If you were to choose between TV vs Projector, what would you choose? I Know you are not sure yet. Well, you are not alone. In 2022, Projectors have been replacing televisions in several houses. But, people are still not sure whether to buy a TV or a Projector.
Hence, here we will be comparing TV and Projector to see which one has more advantages over the other.
Times are changing, and so is Technology. People are preferring to watch movies on OTT platforms rather than going to the Theaters. People enjoy watching movies with their families sitting at home, whenever they are free.
However, lots of people miss the large screen entertainment when watching movies/shows at home. Therefore, with the help of Projectors, you can experience Theatre-like fun at home. But, is it worth purchasing a Projector instead of a Smart TV?
Let’s compare TV Vs Projector and see what advantages and drawbacks a Projector has over a TV.
Page Contents
TV Vs Projector – Differences:
Here we are going to compare each aspect of TV and Projector to see which has more advantage over the other.
Brightness & Contrast:
When it comes to Brightness and Contrast, TVs definitely have the upper hand. The light panel behind the TV screen emits light, which makes it much brighter. On the other hand, a Projector projects images. So, the projectors work best in specific environments only, which we will be discussing next. Here the Television gets an upper hand.
Television – 1
Projector – 0
Environment:
While Comparing between TV Vs Projector, a Projector needs a dark environment to provide a better experience. Hence, movie theatres have all the lights closed. It is because the light in the room will interfere with the light thrown by the Projector, which results in dull picture quality.
You can However get a special Projector for Bright Room, that has high lumens.
On the other hand, LED TVs show a brighter image even if there are several lights in the room. The Old CRT Televisions had a Glass surface that would reflect the light, but the latest technologies (LED, OLED, QLED TVs) have overcome the issue.
So, for a brighter room or environment, you may want to use the TV. While using Projector, you should close all doors and windows, which also blocks ventilation.
Note that there are also the latest Types of Projectors that work well in daylight as well. They still may not be as bright as TVs, but they are sufficient.
Television – 2
Projector – 0
Good for Eyes:
Watching TV for a long time could damage the eyes, especially if you are watching it in the dark or by sitting close to it. Some people even experience a headache after watching TV for several hours. The rays coming out of the TV can damage the eyes and skin in the long term.
On the other hand, the Projector throws a projection on the wall. So, it does not affect the eyes in any way. Just make sure, you don’t look into the projector light.
If you like to watch movies or play games late at night, then you should definitely choose Projector over TV to protect your eyes and health. Moreover, if your kids are addicted to Phones and TV, you should consider replacing them with a Projector.
Television – 2
Projector – 1
Screen Size:
The average size of a TV used nowadays is 60 inches. Once you bought a TV, you cannot change the screen size. The Smart Television by LG is 325 inches, which is the largest TV to date. Considering the size, the price of the TV would be very high that only a few people in the world can afford it.
However, Projectors with 450″ inch projection come at a very affordable price. You can even adjust the Projection size according to the size of the surface. Moreover, it is impossible for Televisions to beat Projectors in Screen Size in the near future.
However, you may have to purchase a Large Projector Screen if you don’t have plain walls.
Television – 2
Projector – 2
Resolution:
Both TVs and Projectors have 4K resolution. However, you need a bigger screen to experience a bigger resolution. Watching 4K content on a 1080p TV won’t provide you with a better experience. Therefore, Projectors are a clear winner here.
Television – 2
Projector – 3
Maintainance:
TVs don’t have much maintenance. But, projectors lamp should be replaced from time to time. However, the latest LED Projectors have an LED light source, which lasts longer. Also, it is better to keep projectors in an open area to prevent overheating, and you need to keep the Projectors dust-free. Therefore, here TV beats projectors by a small margin.
Television – 3
Projector – 3
Installation:
Wall mounting a TV could require a technician. It also requires a technician to wall-mount a Projector.
Nevertheless, you can simply place the TV on the TV Stand, and connect the cables. But, you need to place the Projector Several feet away from the screen at a specific angle. Moreover, you also have to adjust the Keystone when using it for the first time.
You can check How Far Does Projector Need To Be From Screen.
There are no such requirements for TV. One can purchase a TV and place it anywhere in the room. So, once again TV gets the upper hand.
Television – 4
Projector – 3
Space:
TV and Projector both require space. You should have enough space on the wall to mount a TV. And, when it comes to the projector, you need to have a plain wall to project the image. Also, as we discussed earlier, you need to keep the Projector at a specific distance from the wall to get a larger image.
