An update on the Hitachi 57" Rear Projection CRT HDTV ( Hitachi Model 57F59) from this post back in 2007.

I JUST learned thanks to the folks at the AVS Forums that you are supposed to CLEAN these things. Who knew?? So After reading detailed instructions, I took apart the TV, removed the screen, cleaned the mirror and lenses with a non ammonia based glass cleaner (vinegar-based windex works great), alligned the 3 RGB color guns and omg..the TV looks like a new tv. The images are stunning. Looks just as nice as plasma tv's that cost 3-4 times as much.

It's a shame they don't make these Rear-projection HDTV's anymore. I got my 57" HDTV for just under $1,100 in 2007!!! Even today you can't get a 57" Plasma HDTV for under $3,000. Anyway, just posting this so if anyone else who owns a rear projection HDTV and doesn't realize the TV needs to be cleaned every 6 months or so realizes it and takes action.