What's better and why
 

So what do you think is better to and why?

A widescreen HDTV, ie Plasma, LCD, etc

or

A projector with a projection screen.

This would be primarily for dvd movies and video games.

Don't worry about room size, lighting, etc. Just a hypothetical question.

Well IMHO, the room size and lighting are a major factor.

Given the proper room with total lighting control I would take a projector and screen any day.

Not everyone has that room available to them.

It is a totally different viewing experience between PJ and TV. Some people go so far as having both a TV and PJ in the same room. I don't do that, we do watch a lot of "normal" TV on the PJ.

But it really comes into it's own when the lights are low, and the surround sound is up. I hate to say this, but I went to the Cowboys game on Thursday. Yea, the atmosphere was awesome, beautiful day, but for watching the game...I wished I was watching it at home in HD on my PJ.

PJ is by far the ultimate experience at home. Playing Gears of War on 100" screeen in HD is hypnotizing.

Thanks for the responses. Keep em coming.

Wow, GOW on a 100" screen and full surround sound. I wouldn't know what to do with myself.

What else do you want to know? What are your concerns with having a PJ? What do you think the reasons are for not getting one?

I have a great 53" RPTV with a wonderful, detailed picture that I loved watching. I would never replace it with a plasma or LCD.

But since I got a projector and a 106" screen (exactly twice the RPTV's size) last year I haven't used the RPTV anymore. If that tells you anything.

I don't have light control and only watch at night.

Damn you X, not what I wanted to hear. :) But I just got a 60" RPTV and debated between it and a projector. But the projector would have been more expensive and I just don't really have the room for 100" right now.

What PJ were you looking at that would have been more then a 60 RP? Not to tell you that you made a bad move, but this is an incredible time to buy a PJ,

New HD70 -that I have on the way (DLP, 720p) = Around $900
Mitsubishi HD1000U (DLP, 720p) = Around $900
Sanyo PL-Z4 (LCD, 720 w/lens shift) = Around $1,200 w/92" screen and extra bulb

Just to name a few. And you can build your own screen for roughly $100 or so....

Now if you don't got the room, you don't got the room. But good values all around right now.

*Fixed.

I'll pick LCD projection. Don't worry about why I picked it.

I'm on my 2nd PJ and basically now would recommend boarding up your windows to nix the light issue rather than buying a nice, superbright but dinky 50-60" TV that can be used in the daylight.

And while I totally agree with a PJ you need light control, this doesn't necessarily mean a lot of money. In my dedicated media room I have an entire wall of windows. I bought dark heavy (but not black out) drapes from Bed Bath and Beyond at a very reasonable price. Even noon football games look fine. I put a $30 lutron remote dimmer switch on my Home depot track lighting. This is a "normal" switch meaning it could replace any light switch and has a remote control. I tied the remote into my Harmony remote so I still have all in one taken care of. Or you could put simple mechanical dimmers on floor lamps.

Once you go BIG you will never go back ;)

If I was required to boarding up all my windows, if I don't have an enclosed, designated Home Theater Room to accommodate a 100"+ projection screen, then I would rather settle for a 50-70" monitor with all my windows displayed because, I strictly don't want my home to appear vacant, or condemned. Of course projection screens are superior to Plasma, LCD, and DLP monitors but there far from being dinky.

See my post above Spiky's. Besides, I'm sure Spiky wasn't say you "had" to board up windows. He was just using the example that he enjoys his PJ so much that if it came to that, he would consider it! Doesn't mean it would ever come to that...

And BTW...I would agree with Spiky.

Ain't that much projection screen in the world.

You still bore me, single104. It's called hyperbole. Get over it. Geez...

Anyone who'll consider boarding up their windows with plywood (if needed), for the sake of a projection screen, is an extreme fanatic. And you had the nerve to call me hyperbole? Talking about the pot calling the kettle black.

I would consider it.

I'd start with blackout curtains first though.

I'm viewing this thread on my 125.5" screen (Panny AE-900 projector). My field of vision is fuller than at a movie theater. No way I'd consider going back to a mere 50 or 60 inches. No way.

As for light control, I'm in a room that is a converted garage with a sliding glass door that fills an entire wall and a window opposite the screen (right where you don't want one). A little blackout cloth (which really does black out ALL of the light) and some cheap black velvet curtains over that, and the room now looks like a high-class theater.

Uh, maybe you should look up "hyperbole". And if you still don't understand post #11, do me a favor and don't follow me around this time, just drop it. (hint: it's not descriptive of people)

I haven't called you anything other than "single104", but some interesting words are pooling in my mind.

im an old school person when it comes to tvs. i like crt tvs (cath ray tube) & i would go with a projector rather than a plasma that will break fast anyway. plus projectors are bigger!!! plasmas arn't 100"!
sure the picture is a bit better on a plasma but in the end its not worth the money, projectors are cheaper too!!
or go with a dlp 70" tv or a old, old school crt tv (harder to find but still available.)