Front Projection TV - Movie Projector for the Home

Front projection TV relies on the same technology used in rear projection TV sets.

Front projection TVs, also simply known as projector TVs, are technologically similar to rear projection televisions. Both projection systems use a small picture producing element (component) to create an image and then project it on a larger screen. In a rear projection TV, the image is projected onto the back of a screen within the confines of a television box. In a front projection TV, a TV projector is used to create the image on a distant movie screen.

Three popular types of picture producing elements for front projection TVs are the CRT, LCD, and DLP. You can read more about those on the rear projection TV page.

Like regular televisions, TV projectors vary greatly in size and picture quality. The smaller, portable, front projection TV devices are more suitable for use in small rooms, such as in small home theater settings, or office presentations, and are not powerful enough to project on large screens. The larger the screen you wish to project on, the more projected light you'll need. Some of the more powerful TV projectors have three separate projection tubes, one for each of the elementary red, green, and blue colors, and are suitable to be used in large theaters.

If you are buying a front projection TV for a home theater, keep in mind that just as with a movie projector, projection TV requires darkness. And therefore a front projection TV is best used in settings where the home theater is in an enclosed, dedicated room.