I'm creating a website for an HTML class (Beginners)...and I'd like to describe the differences between rear projection tvs vs. Direct SCreens. I'm doing them on HDTV and want to list the pros and cons as well as how each works.

Can anyone refer me to a website or briefly describe the difference? Much appreciated.

Well both RPTVs and Direct View(tube) TVs work pretty much the same in the fact that they both use RGB(red, green, blue) to build a picture. A RPTV uses 3 CRTs(Cathode Ray Tubes), one for each color, to project the picture onto the back of the screen. A direct view TV uses a single CRT with 3 scanning guns that "write" the picture onto a screen that is coated with 3 layers of phosphor(red, green, blue).

Does this help?

Yes, thank you very much. So what are the pros/cons? Does one have a sharper picture? How about viewability (is that a word) from any angle?

THanks again.

Direct view is brighter, more suitable for daytime viewing. But it has size limitations of around 40" and RPTV pretty much starts there and goes up to around 70". A direct view set that size would be enormous and probably weigh several tons. Direct view is somewhat better from the sides, but the biggest off-center problem with RPTV is the viewer's offset from center vertically, not so much the sides anymore.

Thanks guys. You have made my life a little easier. Now once I graduate my program (the HTML class was an elective) I can't wait to actually buy an HDTV.

It'll be in about 3 years...but oh well, one can dream.....amd I have to buy a house first too.