Offset projection distortion correction

A rear-projection image display system, comprising:

• a display screen having a display plane with a vertical height and a vertical height center;
• a folding mirror;
• a projection system having a projection optical axis;
• and
• a housing enclosing the display plane, folding mirror and projection system;
• wherein the folding mirror is positioned relative to the display plane and the projection system for folding the projection optical axis by reflecting light projected rearwardly from the projection system onto itself and onto the display plane;
• wherein the projection system is positioned relative to the display plane with a vertical offset between the projection optical axis and the vertical height center of the display plane by an optical offset that is about one-half or greater than the vertical height of the display plane;
• and
• wherein the display plane is tilted relative to a plane orthogonal to the projection optical axis by a vertical offset angle to induce a keystone distortion in the displayed image which substantially compensates for a pincushion or barrel distortion in the orthogonal plane.