High Definition TV (HDTV) technologies have improved dramatically over recent years. Overall, display panels are larger, images are brighter, contrast ratios have soared, viewing angles are wider and pictures are more lifelike thanks wider color gamut light sources becoming available. Flat-panels have become even thinner, as have rear projection TVs, some of which are now wall mountable as well. The consistently good news for the consumers has been the steadily falling HDTV prices. With recent improvements it has become much more difficult to make a bad HDTV choice.

Flat Panel or Rear Projection

Before choosing which particular display technology will suit best, the choice between a flat panel or rear projection needs to be made. Some differences between them which may help you make your choice are;

• Rear projection HDTVs generally give you a larger screen / higher resolution for the money paid. Because larger RPTVs are more market/price competitive you will need to look at a flat panel (LCD) for smaller sizes.
• Flat panels have the advantage of a brighter image display making them better for higher ambient light viewing areas.
• Flat panels have a much better viewing angle (up to +/- 178 degrees horizonal) than RPTVs. RPTVs are poor when it comes to the vertical viewing angle range.
• Flat panel TVs have no requirement for lamp replacement with expected lifetimes of 60,000 to 100,000 hours exceeding the likely lifetime of a set.
• RPTVs require projection lamp (reasonably expensive) replacement (simple task) during their lifetime. Lamp life for RPTVs is longer than for front projectors at about 6,000 to 8,000 hours. If however, you buy one of the new LED backlit RPTVs the problem disappears.
• The vast majority of flat panel HDTVs can be wall mounted. The form factors of RPTVs have reduced significantly in recent years and while you can now get Slim RPTVs (eg. 18 inches or less deep) which can be wall mounted, you will not find the same range of models available.
• A small percentage of people are susceptible to seeing color rainbows when viewing single display chip / color wheel DLP RPTVs however, the likelihood has been significantly reduced from earlier models. A viewing test is the only way to confirm if there will be a problem or not. Once again, purchasing an LED backlit or three microdisplay chip model can make this problem go away.