Home Theater

A Guide for the Home Theater Enthusiasts

Buying Tips for a Rear-Projection TV

Buying Tips for a Rear-Projection TV

While LCD and plasma TVs continue be the popular choice, many videophiles still put their faith in rear projection TV. That's probably the reason why it continues to provide stiff competition in the arena of big-screen televisions. True, it's the price that keeps rear-projection TV in the game and while it can offer decent pictures, it can't perform the way the LCDs and plasmas do. However, don’t discount it because there's plenty to like. Here are some buying tips in case you're considering getting yourself a rear-projection TV.

Go for HDMI.
If you can, go for a unit that offers High-Definition Multimedia Interface compliance. A good rear-projection TV should be able to make use of HDTV sources so you can take advantage of this technology.

Consider the aspect ratio and resolution
Aspect ratio refers to the ratio of the screen's width to its height. Older sets have the 4:3 aspect ratio but wide-screen models, such as rear-projection TVs, have an aspect ratio of 16:9.

Resolution refers to the number of pixels used per line and column. The higher the resolution, the clearer the picture. This is expressed through a column-times-row figure, for example, 1280 x 780 or 640 x 480. For a rear-projection TV to be considered high definition, it has to have a pixel count that comes close to 1 million, total. Resolution will be greatly appreciated if you like to sit close to the screen.

Black capability.
A good rear-projection TV should be able to handle black colors well. When you go shopping, bring a copy of a movie in that contains night scenes such as 'Saw' or 'Interview with the Vampire'. This will allow you to see how well a rear-projection TV can reproduce the details even in dim light.

Viewing angle.
Rear-projection TVs tend to dim somewhat when you move away from them. To effectively compare one set from another, make sure you view them from the same angle, preferably vertical. You can then walk around the unit and watch for changes in the viewing quality as you move from the center to the sides.

Test it.
Using the remote, check the menu on video adjustment and the settings. Go for either default or the median setting to see how the TV performs. Check the brightness, color, sharpness and contrast.

Size does matter.
When you buy a rear-projection TV, don’t be carried away by the sheer size. Some of these come in cabinets the size of your sofa and while that may seem impressive, you might have some trouble trying to fit it into your living room.

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