4K TV or Projector help

[Pwaynez]

Hello, new here. I just bought a house recently and have been absolutely torn whether to do projector or tv. I am looking at Vizio E75 F3 which I can get for about $600. The television has solid reviews on several websites. I have been shopping projectors as well. Some of the ones I have been considering are the Optoma UHD60 (if I decide to spend that much), benq 2550 and 3550 models as well as some others too in the $1000-$1500 range or so. The room can have full ambient light controlled so this isn't an issue. Also, regardless of either TV or projector I will have $ set aside for surround sound system. The tv I am looking at and can afford is 75" and if I could do the projector it would be about 95"-100." Some areas of concern are the longevity of a projector at this price point. I have read a ton of reviews and the build quality isnt the greatest and companies seem to not stand behind certain warranty parts. This is mostly my main concern. Dont want a lemon and then be stuck out $1500. Places I can get my television at (costco) offer extended warranties as part of their membership which I like. Also, I am a sucker for black/gray/white levels and have seen most projectors in this range have some issues with these areas (although the TV we have upstairs now 49" 4K only has moderate reviews regarding gray/white/black levels and I hardly notice them). I am currently at work and unsure of room dimensions but there is only one wall the projector could go on. I hate that I cannot see and compare projector images as a set up where as you can always compare televisions and see them. Needing some input. I don't care about gaming on TV or projector, however I am a huge sports and movie/television viewer of all sorts so I would like something that is best for sports. This is a very low level option as far as budget goes, but just buying my first home and not having a 'perfect home theater room' dedicated to sound and a setup I am not willing to splurge nor can I justify it right now. Thanks in advance.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Based on personal experience, I would avoid Optoma.

For lower price PJ, I would stick to BenQ, Vivitek, Epson.

The lower budget PJ won't give you the JVC PJ black levels, but might still be good enough for many people.

One thing TVs can't match is that giant screen cinema feeling. Once you've experienced PJ, there is no going back.

I remember seeing a PJ and 120" screen for the first time over 25 years ago. After that, it was all PJ for me. Never even thought about any TV for my main HT experience.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Welcome to AH.

If it is possible, separate your TV watching and home theater watching.
You may be able to see my pictures. I have a 115" screen strictly for home theater experience of good movies.
TV programs usually don't justify a large screen, in my opinion, not to me anyhow.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Projectors vs. TVs are always a tradeoff in certain aspects. Projectors are amazing and I'm not sure of your size limitations, but 100" is a jumping off point. 120" or larger is pretty easy to hit with today's models and should be about the size worth consideration if possible.

But, projectors aren't exactly like TVs. Projectors need the best room for best performance, and people have an unrealistic expectation that their large white rooms with a big white ceiling is not going to impact their black levels... then they often complain about weak performance.

It's not how it works. So, you just get the best it can deliver for the room you are putting it in. The cheaper projectors, like the BenQ HD3550, which is a pretty popular entry level 4k(ish) projector is going to have pretty good black levels for an entry level model. But, the room will have significant impact on those black levels.

Better, if you can swing it, is the Epson 5040, which is now discontinued, but may be found on closeout in some locations for under $2,000. Which my be a bit over budget.

Cheaper Epson projectors are great TV replacements because they can have inexpensive replacement lamps. They aren't 4K models at all, but will be 1080p limited. They can have pretty good black levels, but not great, but they will have excellent brightness for rooms with less than adequate light control.

So much of this is about the room. The room you are looking to put this into is, by far, the most important part of the discussion when talking about quality and what you will get and what you should expect.

 

[TheWarrior]

I haven't had cable in over 15 years. My wife likes AppleTV and I like movies and shows on disc.

Bought an entry level Epson 2045 and painted as smooth of a surface as I could, and voila, projection came to be in our home. I wasn't sold on the idea of giant screen, but oh man, it is an entire game changer.

Projectors do require care and mindfulness to get the most out of them, as well as to ensure longevity. Because of the extreme heat of the lamp, I try to limit the number of times the PJ cycles on/off daily - you don't want to be quite as carefree as you are with a TV.

Lamps get dim, which is why I have chosen Epson as they manufacture their own, thus keeping the prices low relative to competition. But that also is why I have stuck with 1080P projectors so far, as cost of entry and lamps, is MUCH lower - as is my supply of 4K content...

