Are you finally adding a personal theater to your home? Few things are as enjoyable and as useful as a home theater.
The perfect way to wind down after a long day is getting lost in a movie or the latest Netflix show, allowing your mind to stop thinking about work. But watching from a theater, in the comfort of your own home, is far more enjoyable than watching on a dinky TV or computer screen.
Should you get a TV or projector for your theater? It’s the first question most people ask. Projector vs large TV; they each have their pros and cons.
Wondering which is right for you and your viewing style? Keep reading to find out if a TV or projector is in your best interest.
Table of Contents
No Bad Choices
People get caught up in this decision, oftentimes for weeks or even months. That’s a mistake.
Whether you chose a large TV or a projector, there’s no bad decision. What’s most important is simply getting your home theater up and running.
Both options work great and provide ample functionality. So yes, you should put thought into the decision. But it shouldn’t take more than a day or two to decide which is right for you.
Projector vs Large TV
The two main types of screen types include a large TV and a projector. These are very different pieces of equipment. Here’s what you need to know about each one when it comes to a home theater.
Pros and Cons of a Projector
The main benefit of investing in a projector is the large screen size. In fact, you can make the screen as big as you want, depending on how much wall space you have, and how far back you can mount your projector.
This will provide the most movie-theater-like experience, as you’ll have to move your head to see everything happening on the screen. It’s perfect for those who really enjoy watching movies in the best way possible. It’s also great for those who love watching sports, and wish they could see everything up close since it’s hard to follow along with sports on a small screen.
But with projectors, you make a few sacrifices. For one, it can be tricky to set up. You can either use a blank white wall or install a projector screen.
But the placement of the project, the angle, and mounting on the ceiling can be a difficult process.
Plus, your functionality is limited. When using a projector, you’ll have to select and manage your content on another device that is linked to your projector. This often means bringing your laptop into the home theater with you to select your streaming platform and control the movie.
And when using such a large screen size, you’re going to sacrifice some degree of detail. The picture won’t be quite as crisp as it would be on an HD TV. And if the home theater is completely dark, the projector will be less than perfect.
Pros and Cons of a Home Theater TV
While it seems most people would prefer a projector to a large TV, many are now choosing TVs in their home theater. Why?
Well, larger, HD TVs are getting more and more affordable. Plus, they are ultra-thin and lightweight, making them easy to mount in a home theater. You can even get screens that are curved, providing an extremely pleasing viewing experience.
But the biggest benefit of using a TV in your home theater is the functionality. Modern TVs act like computers or smartphones. They’ll have a ton of different apps and streaming services that you can access from your remote control.
This means you can stay put in your theater chair, moving from Netflix to Hulu to ESPN, only need to move your finger. For the general viewer who utilizes multiple different apps and streaming platforms, a TV is the better option.
HD TVs are going to offer the most crystal clear image quality. Plus, they can be used in a room that isn’t completely dark.
Of course, you sacrifice screen size. No TV is going to match the size that is capable of a projector.
Choosing Between a TV and a Projector
They both sound good, don’t they? Here’s how to choose.
If you stream content across many different apps, platforms, and channels, you’ll benefit most from a TV setup. Modern TVs make it simple and fast to swap from one platform to the next to find the perfect movie, show, or sports event.
But if you primarily watch content on one or two platforms, such as movies on Netflix, rented movies from YouTube, or sports channels, you probably don’t need the instant functionality of a TV. You could enjoy the benefits of a projector instead.
Just make sure to take the time to ensure proper home theater installation. Nothing will ruin the experience quite like a poor installation job.
What Else You Need in Your Home Theater
Of course, the screen isn’t the only important element in your home theater. These home theater ideas will make or break your viewing experience.
A theater can only be as enjoyable as the speaker system you invest in. No screen is going to be perfect without a surround sound system.
Invest in a full-room speaker setup. This often means close to 10 speakers set up throughout the room. You can choose speakers that are recessed into the walls or ceiling. Or you can mount them externally. But if you don’t like using tools, you can just buy speakers that sit on top of floor stands instead.
Seating is super important, too. The only reason you can sit through a two-hour movie at the public theater is that they have ultra-comfortable lounge chairs.
Buy the best seating you can. This can be individual lounge chairs or recliners, or it can be a large, sectional couch.
Start Building Your Home Theater Today
So projector vs large TV; hopefully this article has helped you make a decision. Again, there’s no wrong answer, so choose one quickly and start outfitting your theater today.
The sooner you do, the sooner you’ll be sitting back enjoying the good life in the comfort of your own home. Looking for more information like this? Check out our blog today to keep reading.