HDTV and Home Theater Podcast #243 - The Death of Rear Projection TVs & Bridging the Gap from your Computer to your TV — Community

#1 Jan 22, 2008 at 1:40 pm

We witnessed the death of CRT a few years ago when we searched high and low all over the CES show floor for somebody showing anything resembling a tube TV and came up empty. This year, if you don't count the Texas Instruments DLP booth, we saw only three rear projection sets at the entire show. Sony has announced their exiting the market because it wasn't profitable. By not announcing anything new, JVC has all but announced that they won't be in the game for very much longer. Samsung announced a hand full of new models and Mitsubishi is is touting their new laser based unit that should be available before the end of the year. So for today's show we give you some tips that will help you decide if buying a Rear Projection TV is right for you.

Also,
Until now the concept of a media center PC, or a computer in your home theater has largely remained in the realm of the IT expert or extreme enthusiast. There hasn't really been a product yet that has bridged the gap between the IT side of your life and the consumer electronics side. We discuss our odds-on favorites to successfully mass market a computer for the Home Theater and "Bridge the Gap" from your computer to your TV.

Read the complete Show Notes

#2 Jan 22, 2008 at 6:43 pm

In 1995 we bought a 51" Pioneer, and in spite of the breath sucking of neighbors we thought we were crazy, have never looked back; big (with quality) is best. Now is the time for really affordable 60" plus RPTVs that at 1080i are really good, and size does matter for eye filling enjoyment. Another factor, never shown in the wall mounted ads are the location and size of all the other home Theater components, receivers, DVD players, HTPCs, etc. Mine are all packed in a steel and glass table 22" deep and 57" long and 23" high. The 60" Sony RPTV easily fits, but a flat panel would still sit in the exact same spot unless I could figure out some other convenient place for all the components and their cables. If you've a closet to sacrifice or a corner for some sizable and attractive rack, the flat panel really buys you little in space saving and much in cost at 60" and above.

#3 Jan 23, 2008 at 12:31 pm

Wow! So you say the the DLP RPHDTV will soon be dead. Really sorry to hear that. We just purchased a Mitsubishi 65" DLP RPHDTV in November and are really enjoying it. Due to a 28 foot living room, I needed a large screen without the cost of an arm and leg. I found this for $1899 w free shipping and it's a done deal. If I had gotten a LCD thin screen, I would have paid at least $2500.00 and it would have had to set it on the low table as I need a place to keep the A/V amp; Blu-ray DVD; VHS and HD Satelite receiver. This RP set is just right for me for the next 10 years or so.