Why is this? I canot remember the last time a major magazine or online publication gave serious attention to or reviewed an LCD RP model. last one that even comes in to my mind was about 3 years ago when Sound and Vision (aka ads and more ads) put up a Hitachi LCD vs A Samsung DLP in a "face-off".

Obviously several mfg's still make them including Mits, Sony, Panasonic, and Hitachi. But never do you read about them. it is only DLP and LCOS that are "real" contenders. Does anyone know why? Is it primarily because of their lack of black depth? Screen door? Because it's not like the other 2 are flawless. So what gives?

Obviously several mfg's still make them including Mits, Sony, Panasonic, and Hitachi. But never do you read about them. it is only DLP and LCOS that are "real" contenders. Does anyone know why? Is it primarily because of their lack of black depth??Yes.

Rear projection LCD is no longer competitive (or even close to competitive) with DLP and LCOS in terms of contrast, and contrast has a substantial impact on the amount of shadow detail in the picture.

I don't think you'll see many LCD RPTVs in 2007.

it is only DLP and LCOS that are "real" contenders. Does anyone know why?

Pretty simple - the DLP and LCOS sets on the market are far better than any rear projection LCD.

Sony's E series seems to have a pretty good following and good sales numbers. You think this is just because it is a "good" entry set for Joe Blow to get into the HDTV world? If blacks were improved upon over the years by DLP and LCOS (Jvc has come a long way in 3 years) why couldn't the LCD's do the same? Again, Sony's E series has an iris on them. However I can attest that they still have plenty of problems with blacks in a dark room.

Pretty simple - the DLP and LCOS sets on the market are far better than any rear projection LCD.

Ah. Okay. Thanks.

In researching for stuff, I found this. From Epson, creator of MANY of the 3LCD used by many mfg's. I for one do not think LCD RP is on its way out.

Seiko Epson Corporation ("Epson") has developed a new high-temperature polysilicon (HTPS) liquid crystal panel that will boost the performance of 3LCD front projectors and large-screen LCD projection TVs. The company has begun shipping samples of the 0.7 inch (diagonal 1.9 cm) panel, which is designed for true-HD-ready (1080p) large-screen LCD projection TVs.

Use of innovative high-resolution technology in the new panel achieves unprecedented aperture ratios – a greater than 20% improvement over conventional TN panels. By enhancing aperture ratios, this new design technology improves luminance while using the same lamp as preceding models. It also enables the use of a lower-watt lamp to achieve the same levels of luminance or smaller HTPS panels to achieve the same resolution. Thus the new technology makes it possible to manufacture brighter, more environmentally friendly projectors that offer outstanding value for money.

The sample products now being shipped feature this new technology plus compatibility with true-HD broadcasting, which will enable users to more easily enjoy high-definition images on large-screen 3LCD projection TVs manufactured with the new panels.

Features of the new panels
New high-resolution technology vastly enhances aperture ratios:

Over 20% improvement in aperture ratio compared to conventional TN panels. Aperture ratio enhanced with no change in product size.
Enables use of smaller panel size to achieve same resolution
Example: True-HD (1080p) resolution for large-screen LCD projection TVs previously required a 0.9 inch panel. Now it can be achieved with a 0.7 inch panel, enabling manufacturers to produce TVs that are much more cost competitive.
Benefits for manufacturers of projection products

Offers enhanced luminance with same lamp
Enables use of lower-watt lamp to achieve same luminance (reduced power consumption)
Enables manufacture of smaller/lower-priced projectors with same luminance