, Mitsubishi can deliver it. Their WD-73734 delivers a giant 73-inch screen at less than the price of a 58-inch plasma HDTV set.

More on the WD-734 and WD-733 series of Mitsubishi HDTV DLPs can be found in our Mitsubishi 1080p DLP Product Guide. 

Prior to any decision, we advise to do some research of your own. Rear projection TVs remains the cheapest in terms of screen estate, but they still represent substantial investment.

In particular, look at what other customers had to say about the rear projection HDTV of interest. There is no better insight to a product than to go through what others had to say about their experience once they purchased the product.

A good starting point is the customer feedback posted on the amazon site. Just click on the link below to access the full range of RPTVs available at amazon.com, and then follow through the 'Customers Reviews' once you access the respective product page:

• Rear Projection TVs

More Rear Projection TV Reviews will follow soon.

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