flat screen tv or projector?

notorious19 · 08-09-2007, 13:03

trying to decide if i should get a flat screen tv or projector,so thought i would ask and see what peoples opinions are of projectors? are they worth it and so on
any help and advice would be great

Nigel Goodwin · 08-09-2007, 13:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by notorious19

trying to decide if i should get a flat screen tv or projector,so thought i would ask and see what peoples opinions are of projectors? are they worth it and so on
any help and advice would be great

If you have a massive room, and you want a huge picture, then a projector is fine - but bear in mind their running costs (for replacement lamps) are quite high.

A flat screen TV won't go as big, but it's likely to be a better picture (I've never really been impressed by projector quality), and doesn't have the running cost problems.

notorious19 · 08-09-2007, 13:27

what sort of costs are there in running the projector then ?

Nigel Goodwin · 08-09-2007, 14:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by notorious19

what sort of costs are there in running the projector then ?

Fairly regular replacements of the lamps, which are often (usually) in the hundreds of pounds. My local primary school uses them on whiteboards, and were shocked to discover the short live of the lamps - they have since budgeted £200 per projector per year for lamp replacements.

I've still got an estimate here for a Sharp projector, XV-ZW60E - it had to go back to a service company (the customer - or us - can't change the lamp), and it's for £519.96 inc VAT!.

This particular projector also stops working after so many hours use (I think it's 2000 hours?), and the lamp has to be replaced to make it work again.

So if you're going the projector route check these things first:

1) Can YOU change the lamp?.
2) How much are the lamps?.
3) Are they easily available?.
4) How long do they last?.
5) Do they have a specific planned life?.
6) Are you happy with the picture quality of a projector?.

10-09-2007, 11:36

I think the previous poster had not had any actual experience of a projector in the home, in practice the lamp will not need regular replacement if the projector is used infrequently. If it's the MAIN display device then obviously that's different.

The very old (1999) Sharp XV-ZW60E CAN have it's lamp changed by the user. It would be a VERY unusual projector that did not allow that! It just needed to have it's lamp counter reset afterwards - not revealed in the manual I imagine.

My advice, I would recommend BOTH !!

A projector for occassional use for big events and a Plasma/LCD for daily use.

I can only speak from personal experience (!) but it's hard to beat the convenience of a TV. Reserving the projector for big sport events/occasional film etc...

Sometimes the big screen is just too big.

The picture quality of modern projectors is stunning. Even models a few years old are very good.

But always do plenty of research first!

Nigel Goodwin · 10-09-2007, 11:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunscombe2000

I think the previous poster had not had any actual experience of a projector in the home, in practice the lamp will not need regular replacement if the projector is used infrequently. If it's the MAIN display device then obviously that's different.

No experience in MY home no, only in other peoples. Obviously only using it occasionally would extend lamp life, but that means buying TWO expensive sets rather than just one.

Quote:

The very old (1999) Sharp XV-ZW60E CAN have it's lamp changed by the user. It would be a VERY unusual projector that did not allow that!

Have you ever done one?, from what I can remember there seems no obvious easy way?.

Quote:

It just needed to have it's lamp counter reset afterwards - not revealed in the manual I imagine.

No, nor any mention of how to change the lamp, also service manuals and spares are only available to registered trained dealers - I was booked on the course for training and registration, but my employer cancelled it?. As such we can't do anything with them!.

tellytart1 · 10-09-2007, 12:23

Most projectors now have lamp lives of around 2-3000 hours. When I used a projector as my main TV set, I used about 1000 hours in 1 year. (Running the projector more or less 7 days a week for between 2 and 6 hours a day.

jahboo · 10-09-2007, 23:33

It's a tough decision now and one I've been deliberating for a while so you may be interested in my current thoughts(if not, tough because here goes

). A top-flight-ish projector will cost £2-3k maybe even £3.5k for the best of the best. A top-flight LCD/Plasma TV is similar money. As has been said, the cost of the lamp is often significant. I am, of course, talking Full HD/1080p models.

The ideal scenario is to have both although I'm prepared to compromise and buy them one at a time over a few years. The problem is that LCD(my preference) TVs are still bug-ridden, variable quality tantamount to rubbish. The projectors, however, will blow your socks off, i.e. they have fewer problems than TVs.

I suspect I'd be quite happy watching TV through a projector so, potentially, I could save the additional cost of a TV if I bought one. Trouble is, I want a future proof projector with all the latest standards(Full HD, xvColour, 24fps, HDMI 1.3a) and they're only just becoming available, as are similarly spec'ed TVs.

It's just a question of whether I can live with a projector on its own and get a TV later or do I buy a LCD first and projector some time after that when the technology is more mature.

The long and short of it is that it's a tough choice and I've yet to make up my mind.

