Darren Goble, category manager of audio-visual at LG said reports of LG quitting rear pro were premature: "We got that checked out through head office. It appeared in the local Korean newspaper and it was incorrect. The newspaper said they were making a correction. We're not exiting rear projection at this time", Goble said. 

Goble said LG had a "strong lineup in the next year" with a 52" DLP, a 62" LCOS, and a 72" LCOS screen all due for release by the end of January. And all will come with intergrated HD tuners as this is now part of LG's focus. 

Goble said the company remained committed to RP for the foreseeable future, and it was up to the consumer to choose the format they wanted. 

However, he said the market has changed in the last few years: "The market has declined in last 24 months. The falling price in LCD and plasma has impacted on the rear projection market. But we offer a high quality screen that still competes well. They've performed well to our expectations." 

"I don't think it's the death of rear projection at all. With the cost efficiencies, they're a viable alternative for a lot of people", he said. 

"There's still a market for rear projection. You get a subtantial screen size for not an exhorbitant price. You can get a 72" rear projection for eight grand versus 70 grand for a similarly sized plasma", Goble said. 

He said sales of rear projection currently make up less that ten per cent of sales, with the majority made up by plasma.  

LG is also reviving the CRT for the new year, with a new HD screen available in the first quarter, which will be capable of 1080i at 100Hz for approximately $1500. 

"This year started off a little slowly, but there's been really solid growth in the category and we're optimistic about the next 12 months", Goble said.