Rear-projection TV test results

Although sales of rear-projection microdisplays have dropped off sharply as flat-panel models have gotten both bigger and cheaper, they're still the least-expensive route to truly big screens 60 inches and larger. We recently tested several 1080p models, ranging in size from 65 to 73 inches. Here's how they fared:

Mitsubishi LaserVue L65-A90, $7,000
This high-priced 65-inch set from Mitsubishi, dubbed LaserVue (click on image at right for a closer look), is among the first TVs to use a laser backlight instead of a bulb (or LED). As part of the purchase, the company sends a customer-service rep to the home to make sure it's set up properly.

• Highs: The set has bright images and impressive contrast, with deep black-levels and rich colors. Overall picture resolution was good. The cabinet is very thin (10.5 inches) for a rear-projection set, and it has four HDMI inputs, including one on the front panel.
• Lows: Some images were noticeably soft, sometime looking almost out of focus, and there was a subtle moving graininess, or video noise, in images, which could be speckles from its laser light source. Images had a pink cast to them, which we were able to reduce via the picture controls, and a "hot spot" was evident in the lower-center of the screen when a darker full-screen image was displayed. The TV seems to have an internal "floating" screen that bobbles around slightly if the TV is bumped, which was distracting.
• Bottom line: Though this laser-lit set did some things well—most notable good detail, deep blacks and vibrant colors—overall performance was a bit disappointing, as noted, especially considering its high price.

Samsung HL67A750, $2,500
This 67-inch Samsung set uses an LED backlight, so you don't need to replace the bulb after 3,500 to 5,000 hours of use. Because LED sets don't require a spinning color wheel, they minimize the chance of viewers experiencing a color-streaking artifact known as the rainbow effect, common to DLP sets.

• Highs: The overall picture quality of the HL67A750 was quite good, with excellent HD resolution, very good black levels and fine color accuracy. Its onscreen menu system is very easy to use.
• Lows: Picture detail looked a bit soft compared to the best plasma and LCD models. Our test model had very slight misconvergence, which could likely be fixed by a skilled service technician.
• CR's take: This big 1080p DLP is a strong performer worth considering by those looking for a jumbo-sized set.

Mitsubishi WD-73835, $4,700
This 73-inch Mitsubishi model is the largest rear-projection set we've ever tested. It has four HDMI inputs, including one on the front panel. Controls and inputs are hidden behind a flip-up door that when closed leaves the set with a seamless bezel design.

• Highs: Very good black levels, just shy of the very best TVs, and vibrant colors. The set's backlight can be adjusted.
• Lows: High-definition resolution was only good, not great, and colors, though vibrant, weren't the most accurate. More disturbing was a defect that caused jagged edges on the vertical lines in our test patterns.
• CR's take: While overall picture performance was fine, image detail was marred by the defect that caused jagged edges to appear on vertical lines in our test patterns, which is amplified on a screen this large. It's more evident with text and graphics than typical TV fare, especially if you're sitting within 9 or 10 feet from the screen.

Mitsubishi WD-65736, $2,500
This 65-inch Mitsubishi model has four HDMI inputs, including one on the front panel. Controls and inputs are hidden behind a flip-up door that when closed leaves the set with a seamless bezel design.

• Highs: HD resolution was good, though a notch below the best flat panels, with rich-looking colors.
• Lows: Picture detail was a bit soft, and the edges of graphics were slightly jagged, though this would be noticeable on typical TV content. Colors, though generally fine, weren't the most accurate.
• CR's take: This big-screen Mitsubishi set performs well, if not spectacularly, with fairly detailed images and colors that were vibrant, if not completely accurate.