Is a projector better than a TV?

Answer 1

It depends what you mean by better...If it's a large, movie-like picture that you want, a projector is the way to go, but there are some things you need to keep in mind:

1. A projector is not plug-and-play. There is some setup involved, especially if you're looking for permanent mounting.

2. You will need more equipment than just the projector. At the very least, you'll need a screen, a sound system (receiver and speakers), and a signal source (cable box, DVD player, video game), because projectors do not have TV tuners built in.

3. The picture from a projector looks pretty poor unless your room is almost completely dark. Anything that allows you to see the screen when the projector and lights are turned off is going to adversely affect the contrast of the image. If you don't have a dedicated theater room, you'll need room-darkening blinds.

If you decide that you can deal with these issues, don't shop simply by price. While there are some very inexpensive projectors on the market, they are designed more for computer than theater use, and will not have a good image. Look for something with a 16:9 aspect ratio and a resolution of 720p or 1080p.

The message board at www.avsforum.com can be a great resource.

Answer 2

I guess it all depends on what is important to you. First off, you will pay less up front if you want a HUGE picture if you buy a projector. You can have an 80 inch (or more) picture with a projector without paying more than $700 nowadays and get a very nice, hi-def picture if you have HDMI. A cheap 1080p projector nowadays can be had for around $1000. Even good 720p projectors are around $700. If you buy an 80 inch TV (is there such a thing?) it'll probably cost you TWICE (or more) than $700! A 65" Sharp LCD TV costs around $3000!

The downside of using projectors is that the bulb life of projectors is about 4000 to 5000 hours, which means that you will have to replace it every few years (depends on how often you use it, of course). Some cheaper projector bulbs can run you about $150, but some can go as high as $600! It all depends on the model you have, of course, so make sure you check that before purchasing a projector.

Another great thing about a projector is that you can install it (or move it) anywhere you want and be able to use it, as opposed to having a 65" inch TV, which is definitely not portable.