[Q] Projector vs TV

[80sfanboy]

I am currently running the setup found in my sig. Many years ago I considered buying a projector setup but the cost was extremely expensive bang for buck and the quality just wasn't as good as I wanted.

I am now back in a position to consider this as an option, however the threads I have found by searching the web have all been very outdated or not very informative.

I would be using it primarily for movies only and some 3D. I notice a lot of you guys are using projector sets and was wondering what it a decent one would cost and is it really as good if not better than let's say my TV or a current LED, LCD or Plasma for example. I still plan to use my speakers, receiver and Oppo but will only use my LG TV for general viewing and probably most of my console gaming.

To summarise:

I guess I want to know what price I would spend for raw size, features and advantages over what is currently available in TVs. I am not normally slack with researching but seriously there are some stupidly old threads around and nothing that helps me out. I need to be spoon fed in this instance. Someone might return the favour and help me for once

Thanks guys

[beechy]

You will get heaps of help from the guys here I recently went through the same process as you and got heaps of help from the generous guys here

I reckon it's all a little subjective to opinion me personally I think it's an unfair comparison whilst a pj will give you a fantastic pic and an unreal experience they do have a different look to a tv set I think it's all due to the glass screen on a set which gives a different look to a front pj pic

Also although not bad of a night you really do need to have a light controlled environment to get the best out of the machine you choice

I purchased a HD33 which is an entry-mid level unit was the best IMO I could get for the money I wanted to spend its an DLP projector which I found I preferred when I looked around however I think the LCD units were cool to was just my personal choice you need to demo for yourself

I will say that with my pj and set up I'm not getting the black levels of my plasma which is a 64inch Panasonic st which is a sensational picture the black levels are more noticeable when you have the black bars

We still use both for movies from time to time we crash on the couch and watch films on our tv but if it's a movie night we fire up the theatre and pj I will say that the sheer size really is an experience

I would Be sure to go take a look with your own eyes before jumping in

Let us know how ya go

[80sfanboy]

Originally Posted by beechy

You will get heaps of help from the guys here I recently went through the same process as you and got heaps of help from the generous guys here

I reckon it's all a little subjective to opinion me personally I think it's an unfair comparison whilst a pj will give you a fantastic pic and an unreal experience they do have a different look to a tv set I think it's all due to the glass screen on a set which gives a different look to a front pj pic

Also although not bad of a night you really do need to have a light controlled environment to get the best out of the machine you choice

I purchased a HD33 which is an entry-mid level unit was the best IMO I could get for the money I wanted to spend its an DLP projector which I found I preferred when I looked around however I think the LCD units were cool to was just my personal choice you need to demo for yourself

I will say that with my pj and set up I'm not getting the black levels of my plasma which is a 64inch Panasonic st which is a sensational picture the black levels are more noticeable when you have the black bars

We still use both for movies from time to time we crash on the couch and watch films on our tv but if it's a movie night we fire up the theatre and pj I will say that the sheer size really is an experience

I would Be sure to go take a look with your own eyes before jumping in

Let us know how ya go

Thanks mate. How much did you pay for it if you don't mind Unfortunately there aren't many places in South Australia where I can have a look at them
- I forgot to mention I would like to watch 3D as well.

[roar]

Originally Posted by 80sfanboy

Thanks mate. How much did you pay for it if you don't mind Unfortunately there aren't many places in South Australia where I can have a look at them
- I forgot to mention I would like to watch 3D as well.

A couple of questions. Do you have full control of the light in the room and do you prefer to watch movies with the lights on. Do you have at least 10 feet of distance between your back wall and the wall where the tv/screen would go. Finally, what's your budget and is that amount for display purposes only,meaning are you happy with your sound.

[bhampton]

I've had projectors since 1999 and they get better and cheaper like computers.

The local church used to have movie nights at my place and was always wanting a $500 or less projector.

Yesterday the preacher and I bought an open box Epson 5210 at best buy for $360.

It's so lightweight and so easy to setup and easy to use. He's so happy.

My own projector is a Sony vw60 which had a MSRP of $5000 long ago but can be found used under $1000 any day of the week now.

Any direct view type of display (flat screen) will deliver much more light output. However, I prefer projected images. (Rumor has it reflected light is also healthier for your eyes.)

-Brian

[Anthony P]

Once you go FP you can never go back to TV.

