TV or Projector?
Question: Should I Get a Projector or a Television for my Home Theatre?
SIM2 unveils its latest C3X 1080 projector
Answer: Let me start off by saying that any modern television can be used in a home theatre system. In essence, if you already own a good, working, television that has at least standard audio and video connections in addition to a standard cable or antenna connection, you have at least a basic way of viewing television and DVD images. The question is whether you need to upgrade to a more advanced television, or, in home theatre lingo, a video display device.
Don’t get bogged down with the techie stuff
Here is where consumers get bogged down with the terminology and potential choices. Where once there was only the good, old-fashioned 25-inch tube TV, now consumers have the choice of not only a dozen sizes from 26-inches to 73-inches, but also have to choose between neo plasma, plasma, LCD, LED, rear projection, and front projection. That coupled with release of Laser TV, which is a new form of rear projection technology that utilizes light beam technology, and the soon to be released 2k and 4k T.V’s all add up to a multitude of choices and usually confusion for the customer.
The size of the television or video display device you get really depends on the size of the room environment you will be using it in and how close you will be sitting to the screen. For instance, in a smaller room, you won’t achieve the full potential and experience of what a projector and fixed screen theatre set up can provide, so it becomes more viable to go with an appropriate Television type display.
Mitsubishi Laservue
However, the decision as to what type of television you get is a little more complex. However, no matter what type of television or video display device you purchase, make sure it is high definition compatible, as almost all geographical locations in the U.S. have access to an increasing amount of high definition programming, either over-the-air, cable, and/or satellite sources. It’s a good idea for the consumer to sit down and really know what they want from their product and where it will be used so that when they consult a Specialist Company like AV Design, we can more accurately tailor the products to suit individual needs.
With specific reference as to whether one should get a television-type video display vs a video projector, the main factor you have to take into consideration is whether you intend to watch a lot of television programs vs Blu-ray Disc and/or DVD movies. Other factors that can come into play is space and location and those thinking about upgrading to a larger projector-type display; then the fore-mentioned aspects become even more important.
Factors to consider
Important factors to take note of when considering a video projector vs a television-type video display include:
1. Video projectors do not have RF cable or antenna connections like a television has. However, if your cable or satellite box has component, and/or DVI, or HDMI (for HD components) connections you would be able to hook them up to a video projector.
2. Video projectors have a very limited bulb life. In other words, if you are watching TV on your video projector about four or more hours every day, you might need to replace the light source bulb about every 18 months to 2 years at about $400-$600.
3. Due to the very large screen sizes used in video projection, standard TV or satellite do not look as good as they do on standard large screen television. In addition, VHS looks very poor, due to its low resolution.. If you have HDTV-cable or HDTV-satellite, you would get much better results.
Ideally, video projection is really best for viewing DVD, Blu-ray, HD-DVD movies and for big events, such as the NRL Final, or, if viewing a TV program, limit it to that season-ending cliff hanger. If you desire longer bulb life, limit your viewing to about 12 hours a week and your projection bulb will last a few years. Quality over quantity and being mindful of it becomes a more efficient means of operation and smarter usage.
If you are looking for a replacement for nightly TV watching, it would be more cost effective to buy a large screen rear projection television, LCD, or Plasma set rather than a video projector. When this decision is made, there are then other aspects to consider regarding which type of Screen Technology would be best suited(whether its games, movies/tv, media viewing or even commercial applications where operation time is much higher). No matter what end of the scale your on in terms of AV equipment, there is always many things to consider and factor in so that the finished product creates the desired effect. Being properly aware and informed is key, and that’s why anyone considering purchasing a form of display or any kind of AV products should see a Specialist like AV Design.