I fancy the new Philips Aurea as a TV and either the new Sony VPL VW60 or the next generation JVC HD-1. The Philips is silly money at £3k but this will fall a lot in the next 6 months and the Sony is reputed to be around £2.5k. These are top-ish end pieces of kit so your budget may not stretch to them. However, maybe in 12 months time they'll both be available at around £1.5-2k which closer to average for a decent TV/projector.

jahboo

notorious19 · 11-09-2007, 17:24

thanks for your thoughts guys, it really is a hard choice to make as cant really afford both,i watch a lot of films and sports and if i have to i can watch normal tv on small screen,i was just worried about how long the bulbs last because from what i can see they cost quite a bit,i mean do they last a few years at least?

JohnX1 · 11-09-2007, 17:26

Yes, well I've always had a problem with the high cost of projectors relative to other types of displays. There's no screen. There's no cabinet to speak of. They shouldn't be more expensive to manufacture than other types of displays with comparable technology in them....

The one point that hasn't been made here is ambient light control. Even the best projectors (and the best screens) require near darkness for best performance. It is this reason why they work best in separate dedicated home theater rooms. Controlling the light in some rooms may not be practical or even possible.

jahboo · 11-09-2007, 18:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by notorious19

thanks for your thoughts guys, it really is a hard choice to make as cant really afford both,i watch a lot of films and sports and if i have to i can watch normal tv on small screen,i was just worried about how long the bulbs last because from what i can see they cost quite a bit,i mean do they last a few years at least?

If you only use the projector for watching films then you're likely to get as much as 3-5 years out of a 2000-3000 hour bulb. Just do the calculation for your anticipated usage.

What I found with my old projector was that, by the time it came to buy a third bulb for it after six years it was uneconomic to do so because I could buy an equivalent/better brand new projector for a few hundred more.

Chances are, when the bulb's up for replacement it'll be time for a new projector anyway.

jahboo

jahboo · 11-09-2007, 18:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnX1

Yes, well I've always had a problem with the high cost of projectors relative to other types of displays. There's no screen. There's no cabinet to speak of. They shouldn't be more expensive to manufacture than other types of displays with comparable technology in them....

The one point that hasn't been made here is ambient light control. Even the best projectors (and the best screens) require near darkness for best performance. It is this reason why they work best in separate dedicated home theater rooms. Controlling the light in some rooms may not be practical or even possible.

Prices have fallen a lot. 720p projectors can be had for £500 to £600.

As for total darkness, no not really. Many projectors are bright enough to be watched in day light. I just bought black-out lining for my curtains which did a good enough job for me.

jahboo

08-09-2007, 13:03	#1
notorious19 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 34	flat screen tv or projector? trying to decide if i should get a flat screen tv or projector,so thought i would ask and see what peoples opinions are of projectors? are they worth it and so on any help and advice would be great

10-09-2007, 23:33	#8
jahboo Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London(E1) Posts: 1,358	It's a tough decision now and one I've been deliberating for a while so you may be interested in my current thoughts(if not, tough because here goes). A top-flight-ish projector will cost £2-3k maybe even £3.5k for the best of the best. A top-flight LCD/Plasma TV is similar money. As has been said, the cost of the lamp is often significant. I am, of course, talking Full HD/1080p models. The ideal scenario is to have both although I'm prepared to compromise and buy them one at a time over a few years. The problem is that LCD(my preference) TVs are still bug-ridden, variable quality tantamount to rubbish. The projectors, however, will blow your socks off, i.e. they have fewer problems than TVs. I suspect I'd be quite happy watching TV through a projector so, potentially, I could save the additional cost of a TV if I bought one. Trouble is, I want a future proof projector with all the latest standards(Full HD, xvColour, 24fps, HDMI 1.3a) and they're only just becoming available, as are similarly spec'ed TVs. It's just a question of whether I can live with a projector on its own and get a TV later or do I buy a LCD first and projector some time after that when the technology is more mature. The long and short of it is that it's a tough choice and I've yet to make up my mind. I fancy the new Philips Aurea as a TV and either the new Sony VPL VW60 or the next generation JVC HD-1. The Philips is silly money at £3k but this will fall a lot in the next 6 months and the Sony is reputed to be around £2.5k. These are top-ish end pieces of kit so your budget may not stretch to them. However, maybe in 12 months time they'll both be available at around £1.5-2k which closer to average for a decent TV/projector. jahboo

08-09-2007, 13:09	#2
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by notorious19 trying to decide if i should get a flat screen tv or projector,so thought i would ask and see what peoples opinions are of projectors? are they worth it and so on any help and advice would be great If you have a massive room, and you want a huge picture, then a projector is fine - but bear in mind their running costs (for replacement lamps) are quite high. A flat screen TV won't go as big, but it's likely to be a better picture (I've never really been impressed by projector quality), and doesn't have the running cost problems.

08-09-2007, 13:27	#3
notorious19 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 34	what sort of costs are there in running the projector then ?

