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*Overview of the best according to the editors of Healthy Food Near Me. About selection criteria. This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.
Modern films have long ceased to be “moving pictures”. These are full-fledged visual attractions with an excellent picture, bright and impressive special effects, as well as an epic soundtrack. And therefore, watching them at home on a small computer screen means losing half the fun.
Fortunately, the home appliance market has everything that is required for comfortable home watching of films with an impressive “visual” – both huge TVs with a diagonal of about 100 inches, and projectors that are capable of displaying an image on the entire wall. But which is better?
In this material, we will figure out what is better to buy – a projector or a TV.
Projector
A projector is an ideal solution if you want to arrange a full-fledged home theater in your apartment. He is able to display a picture with a huge diagonal. The specific value, of course, varies depending on the model, but in most cases it is quite possible to count on 2-10 meters. Like in a full-fledged movie theater, only popcorn is from the microwave.
Also, the projector creates a full-fledged cinema atmosphere. Even preparation for viewing is similar to a ritual and sets in a certain way. You need to draw the curtains, lower the screen, turn on the projector …
And there are disadvantages in all of this. The first and foremost is that buying one projector for watching movies is not enough. You will also need to purchase a special screen that does not glare or reflect, an audio system, the most dense curtains, a computer or a multimedia center for playing movies.
Further, there may be a problem with the installation. For the projector to work, you will need to lay a huge amount of cables. One – to power the screen servo, which unfolds and collapses it. Two – to the projector, one supply, the other signal. 2-5 cables – for the audio system. For a final repair, it will not be possible to lay such a number of wires – except perhaps hiding them under baseboards or in cable channels.
And another disadvantage of the projector is that for it to work properly, the room must be dark. The lighter the room, the dimmer and lack of contrast the projected objects will look.
Therefore, the projector is a device for true cinema fans who are willing to spend a lot of money and effort to install it. People who do not want to mess with laying cables, setting up a video stream and other technical subtleties are better off buying something else.
So, let’s sum up.
Advantages
Easy to install and use;
Do not require the mandatory purchase of a huge number of external devices;
They don’t go blind in the light.
Disadvantages
High cost;
Limited sizes;
For the sake of the “home theater” effect, it is still desirable to purchase an external audio system of at least 2.1.
It is worth noting that some models of modern projectors are devoid of these shortcomings.
For example, Xiaomi and LG produce laser projectors. They practically do not lose brightness and contrast in daylight. The only problem with such devices is the relatively small screen size. Well, the price for them is usually much higher than for conventional projectors.
There are also mini-projectors like models from Cinemood. Thanks to their tiny size, built-in battery and wireless connectivity, these devices are very convenient to use. True, the image quality leaves much to be desired, but for undemanding users, and the screen size is small.
TV
A good TV is not only a device for viewing Channel One. With the right settings, it will become a real multimedia center for recreation and entertainment. For example, if you connect a receiver like Chromecast to it, you can stream movies, videos and TV shows directly from mobile applications. And if the console – then play. And if you have a good audio system, then enjoy high-quality surround sound.
In principle, to turn a TV into a multimedia center, you can not connect an antenna to it at all. And don’t watch TV. External devices – home theaters, soundbars, chromecast receivers, TV boxes, game consoles, just a computer with an HDMI cable – all this will help you plunge into the world of cinema. Or news. Or generally any video content that you want.
The main advantage of TVs is an all-in-one device. It is not required to purchase any additional blocks or modules for use. The TV already has an audio system, a screen for displaying video and a basic source of content (antenna connector).
But TVs also have disadvantages. The first and foremost is the price. If you want to hang a huge one and a half meter screen on the wall, you will have to pay a considerable amount. For example, at the time of this writing, the cheapest 60-inch TV in the CSN store (the largest Russian consumer electronics retailer) costs 47 thousand rubles.
Secondly, TVs with really large screens simply do not exist. Technology limitation. That is, you won’t be able to find any 100-inch matrix. The maximum is about 80 inches.
And finally, manufacturers are extremely fond of saving on sound. Often TVs are equipped with extremely nondescript speakers, which, of course, allow you to hear the speech of actors or presenters, but for surround theater audio, you will have to buy a soundbar or an external sound system.
So, let’s sum up.
Advantages
Excellent price-to-screen ratio. That is, you can get a 5-meter diagonal picture by spending several tens of thousands of rubles on the projector;
The ability to create a really large screen (with a diagonal of up to several meters);
Relatively low price – cheaper than a large TV.
Disadvantages
You will need to shade the room – that is, put heavy opaque curtains;
It is necessary to purchase a huge amount of additional equipment (screen, audio system, playback device);
It is difficult to lay cables when repairs are already completed.
However, it is important to mention one more advantage of TVs, which will be especially appreciated by movie fans. The flagship models of these devices can support technologies that improve image quality many times over!
For example, LG produces OLED TVs. This matrix has absolute black, almost infinite contrast and excellent reproduction of shades. Watching movies with night scenes on an OLED matrix is a pleasure. Even the smallest details are visible. Even in the third episode of the eighth season of Game of Thrones.
Samsung also has its own technology – QLED, or quantum dot TVs. They are distinguished by the highest brightness, excellent contrast and maximum saturation of shades. That is why they are great for watching bright, colorful films – for example, documentaries about life in the jungle or just some kind of children’s content.
Also, more and more manufacturers are implementing support for HDR technology in their TVs. It enhances the color and makes the image more “cinematic” for a “wow” effect.
Comparison and which is better to buy
So, if you want a huge screen and the atmosphere of a cinema, then it is better to buy a projector. But for a high-quality image, albeit with a relatively small diagonal, a TV is suitable. But the difference between the two types of devices is not limited to this.
Characterization | Projector | TV |
Diagonal screen size | Depends on the model, but usually – from 1 to 10 meters | Up to 80 inches (2 meters) |
Room shading | Mandatory (except laser projectors) | Not required |
Saturation, contrast and brightness of the image | Pretty average | High, although it depends on the model |
The need to purchase additional equipment | Requires screen, audio system and content source | If you are not satisfied with the built-in sound of the TV, you can purchase an audio system. Content source is also required |
Difficulty of installation | Requires a lot of wiring and placement of fasteners | Just hang it on the wall and plug it into an outlet. |
Price | Comparatively low (even with additional equipment) | Relatively high |
In general, a projector is worth buying only if you want to make a full-fledged cinema at home – with a huge screen on the entire wall, a good audio system, comfortable chairs and cheese popcorn, where would you be without it. Or caramel.
But the TV is a more practical and versatile device. You don’t need to adjust the environment for it. Yes, and using the TV is easier and more convenient.
Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.