At first glance, you may think a rear projection television looks a lot like an LCD or plasma screen TV. However, to be considered a rear projection TV, the unit must contain: video projectors technology, a magnifying lens, a reflecting mirror, a presentation screen and a sealed box that houses all these components.

While most manufacturers are focusing on more expensive plasma and flat screen technology, there are still a few, like Samsung and Mitsubishi, that are making these high-quality, lower-cost alternatives.

rear projection tv
Samsung is one of the most renowned brands for rear projection television sets these days. Their 2008 line of Samsung Digital Light Processing HDTVs are noted for their excellent picture performance, wide range of features, connectivity options and reasonable price.

At 17.8 inches deep, these TVs are slim for rear projection televisions ranging between 50 and 72 inches tall. The Series 6 DLP HDTV comes with a handsome casing with hidden speakers, but also lets you connect USB cables and a number of AV cables to its extended connectivity suite. You’ll get a 2500:1 contrast ratio with the Series 6, but the 7 and 8 Series boast an impressive 10,000:1.

Samsung 7′s new Cinema Pure Color Engine is powered by a 2.4 LED light source (rather than the traditional projector lamp bulb), so instead of lasting 2,000 hours, you’re good for 60,000 hours of watching. The brightness is 40% better compared to previous models and the Samsung brand in general holds its own against competitors like Mitsubishi and Panasonic, including projection screen.

projection screens
Even so, many consumers love Mitsubishi’s top-selling projection televisions, the 60-inch, WD-60735 model 1080p DLP HDTV. Sizes for this top rear projector TV manufacturer range from 60 inch to 73 inch, just a bit larger than Samsung’s line, and the ultra-slim cabinet and bezel are similar. Aside from its appealing appearance, the Mitsubishi models employ technology aimed at reducing motion blur and creating crisper, sharper images.

There are a number of connectivity options and also a wide range of controls that allow you to adjust six colors of tint, as well as the brightness and contrast. These rear projection televisions are a bit more extensive but the WD-835 Diamond Series has been received very well by consumers.

video projectors
Economically, rear projection TVs make sense compared to their more expensive LCD flat panel or plasma screen counterparts. Generally speaking, rear projection televisions are the best way to get the largest screen for the least amount of money. For instance, the 50-inch Samsung HL50A650 rear projection (1080p HDTV) costs just under $1,000.

A plasma HDTV of the same size and quality would cost around $5000 or more. Although the price differential is even more impressive when you look at the larger models, you can expect to pay thousands more for LCD flat panel TV sets over a rear projection TV.