[Q] Projector vs TV

[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.

[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!

[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.

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by Pondosinatra

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.

It is not about getting the cinema look at home, that is why he said "you can get better sound and picture in your home", Unlike the theatre there is no teen getting paid minimum wage that does not know or care how to set up or use the projector in my home.

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

It is not about getting the cinema look at home, that is why he said "you can get better sound and picture in your home", Unlike the theatre there is no teen getting paid minimum wage that does not know or care how to set up or use the projector in my home.

[Pondosinatra]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

It is not about getting the cinema look at home, that is why he said "you can get better sound and picture in your home", Unlike the theatre there is no teen getting paid minimum wage that does not know or care how to set up or use the projector in my home.

And a projector gets me a better sound how exactly?

[Mr.Twinks]

Originally Posted by Pondosinatra

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.

It's all good in the hood man! I am not picking on you and a few years ago, I would've agreed with you. I will admit not all theaters are created equal. When I lived in CA, most theaters were crap compared to what I have now. But I do have a 'small' privately owned theater about a mile from where I live in Ohio. The have the uber Sony 4K commercial projector. So the PQ blew me away when I saw Prometheus 3D and Titanic 3D. The sound was good but not great, probably because the bass would disturb the neighboring cinema rooms. It also helps that the people running the equipment knows what they are doing.

I have always loved my plasma tv's and the picture is pretty good, not Kuro good, but for the price good. As I started my search for projectors, I learned a lot from the small HT stores and was blown away by what a properly set up projector can do (also from the forums). I visited many HT stores to demo different brands of PJ's and I will say that there are many that put out an awesome picture, with spectacular black levels ( JVC most models, Sony VPL95ES etc). I also just improved my PQ by installing a curtain to block ambient light coming from the hall way. Just that much light blocking improved my viewing experience. I have shown my neighbors parts of movies like Skyfall, Avatar, Prometheus for PQ, and War of the Worlds for earth shattering sound. They all wanted to watch more and experience more! Plus I help them set up a budget that will meet their needs and not piss off their better half. Or I gave people more options besides buying the big tv at the local B&M store.

Ok , I am rambling on but I do like this discussion.

[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.