Projector TV system vs. Large screen LED TV

[StraightTalk]

On my recent visit to Buri Ram I stayed at the 'Best Western' and was impressed with their projector TV system located in the restaurant.

I believe their system is alike to what Lazada offers here:
http://www.lazada.co.th/catalog/?q=luxcine+HD+LED+Projector
plus projector wall screen:
http://www.lazada.co.th/shop-consumer-electronics/?q=tv+screen
and an appropriate speaker system.

Aside from the price differences, I request opinion for having such a system installed and pro/cons compared to a large screen TV such as:
http://www.lazada.co.th/philips-led-digital-tv-5300-series-58-phl-58pft5309s98-1090642.html
TIA

[IMHO]

If you can control the light in the room (i.e. make the room dark), and you're watching movies from a decent source, nothing beats a properly setup, big (i.e,>=100") projection system.

If you're watching soap opera's in the daytime with no light control you'll want a flat panel though.

In my HT/bar/gym/man-cave room, I have wall mounted a 65" Panasonic VT for daytime viewing, and a motorised 133" screen that comes down in front of it, with a Sony VPL-HW40ES PJ for night-time / closed curtains viewing.

The 65" looks freaking tiny

[StraightTalk]

Thanks for info. I am going to have a closer look at availability and cost of the Sony projector system.

[IMHO]

Thanks for info. I am going to have a closer look at availability and cost of the Sony projector system.

Around 65K for the projector itself, then anything from free (bundle deal) to around 300K Baht for the screen - the more expensive ones having better contrast and ambient light rejection, so more useful in ambient light, e.g.

My motorized 133" cost around 20K Baht - but it's just a basic 1.0 Gain fibreglass fabric screen - just like that screen you see at 1:20 in the above clip. It's awesome in a darkened room, but perfectly useless in one with ambient light

One of these days I'll replace it with a fixed Screen Innvovations Black Diamond and retire the 65" - I'll wait until 4K projectors and media become more prevalant / better priced first though.

[StraightTalk]

Wow, thanks again for detailed info - a very good starting point considering my next move!

[StraightTalk]

Since you seem so knowledgable about home theaters I wish to pick your brain one more time.
As you would be aware the speaker system in flat TV's is not the best. The home theatres I have seen comprise of too many speakers for my liking and have other unwanted gadgets such as DVD players etc..
Can you recommend a good quality pair of speakers (each about half the size of a shoebox or smaller) which can be connected directly to a flat TV and work on the TV's remote volome control?

[IMHO]

Since you seem so knowledgable about home theaters I wish to pick your brain one more time.

As you would be aware the speaker system in flat TV's is not the best. The home theatres I have seen comprise of too many speakers for my liking and have other unwanted gadgets such as DVD players etc..

Can you recommend a good quality pair of speakers (each about half the size of a shoebox or smaller) which can be connected directly to a flat TV and work on the TV's remote volome control?

If by that you mean, without any other components like amplifiers, receivers, disc players etc, I can think of a couple of options:

1. A sound bar - not quite the form factor you're talking about, but very discreet and self contained. Prices and sound quality vary considerably (from about 4K Baht to 80K Baht)

Source: http://blog.bowers-wilkins.com/speakers/home-theatre/excellent-panorama-soundbar-review-in-hometheatrereview-com/

2. A pair of powered monitor speakers - i.e. 'bookshelf' form factor speakers, with their own built-in amplification. On these, I can personally recommend the JBL LSR305 studio monitors, which can be bought for around 16K/pair on eBay (inc. shipping and duties). I can't think of any speakers at even double or triple the price that have the sound quality of these, but you're also talking about something 4x the price of a low end soundbar...

