< p > For decades, if you wanted a screen bigger than 85 inches, you needed a projector.But now, TCL and Hisense are selling 98 - inch and 115 - inch TVs for affordable prices.Is the home theater projector dead ?
< h2 > 1. Brightness and Contrast(TV Wins)
< p > TV: An LED TV pumps out light. You can watch it in a sunny room with the curtains open. Blacks are jet black.
< br > Projector: It reflects light off a screen. Any ambient light in the room washes out the image. Unless you have a dedicated "bat cave" (blackout room), the image will look gray and dull during the day.
2. Size per Dollar(Projector Wins...Barely)
< p > A 120 - inch screen is still cheaper with a projector($3,000 for a good UST Laser setup) than a 115 - inch TV($10,000 +).But the gap is closing fast.A 98 - inch TV can now be found for $3,000.
< h2 > 3. Installation Complexity
< p > TV: Heavy. A 98-inch TV weighs 150lbs. Getting it down a basement staircase is often impossible. We have had to remove windows to crane them in.
< br > Projector: Tiny box. Easier to carry. But you need to mount the screen perfectly and run HDMI cables across the ceiling.
4. Laser TV(UST) - The Hybrid
< p > Ultra Short Throw(UST) projectors sit on the cabinet right below the screen(like a TV).They offer the size of a projector with easier installation.However, they demand a perfectly flat wall.Any wave in your drywall will warp the image.
< h2 > Verdict
< p > Buy a TV for your living room or multi-purpose media room.
< br > Buy a Projector < /strong> only for a dedicated, light-controlled basement cinema.
