Projectors vs Traditional TVs
As overpriced plasma screens continue to rule the TV market, Canadians have started looking for other ways to improve their home theater experience. One of the more popular alternatives is the home theater projector, which blows up your display to the same size as a 60-inch TV, or sometimes more. Home theater projectors allow you to enjoy large viewing areas without having to spend 10 grand on a brand-new set.
But can home theater projectors really replace your traditional TV? As with any other gadget, it’s all a question of budget and preference. Here are some TV projector pros and cons to help you make the right choice:
Size: In terms of cost per inch, home theater projectors give you more value for your money. A $1,000 projector can give you a 60-inch view or larger, whereas a 60-inch TV set can cost well over $5,000. Quality-wise, however, TV screens still win—TV projector quality depends mostly on your particular viewing surface.
Portability: Feel like watching in your backyard? It’s easy with a projector—just drag it out and put up a viewing screen, and you’re good to go. A TV screen doesn’t have the same portability and versatility. So if you like to move around, a projector may be a better choice.
Operating costs: This is where television wins the TV vs LCD projector war. Home theater projectors may seem cheaper upon purchase, but they can be expensive to operate. Projector bulbs generate a lot of heat and have to be adequately cooled with a fan. And after a thousand hours or so, the bulbs will need to be replaced—and replacements can easily cost $400 or more.