Big TV or Projector?

radderfire · 23 Jan 2011 at 12:57

Hi Guys

Say you had up to £5k to spend on creating your ultimate home entertainment experience, would you go for a big TV or a projector and why?

Thanks :cool:

Paul11 · 23 Jan 2011 at 12:59

if you got the room, projector

why: more submersive experience

Chris1712 · 23 Jan 2011 at 13:17

Projector by a million miles. 5k is plenty for a decent projector, scope lens/sled and a heffing screen. Spend whats left coating the room in black velvet and make everyone wear gimp suits to watch films

. Honestly don't know why anyone would consider a TV for a 'home entertainment experience', doesn't count imo.

radderfire · 23 Jan 2011 at 13:27

If you want to watch TV on a projector, how quickly can you "switch on". As I am very impatient, I hate waiting for systems to "boot up". One attraction of a TV is that it can be switched on quickly. Could a projector system ever match the quick start up time of a TV?

Thanks

Chris1712 · 23 Jan 2011 at 14:29

radderfire said:
If you want to watch TV on a projector, how quickly can you "switch on". As I am very impatient, I hate waiting for systems to "boot up". One attraction of a TV is that it can be switched on quickly. Could a projector system ever match the quick start up time of a TV?

Thanks

Well no because they generally take 20 seconds for the bulb to warm up. This could change soon with the rise of LED projectors. Plus you need a fairly light controlled room to get a decent picture.
Personally doesn't affect me, I don't watch TV to pass time etc. I only use it for films and gaming really so I expect to be sat there a while. All it means is you turn on the PJ before you grab your drinks etc.

lunarwolf · 23 Jan 2011 at 14:33

for £5k get a £1k plasma for watching regular TV and a £4k projector for movies

Audigex · 23 Jan 2011 at 16:28

If I had £5k to spend I'd agree with lunarwolf - £1k for a great 50" plasma, then the £4k for amp+speakers and projector.

However, if I had the choice of either a top end TV or a decent projector (but not quite enough, hypothetically, to get a TV and projector worth having) then I'd go for it based on my use. I tend to mostly watch films or a couple of hours of my favourite programs, generally late in the evening when I can have the room dark anyway - so I'd go with a projector.

For my mum, I'd go for the TV - she watches mostly just normal TV, in the daytime, a bit at a time. It'd be too much hassle to darken the room etc.

Rroff · 23 Jan 2011 at 16:31

Both my optoma projectors switch on pretty quick - not as quick as a TFT/TV starting up but not hideously long.

There is nothing like a wallsized display for immersive movie watching - a 40-50" TV doesn't even come close... but its not that handy for general TV viewing.

If you have 5K to blow go for both with a pull down screen infront of the TV for the projector - you can get very good 1080p (and even 720p is pretty decent) projectors for sub 2K and 1K will go a long way with a TV. Might be a little bit of a pinch getting a decent sound-system and furnishing the room but its well worth it and possible within that budget.