The big negative over TV, like others have said, is that since a projector works by reflecting light off of a screen the more that you can control other light from reflecting off of the screen the better the experience will be. Now depending on the projector/image size/screen that does not necessarily mean pitch black, but a window facing a screen will most likely degrade the pic more than a TV.

A second negative could be installation, even though a projector could be plopped on a table and plugged in and shown on a white wall, chances are that you will want it mounted and a proper screen. That means determining where it will go and how big you want the image and getting the proper screen.

From a picture point of view I prefer the look of an FP over that of a TV, reflected light somehow looks more natural since we don’t spend our time looking directly at light sources.

The real benefits of FP over TV (from a simple consumer stand point) is price/weight/size vs size. I received a projector the other day through the mail, the letter carrier brought it with the letters on top of the box, it can be moved around by one person, it easily fits through any door and any tight place, something that is not easy with a large TV (even flat panel). Projector prices (and features and quality) are all over the place, but a decent 3D projector like the Epson 3020 I think it is the Epson EH-TW6100 in Audstralia which is does not have all the features of its bigger brothers but does 3D, good brightness, decent optical zoom range is 2,500+ shipping on Epson’s Australia’s page http://www.epson.com.au/products/pro...asp?groupid=11 (and don’t forget that a retailer will probably have it cheaper) and how would that compare to a 60” 3D TV+ and realize that you will most likely not go 60” diagonal but if you are like me, you will go 10’ (120”) wide. And there are cheaper options (for example data projectors with lower resolution) but they won’t offer the quality of an HT projector.

[bhampton]

Screens can be cheap so if the screen gets damaged somehow you don't lose the whole display.

[bill_martinez]

have you guys ever bought those mini projectors before and know if they are any good?

[Pondosinatra]

I've never liked the look of projectors. I have yet to see one that impressed me.

It's obviously subjective, but I much prefer the look of movies on a plasma TV.

Of course if size is what you're after, and you don't have $20k to spend on an 84" TV, projector is the way to go.

Room design is another consideration. I don't know what the fascination of recreating a theatre in your house is, and it's obviously the be all end all for a lot of people on here, but I simply don't like it. A TV has a lot more placement options than a projector screen.

[KRW1]

Do it. I put it off for years, now I couldn't go back. I've got a small-ish flat and people said it couldnt be done but if there's a will....and I never saw the point with DVD, much. There wasn't much oomph there but bluray looks fantastic large scale.

I still use a 42" tv for most viewing, which is housed in a unit with shelving. To add a projector screen, I just bought a pull down screen, fastened it to the top of the unit, so when it's 'movie night' you just pull it down, it covers the TV unit completely, and you've got a 120" screen. The PJ hangs behind the sofa from the ceiling. one day, I'll get around to building a box around it, but it's fine for now. There's no end of tinkering you need to do, obviously, hiding wires and so on, but it's all part of the fun.

You really can't go back. Having a TV as well means you never quite get used to the scale, so it's always a bit special. The other night we had friends around and watched Hearts of Darkness on the small screen, then fired up the projector for Apocalypse Now. Brilliiant double bill.

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by Pondosinatra

I've never liked the look of projectors. I have yet to see one that impressed me.

It's obviously subjective, but I much prefer the look of movies on a plasma TV.

Of course if size is what you're after, and you don't have $20k to spend on an 84" TV, projector is the way to go.

Room design is another consideration. I don't know what the fascination of recreating a theatre in your house is, and it's obviously the be all end all for a lot of people on here, but I simply don't like it. A TV has a lot more placement options than a projector screen.

I am just curious as to how many different PJ's you have seen Pondosinatra, Couldn't be to many if you have not seen a good one. I have had a plazma & now an LCD & my PJ looks just as good as either one of my TV's.

IMO only a crazy person would spend $20K on a TV when they can get a bigger image that is just as good from a projector for far less money.

My $2,000 PJ (retail around $3,000) with a $130 dollar (106") pull down screen. Image is just as good as most TV's out there. Taken with my Nikon D40 camera.

[Riddler The Slag]

^ Those screen shots are stunning!

[kurtis21]

[QUOTE=crazyBLUE;7205353]I am just curious as to how many different PJ's you have seen Pondosinatra, Couldn't be to many if you have not seen a good one. I have had a plazma & now an LCD & my PJ looks just as good as either one of my TV's.

