Rear Projection TV doesn’t have to be a compromise with these two models from Runco. The DTV-991 RP was designed for serious home theater enthusiasts who just don’t have the room for a two- piece system. I’ve yet to see a rear projector that looks as bright (1250 lumens) or as sharp as these do.
 64-inch diagonal widecreen rear projector
HDTV capable with a DTV Tuner, the DTV-991 RP displays all 18 ATSC formats in the original format be it 480p, 720p or 1080I, without any upconverting or downconverting to some internal native format
- 8" Liquid-coupled, high-resolution CRTs with electromagnetic focus instead of the more common electrostatic focus found on lesser rear-projectors
- same electronics as DTV-991, though this version is reconfigured with a single mirror rear screen chassis for a low-loss, high-output/high contrast image
- short-throw lenses employed for improved black level
- 15-75 kHz scan rate capable of 1600 x 1200- pixel resolution
- multiple aspect ratios so all video sources from 4:3 to anamorphic are displayed in the proper aspect automatically
- flexible inputs: RGB, S-Video and composite
- optional Diffusion Screen available; this yields near-perfect white-field uniformity, providing an image that rivals two piece systems (demands a low ambient environment)
- retails for $29,994 or $30,995 with diffusion screen
Maybe thirty grand is a bit outside your price range. However, for a dramatically improved performance compared to the average rear projector, the Runco DTV-5801 is a great alternative.
 64-inch diagonal widecreen rear projector with three seven-inch CRTs, only 30 inches deep
- With a DTV tuner, the DTV-5801 can display 480p and 1080I images. The 480p compatibility makes it a natural combination with new progressive scan DVD players.
- The built-in line doubler operates on all NTSC sources, including DVDs, Laserdiscs, cable and satellite.
- displays all aspect ratios; 4:3 TV, letterbox and anamorphic
- dual NTSC tuners for picture-in-picture capability
- multiple video inputs: two component, three S-Video and three composite
- available at a Runco dealer now for $9,995; the optional diffusion screen adds $100 to the price, but optimal viewing with this feature demands a dimly lit room
Pioneer Elite, known for their high-quality rear projection TVs, offers up a 64-inch HDTV-ready TV, the PRO-710HD with a 16:9 display screen.
 For HDTV viewing, the PRO-710HD must be coupled with the optional SH-D09 HDTV tuner that fits neatly into the set’s expansion slot. This convenient and unique configuration saves all the external video inputs for sources.
- The unit has automatic NTSC to 480p conversion for sharper, clearer pictures, no matter the source. It does this by doubling the interlaced signal and converting it to VGA (640 x480), then doubles this information vertically and horizontally, resulting in increased signal density.
- The set incorporates a very accurate user adjustable convergence with up to 72 alignment points, so there’s no need to call a technician when the set needs to be tweaked.
- The unit provides compatibility with various digital sources with two-component/progressive RCA type inputs, along with a D-Sub 15 RGB connection.
- Dual NTSC tuners are employed for picture-in picture and split screen displays.
- To accommodate in-wall installations, the kick panels, speaker grills and cover plates are removable.
- The audio portion includes a 10-watt amplifier, two-way speakers (L/R) and Virtual Dolby Processing for 3D sound with only the two internal speakers.
- cost: $8,300; SH-D09 DTV tuner is an additional $2,500
Limited room size may mean a smaller TV, but that doesn’t necessitate settling for an old analog set. Here are a few direct-view HDTV-ready sets you should know about.
Toshiba announced the introduction of their first flat widescreen HDTV-ready product, the Cinema Series HD CW34X92. Adding a set-top box such as the Toshiba DST3000 allows the display of true HDTV 1080I resolution.
 This features two ColorStream HD component video inputs for high quality images from a variety of digital video sources, which allows the hook-up of both a progressive scan DVD player and a HDTV set-top.
- The built-in scan converter automatically turns 480I signals into 480p, passing through 480p and 1080I images. Vertical line doubling and frame doubling, along with horizontal pixel doubling, is employed for higher quality images without motion artifacts.
- Picture preference and color temperature control customizes the picture based on room lighting.
- Instead of the usual picture in picture, the Dual Window cuts the screen in half, so that the left half shows the main picture and the right half shows either a single channel or up to nine channels in a 3x3 configuration.
- currently shipping for $4,499.99
Sharp 34N-WF5H
- Direct View, flat HDTV-ready set in a 34-inch diagonal 16:9 configuration
- Utilizing the exclusive Digital Double Format Converter, standard video can be viewed at 480P or 1080i. The circuit recognizes 3:2 pull-down film-oriented material for a smooth image and flicker reduction from the original video source.
- 10-bit 3D Y/C digital comb filter enhances NTSC pictures at 4x the rate of conventional filters.
The unit is able to display 1080I, 480p and 480I signals from any of its five video inputs. Extra A/V composite and S-Video inputs are available on the front panel. On the rear panel, there are dual S-Video, RGB and Dual Component inputs.
- Color temperature is adjustable and picture controls can be set according to input source.
- The built-in audio system with 24 watts total audio output utilizes QSound virtual surround.
- When viewing 4:3 sources, there are four viewing modes including a 4:3 display with sidebars.
March 2000 delivery with a suggested retail of $4,999
Proton WDT-3601TV
- 34-inch, flat HDTV/NTSC widescreen monitor with 16:9 display
 Integrated with the HDTV tuner, the WDT-3601TV is compatible with all the DTV picture formats.
- Dual component inputs are provided along with dual RBG inputs (one in front and one in rear of monitor) for DTV PC, network computer or laptop. It will display VGA and SGVA images with a maximum resolution of up to 1024 x 768.
- Included is a 181-channel auto programming NTSC tuner.
- The unit has three selectable temperature settings (6500, 9300 and 11500 degrees Kelvin).
- Several Proton technologies are employed to improve NTSC pictures, such as 3D digital comb filters, dynamic black level extension and video noise reduction.
- The unit has a built-in audio system, with left and right 10-watt biamplified speakers and an 18-watt subwoofer. To emulate surround sound, the Spatializer Audio Processor is installed.
- cost: $6,000
Plasma displays were abundant, as much for advertising individual booths as to show this year’s new models. Little is new in the technology, though larger screen sizes seem to be the latest and greatest improvement. Both Panasonic and Zenith showed 60-inch diagonal screens. Neither had a street date, but both are expected to sell in the $20,000 range. While that is a still a lot of greenbacks, it’s less than the price of the original 42-inch models, so it seems prices are, in fact, dropping. Sharp showed a 50-inch HDTV Plasma that offered 720P resolution as its native display; it also sells for $20,000.
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Runco adds the VX-1 DLP projector to the line-up. This one utilizes a controller to enhance the projectors processing capabilities.