Home theater people! Need your input...

**austinite** · 05-31-2015, 07:11 PM

I'm trying to decide between a large LED TV and a projector. This is for a 16ft x 20ft room. But the throw distance will be about 7 feet.

My concerns are the Bulbs in the projector. I know the brightness degrades over time, but are the ratings (5000 hours, etc..) fairly accurate? If so, it should be fine as I would be using it only 5 to 8 hours per week.

I found that by the time I get a projector, nice screen, mounting hardware, etc... I would spend about as much as a 70 inch TV, and with the 7ft throw distance, I could have a 100" projection screen.

What would you do?

**jolter604** · 05-31-2015, 07:18 PM

Led all the way.

**lovbyts** · 05-31-2015, 11:58 PM

I have both, large LED and projector. I do like the new Large 80" 4K pictures although not many movies are really available for 4K yet but you have to get a GOOD stereo with 4K bypass and DVD player that does 4K

My projector I use only for movies, not daily TV. I think it's an Epson and does 1080I and 1080P. Ive had it like 8+ years and still looks like new, very bright but again I dont usually play it during the day much. I got mine from Costco before they had the 90 day return so I can actually return it still to this day and get 100% back.

I think it really depends on what you want to use it for. I do like the LARGE picture for movies.

70" is to small now days unless it's for the bedroom, honestly. I would not go under 80" for real movie watching.

I use a swivel wall mount for the projector and using a single HDMI cable make it simple and easy to hide the cable. Make sure all your stereo stuff is fairly close to the projector because a LONG HDMI cable can degrade the picture a little.

I got a good quality remote drop down screen for just over $100 that was 100" like this one.

Click image for larger version.

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**tarmyg** · 06-01-2015, 01:38 AM

I went with a 70" TV simply because I can not stand ANY fan noise that is coming from those darn projectors as I feel it completely ruins the experience for me.

**Hazard** · 06-01-2015, 04:54 AM

I have a 58" and now I feel left out :-/

**lovbyts** · 06-01-2015, 05:12 AM

Originally Posted by Hazard

I have a 58" and now I feel left out :-/

Thats what I have in my bedroom now. Actually I'm moving it to the bathroom to put on the wall by the jacuzzi tub and probably move the 73" into the bedroom when we get a 80" or larger 4K TV for down stairs.

**Joco71** · 06-01-2015, 07:23 AM

I would def run the 70-80 inch LED. You will be happy!! just make sure you get a sound bar for it as the speakers on all new TV's suck the big one. Samsung has some really nice sets. Good Luck

**Hazard** · 06-01-2015, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by lovbyts

Thats what I have in my bedroom now. Actually I'm moving it to the bathroom to put on the wall by the jacuzzi tub and probably move the 73" into the bedroom when we get a 80" or larger 4K TV for down stairs.

58" in the bathroom is OD.... U hafta have a huge bathroom. I WAS happy with my 58" downstairs and 42" in my bedroom lololol. I already take long in the bathroom. Half of my posts are made when I'm shittin haha. If I had a TV in there I'd watch a whole movie on the throne.

**RaginCajun** · 06-01-2015, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by Hazard

58" in the bathroom is OD.... U hafta have a huge bathroom. I WAS happy with my 58" downstairs and 42" in my bedroom lololol. I already take long in the bathroom. Half of my posts are made when I'm shittin haha. If I had a TV in there I'd watch a whole movie on the throne.

he can fit 20 asians in his bathroom

**kelkel** · 06-01-2015, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by austinite

But the throw distance will be about 7 feet.

You throw like a girl.

**austinite** · 06-01-2015, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by RaginCajun

he can fit 20 asians in his bathroom

20 Asians and a ladyboy.

**austinite** · 06-01-2015, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by kelkel

You throw like a girl.

That's not what you said last night...

**tdoe11** · 06-01-2015, 10:09 AM

I have a 75" Samsung led, it's ultra awesome. My couch is 20' from it and it's excellent. I also have a projector, we use it for camping. Sure it puts a huge picture out, but it needs to be completely black out to see it well. So led all the way

BG · 06-01-2015, 10:51 AM

Projector you need to get a very good screen to come ose to the tv.

**kelkel** · 06-01-2015, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by austinite

That's not what you said last night...

Shush. Haz will be jealous.

**RigPig** · 06-01-2015, 11:05 AM

I have many rooms with all sizes of TVs, my favorite is my projector theater room by far.
I built a raised floor and have 2 levels of recliner theater seats. I can seat 10 people very easily. The back row sees full screen without seeing the heads of front row.
I built the speakers into the walls and ceiling,
I bought a 3D projector just because they have better and faster technology haven't used the 3D yet. (At least when I bought mine)
3 years of constant use by the kids for their Xbox, myself for sports and fights. Haven't changed a bulb yet.
Watching sports on an 11' x 6' screen is the way to go!!!