IMO only a crazy person would spend $20K on a TV when they can get a bigger image that is just as good from a projector for far less money.[QUOTE]

Great screen shots BLUE!! I'm gonna take some more myself this weekend now that I've got my new stuff up and running!

[roar]

Originally Posted by kurtis21

Great screen shots BLUE!! I'm gonna take some more myself this weekend now that I've got my new stuff up and running!

Check out the Screen Shots thread over in the Projectors area, he is the King of screen shots!

I feel like buying the exact same body and lens as he uses so I can copy his settings exactly to get such great results.

[kurtis21]

Originally Posted by roar

Check out the Screen Shots thread over in the Projectors area, he is the King of screen shots!

I feel like buying the exact same body and lens as he uses so I can copy his settings exactly to get such great results.

I agree! I feel like my pictures never do my projector justice!! My pictures NEVER come out as clear as they are in real life!

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

Once you go FP you can never go back to TV.

Sadly, I might be doing just that Need to find a house where I can move my projector to, or at the very least, I may have to down-size from my 135" screen

Originally Posted by bill_martinez

have you guys ever bought those mini projectors before and know if they are any good?

Don't waste your time. You need to focus on resolution, throw distance, and how much light they put out. Those cheap gimmicks designed for kids to play video games are junk. I actually bought one so I could let my kids watch videos while camping out at concerts, projected onto a sheet hung from our tent. Would never use one in the home.

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Sadly, I might be doing just that Need to find a house where I can move my projector to, or at the very least, I may have to down-size from my 135" screen

sad to hear, good luck with that

Don't waste your time. You need to focus on resolution, throw distance, and how much light they put out. Those cheap gimmicks designed for kids to play video games are junk. I actually bought one so I could let my kids watch videos while camping out at concerts, projected onto a sheet hung from our tent. Would never use one in the home.

agree, I don't have one, but I got a camcorder for my dad with a built in mini projector (I am assuming he means one of those that fits in the palm when he says mini). It is OK for the reason I got it for him (i.e. not limited to showing the video on the camcorders screen) but when he comes here, I connect it to my projector because I can.

[Mr.Twinks]

Originally Posted by Pondosinatra

I've never liked the look of projectors. I have yet to see one that impressed me.

It's obviously subjective, but I much prefer the look of movies on a plasma TV.

Of course if size is what you're after, and you don't have $20k to spend on an 84" TV, projector is the way to go.

Room design is another consideration. I don't know what the fascination of recreating a theatre in your house is, and it's obviously the be all end all for a lot of people on here, but I simply don't like it. A TV has a lot more placement options than a projector screen.

Your Kuro is a fantastic tv, IMO the best TV I have seen in action. But watching tv is just that. Right now I would choose a Sony VPL1000es 4K projector out of any tv in that price range. We HT enthusiast are recreating the cinema in our home, why because you can get better sound and picture in your home and I love movies! Granted it is a luxury to have, but I have never loved watching films as much as I do now with my PJ setup. All of this IMHO.

Blue's screen shots are awesome btw!

[meremortal]

Originally Posted by Pondosinatra

I've never liked the look of projectors. I have yet to see one that impressed me.

It's obviously subjective, but I much prefer the look of movies on a plasma TV.

[Show spoiler]f course if size is what you're after, and you don't have $20k to spend on an 84" TV, projector is the way to go.

Room design is another consideration. I don't know what the fascination of recreating a theatre in your house is, and it's obviously the be all end all for a lot of people on here, but I simply don't like it. A TV has a lot more placement options than a projector screen.

I still have my old 480p projector from like 2003 for watching dvds and LDs occasionally and it's pretty fun for the big screen. But, I do much prefer the quality of a plasma. That said, I'm sure projectors have come a long, long way since I got mine. Unfortunately, I don't really have the dedicated lighting (or lack of) to use a projector full time.

[Pondosinatra]

Originally Posted by Mr.Twinks

...We HT enthusiast are recreating the cinema in our home, why because you can get better sound and picture in your home...

Ah, but that's where we differ. I don't want to recreate the cinema in my home. I don't overly like the look of movies when I see them in a theatre. Here's an example - I went and saw Prometheus in the theatre. Then bought it on Blu when it came out. I much prefer the look of it on my TV (gorgeous) to what it was like at the theatre. Therefore why would I want it to look like that at home?

I know I'm in the minority, but I'm ok with it.