Best Rear-Projection TVs

Mitsubishi wins by default

With only Mitsubishi left in the rear-projection game, it seems kind of disingenuous to say that the company produces the best RPTVs. Still, reports say that the company's conventionally lit models are a great value for those looking for a big screen at a small price. While the picture produced falls short of the best TVs in other categories, it's not far off.

CNET is among the few professional reviewers to report on Mitsubishi's conventionally lit RPTVs. It conducts a hands-on evaluation of the 65-inch Mitsubishi WD-65737 (*Est. $1,500) projection TV, but adds that since specifications are identical, the picture quality of the 60-inch WD-60737 (*Est. $1,200), 73-inch WD-73737 (*Est. $2,000) and 82-inch WD-82737 (*Est. $3,800) should be identical. User reviews aren't particularly plentiful for any of these Mitsubishi TVs, but we've seen enough to gauge how happy buyers are after the sale.

Generally speaking, picture quality is excellent but not perfect. Black levels are the biggest disappointment. CNET benchmarks the WD-65737 against better LCD and plasma flat panels and says that blacks don't quite measure up. This is most bothersome when you're watching dark scenes in movies or TV shows, but it also contributes to a "less-realistic, more washed-out look overall." Colors, on the other hand, are extremely accurate, with flesh tones that compare favorably with the very best displays. CNET does add that the lighter blacks are the reason why overall image quality is not quite as rich and saturated as on other HDTVs. Uniformity is good -- not as good as the best plasma TVs but better than some LCD TVs -- but off-angle viewing is a weakness. Rainbow effects are visible to some, but Katzmaier says they're not really noticeable during normal viewing. The Mitsubishi WD-65737 holds up well under bright lights and is a better than average performer with standard-definition programming.

User reviews are almost universally positive. For example, TigerDirect.com hosts more than 25 reports on the Mitsubishi WD-65737 at last glance, with a composite score of about 4.8 out of five. Though there are far fewer user reviews at Amazon.com and BestBuy.com, relative satisfaction is similar. No one gives the Mitsubishi WD65737 less than four stars (out of a maximum five) at Amazon.com. Every owner posting on BestBuy.com says they would recommend the TV to a friend. Reviews of other screen sizes in the series receive similar feedback.

Mitsubishi also offers step up and step down rear-projection TV series. The Mitsubishi WD-C9 series is very similar to the Mitsubishi WD-737 series except that it lacks some software refinements, such as Mitsubishi's SharpEdge technology, which is said to improve edge definition without distortion, and a DeepField imager that peaks contrast and brightness based on program content. Since many users prefer to leave such enhancements turned off, the WD-C9 series could represent a good value proposition for buyers. However, no experts and few users have weighed in on these TVs. Available models include the 60-inch WD-60C9 (*Est. $1,100), 65-inch WD-65C9 (*Est. $1,320) and the 73-inch WD-73C9 (*Est. $1,700).

The WD-837 series is Mitsubishi's conventionally lit RPTV series. The big plus here is the DarkDetailer dynamic iris system that opens or closes the projector's iris in sync with the program content. This system is said to improve contrast ratios and black levels, but we don't have enough feedback to confirm that. These TVs also have a special Imaging Science Foundation (ISF) mode for professional calibrators and NetCommand, which gives owners a way to incorporate AV gear -- including older gear and equipment from other manufacturers -- into an integrated system for simplified operation. As with the WD-C9 series of projection TVs, owner feedback is sparse, and the only professional review we found -- in First Glimpse magazine -- concentrates on features rather than performance. Available screen sizes include the 65-inch WD-65837 (*Est. $2,000), 73-inch WD-73837 (*Est. $2,700) and 82-inch WD-82837 (*Est. $4,700). If you compare these prices to the largest available plasma and LCD TVs, the Mitsubishi sets really look like a bargain for the screen size.

Newest Mitsubishi use lasers instead of a conventional lamp

While experts say that many plasma and LCD TVs produce nicer picture quality, RPTVs allow buyers to get big screens at a much smaller cost. However, Mitsubishi's 65-inch L65-A90 (*Est. $6,000) turns all of that on its head by providing picture quality that approaches or exceeds any technology, but at a price that's as high or higher.

The 65-inch Mitsubishi LaserVue L65-A90 uses DLP technology with a twist. Instead of a lamp that needs to be periodically replaced and a spinning color wheel, the DLP chip that produces the picture is illuminated by color lasers. The result is bright color that's nothing short of dazzling -- though perhaps too dazzling for some. As Michael Trei at Sound & Vision magazine points out, the lasers driving the L65-A90 can produce a color spectrum so wide that it actually exceeds HDTV standards. For those that object to the wider color gamut, Mitsubishi does outfit the LaserVue TV with a standard color setting that tones things down.

Using a laser light engine has other benefits: Picture quality is great and rainbow effect appears to no long be a factor. Additionally, the laser is designed to last as long as the TV, eliminating the need for a new lamp every two years or so. It also allows for a slim cabinet depth -- the L65-A90 measures around 10 inches deep.

We did see split opinions on blacks. Gary Merson at HDGuru.com says blacks are as deep and dark as anything he's seen to date, while Trei at Sound & Vision magazine thinks the deepest blacks more closely resemble a dark grey. All agree, however, that the TV's ability to show detail in dark areas is exceptional. Bells and whistles are few, but -- like all Mitsubishi RPTVs -- the L65-A90 has 3D capabilities, though a reasonably powerful PC and a kit that includes 3-D glasses (*Est. $200) are required.

While professional reviews sing the praises of the Mitsubishi LaserVue L65-A90, user reviews are split. Most of the pointedly negative comments revolve around price. However, while price is certainly a valid concern -- and everyone agrees the LaserVue TV is expensive -- many of the negative comments come from people who don't actually own the television.