TV titans: projection TVs - test.(Buyers Guide)(Cover Story)

Looking for a TV set that will let you view movies at home in a size and shape that rivals your local theater? Eager for an up-close-and-personal view of the gridiron action? The prospect of enjoying a virtual front-row seat at a movie or football play-off without leaving home can have huge appeal.

There are a few ways you can score such an enviable position. Rear-projection, front-projection, and flat-panel TVs all offer screens bigger than 40 inches. The familiar direct-view sets max out at 36 (except for a 40-inch model or two) and don't qualify as jumbo, but a 36-inch screen may be big enough for some viewers. (See page 20 for a comparison of big-screen choices and page 24 for more on large direct-view TVs.)

The least expensive jumbo technology is a rear-projection TV. These sets typically beam images from three picture tubes (CRTs) to the back of a 42- to 70-plus-inch screen. Affordability is relative, of course. Prices start at about $1,400, and you can pay $5,000 or more. Other big-screen options, though, start at about $4,500.

Rear-projection sets have another edge besides price. These floor-standing, all-in-one units are easier to install than front-projection setups, which need additional equipment or installation into walls or ceilings. But rear-projection sets are complex enough that we recommend professional installation.

Before you take the plunge into such a major purchase, consider a few practical issues. For starters, make sure you have a large enough room so that you can fully enjoy the big-screen experience. A rear-projection set takes up much more floor space than a regular 36-inch TV. On top of that, you need a little distance---about 7 to 12 feet for the sets we tested--so you see optimal picture quality.

The viewing angle is another consideration. These sets are best viewed head on; you'll see a dimmer image as your viewing position angles away from the center of the screen. So forget about watching TV from an adjacent room or while lying on the floor.

There's a learning curve as well. Everyday adjustments are often more complex than with regular sets. Also, you may have to adjust a rear-projection set periodically to converge the images from its three picture tubes. On many sets, you have to do this manually, which can take hours if you're fussy. The automatic convergence feature on some sets makes this quicker and easier.