Digital Front Projection
For true cinematic performance, or a feeling that you’re on the sidelines at the Super Bowl, you’ll want a front projector. Our directory lists all the digital (again, think single-lens technologies like LCD, DLP and LCoS) projectors in one grouping. These projectors are typically capable of big, bright images with little or no maintenance. None of the projectors include screens, which are available separately from companies like Stewart Filmscreen, Screen Research, Draper, Da-Lite and Vutec. Gray material or
negative-gain screens are a good choice for use with these projectors, as they absorb some of the picture’s excess light, improving image contrast and making the black parts of the picture darker.
HDTV Tuners
You’ll want an HDTV (digital) tuner to receive high-resolution images if you purchase a high-definition display. Once you get used to HDTV, you’ll look at standard- definition pictures as though they’re cave drawings. There are numerous options to choose from, including cable, satellite and terrestrial reception. (See our "Guide to Getting Digital TV" beginning on page 26 in this issue.) The listings on the following pages also include DVRs (digital video recorders), the new-age version of the VCR. If you don’t yet own a DVR, which uses a computer hard drive to store TV shows, you might think about hocking the horse and buggy to help pay for your entry into the 21st century.
