Projector Information

Digital front projectors create the largest images at the lowest cost, but have limitations that don't make them suitable for many people and situations. Rear-projection TVs start as small as 60 inches, and screen sizes of 83 inches are available, but they are bulkier than a flat-screen TV or a projector screen. Plasma and LCD TVs are thin and can be hung on a wall, but screen sizes are smaller.

See our reports on televisions, plasma TV, LCD TV and projection TV for more on those technologies. Our report on HDTV has more information on high-definition formats.

We found several terrific articles and buyer's guides outlining the types of TVs and explaining HDTV technology.

The HDTV Resource Center on Sound & Vision's website delves into the different display types available, discusses the different technologies used, explains precisely what is and what is not HDTV and explores issues like scaling, deinterlacing and contrast ratios, and why they are important.

ConsumerReports.org also has a good guide to the types of televisions and to HDTV, as well as a discussion on the pros and cons of front-projection TVs and how to choose one that's right for you. However, you must be a website subscriber to read these articles.

Many projector and HDTV sites provide information on the different types of projection TVs and the ins and outs of setting up a home theater. For example, the Primer on Large-Screen Technology at HDTVExpert.com talks about the different display technologies and their advantages and disadvantages.

The article "3LCD, DLP, and LCoS - How These Three Projection Technologies Compare in Home Theater Projectors" at ProjectorReviews.com is a comparison of the three most popular technologies for home theater projectors.

Manufacturers' sites can provide you with more specific information and specs for a model you may be considering:

Benq

Epson

InFocus

JVC

Marantz

Mitsubishi

Optoma

Panasonic

Samsung

Sanyo

Sharp

Sony

Vivitek