08-09-2007, 14:43	#4
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by notorious19 what sort of costs are there in running the projector then ? Fairly regular replacements of the lamps, which are often (usually) in the hundreds of pounds. My local primary school uses them on whiteboards, and were shocked to discover the short live of the lamps - they have since budgeted £200 per projector per year for lamp replacements. I've still got an estimate here for a Sharp projector, XV-ZW60E - it had to go back to a service company (the customer - or us - can't change the lamp), and it's for £519.96 inc VAT!. This particular projector also stops working after so many hours use (I think it's 2000 hours?), and the lamp has to be replaced to make it work again. So if you're going the projector route check these things first: 1) Can YOU change the lamp?. 2) How much are the lamps?. 3) Are they easily available?. 4) How long do they last?. 5) Do they have a specific planned life?. 6) Are you happy with the picture quality of a projector?.

10-09-2007, 11:36	#5
dunscombe2000 Posts: n/a	I think the previous poster had not had any actual experience of a projector in the home, in practice the lamp will not need regular replacement if the projector is used infrequently. If it's the MAIN display device then obviously that's different. The very old (1999) Sharp XV-ZW60E CAN have it's lamp changed by the user. It would be a VERY unusual projector that did not allow that! It just needed to have it's lamp counter reset afterwards - not revealed in the manual I imagine. My advice, I would recommend BOTH !! A projector for occassional use for big events and a Plasma/LCD for daily use. I can only speak from personal experience (!) but it's hard to beat the convenience of a TV. Reserving the projector for big sport events/occasional film etc... Sometimes the big screen is just too big. The picture quality of modern projectors is stunning. Even models a few years old are very good. But always do plenty of research first!

10-09-2007, 11:48	#6
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by dunscombe2000 I think the previous poster had not had any actual experience of a projector in the home, in practice the lamp will not need regular replacement if the projector is used infrequently. If it's the MAIN display device then obviously that's different. No experience in MY home no, only in other peoples. Obviously only using it occasionally would extend lamp life, but that means buying TWO expensive sets rather than just one. Quote: The very old (1999) Sharp XV-ZW60E CAN have it's lamp changed by the user. It would be a VERY unusual projector that did not allow that! Have you ever done one?, from what I can remember there seems no obvious easy way?. Quote: It just needed to have it's lamp counter reset afterwards - not revealed in the manual I imagine. No, nor any mention of how to change the lamp, also service manuals and spares are only available to registered trained dealers - I was booked on the course for training and registration, but my employer cancelled it?. As such we can't do anything with them!.

10-09-2007, 12:23	#7
tellytart1 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: London Posts: 3,638	Most projectors now have lamp lives of around 2-3000 hours. When I used a projector as my main TV set, I used about 1000 hours in 1 year. (Running the projector more or less 7 days a week for between 2 and 6 hours a day.

11-09-2007, 17:24	#9
notorious19 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 34	thanks for your thoughts guys, it really is a hard choice to make as cant really afford both,i watch a lot of films and sports and if i have to i can watch normal tv on small screen,i was just worried about how long the bulbs last because from what i can see they cost quite a bit,i mean do they last a few years at least?

11-09-2007, 17:26	#10
JohnX1 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ohio, USA Posts: 18	Yes, well I've always had a problem with the high cost of projectors relative to other types of displays. There's no screen. There's no cabinet to speak of. They shouldn't be more expensive to manufacture than other types of displays with comparable technology in them.... The one point that hasn't been made here is ambient light control. Even the best projectors (and the best screens) require near darkness for best performance. It is this reason why they work best in separate dedicated home theater rooms. Controlling the light in some rooms may not be practical or even possible.

11-09-2007, 18:34	#11
jahboo Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London(E1) Posts: 1,358	Quote: Originally Posted by notorious19 thanks for your thoughts guys, it really is a hard choice to make as cant really afford both,i watch a lot of films and sports and if i have to i can watch normal tv on small screen,i was just worried about how long the bulbs last because from what i can see they cost quite a bit,i mean do they last a few years at least? If you only use the projector for watching films then you're likely to get as much as 3-5 years out of a 2000-3000 hour bulb. Just do the calculation for your anticipated usage. What I found with my old projector was that, by the time it came to buy a third bulb for it after six years it was uneconomic to do so because I could buy an equivalent/better brand new projector for a few hundred more. Chances are, when the bulb's up for replacement it'll be time for a new projector anyway. jahboo

11-09-2007, 18:36	#12
jahboo Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London(E1) Posts: 1,358	Quote: Originally Posted by JohnX1 Yes, well I've always had a problem with the high cost of projectors relative to other types of displays. There's no screen. There's no cabinet to speak of. They shouldn't be more expensive to manufacture than other types of displays with comparable technology in them.... The one point that hasn't been made here is ambient light control. Even the best projectors (and the best screens) require near darkness for best performance. It is this reason why they work best in separate dedicated home theater rooms. Controlling the light in some rooms may not be practical or even possible. Prices have fallen a lot. 720p projectors can be had for £500 to £600. As for total darkness, no not really. Many projectors are bright enough to be watched in day light. I just bought black-out lining for my curtains which did a good enough job for me. jahboo

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