Rear projection HDTV is significantly different.
Rear projection HDTV has evolved from the first projection TV that was manufactured in the 1980's. The television sets with this new technology were based on the standard CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) that had been around for about 30 years. These tubes were smaller than usual and were different in other ways as well. This is because it required a cooling system so that the picture could be reflected off a rear mirror and then onto an etched viewing screen.
The rear projection televisions that we have today use three small sized CRT's. each one transmitting a different color. These are necessary to provide enough brightness to bring you a sharp picture on the screen.
This is the main difference between rear projection TV sets and the high definition direct view televisions. The size and the placement of the rear screen that you need depends on the size of the television screen. If you have a big screen TV, then you will need a larger rear mirror. Rear projections screens are usually made up of an inner Fresnel surface that helps to magnify the image so that it will fit the larger screen.
The main disadvantage of the rear projection TV sets is their weight. The price is comparable with other types of high definition televisions. You do have to make sure the set you want is ready for high definition and you can still use an antenna to bring in free TV from the broadcast stations. If the program is not in HD, then you can still watch it. This type of big screen TV takes up a lot of space in a room.
Many of then are on rollers making it easy to move the TV to a different spot in the room. The picture tubes do wear out and when you need to replace one or all of them, it is an expensive proposition. You also have to handle these tubes very carefully when you remove them from the TV.
When you first turn on the rear projection TV, you may not like the quality of the brightness. This is because the brightness is set at about 50% of its strength before it leaves the factory. Even if you have to increase the brightness, you will never have to have the brightness at 100%. If you do, you will have to replace the tubes ibn the TV much sooner than is normal.
Shopping around for a rear projection TV means you have to ask questions about the lens construction and take a close look at the picture detail you see on the screen. All models are not the same, so for the money you spend you want something good.
Popular HDTV Projection TVs