Big Screen TV's vs Projectors?

Question

My husband and I are wanting to upgrade our home theater. We are seriously looking into getting a DLP XGA Projector. What should we consider before we buy this instead of a big tv? Are there any major downfalls of either? I know about replacing the bulbs already. What is a better long term investment for our home? How much should we expect to spend on a good quality projector that will last us? We will be using it to watch tv and movies on very frequently.

Thank you! :)

Answer 1

Two things to consider about the room it will be in:

Lighting - if you can't control how much light gets in from the outside, don't go with a projection system.  The picture will get washed out.  You need a dark room for these to work well.

Shape - The room layout makes a big difference.  If the TV will need to be viewed from a very wide angle, you don't want a projection system because the viewing angles aren't nearly as wide as plasma or LCD.  With projection systems, the picture will start to get dark (and even go totally black) the more you view it from the side.  If your room is narrow, this wont be an issue.

If you have a theater room with no windows and is somewhat narrow, you can save a lot of money going with a projection system.

Answer 2

I sell Home Theaters for a living. If you like projectors I say make sure the lighting is minimal. Projectors are my 3rd choice though because of picture quality. Look at any LCD,Plasma, or projector from a side view. Unless everyone is sitting directly in front of the screen the projector loses it's clarity.I prefer the quality of a Plasma (pioneer) over any LCD, however if you have gamers in your family go with an LCD (sony or samsung) 50" or up. Plasma uses more power and can have a glare if lighting is an issue. That is the only downfall besides (image burn). If a video game is left on pause for to long - or even over long periods of time you run the risk of image burn regardless of what the salesman has been trained to say. LCD is better for gamers and has no reflective problems. If you have no intention of playing games then I suggest you check out the pioneer Plasma.Best Buy has a consultation fee of $100.

The actual (Geek) Home Theater Installer comes to your home and assesses your living environment, lighting, windows,size,distance, etc. can make the best suggestion to meet your entertainment goals (surround sound) (wall mount) etc. When you decide on what to buy - the $100. is taken off the cost of your order. Can't beat that !!!! Good luck.

OH by the way whatever you get make sure it is 1080P.

Answer 3

I have been slowly replacing all my regular TV's with projectors.  Although the darker the room the better the pic, you can still get a great picture with enough light to read a book by.  Having windows is not a problem either as long as you have the ability to close blinds, drapes, etc and control the lighting.  Remember, it's not so much the ambient light that washes the picture as much as the glare.

Also, since most pj's have keystone correction and zoom the size and shape of the room does not matter as much as it did in the past.  Check out the link below for some good advice on throw distance and other things to look for when buying a pj.

www.projectorcentral.com

If you plan on getting a true HD 720p projector expect to spend anywhere from $800 - $1200 for a decent one.  You want to make sure the resolution is at least 1280 X 720, lumen between about 1000 - 1500 and a contrast ratio as high as you can get.  I just pulled the trigger on a new one for the Super Bowl and I love it.  It's the Optoma HD70 and I got it for about $950 but only $750 after the $200 rebate.

Update:  PLEASE do not listen to the Home Theater Installer below as he has no clue.  Projectors can have just as good a picture as Plasma's and LCD and try watching a flat screen from the side and see how much the picture on it is degraded when you do.  Best Buy charges 5X more then necessary for this stuff.  Heck they even charge like $100 to program your remote for chrissake.  Best Buy is always hating on projectors because they want you to spend $2500 on a 50" TV when you can get 135" with a projector and the pj's they carry are 50% more than the same ones on the net.

weeder

Answer 4

I just asked this same question & decided to read your answers instead! My boyfriend wants a projector so bad, but I'd prefer a regular big screen tv...

My co-worker says a pro would be that you could take it outside & project it on a sheet or something & have a picnic at night (I don't know how well that would work).

He said you can also put it on your car, project it onto your garage and it's like a drive-in movie. (sounds fun)..

My boyfriend just loves the fact that you can have a computer screen, playstation3 screen, or tv screen like 100".

I didn't think about the bulbs, I'm glad I read your answers. Good luck in your decision. It sure is a toss up!

Answer 5

Stick to projector.

Nothing beats a Cinema!

Answer 6

An XGA DLP projector would probably cost you between $700-$1500. Brighter projectors are more expensive. Features also play a roll in the final cost too.  

If you are using your projector strictly for home entertainment, and you think that you want to view HDTV content at some point in the future...  then I would recommend an HD compatible model. Either 720p or 1080p native resolution.

HDTV projectors can still scale a regular TV image (4:3 aspect ratio), so you will still be able to watch regular TV, no problem. But you will also get to see HD videos in all their widescreen glory... even better than you see in a movie theater.

If you have a dedicated space for the projector with controlled lighting ... and you get a projector that is designed to display video, the only downfall is the lamp life.

You can buy lamp warranties that allow you to replace the lamp (even if you have gone over the manufacturer specified hours!) up to two times.