**Hazard** · 06-01-2015, 11:23 AM

This is a theater room I built with coworkers for a client a couple years ago when i was still doing AV work. Can't say who he is but he's loaded lol.

**Hazard** · 06-01-2015, 11:27 AM

^^^^ idunno why the pic came out upside down

A few more.....

**RigPig** · 06-01-2015, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by Hazard

^^^^ idunno why the pic came out upside down A few more.....

Looks awesome Haz! Very similar to the one I built for myself.

**austinite** · 06-01-2015, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by RigPig

Looks awesome Haz! Very similar to the one I built for myself.

post pics! I wanna see.

**kelkel** · 06-01-2015, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by Hazard

This is a theater room I built with coworkers for a client a couple years ago when i was still doing AV work. Can't say who he is but he's loaded lol.

Obama said you didn't build that.

**Hazard** · 06-01-2015, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by kelkel

Obama said you didn't build that.

Well he also said he'd fix healthcare and improve the nations debt......

**lovbyts** · 06-02-2015, 01:05 AM

Originally Posted by Hazard

58" in the bathroom is OD.... U hafta have a huge bathroom. I WAS happy with my 58" downstairs and 42" in my bedroom lololol. I already take long in the bathroom. Half of my posts are made when I'm shittin haha. If I had a TV in there I'd watch a whole movie on the throne.

Well yeah, my bedroom is pretty big. I need to add some lounging chairs or it looks empty. lol

Originally Posted by RaginCajun

he can fit 20 asians in his bathroom

Well actually I can fit almost 20 in my shower alone.

Originally Posted by austinite

20 Asians and a ladyboy.

If there is a ladyboy he/she will be doing the cooking and laundry.

I dont have the dedicated Media room, just a big family room and I got 4 matching lazyboy recliners.

**Klaus88** · 06-08-2015, 08:41 PM

Check out the benq w1070 projector if you're on a budget, great resolution and contrast.

RA · 06-08-2015, 08:51 PM

Stop I cant breath...lmao

**Honkey_Kong** · 06-09-2015, 06:13 AM

Get yourself an LG or Sony 78" 4k TV. Samsung only has one high end big screen TV and it's expensive/still buggy.

And get yourself one of these so you can enjoy the 4k:

Sony 4K Ultra HD Media Player – FMP-X10 Review - Sony US

**MIKE_XXL** · 06-09-2015, 06:40 AM

I vote LED as well...if the room is not 100% dark the colors, contrast, darks and sharpness will wash out on projector screen...depends what the TV is used for, i have a plasma for movies and gaming only, but all my other TV are LCD or LED...

**lovbyts** · 06-09-2015, 07:18 AM

Originally Posted by MIKE_XXL

I vote LED as well...if the room is not 100% dark the colors, contrast, darks and sharpness will wash out on projector screen...depends what the TV is used for, i have a plasma for movies and gaming only, but all my other TV are LCD or LED...

I use my plasma at my other house to heat the bedroom, and it does a very good job. DAMN those things run warm...

**Joco71** · 06-09-2015, 08:51 AM

I would wait on the 4K it doesn't have enough applications for it yet. By the time those applications are available the 4 k will reduce in price. Just a thought.

**RaginCajun** · 06-10-2015, 07:37 AM

Here you go, https://ca.news.yahoo.com/microsoft-...--finance.html

**austinite** · 06-10-2015, 07:43 AM

Great input everyone, thanks!

**Hazard** · 06-10-2015, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by austinite

Great input everyone, thanks!

No problem

**Frank777** · 09-25-2020, 08:31 AM

I have a 4k tv. I'm pleased with it. But having read this discussion, I wonder why I don't have a projector... Good idea! And thanks for sharing your experience, it is useful!

**bethdoth** · 09-25-2020, 10:11 AM

I love my Projector and home made screen with blue LED back lighting. My surround sound with a great sub-woofer makes it feel like I am in a movie theater. I primarily use it for movies, but used to use it for some sports when i used to watch them. My 120" screen is held off the wall about 3 inches and has back lighting.

**Test Monsterone** · 09-27-2020, 08:24 PM

old thread and I'm bored.

The thing with projectors is making sure the bulb can get bright enough and that the screen is quality and reflective. I have a JVC DILA from like 2001 that has incredible resolution but is very dim. It was originally very expensive ($8,000+ I believe) but I would get eye strain trying to watch things on it, so now I never use it. Sound is also important. Too many hard/reflective surfaces and the sound becomes unclear. Having heavy curtains, carpeting, soft couches, etc. helps.

**Oliver47** · 10-07-2020, 02:28 AM

Hey guys,
Can anyone tell me the difference between recliners like these https://thebestreclinersreviews.com/...ess-recliners/ and home theater seats in terms of comfort? I know home theater seats have more features such as cup holder. I'm most interested in comfort, particularly back support and durability as I'm somewhat of a couch potato and will be in the seats at least a few hours a day.