Big Screen Dreams: Projectors vs. TVs for Home Entertainment

There’s so much to consider when picking a television. If you dream of seeing your favorite shows, movies, and games (video or sports) on large screens every day, another media option you might want to consider is a projector.

Projectors are an excellent choice for big-screen viewing experiences. But how do they compare to TVs on the market right now? Well, kick back in your favorite chair and keep on reading: we’ll break down the differences between televisions and projectors, as well as the pros and cons of each.

Pricing: Are Projectors Better Than TVs Budget-Wise?

Projector

Like many electronics, projectors are available in a wide price range, from $25 for mini portable projectors to thousands of dollars for cinema-quality projectors. In most instances, quality can be relative to cost, and you can expect to spend over $1,000 for a high-quality option. You’ll also need to purchase a screen to project your shows and movies onto for the highest quality image.

TV

Over the past decade, TVs have become much less expensive for much better quality. Now, TVs range from less than $100 to, well, as much as you want to spend! While you won’t need an additional screen like you do for a projector (unless you want to watch multiple games at once, that is), you’ll likely want to factor in the cost of a soundbar, too.

At your local Rent-A-Center, you can find a great selection of projectors, TVs, and sound systems at various price points!

Ambient Lighting: The Projectors’ Biggest Weakness

Projector

Projector brightness is highly adjustable, which makes it outstanding in dark environments (like a movie theater). However, since projectors use projected light, images can become diluted by ambient lighting.

This is projectors’ biggest weakness: they require a completely dark room for the best picture quality. However, that’s not an issue if you use them for home theater or outdoor movie screenings on a dark night.

TV

TVs also have adjustable brightness levels, and they don’t have the same issues as projectors when it comes to ambient lighting. Since they feature direct lighting instead of projected light, they work well in brighter spaces, including during the day outdoors! However, you may run into television glare issues when light sources like a bright window or lamp directly face your TV.

Size: Home Theater Projector vs. Big Screen TV Considerations

Projector

One of the significant benefits of a projector is that it can create a big picture with relatively small equipment. Depending on the projector you purchase, you can get a near-theater image size out of a box not much bigger than a toaster! This makes projectors especially useful if you have a small room to work with or don’t want to have a TV as the focal point of your living room. Some theorize that the larger size of a projector can reduce eye strain, but there’s not any conclusive evidence on whether projectors are better for your eyes than TVs.

TV

Televisions come in many different sizes but are more or less fixed — in other words, if you buy a 75-inch television, it’s always going to be a 75-inch television! Big-screen TVs can take up a large amount of space and are more difficult to store than projectors. Most modern TVs allow you to mount them on the wall, which can help reduce their footprint in a smaller space.

Image Quality: TV vs. Projector Comparison

Projector

The large projector display can create a theater experience, and high-end projectors offer stunning image quality. However, the Achille’s heel of projectors – lack of brightness – strikes again regarding image quality. Unless your room is almost perfectly dark, they tend to have a washed-out image. Again, this is fine if you’re building a home theater in your basement or have blackout curtains handy! But in daily watching scenarios, you may compromise image quality for size.

TV

Television technology has improved substantially in the past decade, meaning that excellent image quality is available at an accessible price point. 4K, OLED, LED, and 1080p options aren’t generally affected by the surrounding light and offer impressive image quality. Each of the popular types of television has pros and cons, so it’s important to decide which one is right for the content and environment you’ll be watching in.

Let’s Take This Outside: Outdoor TV vs Projector

Projector

A projector can be the perfect solution for summertime backyard movie nights. They’re simple to move and require very little equipment beyond a power source, a flat surface to project onto, and a stable platform, like a table. You can easily move your projector inside and outside whenever you want, whether for a post-party movie night, hosting a sleepover under the stars for your kids, or watching the big game while you grill.

TV

An outdoor-specific TV can be an excellent solution for a more permanent setup on your patio or to take along on a tailgate. Many outdoor TVs have specially designed screens and backlighting for partial or full sun use. They also typically have more durable screens to resist impact and may be more weatherproof than a standard TV. If you want to watch TV or movies during the daytime, an outdoor TV could be a great solution instead of a projector.

Sound Quality: TV vs. Projector For Home Theater

Projector

While many projectors have speakers, they may not offer the intense surround sound you’re looking for in a home theater setup. However, most projectors can connect to soundbars and speakers via Bluetooth or hardwiring, allowing you to achieve theater-quality sound.

TV

Almost every television has built-in speakers. These are often okay and allow you to listen to your favorite show or movie, but they must be supplemented by a high-quality soundbar or surround sound system. Like a projector, TVs can connect to your sound system via Bluetooth or hardwiring.

Projector or TV? Rent-A-Center Has You Covered Either Way!

Rent-A-Center has everything you need to make your home theater amazing, from name-brand TVs, projectors, and home theater and stereo systems to comfy recliners and sectionals for seating. With lease renewal payment options and free delivery at Rent-A-Center, you can go ahead and start making the popcorn, because the next movie night is starting soon!

And if you pick one –TV or projector– and decide that it’s not right for you, Rent-A-Center’s Exchange program makes swapping it out for something else simple. You can even switch to something completely different, like a new refrigerator! Shop online or visit your nearest Rent-A-Center location today to explore your options.