Mitsubishi WD-65737

For those who want the biggest screen size at the lowest possible cost, rear-projection HDTVs, like Mitsubishi's 65-inch WD-65737, offer a tempting proposition. Blacks aren't as deep as those in better HDTVs using plasma and LCD technology, but they are acceptable. Colors, on the other hand, are terrific. You can't hang the TV on a wall as you can flat-panel HDTVs, but the cabinets are thinner and smaller than the RPTVs and conventional TVs of just a few years ago. Off-angle viewing could be better, but the WD-65737's picture quality stands up well in bright rooms. Connectivity, while not exceptional, is certainly adequate. Bells and whistles are few, though the TV is 3-D-ready -- for those who are willing to add a relatively powerful PC along with a 3-D glasses kit (*Est. $200). Other screen sizes are available, including the 82-inch Mitsubishi WD-82737 (*Est. $3,800), the biggest HDTV available screen size outside of a front projector.

Reviews of rear-projection HDTVs are few and far between, but CNET steps up with a reasonably detailed and testing-based report on the WD-65737. User reviews are also helpful, and a good assortment can be found at TigerDirect.com, Amazon.com and BestBuy.com. The long owners thread at AVSForum.com is also worth a read.