Q: What type of video display is best for you?

The first real decision you should make in buying a video display is what type you need: a flat-panel TV, a rear-projection set, a front projector or a good-old direct-view TV. There are advantages and disadvantages to each.

Flat-Panel TVs

What's not to like? They're only 3- to 4-inches thick. They're sleek and sexy looking. They can hang on your wall and take up no floor space, though people most opt to place them on audio/video stands, complete with wiring channels. They'll cost you more than rear-projection and direct-view sets.

Available in: LCDs and plasma-based TVs up to 60-plus inches.

Direct-View TVs

These are the bulky "tube" TVs most of us grew up with. You can get these in HDTVs at very reasonable prices. And they still offer some of the best, most film like images available.

Available in: CRTs up to 40 inches.

Rear-Projection Sets

They're no longer those bulky old CRTs but newer and lighter "microdisplays" with screen sizes up to 70 inches, weights under 100 pounds and depths from 10 to 20 inches (compared with 300 pounds and 24-plus-inch depths of CRT rear-projection sets). They'll still take up some floor space, but they represent some of the best bargains, getting you into HDTV for less than $2,000. A few now come with LED (light-emitting diode) backlighting.

Available in: DLP (digital light processing), LCD and LCoS (liquid crystal on silicon) varieties, such as SXRD (Silicon X-tal [Crystal] Reflective Display) and HD-ILA (Direct Image Light Amplifier) technologies.

Front Pojectors

These are mainly for home theater use and when you want pictures of 90 inches or larger. Newer projectors using digital technologies are lightweight and portable, unlike older, heavy CRT models. You should have a dark room to view the images from even the brightest projectors, though. Prices range from under $1,000 to hundreds and thousands.

Available in: DLP, LCD, D-ILA, SXRD and even some big old CRT models.

Projection Screens

If you're thinking of a front projector, also think of a projection screen. Many different types and sizes are available, from fixed screens to ones that roll up, motorized screens and those that mask the sides for different aspect ratios , and acoustically transparent screens that you can place speakers behind. A screen should be matched to a video projector.

Projection screens need big rooms, and come in different forms, from Epson's 100-inch Ensemble System that's packaged with a projector , to Screen Research's masking XMask for different aspect ratios, ranging from 80 to 133 inches, and Draper's motorized Access MultiView in sizes up to 133 inches.