Projector for AppleTV

[MonkeyShines]

This isn’t an iTunes question and about projectors but since I’d be using it with an AppleTV I figured this was the right place to ask.

The virus and lockdown have caused a delay in acquiring a permanent abode and I don’t want to buy a 4K TV to add to the burden a future move.

Do I was considering a projector for the AppleTV. I though 4K projectors would simply be too expensive but I’ve seen a couple on Amazon UK that are not.

Can anyone explain what “full native HD” and “4K support” means here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/YABER-1920x...4k+pro&sr=8-13

Is this not actually 4K?

How about this - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Projector-A...=4k+pro&sr=8-8

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by MonkeyShines

Can anyone explain what “full native HD” and “4K support” means here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/YABER-1920x...4k+pro&sr=8-13

Is this not actually 4K?

I don't know this projector, but I can guarantee you it's not a "real" (native) 4K projector. Those start at several thousand dollars.

This is most likely a projector that can accept a 4K signal, but downscales it for display on a 1080p panel. Some of the better "pseudo-4K" projectors use a technique called pixel-shifting. Basically, they split the 4K image into two 1080p images by using alternating pixels for each, then display them in rapid succession shifted by half a pixel. This kind of approximates 4K resolution, but since they still use a 1080p panel or DLP chip the pixels are of course too big (and overlapping), so you don't get full 4K detail.

If you decide to order, make sure you can return it. I doubt very much that for ~200 pounds you'll get good color reproduction, contrast, HDR rendering, low fan noise etc. This kind of projector is usually only good for projecting slides in a business environment or similar. Usable home cinema projectors with good contrast and black levels normally start at above $1000 or so, better ones around $2000. Good native 4K starts at around $5000. In a price range below $1k, you're probably better off with a TV.

[MonkeyShines]

Originally Posted by Fiffy

I don't know this projector, but I can guarantee you it's not a "real" (native) 4K projector. Those start at several thousand dollars.

This is most likely a projector that can accept a 4K signal, but downscales it for display on a 1080p panel. Some of the better "pseudo-4K" projectors use a technique called pixel-shifting. Basically, they split the 4K image into two 1080p images by using alternating pixels for each, then display them in rapid succession shifted by half a pixel. This kind of approximates 4K resolution, but since they still use a 1080p panel or DLP chip the pixels are of course too big (and overlapping), so you don't get full 4K detail.

If you decide to order, make sure you can return it. I doubt very much that for ~200 pounds you'll get good color reproduction, contrast, HDR rendering, low fan noise etc. This kind of projector is usually only good for projecting slides in a business environment or similar. Usable home cinema projectors with good contrast and black levels normally start at above $1000 or so, better ones around $2000. Good native 4K starts at around $5000. In a price range below $1k, you're probably better off with a TV.

Thank you for responding and for the information.

A 4K TV is what I want but just not wise in the current situation.

What about HD ? Can HD projectors be as good as a HD TV ? Or is crazy money again ?

[MovieReviews331]

Originally Posted by MonkeyShines

Thank you for responding and for the information.

A 4K TV is what I want but just not wise in the current situation.

What about HD ? Can HD projectors be as good as a HD TV ? Or is crazy money again ?

It really depends on cost vs benefit for your situation. How much money are you willing to spend to tie you over until you can get your 4K tv?

Projector: You can find a pretty decent 1080p projector for pretty cheap (Try Optoma hd143x or hd243x). To really get the benefit, though, you need a decent screen. All together, you are probably looking at $500-700 for a passable 1080p projector set up.

note: The projector screen may be a pain to move, unless you use a portable which would not be as good of quality.

TV: You can get a small UHD tv (easy enough to move and decent quality) for about $400 or so. (Try TCL 4-6 series)

Which one would you be more likely to keep and benefit from after you move? That would be your best bet.



Also, regarding pixel-shift or faux-4K projectors. Many professional reviewers are really impressed by the increased resolution using this technology, so if it would fit your needs, it could be a bit of a cheaper way to get into 4K projection. Just do some further research before writing it off.

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by MonkeyShines

Thank you for responding and for the information.

A 4K TV is what I want but just not wise in the current situation.

What about HD ? Can HD projectors be as good as a HD TV ? Or is crazy money again ?

Projectors aren't really a replacement for a TV IMO. They provide a different kind of experience. But they require a bit of effort to set up for good results (installing a screen, finding a good place to put the projector with the right projection angles and picture size) and a light-controlled room (only a dark room will provide good black levels, which is crucial for many movies).

If properly set up, they do provide a much better movie experience than a TV IMO (I do almost all of my movie watching on a projector), but if circumstances don't allow that, you'll probably be happier with a TV.

And yes, there are very good 1080p projectors. The resolution is just one of many parameters.

[MonkeyShines]

Originally Posted by MovieReviews331

It really depends on cost vs benefit for your situation. How much money are you willing to spend to tie ........ resolution using this technology, so if it would fit your needs, it could be a bit of a cheaper way to get into 4K projection. Just do some further research before writing it off.

Originally Posted by Fiffy

Projectors aren't really a replacement for a TV IMO. They provide a different kind of experience. But they require a bit of effort to set up for good results (installing a ...................h a TV.

And yes, there are very good 1080p projectors. The resolution is just one of many parameters.

Thank you both for the input.

I haven’t been online for a while but I saw your posts the last time and was certain I had responded.

I from years of looking at technical reviews of DVDs, Bly-rays And TVs that reviewers go into near microscopic detail in regards to image quality. People know what they are talking about but I came to realise that the “flaws” can often be things I would not have noticed.

This has lead to me not knowing what kind of a TV to choose when buying.

Last TV I owned was a JVC and my AppleTV looked great on it. Nothing ever wrong with dark or night time scenes. No doubt the reviewers would see something I diff not.

The situation has changed a bit since I was last on and getting a 4K TV might not be the cause of trouble that I thought it would. Moving it would be a pain I can simply keep the box and packaging to make that easier.

A projector would be fun though and less hassle.

So I’m going to consider both.

I don’t want to spend too much but the picture quality confounds me every time.

How do I know when a review has strayed into a level that I would not notice their pros and cons?

As fiffy said the blacks are important so what am I looking for there?

What I basically want is to be told what brands and models to but?

[MonkeyShines]

What I meant above was a HD projector or a 4K TV.


I looked into screen vs. paint and paint seems the best option as it looks like regular paint and no need to drill, etc.

I looked up those Optoma projectors and €500+ is way out of my price range. Too much for 4K TV too.

Is there good HD projectors for under €/£/$200 ?

[MovieReviews331]

For that price range, you may just want to read up on some reviews on cnet.com or projectorreviews.com. I can tell you that you will definitely just be looking at a budget model, and nothing with spectacular contrast or inky blacks.

I wish you the best in your search.

[MonkeyShines]

Originally Posted by MovieReviews331

For that price range, you may just want to read up on some reviews on cnet.com or projectorreviews.com. I can tell you that you will definitely just be looking at a budget model, and nothing with spectacular contrast or inky blacks.

I wish you the best in your search.

Thank you.

I was talking to someone the other day who recently bought a projector - a Vanyko 470. Around a €100 - the screen around €60.

He wanted a projector just for fun of it being like a cinema and wasn’t worried about image quality - just want a “good quality picture”. I don’t know what he considers to be quality but he said it was “just fine” but was disappointed at “pixelation” of dark and night time scenes.

I have to be honest that this “4K TV vs. HD projector” dilemma of mine is keeping me sane. Because of this lovkdown I’m caught up family melodrama is just not built to deal with.