I still have a strong bias toward a large tube rather than rear projection, am I wrong? I know that rear proj. has improved greatly but a tube seems a better picture, especially during the day. Any thoughts?

Also, what is the best tube TV out there right now? How about the Pansonic CT-34WX in 16:9??

there are benefits to both direct views and rear projection models.

as for the best direct view model, I would think the Sony VVega XBR model for a 4:3 and in 16:9 I would go with the Phillips over the Panasonic. There is a German company that makes some as well, but they are more expensive

Before you plunk down big bucks, have you considered a front DLP projector?

I just spent a weekend with an Infocus 340 and have completedly rethunk what my future in HT holds. There are lots of new models coming out in the next 6 months-1 year that will be optimized for home theater.

The Infocus model I used can currently be had for around $3K. Recently, Dell had a mispriced promo where people bought an NEC LT150 for $1,770.

So when you start considering bang for the buck, for the same price as a 36" Wega, you can have theater quality along a whole wall.

Just a thought to completely confuse the subject...

It really depends upon how you are going to use your setup. First determine your usage conditions. If you plan on using it during the day with light pouring in from the outside, direct view may be the way to go. We decided we didn't want to have the drapes drawn during the day just to watch TV.

I really like tube TVs and turn away from projection TVs as a rule. I haven't seen any front projectors that i've been blown away by primarily because I keeep comparing them to a tube TV picture.

I think you are referring to Loewe.

pecooper if you do a search here on "direct view" you will find some recent threads on this topic. You might also want to check the reviews at www.widescreenreview.com and www.theperfectvision.com.

i'm one of the people that took part in that Dell deal and just 6 months ago i bought a digital Sony RPTV (which will most likely be getting sold soon).
i definately depends on what your viewing habits will be like. I looked long and hard, trying to decide which rptv i wanted, and i chose the sony after i took a vcr, camcorder, and dvd player to the store with me to hook up.
i wanted to get something i could happily watch whatever on, and the sony was the best one in that regards.
however in the last 6 months, my viewing habits have drastically changed. now ALL i use it for is dvd watching.
i didn't anticipate it turning out like that, but compared to the stunning quality you get off discs, everything else was just really uninspiring.
i've been lusting after a front projector ever since i saw a $17k Runco set up and a hi-end a/v dealer, and had heard many, many positive things about this proj (NEC LT150) for months now. when Dell offered this price it sent a shockwave thru the AVS forum. and with good reason. i just got mine thursday, and after a rocky first day, i am seriously in awe of what i've got.
at first i was majorly dissapointed that the picture couldn't come close to the image i get from the 53" Sony...
( For the fellow a few posts back who doesn't think RPTVs approach the quality of direct-views...you've probably never seen one proplerly set up and tweaked...my HS10 kicks all over our wega upstairs).
anyways after matting the perimeter of the screen, i am absolutely blown away by this projector...THIS is Home Theater. and let me tell you, even at $2700 (the most expensive it is now, some places have it for $2400) this is the best bargin in serious Home Theater, Bar None!
if you just need a tv...get a tv, but if you really want a home theater, and can control the ambient light...this is head and shoulders the best way to go. i'll miss the Sony, but i love the fact that i'm giving up a huge 250 lb. appliance, and replacing it with something i can hold in one hand...
i can't understand why none of the other forums (including this one) aren't full of posts about this thing...

I like Direct View's but they seem to be way overpriced recently. RPTV and Front Projectors prices have plummeted while Direct Views prices have declined slowly.

You can get a Toshiba 65H80 65" 16:9 HDTV for $2400. You can also get a Nec LT150 projector for the same price. These both have excellent picture quality. Why would you pay the same amount for a much smaller Direct View. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

Personally I think that in the next 12 months prices will continue to fall and HDTV will start to become more popular. I'm waiting to purchase.

I've had a RPTV in my HT for a couple years now, and there is no way I would ever consider going back to a tube set, unless they can make a 61" model that isn't so heavy it would take a crew of 5 guys to haul it around.
I prefer RP simply for the sheer size of the screen, as that is a very big part of what HT means to me. It's just my opinion, but a direct view set, no mattter how nice doesn't create the HT environment to me. Of course, YMMV.

Excellent post, ckolchak. My sentiments exactly, on every topic you mentioned.

Please keep us (or at least me) posted on how you ultimately get your NEC configured, what screen (or color of wall) you use, etc, and how you like it. Congratulations on getting in on that deal.

The Infocus I borrowed was a last minute thing, and I ended up projecting it onto a 73" glossy white window shade ($20 at Home Depot!). Definitely got no more than I paid for...but was quite impressed nonetheless. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
If I were spending my money I'd want something sharper and that leaked less light (wrecked the black levels). But like I said, I know my future holds a dlp projector that is tweaked for ht use.

As an aside, I learned a good lesson that will ultimately factor in: Big screens require BIG sound. I used an old Boston A-70 as a center speaker which worked great. Anything smaller (like the AR on top of my 32") would have just sounded disproportionate. I had large Boston towers as mains and A-40's as surrounds. Sound was excellent. I've been looking for a used (large) Boston center channel, but now know something even bigger--like what I have--is better.

Michael:
i've got a DIY screen that ended up costing me about $40 for wood and fabric (blockout material). it was really simple to build and is about 90" wide . i have it matted it for 2.35 aspect ratios. with the black velvet for the masking, and additional wood for the ceiling to floor frame around the screen, i think i spent about $80. WELL worth it.
i'm trying to use a fixed height/variable width system which entails physically moving the projector closer and higher for each smaller AR. i end up with a 61 (diag)" 4:3 (which if it were an RPTV, i never would have been able to get in the room), and a 90" wide 2.35 image...just the way it should be!
watched a little of Mister Roberts last night and the South Pacific ocean vistas finally created the impact they were meant to.

i picked up Avia the other day (and realize why it seems to get mentioned more than VE these days) and that helped a bit. i still had to go back and fine tune by eye, but Avia got me in the right zip code at least.
i think most problems i have now may be due to the limitations of my screen (i think a bit more gain would add to the image across the board) as well as the limitations of s-video (all i have at the moment) and the dvd sources. Movies that looked breathtaking at 32" and really nice at 53", sometimes now only looked adequete. Film grain can be a big problem this size.

i agree wholeheartedly on your observations re: sound.
i thought it was changing the orientation of the room that altered the acoustics so much, but now i realize i will just a need bigger, fuller soundfield to match the visuals. the HTIB speakers just won't cut it and really do throw the experience 'off'.