What to Consider When Looking for a Rear Projection TV
When you're building a home theater system, you want a good television. Most people will look for LCD televisions, but you should also check out rear projection models.
What is a Rear Projection TV?
What makes a rear projection TV different from other TVs?
- Rear projection TVs, like the ones from Panasonic and Mitsubishi, display the television picture on the back of the screen.
- Rear projection models use CRT technology to send beams of electrons at the screen. When the beams hit the screen, they form pixels that glow and form the picture on the TV.
- Rear projection TVs have a light lamp projector at the bottom of the TV model that sends the CRT beams to the screen.
- While these TV models are still in use, common problems that occur are projector lamps burning out, or pictures being burned onto the back of the screen by CRT beams because of overuse.
- For example, if you spend all of your time watching the Home Shopping Network on your rear projector model, then you'll have the HSN frame burned onto the back of your screen by the CRT beams.
What Do I Use a Rear Projection TV For?
Rear projector TVs have taken a second seat to LCD screens, but they're still useful.
- Panasonic RP TVs are an alternative to LCD big screens. The projector lamp works to provide good picture on a big surface.
- Panasonic RP TV models are good for vintage video gamers. Most of the games developed in the 80s and 90s were created with rear projection in mind, so they work with rear projection TVs.
- If you have a light gun that you use with your vintage games, like Duck Hunter, they'll work well with these TVs.
What Should I Look for With a Rear Projection TV?
When you're shopping for a rear projector television, keep these things in mind.
- Make sure your television model is HDTV compatible. This will help it work with many different modern technologies.
- Check the color, contrast ratio, and black level for a crisp picture.
- When you're placing your rear projection television, check for viewing angle and potential glares.
- If you're buying a used rear projector television, check for burn-in images that are already on the screen. Burnt-in images can be fixed with a replacement screen, but if you don't replace it, it will have an effect on your picture quality.
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