Choices, choices, choices… in our consumer-based economy, we are sometimes inundated with such a large variety of choices that we become overwhelmed and unable to make a confident decision. And this perplexing array of choice is probably most pronounced when it comes to consumer electronics, especially those for your home theater. When it comes to your home theater, the TV will likely be the central aspect of your technology and your design. But which TV to choose?
There are many factors that you can use to decide which TV is right for you. Size (ranging from 19-inches up to 60-inches and more), resolution (1080p, 480i and all the resolutions in-between), video and audio technologies and more. But before you dive into the nitty-gritties of TV choices, you must first make the basic decision: do you want a flat panel TV or a front projector?
First, some descriptions are in order. A flat panel TV is the more common modern TV choice. It includes plasma and LCD display technologies, and all of the big-name manufacturers make them. They are usually high-definition, and can reach as high as 1080p resolution. Video projectors are a bit different. Rather than having the screen and display technologies in one place, you purchase a screen and a projector separately. The projector is usually mounted to the ceiling and pointed at the fabric screen on a far wall.
Projectors do have their purposes. For business conferences, they’re the go-to technology. University classrooms also often feature projectors. And you might’ve seen one of your friends or neighbors with their very own projector in their home theater. However, if you are someone looking for a way to include fashion and functionality in your home theater, you would probably be better off with a flat panel TV.
Projectors can end up with a larger overall screen size than flat panel TVs. On the surface, this sounds like a great thing. However, the larger you get, the blurrier the picture will become. And projectors often have a harder time connecting to cable or television broadcast. Most projectors do not have RF cable or antenna connections, whereas flat panel TVs include these features as standard.
The actual projector screen can be rather difficult to incorporate into the interior design of your home theater. Because it is a soft material that hangs from the ceiling, you can’t add a flat panel TV frame to polish it off. And its white color is usually more glaring and abrasive than the sleek black that most flat panel TVs display.
Blub life is another worry with projectors. While a flat panel TV will last you ten or more years, the projector’s bulb burns out relatively quickly. For instance, if you watch TV or movies for about three or four hours a night, the bulb will burn out after just one year – and it will cost you $300 or more to replace. Add to this the maintenance costs and time-consuming cleaning that a projector requires regularly, and it’s clear that a flat panel TV is the better option for the majority of home theaters.
Tags: audio/video, Home Theater, TV Frame