So, in this category, both TV and Projectors have their pros and cons. However, if you have a room full of furniture, you can get a portable Bluetooth Projector and a Pulldown Screen (or foldable cloth screen).
In some places, it is not possible to use a TV. But, there are several types of Projectors and several Types of Projector Screens that will help you set it up in any space. (All you need to do is pick the right Projector and Projector Accessories)
Television – 4
Projector – 4
Sound Quality:
Here is one of the main comparisons between TV Vs Projector. Almost all Televisions come with a built-in speaker. And they also have good sound quality. On the other hand, only some Projectors have the built-in speaker option. Moreover, the sound quality is not up to the mark. The speakers are just for audio output and are not suitable for gaming and entertainment. Therefore, you need to get dedicated speakers for Projectors.
See How to Connect a Speaker to a Projector.
Television – 5
Projector – 4
Viewing Angle:
Watching TV with a large audience will not provide a great experience. The people sitting in an angled position may not get the same picture quality. Whereas, while using a Projector, you can be seated in any corner of the room, and still get the same view. That’s how it works at Movie Theaters.
Television – 5
Projector – 5
Portability:
It is not impossible, but carrying a TV wherever you go can be different. On the other hand, there are Portable Projectors which you can carry to your friend’s house or on camping. To use a projector, all you need is a plane surface. That could be a wall, or you can carry the foldable cloth screen along with the projector.
Television – 5
Projector – 6
Noise:
Between TV Vs Projector, A Television does not make any noise. However, you can hear a mild noise from the moving objects and fan inside a Projector. So, TV grabs another point here.
Television – 6
Projector – 6
Price:
When it comes to price, Projectors are a lot cheaper than TVs. If you compare the price of a 55″ 4K Television with a 4K Projector, the Projectors are Cost-effective.
Television – 6
Projector – 7
Power Consumption:
In some cases, Television consumes more power, and in some cases, Projectors consume more power. Generally, Projectors need more power to light up the Lamp. However, the LED Projectors use less power and the Pico Projectors run on Battery. Overall, it can be said that Projectors consume a little more electricity than Televisions.
Television – 7
Projector – 7
Uses:
TV can be used at Home and Office for Entertainment Purposes. However, a Projector can be useful in every field. These days, you can even find Android Projectors, which work the same as any other Smart TV. Or, you could even use a Fire Stick to make your ordinary projector into a Smart Projector.
Besides that, a Projector can be used at home to watch movies with family on a bigger screen. It can be used in Educational fields like schools and colleges where there is a large audience. Projectors are used in the Entertainment sectors like Gaming and movie theatres as it would cost 50 times more to buy a Television of that size. Moreover, Projectors are used in offices and other business purposes.
Therefore, coming to a conclusion, Projectors are way cheaper and offer more benefits than Television.
Television – 7
Projector – 8
Difference Between Projector Vs TV in Tablular Form:
| Projector | TV |
|---|---|
| Projectors are cheaper compared to HD TVs | HD Televisions are expensive. And the price keeps increasing as the size and resolution increase |
| It is good for the eyes | Watching TV for a long time can damage health |
| The Maintainance Cost is more | The Maintainance Cost is less |
| It offers lower Picture quality when compared to TV | Best Picture Quality (if you get OLED or QLED TVs) |
| Slightly more Power Consumption | Also consumes Power, but less than Projectors |
| Easily Portable (Especially the Pico Projectors and foldable screens) | Not Portable. Any slight damage to the screen would result in a replacement |
| Not suitable in Daylight | Suitable in all conditions |
| The screen size can be adjusted. | Screen size cannot be adjusted |
| You require large room for larger projection | Suitable for smaller rooms |
| Requires technical knowledge and efforts to setup | Easy to set up and use |
Final Words on TV Vs Projector:
I have compared every aspect of TV and Projector to see which one is better. Well, both have their benefits and cons. But, it finally depends on your preferences and setup.
Basically, if you have a bright room with lots of windows, you might consider buying a TV. However, if you can control the Ambience by putting on curtains and through other methods, you can go for Projectors.
Between TV Vs Projector, I would definitely choose the Projector. Because it is cost-efficient and provides a larger screen and it does not harm your eyes. These points are enough for me to choose the Projector over the Television.