The Projector vs Plasma/LCD TV Debate

If you are considering purchasing a home theater system but are still unsure whether to choose a projector and screen approach as opposed to a plasma TV, then read on for some helpful advice.

You may or may not have heard of ambient light. This refers to the amount of light getting into the room where you will have your home theater system installed. There is no doubt about it that a projector and screen will not work as effectively as you would like if there is a lot of ambient light present, so a set of blackout curtains or blinds is a very good addition to make to your room. Of course if your viewing is going to take place  in a window-less cellar, then this isn’t an issue. Plasma TVs do not have this problem.

What are the advantages of each providing you have created a level playing field – a room with no ambient light to affect the projector.

The main advantage of a projector I would suggest is the much larger picture than is available in plasma. Projectors can produce images comparable to an 81-inch screen and larger. This just isn't possible with a plasma screen.

However, plasmas have the advantage of not being dependent on the size of available. A projector must have a long enough distance to project its image onto the wall or screen. To get an 81-inch or greater image, you need a fair distance between the projector and the target.

You also have to bear in mind that a projector's image is dependent on more than the quality of the projector; you must be projecting onto a suitable, specialized surface or you will lose much of the detail that you should be receiving.

A top quality HD projector with a very high native resolution would be wasted if you were just projecting the image onto a wall. You need an equally high quality projector screen with features such as a matte finish to eliminate reflection and glare. A plasma display requires no additional equipment.

Overall, there are clearly pros and cons with both. A projector no doubt has the edge in terms of sheer size of viewing area, which I suppose is what a home theater is trying to create. It is also however rather more expensive than a plasma TV and you have to consider your overall budget.

If you have a room set aside to do the thing properly, with no ambient light and a decent budget, I would go with a good quality projector and screen every time.

However if you are just looking to upgrade your existing TV in your living room which is reasonably small and has several windows, I would probably recommend a new plasma TV rather than the projector.