Index
- Differences
- How a projector works
- How a flat screen TV works Pro and Cons
- work
- Ambient lighting
- Room size
- Resolution
- wiring
- Price
Beam
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Differences
The only aspect of the two devices is image reproduction. For other shapes, sizes, and operating principles are completely different.
On one hand, there is a screen inside which the image is generated using certain technologies, on the other hand, there is a device that receives a signal from an external video source and projects images onto a wall or a screen.
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How a projector works
A projector is a relatively small electronic device that can be installed on the ceiling or resting on a surface.
It can receive a video signal from an external source (PC, DVD player, Blu-ray player, etc.) and project the processed images onto a white wall or a screen.
The most commonly used technology is DLP which employs up to 2 million mirrors, each creating a unique pixel. There are also systems based on LCD technology with polarized filters and liquid crystals excited by an electric field and passed through by the light beam.
There are other patented methods by different manufacturers trying to improve performance, such as the 3LCD system or the SXRD system. Projectors are usually not equipped with their own sound system, which will need to be managed separately.
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How a flat screen TV works
The current technologies are three: LCD, LED, and OLED. The first two generate the image using a liquid crystal panel properly backlit with special lamps or LED grids.
In OLED systems, pixels are created from an organic substance that lights up as a result of electrical excitation, so no backlighting device is necessary. TVs are also equipped with a more or less efficient audio system.
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Advantages and disadvantages
In order to compare the two alternatives, it is necessary to evaluate certain aspects that, in this case, do not concern purely technical characteristics but rather environmental and structural factors. The satisfaction of the final result depends on the type of room where you want to install the projector.
Ambient lighting
The first aspect to evaluate is the type of lighting in the room. With absolute darkness, a projected image on the wall offers much higher quality than in a lit environment.
The more light there is in the room, the worse the quality of the projected images will be. This aspect has less impact on a TV which is better viewed in darkness, but offers satisfactory results even in a lit room.
Room size
This is the most important point to consider when deciding to buy a projector. Based on the size of the room and the architectural structure, it is necessary to calculate the projection distance which should be at least 4/5 meters.
For this, you need to add the dimensions of the wall or screen with a minimum size of 100 inches. If you have a smaller space, the projector’s output decreases significantly, justifying the purchase of a good TV.
There are also projectors with short focal optics that allow for projection distances of less than a meter, but they do not offer particularly qualitative views.
Resolution
Among the few technical aspects to evaluate, there is resolution. From this point of view , TVs and projectors are equivalent. Mid-range high-end models guarantee Full HD resolution.
For TVs, it is easy to find even Ultra HD 4K, which is more difficult for a projector. However, resolution is still underutilized due to the low availability of content.
Wiring
One thing not to underestimate is all the connections needed to operate a system with a projector or a TV. The latter is undoubtedly the simplest solution with very few cables to connect and the sockets located near the device.
The situation changes for a projector which must be behind the viewer, as well as all video sources to avoid pulling miles of wires. Do not forget the sound system managed separately which can require many cables, even of considerable length depending on the size of the room.
Price
The cost of a projector has significantly decreased in recent years. There are many models on the market as well as for TVs and making a comparison is really difficult. In general, the price of a good quality projector can range between 1000 and 1500 euros, and can be compared to a very good standard OLED TV.
However, it is important not to forget the other expenses to incur. On one hand, a projector requires a sound system: a 5.1 home theater system is almost a mandatory choice.
With a TV, you can safely use your own audio or buy a soundbar. Add to all this the cost of treating the wall with special paints or buying a screen, but also the lamp consumption of the projector which has a lifespan of between 3000 and 6000 hours depending on the type of use (this value increases by choosing a model with an LED lamp).
Which one to choose?
Never before has the decision depended almost exclusively on the intended use. If the desire is to create a Home Cinema system and you have a suitable room, the optimal choice is undoubtedly a projector: it will be able to provide a more immersive visual experience trying to replicate the sensations you experience in a cinema.
For use in partially lit areas of the house, where it is not possible to create total darkness and with inadequate distances, a good LED or OLED TV will offer a higher quality of images satisfaction.
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