What in the HD World?

Last week, (as originally reported by CE Pro), the Mitsubishi Electric Visual Solutions America (MEVSA) announced to their authorized service centers that they will no longer be manufacturing their large screen, DLP RPTVs (rear projection TVs).

For those youngsters who may not be familiar with an RPTV, basically it encases a video projector that shines its image on an opaque screen built into the front of the cabinet.

Rear projector TVs gained popularity when they appeared in the 1990's because they were the first big screen TVs. Remember, this was before the advent of HDTVs.

Because the integrated projector needs space to throw the image on to the screen, RPTVs have always been rotund. But when compared to the bulbous old CRT TVs, an RPTV had a similar profile and weighed considerably less.

With the advent of flat screen LCD and plasma HDTVs, the RPTV with its Hitchcockian profile began to seem old fashioned.

But manufacturers like Mitsubishi kept improving the projector technology while expanding the screen size (and slimming the profile), which allowed RPTVs to maintain their advantage as a great value proposition.

For example, you can find the Mitsubishi WD-82742 82" 3D DLP TV currently on sale for under $1800. Their biggest, the 92" WD-92742 is selling for under $2800.

Those are gigantic sizes and the price per square inch of screen simply still cannot be matched by any LCD or plasma TV. But folks love their skinny TVs.

Alas, time marches on.

RIP RPTV.

Stay tuned.

(Editor's note: The following is the letter that MEVSA sent to their authorized service centers. Please notice that Mitsubishi will continue to make their standalone projectors.)

NOVEMBER 30, 2012

To Our Valued Authorized Service Centers,

Mitsubishi Electrical Visual Solutions America, Inc. ("MEVSA") will implement an important change in business direction, which will necessitate a corresponding restructuring of the MEVSA organization.

Effective immediately, MEVSA is discontinuing the manufacture of 73", 82" and 92" DLP projection televisions. MEVSA will continue to be headquartered at the Irvine location and its Parts and Service Department will remain. MEVSA will continue to sell its other product lines, including projectors, data wall products, public displays, digital signage and printers.

We expect that these changes will have a minimal effect on you and your business, as MEVSA will continue to provide its high level of support to its network of dealers, distributors and authorized service centers. MEVSA will, for example, maintain the same websites and 800 numbers that you currently use.

We will keep you informed as to any procedural changes to our service support and warranty websites.

We appreciate your ongoing support of our mutual customers.

Sincerely,

Junichi Nose
President & CEO, Mitsubishi Electrical Visual Solutions America, Inc.