Rear Projection vs LCD & Plasma

[Bisonman]

Is there any advantage of one over the others? I have the room for a rear projection in a build in cabinet that anyone viewing it wouldn't know it's a read projection.

 

[MDS]

Without getting into the debate over which has better image quality, I look at it this way:

Rear projection gets you very large sizes for a lot less than flat panel and the replaceable bulb could be seen as an advantage because theoretically when you replace the bulb, you are back to 'new'.

The negatives I see are slightly larger size (much deeper than flat panel) and the bulb replacement. If you end up replacing the bulb a lot your total cost of ownership will be the same as had you spent the extra money upfront for a flat panel.

I've flip flopped a few times on this issue but am pretty much decided on flat panel LCD now. The only problem is that I need to have a custom console/hutch built and it will take 6-8 weeks so no TV until then. Maybe I jumped the gun and gave away my CRT too soon.

 

[AVRat]

Technology has advanced to the point that the main difference is cost. What size are you considering and is budget an issue within reason?

 

[Hi Ho]

I personally prefer flat panel LCD or plasma to a rear projection LCD. Rear projection LCD sets seem to have noticable screen door effect and blue blacks, even the latest Sony models. My pick for rear projection is DLP.

 

[mr-ben]

Personally, the brightness changes I see from top to bottom or side to side on any rear-projection set really bothers me. It's especially obvious when I move around. DLP, LCD, etc all seem to do this for me. If it doesn't bother you, then the price difference makes rear projection really attractive.

 

[hemiram]

Same here, the brightness variations drive me nuts. The neighbors have a huge LCD RP set and even sitting down in exactly the right spot, the top and bottom is darker than the middle of the pic. Colors slightly vary with the brightness. Scrunching down or picking myself up moves the dark spots around. I come back home and watch the same movie on my Sharp LCD, and I think, "Damn, that looks good!" I have never seen a RP set that I would actually want to own.