Deciding Between a Home Theater Projector vs. TV Option (original) (raw)

Projector vs. television

If you love the experience of going to the movies and you want to enjoy an enhanced level of entertainment in your home, you might be wondering if you should invest in a home theater projector or a larger TV. There are some nice advantages to having a projector, including being able to achieve a large screen that can be easily rolled away after each use and having wall space available for other purposes. Since projectors are more complex to set up than most televisions, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of a projector system before making a final decision.

Consider the viewing environment

If you love to watch movies or TV in the dark, then a home theater projector will enhance the image quality when in dark rooms. For the picture on a projector to come out best, the rest of the room should be dark — just like a movie theater. This is because other light sources compete with the projected light and wash out the clarity, making your picture less vibrant. This makes it challenging (though not impossible) to enjoy daytime viewing using a projector. In order to be able to see a projected image well during the day, you want a projector with a minimum of 3000 lumens. Lumens are the amount of light the projector produces.

You can also improve your experience by using blackout curtains for your windows and an ambient light rejecting (ALR) screen, which selectively reflects light back to the viewer by using a lenticular grid technology. The grid in an ALR screen includes black portions that absorb ambient light and white portions that reflect the right amount light projected to the audience. Many high-end projector screens will specify how much ambient light they will reject in order to make your image better.

Televisions, meanwhile, maintain a clear image even in rooms flooded with daylight. While you may get reflections on the screen from strong light sources, such as sunlight from windows or a lamp, the clarity of the image does not wash away with too much ambient light. However, if you want a big-screen television, it will take up a lot of wall space if mounted, or it will require a sizeable TV stand..

Consider your budget, skills and time

If you have a space that’s already dark, like a basement or home theater room, you may be able to easily set up a projector system. You could choose to sacrifice some image quality by projecting the image on a white wall (a useful option with portable projectors), or buy an economical screen on a projector stand.

Another simple option is to select an ultra-short throw projector, which sits on a table or stand right up close to the screen. Although, often a good projector system will cost you more money – and more setup time – than a television.

To install your projector in an ideal and out of the way spot, using a projector mount on the ceiling is the best option. From the right distance, it will provide a great image and you won’t have to worry about blocking the projection with your home theater seating arrangement.

Additionally, unless you use a stand, you’ll need to mount the screen on the wall and ensure that the projector and screen are installed at just the right distance. Mounting both the screen and projector means you’ll have a great system that easily disappears from view when you want it to, but it does take some time, money, and effort. To avoid the hassle of doing it yourself, you can rely on professional home theater installment services.

Consider audio

The final important component of your viewing experience is, of course, sound quality. If you want top-notch sound attached to your projector or television, you will want to invest in home theater audio equipment. Investing in good sound components can be even more crucial with a projector than with a TV. This is because even though some projectors come with built-in speakers, the average speakers on projectors are of much lower quality than speakers on televisions. You can keep your setup simple by purchasing a high-quality wireless sound bar, or you can go big by installing a surround-sound system for a true cinematic experience.

Expand your options to include the outdoors

While an outdoor projector setup may sound a little overwhelming, it does make for a great experience watching movies outdoors during the summer. You can find many easy-to-use outdoor projectors and screens that will bring your family loads of fun during the warmer months.

Are projectors better than TVs?

If your goal is to recreate the most theatre-like environment and you’re ready to invest a little time and energy into the set-up, then a projector is the right choice for you. You can create a dedicated viewing area, install technology in a way that does not intrude into your living space, or opt to take your entertainment outdoors.

On the other hand, if you want a device that covers all the bases in one easy-to-use package, opt for a television. While it may be conventional, it’s that way for good reason: TVs are an all-in-one entertainment system. Plus, your overall costs will likely be more budget friendly when choosing a television.