Projectors vs. TV's

[BDS23420]

hey guys im just wondering whats better?

a LCD TV Plasma TV or Projection TV???

what would u guys suggest?

[Driver_King]

Wait, a projector or rear-projection TV? Either way, you can have an awesome LCD TV and crappy projector or RPTV and it not be a fair comparison.

[The Great Robu]

I would go with either a plasma or an LCD..

It really depends on your lighting situation.. If your going to have the display in a room with a lot outside light (like in a living room) then I would suggest an LCD.. If however you are going to have it in a room where you can control your lighting (like in a darker room, or a dedicated home theater) then I would say plasma..

Something you also have to realize, is that LCD Displays are generally cheaper (in price) than plasma units, but are limited to about 52 inches in size, after that, you are getting into the plasma range..

Also, its not so much of a problem as before, but Plasma displays are known to have burn in problems.. Also remember that Plasmas are also known to have a higher contrast ratio, and an all around higher quality picture, although, some LCD displays are getting really good with contrast ratios.. I myself have a Samsung 120 hertz 52inch LCD, series 7 model, with the touch of color. I love my tv (except for the well documented halo effect) but the Samsung series 6 model don't have the halo effect, and is a great tv.. You can pick up a 40 inch from best buy for about 16 hundred. Its a little pricey, but its well worth it, and i would swear by it..

I hope this helps..

PS... Stay away from Vizio TV's.. They are priced really low for a reason.. Their contrast ratio is horrible, and is just an all around crappy tv.. If that all you can afford right now, save up and get a tv you will be happy with.. Its an investment that you are gonna use just about every day, you are gonna want a nice display.

[gearyt]

http://www.6ave.com/shop/product.asp...erPANTH46PZ80U

projection usually required a darkened room

[BDS23420]

thanks guys i have a 32" LG right now for my set up its really basic....32" tv with PS3 and a phillips 1000 watt surroundsound...pretty good for what i can get right now..but in a few i would love to upgrade! so im just seeing whats out there now.

[Beta Man]

My vote....

[primaz]

The technology now for front projection systems does not require a totally blacked out room and with basic blinds or drapes there is no comparison of any TV plasma, etc. compared to a front projection set up. Also now the cost is getting so cheap that you can get front projection systems as low as 700 dollars and now some of the best rated ones are only $2700 when years ago you would have to pay over $10K!

Yes it takes more work to mount it and a bit of time or a little extra for a pro to tune one but when you are done you will have a screen just as clear yet ten times the size! Remember the saying "size matters", and yes it does!

[Banjo]

Originally Posted by primaz

The technology now for front projection systems does not require a totally blacked out room and with basic blinds or drapes there is no comparison of any TV plasma, etc. compared to a front projection set up. Also now the cost is getting so cheap that you can get front projection systems as low as 700 dollars and now some of the best rated ones are only $2700 when years ago you would have to pay over $10K!

Yes it takes more work to mount it and a bit of time or a little extra for a pro to tune one but when you are done you will have a screen just as clear yet ten times the size! Remember the saying "size matters", and yes it does!

Yep, it does!

[Brain Sturgeon]

If you have a reasonably well light controlled room that is amenable to a projector setup, then no question-- front projection is the way to go. The image quality of FP's is anywhere from good to , and there is no substitute for size in a home theater. You will get a bigger, high quality picture for less with an FP system vs a direct view set.

Of course, FP systems can get hideously expensive; but the result can knock your socks off:

[Brain Sturgeon]

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=39987

[leov36]

for any ht forum ive been in, projector owners will always tell you go front projector, as though once you go front pj, you'll never want to go back. well, its true!
it looks like alot of people are now utilizing both a flat panel tv and a pj in the same room. the flat pannel being used for day time viewing, cable, news, etc, and the fp for movies at night. this is a wonderful concept seeing not many people have completely dark rooms during the daytime, and the fact that pj bulbs last around 2k hours and are expensive to replace.
this setup may sound expensive to an average person, but really one could buy a decent hd projector for 800-2000 dollars, and a 50 inch 720p plasma for 1000-1200, then find a pull down screen for pretty cheap. this may not yeild you the most high quality setup, but will be more than satisfying for most, and the wow factor will be huge! (especially when you upgrade that pulldown to motorized)


that star wars ss is amazing btw

[chriharr]

why not just have both in the same room, get a retractable screen installed, mount the projector on the ceiling have all your surround sound components in their normal spots and wah lah, LCD TV for daytime viewing, projector for night time.

I know someone who has done this, it's mainly to keep his wife happy, you see some people don't want to convert an entire room to a dark home theatre, some people want to actually live in their homes too, so this way you can entertain and have lots of light in the day, and use the projector at night.

[SlmShdy1]

Originally Posted by chriharr

why not just have both in the same room, get a retractable screen installed, mount the projector on the ceiling have all your surround sound components in their normal spots and wah lah, LCD TV for daytime viewing, projector for night time.

I know someone who has done this, it's mainly to keep his wife happy, you see some people don't want to convert an entire room to a dark home theatre, some people want to actually live in their homes too, so this way you can entertain and have lots of light in the day, and use the projector at night.

For that to work out, wouldn't you need a receiver with two HDMI outputs? I mean, it sounds like a fantastic idea and I've seen users on here have a setup just like that, but you would need one output to the TV and one to the projector.

Originally Posted by The Great Robu

Something you also have to realize, is that LCD Displays are generally cheaper (in price) than plasma units, but are limited to about 52 inches in size, after that, you are getting into the plasma range..

Actually, plasmas are cheaper. LCD's aren't limited to 52". There are plenty out there in a 55" to 70" range. They also have some LCD's that are 100"+.

[kefrank]

If you watch a lot of movies, having a front projection set up is totally worth it. That being said, if it's your only display or your primary broadcast television display, I would stick with an LCD or Plasma flat panel, due to the cost of projector bulb replacement.

[rubberghost]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

My vote....

NICE.

[Squozen]

I paid less for my projector system than I would have for a decent 50" LCD or plasma. I'll never go back to anything less than 90-100" diagonally.

[Cyberdyne]

Nice for watching the newsticker.....

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by kefrank

If you watch a lot of movies, having a front projection set up is totally worth it. That being said, if it's your only display or your primary broadcast television display, I would stick with an LCD or Plasma flat panel, due to the cost of projector bulb replacement.

I agree.... not due to the cost of the bulbs, but due to the fact that you don't want to enjoy your morning cup of coffee watching fox news in complete darkness...... LCD/Plasma is just way more versatile.


getting a cheap 32" in addition to a front projection is a great alternative though.

[drago3451]

I am doing this exact thing. I just got a front projector and will be getting a motorized screen to drop in front of my current SXRD tv. I currently have a home made 106" screen hung IFO the setup. I have the signal split from my receiver to both the tv and projector using this.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

Has worked great so far.

[naturephoto1]

Presently I have a 50" Pioneer Kuro Elite PRO-111FD TV. Once I move, I plan on building a home theater where I will have a motorized screen to drop down in front of the Pioneer when I want a larger presentation. I will have to determine the screen size and the Projector however.

Rich