USe of PROJECTOR?

Question

If I buy a descent projector, woucld it be a good idea to use it instead of a telivision?

Answer 1

It really depends on the room. I have installed many projectors in my time and let me tell you. You will never go back a 65" TV again.

I could go into a lot more detail but.... that would take forever

If you have more questions. just e-mail me. I have owned a home theater business.

Good luck

Answer 2

Well thats depends on how much money you can spend on the projector lamp I have a decent 720p projector for at least 3.5 years as of now and is with the factory lamp, but if you use the projector in a regular basis for like watching tv, the lamp life will be a lot shorter.

but having that in mind a "very good" projector will look better than many tvs, plasmas or LCDs display out there.

Answer 3

It depends on what you're looking for.  A projector has the capability of creating a +100" screen, but has limited capability in the ways of hooking up to cable.  I would assume you could use it with a cable box or satellite hookup though, if the cable/sat unit sends just the audio/video signal to the TV.

The major drawbacks to projectors are the fact that they should be mounted on the ceiling, which can get in the way of a fan or light fixture- and they shoot the picture across part of the room, so you risk people walking in the line of the beam and pissing off the other viewers.

Also, you need a big white wall or screen, which can look kinda odd when the projectors not on.

They save a lot of space though! (and money, in terms of screen size)

Answer 4

As a former cooporate audio visuals technician whose primary responsibility was to set up video projectors .... i can tell you that video projectors can deliver an incredible movie screen size image if you have the right dimensions in a larger room. The projectors that are available today have come down a lot in price and its amazing how far your money will go. They have gotten smaller and brighter to the point its like watching a LCD panel hdtv.  And best of all the price is right. And they are more portable so you have the option of moving it to a large room in your house for big parties or even taking them to a banquet hall and show off to your friends and family you have  Audio Visual moxy. You can be the hit of a giant celebration party!

        The key of using a video projector is having a ceiling that is high enough so that you can mount it semi-perminently in the room you want to use it in. There is the option of using special paints now that can be applied to the wall that you will be projecting your image to that will increase the brightness of the image. You probably want blinds or shades on the windows to help in that endeavor too.

     Of course you will want to make sure you have an added surround sound system which will add to the movie theater aspect of your presentations.  And of course you save some space in the front where the TV screen would have taken up which means the projector adds more room and comfort to your room.

     Given these advantages it can be much cooler to go with a video projector. I say, Go For It !

Answer 5

I don't know what a "telivision" is,

but, personally, I'd select an ascent projector. ;)

A better use for your money would be to invest

in an English dictionary,

or take a remedial English class,

or, at least, a good typing class.

Answer 6

A projector can certainly be used as a television (I do ... and I can't imagine going back to a "small" screen (<100") to watch my favourite HDTV shows), but you should be aware of several considerations:

- Standard defintion television doesn't look good on projector screen (the large screen emphasizes the poor picture) ... you really want to use a projector for HDTV, with limited SD viewing.

- Lamps wear out on projectors (lifetime is 2-4000 hrs) and cost $300+ to replace ... so you a) need to consider useage, and b) don't want to shorten lamp life by abusing it. BTW, this is equally true of rear projection TVs.

- Lamp life is shortened by excessive heat, fast on/off cycles or failure to cool the lamp down correctly before powering down. Basically you want to minimize the on/off cycles and maintain the cooling system (don't obstruct cooling ports, periodic filter cleaning). This imposes some limitations on using a projector ... like not turning it on for a 10 minutes period, protecting it from power outages using a UPS, etc. (See 1st link)

- Projectors (like most TVs) give the best picture in a dim/dark room (i.e. light control), so you are more restricted in environmental considerations (e.g. no bright, sunny rooms) than with, for example, a plasma TV.

- Projectors don't have tuners or (practical)  amplifier/speakers built in. These have to be provided in the form of a cable or satellite receiver and an A/V receiver and speakers.

None of these considerations are unsurmountable ... in fact most are good sense for optimizing performance (e.g. external tuner & surround sound system, light control) or protecting equipment (e.g. surge suppressor, UPS, filter maintenance).  ... but projectors do require some adjustments relative to a LCD, CRT or plasma TV.

Most experts (see link) in fact recommend a combination of a small TV and a home theatre projector setup. The TV would be used for watching the news, weather or standard defintion programming, and the projector for HDTV shows.

One comment re those who say mounting a projector is an issue ... not if you buy one that allows mounting on a rear wall shelf. It also allows you to put the electronics with it and keep the various lights/displays out of your line of sight. The remote signal will (usually) bounce off the screen so control is not an issue.

Hope that puts things in perspective.