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Caught between buying a projector or a TV? You’ve come to the right place. We understand that buying these devices costs a lot of money and so before you go out and make the purchase, you want to be sure what you want to get. We want to save you from the regret of buying one, only to realize down the road that it is not suitable for your needs.

When it comes to watching our favorite shows, our default device is a TV. We associate projectors with home theatres and cinema when really there is no reason, at least not now. The search for big affordable screens that allow you to watch 4K leads can end with projectors and TVs alike. It really depends on what you’re looking for.

We have compiled a list of the features of each and done a comparison to ease your dilemma.

You can also jump on ahead to what you find most interesting.

The Cost of course!

When it comes to value for your money, projectors take the cake. Each square inch of the screen just costs less. For example, you can get an HD projector, which boasts of the 100-inch screen for less than $1400. An 85-inch TV, on the other hand, would cost you around $2300, and we’re referring to one of the cheaper options out there. Suffice to say, a TV costs way more than most of us can afford.

Then again, this is a rough estimate. The primary driving factor is the screen size, but obviously other things matter too. When you consider all features, like 4K and OLED technology, they get more expensive. However, you’ll still find that in projector vs TV, projectors are comparatively cheaper.

Size Matters

One of the main reasons people opt for projectors is because of the screen size. TV sizes can go 100 inches and above, but those are the really expensive ones. Also, most of these just came out last year. TVs are catching up and their screen size keeps on increasing each year, but they have a lot of ground to cover. There are also other limitations like the door size to consider. Thus, we can conclude that at any given time when we compare projector vs TV, the size range offered by projectors will remain unmatched by TVs.

It’s All About the Resolution

4K is what we’re all crazy about. This latest technology is redefining our viewing experience on projectors and large-screen TVs alike. You can get 4K in both devices for sure, but while the user manuals may state they can handle 4K and may indeed offer this resolution, the 4K experience you want needs something more.

4K resolution means there are a great number of pixels crammed into every square inch of your screen. To truly appreciate its beauty, you need the biggest screen you can get out there and the cheaper option is a projector. TVs are smaller and though they are catching up to the large screen sizes that projectors boast of, they are not quite there yet. Even if they are, they’re just too expensive. If you want the best 4K experience, get a projector. We promise you won’t regret it.

On a side note, to get the best experience to choose the screen display wisely. We can’t stress enough on how important that is. You must consider the material it uses, its size and not to forget ‘gain.’ A gain is a unit that measures how much the screen will brighten up the projection.

Check the Brightness

Speaking of brightness, you must also take into account how dim or bright the screen is.

We’re sure you’ve seen a projector display images, in school, office or in a movie for that matter. You might’ve noticed that it is always in a dark room. Why do you ask? Because the screen is dim and the dimmer it is, the darker the room needs to be for you to see it. This is a great drawback to projectors. You’ll probably need a room dedicated to this device.

With TV, on the other hand, there is no such issue. You want to prop it up in your sunny living room, your kitchen, or your bathroom? Just go right ahead. The visuals will not be affected in the least.

Contrast ratio

Now that we’re discussing the specs and functionality, we might as well also discuss contrast.

Contrast is the ratio between the luminance of darkest black and brightest white that can be produced by a TV. Projectors offer very high contrast ratios compared to TV and win this round. However, as it is a function of brightness and you need a dark room to fully appreciate it, TVs reign supreme.

TVs are bright enough to shine on no matter where you place them. This also means that the contrast you’re looking for will come through. With the availability of OLED technology, you get an infinite contrast ratio, leaving the projector’s contrast capabilities way behind. If you have a dark home theatre, then get a projector, but for the convenience TV offers, it wins this round of TV vs. projector.

Space Requirements

The space that the projector takes up itself is very little. It can be easily tucked away when not in use or if you place it on the ceiling you won’t even see it. The screen also calls be folded up for easy storage, but to get the best viewing experience, you need distance between the two. You can’t watch it up close of course. For the screen size displayed by the projector to be big enough, it needs to be spaced correctly.

Given that the primary reason people opt for a projector is the big screen size, projectors do not give much competition to TVs in this area. If you have limited space, projector TV is the way to go.

Sound Quality

Projection TVs win this round hands down since most come equipped with built-in speakers that do a decent sound job. Many projectors do too now, but they’re not as effective. Chances are you’ll have to spend in a sound system, which will surely increase your costs.

Installation and Maintenance

Sometimes, it’s not the object you purchase that costs as much, but rather its installation and upkeep. In this department, we find that projectors don’t fare as well as TVs.

Hands down TVs are easier to install. They may be large and heavy, but all you really have to do is find a location and plug it in. There might be some other wires you’ll have to connect, but overall it’s quite a simple process. Given that your devices plug into your TV, it ends up functioning conveniently as a single device. The only tricky part is when it comes to installing a wall bracket. Worry not though, you can easily find a step-by-step guide to help you.

Installing a projector, however, is a whole other ball game altogether. Getting the distance and height right, and dealing with a ton of the accompanying paraphernalia is not easy. For this reason, TV is our go-to choice.

When we talk about maintenance, it is important to note that TVs are powered by LEDs. They have a longer lifespan and it’s unlikely you’ll need to change them. But, projectors are a completely different story. They use lamps usually that will burn out at some point. In addition to this, dust accumulating in the projector is a major concern. If you live in a dusty part of the USA, it can be troublesome.

Many people prefer to buy something once and never have to bother with it again. If you’re one of those, TV is a great option. That is if you have the money to pay for it. If you want to save some money and aren’t afraid to get down and dirty, there are some cheap bulbs you can buy the replace the ones in your projector when they burn out. You can also find videos on how to fit them in.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for the best buy projector, you can find find great reviews online to help you. The same is the case with TV. You want to get the best TV projector to make sure you’re getting the best results.

So, which side are you on? You think a TV is the one for you or a projector. Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear from you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which is easier to install – TV or projector?

TVs are easier to install even though they’re large and heavy. All you need to do is find the right place to put them in and plug them. Projectors on the other hand require the right height, distance, angle which is tricky.

Is 4K resolution necessary for projectors?

To truly appreciate the high quality of 4K, you need the biggest screen you can get out there and the cheaper option is a projector. Projectors offer the best 4K experience.