RCA Projection Type Television Receiver Continuing problems with obtaining larger picture sizes from conventional cathode-ray-tubes encouraged RCA to experiment with projection television systems, one of which they demonstrated at the New York World's Fair. The 1939 forerunner to today's bar and home-theater televisions used a high-powered 5" cathode-ray tube. The image was projected through a large lens onto a special light-reflective screen. This prototype was capable of projecting exceptionally large pictures, at least five feet high by seven feet wide.