After acquiring some InWall Triad Bronze Speakers, I ordered a Stewart Perforated screen and have now set up that Epson in our bedroom, and picked up an Epson 3100 to shine on my shiny living room wall - which will become a Stewart fixed screen in the future. I am overdue for updating the thread I linked... need to get the new paint and screen in there to expand on the story....

Good luck!

 

[Pwaynez]

Based on personal experience, I would avoid Optoma.

For lower price PJ, I would stick to BenQ, Vivitek, Epson.

The lower budget PJ won't give you the JVC PJ black levels, but might still be good enough for many people.

One thing TVs can't match is that giant screen cinema feeling. Once you've experienced PJ, there is no going back.

I remember seeing a PJ and 120" screen for the first time over 25 years ago. After that, it was all PJ for me. Never even thought about any TV for my main HT experience.

Yeah I have also been looking at BenQ BenQ HT3550, BenQ TK800, BenQ HT2050, BenQ HT2550. Unfortunately I think my space is limited to 100" where the TV I am looking at would be 70" I still feel like the 30" extra would be worth it.

Welcome to AH.

If it is possible, separate your TV watching and home theater watching.
You may be able to see my pictures. I have a 115" screen strictly for home theater experience of good movies.
TV programs usually don't justify a large screen, in my opinion, not to me anyhow.

We have a 50" 4k tv upstairs in our living room (small but we had it in a tiny apartment before this). We would use the projector for movies and some 4k content from Netflix probably.

Projectors vs. TVs are always a tradeoff in certain aspects. Projectors are amazing and I'm not sure of your size limitations, but 100" is a jumping off point. 120" or larger is pretty easy to hit with today's models and should be about the size worth consideration if possible.

But, projectors aren't exactly like TVs. Projectors need the best room for best performance, and people have an unrealistic expectation that their large white rooms with a big white ceiling is not going to impact their black levels... then they often complain about weak performance.

It's not how it works. So, you just get the best it can deliver for the room you are putting it in. The cheaper projectors, like the BenQ HD3550, which is a pretty popular entry level 4k(ish) projector is going to have pretty good black levels for an entry level model. But, the room will have significant impact on those black levels.

Better, if you can swing it, is the Epson 5040, which is now discontinued, but may be found on closeout in some locations for under $2,000. Which my be a bit over budget.

Cheaper Epson projectors are great TV replacements because they can have inexpensive replacement lamps. They aren't 4K models at all, but will be 1080p limited. They can have pretty good black levels, but not great, but they will have excellent brightness for rooms with less than adequate light control.

So much of this is about the room. The room you are looking to put this into is, by far, the most important part of the discussion when talking about quality and what you will get and what you should expect.

I know there is a trade-off well aware of it. Thats why I am having such a hard time with it I think. I have ambient light control just about 100% of the time with very minimal during day hours (which I hardly will be using it during). I will take your recommendation to stay away from Optima into my consideration on purchasing if I go this route. The room unfortunately not the greatest. This will unfortunately be more of a basement living room with a projector rather than dedicated theater built for theater purposes (first house, didn't have the budget for a dedicated room this time sadly).

I haven't had cable in over 15 years. My wife likes AppleTV and I like movies and shows on disc.

Bought an entry level Epson 2045 and painted as smooth of a surface as I could, and voila, projection came to be in our home. I wasn't sold on the idea of giant screen, but oh man, it is an entire game changer.

Projectors do require care and mindfulness to get the most out of them, as well as to ensure longevity. Because of the extreme heat of the lamp, I try to limit the number of times the PJ cycles on/off daily - you don't want to be quite as carefree as you are with a TV.

Lamps get dim, which is why I have chosen Epson as they manufacture their own, thus keeping the prices low relative to competition. But that also is why I have stuck with 1080P projectors so far, as cost of entry and lamps, is MUCH lower - as is my supply of 4K content...

After acquiring some InWall Triad Bronze Speakers, I ordered a Stewart Perforated screen and have now set up that Epson in our bedroom, and picked up an Epson 3100 to shine on my shiny living room wall - which will become a Stewart fixed screen in the future. I am overdue for updating the thread I linked... need to get the new paint and screen in there to expand on the story....

Good luck!

I would use the projector and cycle it probably 1-3 times daily which doesn't seem like much to me where stress would be an issue. I feel like I have to get 4K. Although I have heard a high contrast 1080p PJ can compete well with a lower end 4K PJ. I like those speakers they look really nice. I may have to consider this rather than the freestanding floor speakers I have been debating.

