Sound advice: Rear-projection TVs becoming less popular

Q I'm looking to buy my first HDTV. I know you were a fan of rear-projection TVs, but it seems that manufacturers are moving away from the technology. Has LCD technology come that far, or are people just in love with the look of the slimmer TVs? I've seen a few nice LCD TVs at reasonable prices lately, but the motion blur concerns me. The majority of my TV watching is sports (mainly hockey and football, two fast-moving sports), and there is a noticeable blur with LCDs. Should I still be looking at DLP rear-projection TVs?

JOHN DESMOND, ROBINSON TOWNSHIP, PA.

A Rear-projection televisions (RPTVs) are becoming less common, and some manufacturers have discontinued them. Consumers prefer the slim-form factor of a flat-panel TV. From a picture-quality standpoint, a flat-panel set usually looks crisper and more detailed than an RPTV, something most consumers prefer, too. Finally, flat-panel TVs do not have lamps that need replacing every two to three years.

These factors have led to the market enthusiastically embracing flat-panel technologies, and manufacturers have responded accordingly.

DLP rear-projection TVs are still available and represent a great buy for many consumers, especially if you are looking for a big screen size. There's nothing quite like a really big screen for watching sports in HD or high-def Blu-ray movies, and projection sets can still provide top-rate image quality, especially with movies where the projected look adds to the theatrical experience.

Mitsubishi and Samsung make 72- and 73-inch rear-projection DLP sets for less than $2,500. For less than $1,400, you can get a 61-inch set, and 65-inch sets are less than $1,600. It would cost several times more to get such a large screen with a flat panel.

If you are looking for a flat-panel set and want the best image quality and freedom from motion blur, look for a plasma TV. Overall, plasmas have the most natural, finest image quality available. Samsung and Panasonic have 42-inch 720p plasmas available for less than $1,000, and I consider them the best value on the market for their price and outstanding image quality. Their 50-inch sets, in 720p and 1080p models, are great choices as well. If you want the plasma king, look for a Pioneer KURO set -- just be prepared to pay a premium price for it.

Many worry about possible reliability problems and burn-in with plasma sets, but if you use due diligence, it should not be an issue.

If you are still nervous about a plasma, look for a 120Hz LCD set, which can reduce motion blur. The 120Hz processing can affect other aspects of image quality, so it is not a perfect solution, but it does reduce motion blur.

Submit questions and read past columns at www.soundadviceblog.com.