Source: http://asia.jblpro.com/www/products/recording-broadcast/3-series/lsr305

This is a difficult topic, because everyone has a different level of sound quality that's acceptable to them, and a different budget they're prepared to pay to achieve it

[StraightTalk]

Yes, talking about sound quality without hearing is difficult to say the least. As a result of previous occupation my hearing has deterioated over the years and I have turn up the volume to understand the spoken words clearly. Turning up the volume on flat TV speakers do hurt my ears (it's a frequency thing), I don't experience this irritation when listening to the news on my radio system which is equipped with a cheap but effective Aconatic - AN-SP140 system as shown here --> http://www.lazada.co.th/aconatic-an-sp140-216666.html.

Your suggested bookshelf speakers are a tad too costly for me but a sound bar at about 4-6K Baht sounds very promising. Thanks for your valuable input.

[dddave]

I hadn't really considered it before but I actually have the perfect room for a projection set-up; a 5m long x 3m high unbroken flat wall far from the nearest outside light source which could easily be curtained off if needed.

How much distance from the target wall is needed for a 80" diagonal picture? Does that vary between different model projectors and lens's?

Do the projectors generate a significant amount of heat?

I remember a friend in the USA many years ago had an early projection unit. He managed to get a bucket full of the paint used for white lane markings on highways and painted his wall with it. Apparently, that paint contained finely crushed glass particles and was very reflective. He claimed it was better than a commercial screen. Is there anything similar on the market here? Can decent picture brightness be achieved against a wall freshly painted with household white?

I was at an electronics show last month and remember being surprised at the price and picture quality of some Panasonic units being displayed. Under B20,000 as I recall.

[IMHO]

How much distance from the target wall is needed for a 80" diagonal picture? Does that vary between different model projectors and lens's?

It varies depending on the projector.. My Sony would need to be placed between 2.4M and 3.8M to project 80" diagnonal. Note: 80" is tiny for a projector system. 100" is a good starting point, assuming you'll be using a 1500+ lumens projector.

Do the projectors generate a significant amount of heat?

Not zero, but also not significant.

I remember a friend in the USA many years ago had an early projection unit. He managed to get a bucket full of the paint used for white lane markings on highways and painted his wall with it. Apparently, that paint contained finely crushed glass particles and was very reflective. He claimed it was better than a commercial screen. Is there anything similar on the market here? Can decent picture brightness be achieved against a wall freshly painted with household white?

A couple of decades ago that was probably OK. Today screen technology has advanced way beyond what a painted wall can ever achieve. There are still some budget/ghetto DIY'rs out there using paint though

My suggestion? Pay a few thousand Baht for a basic 1.0 gain screen - a 16:9 100" fiberglass fabric screen will only cost you 5K Baht (less in a package deal) - specialist paints will probably cost similar anyway.

[AJBangkok]

@IMHO

Does optimum viewing distance change between a projector TV versus a UHDTV? I'm not sure but I think that there is a difference when viewing a regular TV versus a hdtv in that you can sit closer to a hdtv than a normal tv.

I have a 89" UHDTV and sit about 4m away and its almost immersive at that distance. I also have a 65" UHDTV and get a similar experience at 3m.

[IMHO]

@IMHO

Does optimum viewing distance change between a projector TV versus a UHDTV? I'm not sure but I think that there is a difference when viewing a regular TV versus a hdtv in that you can sit closer to a hdtv than a normal tv.

I have a 89" UHDTV and sit about 4m away and its almost immersive at that distance. I also have a 65" UHDTV and get a similar experience at 3m.

The expert opinion doesn't change, no.. but I do find I can sit closer to a PJ screen than I can a flat panel.

In my PJ room, viewing distance varies between 6.5M and 10M. From the bartender view, it's only 4-6M away, and a little offset, but still not fatiguing.

[AJBangkok]

I tried reading a little about viewing distances and it seems that viewing angle is equally important and there are are several complex theories out there on how to optimize.

As my tv is fixed to the wall and my furniture cannot really be rearranged I stopped reading. I would hate to find out that my setup is substandard as it would always be in the back of my mind that my viewing experience could be better. I'm happy settling for the Ignorance is bliss setup.