RPTVs

RPTV stands for Rear-Projection Television. These televisions were a popular display technology that projected an image from within the television set onto a screen located at the front. Unlike front projection systems that require a separate projector and screen, RPTVs integrated all components into a single cabinet. The image was created either by three cathode ray tubes (CRTs), similar to older computer monitors, or by a digital imaging chip such as DLP (Digital Light Processing) or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). Light from the internal projection engine was then reflected off mirrors and lenses to enlarge and focus the image onto the rear of the translucent screen.

RPTVs offered a larger screen size compared to traditional CRT televisions for a more affordable price than early flat-panel displays. They were known for their substantial depth and weight due to the internal projection system. The viewing angles could sometimes be limited, and ambient light could wash out the image more easily than with some other display types. As flat-panel technologies like LCD and plasma matured and became more cost-effective, RPTVs gradually declined in popularity and are rarely manufactured today.