Lastly, thanks everyone for the help!

 

[TheWarrior]

I would use the projector and cycle it probably 1-3 times daily which doesn't seem like much to me where stress would be an issue. I feel like I have to get 4K. Although I have heard a high contrast 1080p PJ can compete well with a lower end 4K PJ. I like those speakers they look really nice. I may have to consider this rather than the freestanding floor speakers I have been debating.

Lastly, thanks everyone for the help!

If you have enough 4K content to watch, then absolutely go for it!

Just keep in mind, that Full 4K on one chip, not the 1080 on multiple chips that basically brought 4K projection to market, is a relatively new thing. That is one of my primary reasons for not going 4K, yet. Although I was dangerously close to ordering a new JVC.....

@DigitalDawn is still active on our forums. She is extremely knowledgeable and could really help tailor your sound and screen solutions to your room and lifestyle to get the experience you are looking for.

Just don't follow my trend and slack off on posting pretty pictures of your progress!

 

[panteragstk]

If you have enough 4K content to watch, then absolutely go for it!

Just keep in mind, that Full 4K on one chip, not the 1080 on multiple chips that basically brought 4K projection to market, is a relatively new thing. That is one of my primary reasons for not going 4K, yet. Although I was dangerously close to ordering a new JVC.....

@DigitalDawn is still active on our forums. She is extremely knowledgeable and could really help tailor your sound and screen solutions to your room and lifestyle to get the experience you are looking for.

Just don't follow my trend and slack off on posting pretty pictures of your progress!

Her and obviously @BMXTRIX for sure.

I did read in one of the replies that there is 100% ambient light until dark. If that is the case I'd probably not do a projector just because the image quality would be so much less than a large TV. Big picture is cool, big crappy picture is annoying.

In my old theater I had blackout curtains that did a pretty good job so daytime viewing was possible. If that's something you can swing then I'd put the PJ back into play, but only look at the light cannons. They are the only ones that will combat the high ambient light.

 

[TheWarrior]

Her and obviously @BMXTRIX for sure.

I did read in one of the replies that there is 100% ambient light until dark. If that is the case I'd probably not do a projector just because the image quality would be so much less than a large TV. Big picture is cool, big crappy picture is annoying.

In my old theater I had blackout curtains that did a pretty good job so daytime viewing was possible. If that's something you can swing then I'd put the PJ back into play, but only look at the light cannons. They are the only ones that will combat the high ambient light.

Totally agree about BMXTRIX, didn't mean to step on any toes!

"I have ambient light control just about 100% of the time with very minimal during day hours (which I hardly will be using it during)"

I read that as saying light is not an issue. FWIW, I find little issue during the day in that the sun can be kept off the screen by pulling a shade over two windows - despite having lots of other glass in the room.(Amazon has reasonably priced black out shades)

 

[KEW]

Unless your room conditions suck, or you have to sit too close to the screen, It is hard to argue with the benefits of brute size.
The jump from 70" to 100" is probably greater than you realize.
A 70" screen yields 2092 sq. in. of area.
A 100" screen yields 4306 sq. in. of area or over twice the surface area!

 

[panteragstk]

Totally agree about BMXTRIX, didn't mean to step on any toes!

"I have ambient light control just about 100% of the time with very minimal during day hours (which I hardly will be using it during)"

I read that as saying light is not an issue. FWIW, I find little issue during the day in that the sun can be kept off the screen by pulling a shade over two windows - despite having lots of other glass in the room.(Amazon has reasonably priced black out shades)

Good point. Missed that.

 

[Pwaynez]

Her and obviously @BMXTRIX for sure.

I did read in one of the replies that there is 100% ambient light until dark. If that is the case I'd probably not do a projector just because the image quality would be so much less than a large TV. Big picture is cool, big crappy picture is annoying.

In my old theater I had blackout curtains that did a pretty good job so daytime viewing was possible. If that's something you can swing then I'd put the PJ back into play, but only look at the light cannons. They are the only ones that will combat the high ambient light.

I either typed incorrectly or you read wrong. I can control 100% of the ambient light, it will be a basement with 3 window sill windows which will be very minimal light with small curtains or something else to block the light.

