Before getting our phones, we used to have to fight over the TV remote control. After all, the TV was one of our only sources of entertainment. Today, Singaporeans still rely on their trusty TVs for family movie seshs and drama binges. Also, homeowners are increasingly investing in projectors, which grants them an immersive home theatre experience without actually having to go to one.
So that begs the question: is the classic TV still a go-to choice? Or have projectors taken over? We pit projectors and TVs against each other to see which is more worthy of playing your new K-drama binge.
Affordability
Before debating between a projector and a TV, set aside a good budget for your new purchase, especially if you want top-of-the-shelf offerings. Both TVs and projectors have a wide range of price points, with costlier ones offering higher quality specifications.
Lumos Auro projector, $299.
Image credit: The Smart Local
Home projectors can be as cheap as $55, but this isn’t inclusive of items such as projection screens or even light bulbs for the projector itself.
On the other hand, non-dodgy TVs tend to cost at least 3 digits. We polled 56 Singaporeans and the majority voted that, to them, an average TV – something that is mid-range and of quality – would cost around $800-$1,099. But on the bright side, these TVs work right out of the box and you won’t have to pay for peripherals.
For comparison’s sake, we looked at the most premium projector from Samsung – The Premier LSP9T ($11,999) – and compared it to a premium TV with similar specifications from the same brand – Samsung 98” Neo QLED 4K QN90A ($20,186).
Both boast 4K resolution and have smart features, yet The Premier can cast up to 130”. This makes it 32 inches bigger and $8,187 cheaper.
Winner: Projector
Size
Image credit: @ponkiti1999
In terms of a viewing experience, most would agree that the bigger the screen, the better. You get to immerse yourself in the show when the characters are as big as you.
Projectors used to be the clear winner in terms of size, but these days, TVs have caught up. However, if we were to compare standard sizes, the 65-inch TV pales in comparison to basic projectors that can cast a picture of 100 inches and higher.
Image credit: @__________m.room
Maximise your viewing experience with projectors since their limits are only confined to the size of your walls. So if you have a large empty wall, it’ll do the trick – just ensure it’s white, clean, and flat. Otherwise, consider getting a projection screen.
Winner: Projectors. They are flexible and can go as wide as your walls.
Space considerations
Image credit: @yenni.hom
TVs don’t take up much space – especially if they’re wall-mounted – and you don’t have to move the furniture around your room like a game of 3D chess every time you want to watch something.
As for projectors, their image size depends on “throw distance”, meaning the further your projector is away from the projected wall, the bigger the image.
Image credit: The Smart Local
However, if your room is smaller, you might end up with an unsatisfactory image size, which defeats the purpose of getting a projector. Additionally, you’ll have to move all furniture that blocks the projector lens. It’s best if you can mount it to a ceiling or prop it somewhere and fix the image sizing using a 4-point keystone correction.
But if you’re dead set on it, we recommend getting a short-throw projector, which lets you project as large of an image as long-throw projectors at a smaller distance away from the wall.
Winner: TVs, unless you get a short-throw projector.
Installation
Installing a TV is relatively easy – just plug in the cables and mount your TV on a stand or on a wall. Just try not to do it solo as TVs can be difficult to handle alone.
Image credit: The Smart Local
Projectors are more complicated as you have to ensure that your projector is correctly positioned at a good distance away from a blank wall.
Projector cables will be harder to hide if you’re mounting on the ceiling, so you might need to get a professional team to install everything. But if you prefer the DIY route, check out this home projector guide for tips on setting up your own system.
If you have a short-throw projector, set-up is as easy as placing it on a flat surface and adjusting it till you get an image size you like.
Winner: TVs and short-throw projectors.
Experience
Image quality
Image credit: LG
Unless you’re willing to spend on ultra high-quality projectors that cost an arm and a leg, most projectors aren’t that bright, so high dynamic range (HDR) becomes an issue for projectors. In other words, colours and contrast are not as deep, vibrant, or life-like as a TV.
Picture quality-wise, most TVs now offer 4K resolutions, which means the average 1080p projectors lose out.
Sound quality
With solid in-built speakers, standard TVs fulfil audio needs adequately. Projector speakers are usually tinier and of lower quality. Hence, to boost your sound system for a legit home theatre experience, it’s best to get external speakers such as a sound bar or subwoofers.
Clarity
The ambient light-rejecting screen is on the left.
Image credit: BenQ
The worst enemy of projectors is ambient light – it competes with projected light, making daytime viewing tough. To correct that, get blackout curtains or an ambient light-rejecting screen. On the other hand, TVs can still cast a clear image even in the daytime.
Comfort
Image credit: @philips.picopix
Many of us grew up getting nagged by our mothers not to sit too near to the TV or watch for prolonged periods for fear of hurting our eyesight. There’s a grain of truth to that. Due to the brightness of the LED in TVs, we may strain our eyes after prolonged exposure, resulting in eye fatigue.
Image credit: @polarbar_8k
On the contrary, images on projectors are less harsh for viewers as the projector reflects light rather than emitting it. Long hours of binge-watching on a projector are less tiring on the eyes, making a more comfortable viewing experience.
Winner: TVs, if you are willing to forgo eye health.
Smart features
Image credit: Samsung
Both projectors and TVs are equipped with sufficient smart features. Projectors now offer smart platforms – for example, Samsung projectors use Tizen, while other brands offer Android, Google TV, or other pre-installed apps. Otherwise, you can always connect a set-top box or console that links smart platforms to your projector.
These smart features are easy to navigate even if you’re a tech noob, so you can open up Youtube or Netflix as and when you feel like it.
Winner: Draw. They’re both smart.
Maintenance
It’s not too hard to keep a TV clean and working. All it needs is regular dusting and leaving to do its job. If you do so, it should last at least 7 years on average.
Image credit: @polarbar_8k
Projectors are more high maintenance as you have to regularly change the lamp every year or risk it burning out. Additionally, the interior of the projector has to be cleaned to prevent dust from clogging up and causing subsequent issues.
But other than that, projectors can last just as long as a TV.
Winner: TVs. They are fuss-free.
Projectors vs TVs – which is the better choice?
Projectors and TVs have come a long way, and whilst the differential gap has narrowed, its biggest difference lies between the image sizes they offer.
Movie buffs and binge-watchers may want to consider getting a projector. With a large projected image size, it grants a cinema-like experience that is hard to beat. However, you’ll have to invest time and effort to create the ultimate home theatre.
Otherwise, for all-in-one and fuss-free entertainment, opt for a TV. It’s family-friendly and simpler, from installation to navigation to maintenance.
Read other comparison articles here:
- Which smart assistant is better?
- Dyson vs Bosch
- Singaporeans give an honest review of their cooker hobs & hoods
Cover image adapted from: Samsung, TheSmartLocal
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