Unless your room conditions suck, or you have to sit too close to the screen, It is hard to argue with the benefits of brute size.
The jump from 70" to 100" is probably greater than you realize.
A 70" screen yields 2092 sq. in. of area.
A 100" screen yields 4306 sq. in. of area or over twice the surface area!

Wow the total space is quite a difference. I am trying to talk my fiancé into letting me rearrange the basement layout so I can go for maybe 120" hehe. Hope she goes for it!

 

[TheWarrior]

Wow the total space is quite a difference. I am trying to talk my fiancé into letting me rearrange the basement layout so I can go for maybe 120" hehe. Hope she goes for it!

Screen size is related to seating distance.

Formula = Distance x 0.84= Screen size

I am just over 100" at eleven feet away, and the screen size is huge. But any larger and it would be difficult to see the full image at once, with out having to move the eyes around the screen a lot, which I find obnoxious. But some people also want the 'nose bleed section' experience.

 

[panteragstk]

I either typed incorrectly or you read wrong. I can control 100% of the ambient light, it will be a basement with 3 window sill windows which will be very minimal light with small curtains or something else to block the light.



Wow the total space is quite a difference. I am trying to talk my fiancé into letting me rearrange the basement layout so I can go for maybe 120" hehe. Hope she goes for it!

Yeah, read it wrong. Either way, if you can go PJ, do it. I don't even have that great of a projector and there's just something about sitting 10 feet from a 120" screen. Really draws you into the movie. Better than being at an actual theater IMHO.

 

[BMXTRIX]

While there are some generally assigned screen sizes which are brought up, it is really quite arbitrary and subject to a great deal of personal preference.

The reality is that the most typical measurement for screen size for most people these days is about 10" to 12" of screen diagonal for each foot of viewing distance. This number has generally been growing over the years, and many people these days do more than 12" of diagonal for each foot of viewing distance.

While sticking to a formula is nice, it is easiest these days to consider a near minimum screen size for most people as 10" of diagonal for each foot of viewing distance to emulate 'center of theater', with larger sizes moving you a bit closer and creating a more immersive experience.

 

[KEW]

While there are some generally assigned screen sizes which are brought up, it is really quite arbitrary and subject to a great deal of personal preference.

The reality is that the most typical measurement for screen size for most people these days is about 10" to 12" of screen diagonal for each foot of viewing distance. This number has generally been growing over the years, and many people these days do more than 12" of diagonal for each foot of viewing distance.

While sticking to a formula is nice, it is easiest these days to consider a near minimum screen size for most people as 10" of diagonal for each foot of viewing distance to emulate 'center of theater', with larger sizes moving you a bit closer and creating a more immersive experience.

Damn, and here I was feeling pretty good about upgrading to 70" (viewed from 10 ft).

I've only got 7" and you're saying it takes 10" as a minimum to ensure a satisfactorily immersive experience (immersion is always good on my end)!
I feel so inadequate (and stay away from my girlfriend)!

 

[panteragstk]

Damn, and here I was feeling pretty good about upgrading to 70" (viewed from 10 ft).

I've only got 7" and you're saying it takes 10" as a minimum to ensure a satisfactorily immersive experience (immersion is always good on my end)!
I feel so inadequate (and stay away from my girlfriend)!

Just get a portable chair to sit 5' away and you're golden.

 

[KEW]

Just get a portable chair to sit 5' away and you're golden.

Poof!
14" just like that!
Life's good!

 

[panteragstk]

Poof!
14" just like that!
Life's good!

 

[BMXTRIX]

...70" (viewed from 10 ft).
I've only got 7" and you're saying it takes 10" as a minimum...
I feel so inadequate (and stay away from my girlfriend)!

It's so funny how the numbers have changed over the years.

it used to be much closer to 8" or 9" pet foot of viewing distance. Many 'pro' theaters often still use this. But, when going through AVS, the size has jumped dramatically for most viewers who really want immersion in their movies and they often go larger than 12" of diagonal per foot of viewing distance.

Still, I find that the 10" to 12" is a good number as long as you are starting at 100" diagonal at least.

In our family room we moved up to a 85" panel and we are anywhere from 8 to 30 feet away from that, but prime viewing is at about 12'. My wife actually asked if the 85" TV really was larger than our previous 64" display.

Yeah... I'm married, so your 7" is just going to be fine, apparently they can't tell the difference anyway.