LCD or Projector/Screen?

[Cajungaltx]

I want to purchase a projector/screen for showing clients images (projected viewing).

My husband has been making noises about getting a flat panel LCD....

He asked me today.... could we use the projector/screen to watch t.v. on?

And I went... I dont' know....

I know you watch movies... and you can do projected viewing... lol... but... I'm fairly certain there's a limitied 'life' on the projector bulb... lol.

So - what do you guys think? Could we get away with buying a projector/screen and NOT buying a seperate t.v.. It'd save us space... considering BOTH would be setup in the same area for the most part....

[zeroendless]

Yes, you can use for both.

I've been using projector for Tv for the last several years, in fact, just replaced a better model less than a week ago and have fun calibrating it to the holly grail of D65, flat line!. This is my 5th projector :) what can i say, it's a freaking disease!

When set up properly in a light control room, you would probably never visited the movie theater again, it;s nothing like over 100-inch of popcorn hours in your own home and the image quality is twice as better than you local movie theater.

However, I wouldn't recommend it unless you have a light control room, it's not a suitable daily TV. Nevertheless, buddy of mine that inherits one of my old unit use it as it, likes a TV, he couldn't care less about image quality under daylight condition -- dynamic mode all the way and it's on his wall :)

There are projectors designed for HT use then there's business class with higher lumen output but wacky color. Also, you have to consider throwing distance in related to screen size, viewing distance, screen gain to improve contrast or brightness and such... it's not something as simple as a TV.

Bulb runs you about $250-400 depend on the make and model. The lumen output drops consistently in time. Most last about 2000 hours, i have one lasted over 5000 hours, the down turn is dimmer images. My last one is only 1300 hours, still pumping out some serious picture and not even need a new bulb, i already went for a better model. Bad habit!...

[ptrd]

My cousin has a nice theater setup, 120" screen, its nice but you don't want to watch tv on there (unless it's a football game). Movies are awesome though.

The only reason I would want a projector?

To recreate the Ace Ventura projector room scene :)

[raevyncent]

to be honest, I'd say skip the projector, and just go for the nice 55" LCD... LG has a feature called Picture Wizard that walks you thru calibration, and the image quality on a 1080P LCD blows away a projector image by far. BTW, I'm working at Conn's in Arlington, if you want to check one out... (they are in Houston too )

[BWangPhoto]

Originally Posted by raevyncent

to be honest, I'd say skip the projector, and just go for the nice 55" LCD

For TV that would probably be a good thing. But IF you want to fully utilize the projection method of selling your work, then LCD won't work...you can't project a 30x40" portrait on that screen. (At least not without having the client tilt their head over at a 90 degree angle...and then that might not even work.) Oh, and that isn't including a frame.

The point of projecting your images is to increase sales and sale larger prints. If you cannot project LARGE prints, whats the use. You need to be able to start at least, ONE size larger than the print you are trying to sell your client.

Projection is the way to go. (At least if your intent is to make money and sell prints.)

[pbyd]

Originally Posted by BWangPhoto

For TV that would probably be a good thing. But IF you want to fully utilize the projection method of selling your work, then LCD won't work...you can't project a 30x40" portrait on that screen. (At least not without having the client tilt their head over at a 90 degree angle...and then that might not even work.) Oh, and that isn't including a frame.

The point of projecting your images is to increase sales and sale larger prints. If you cannot project LARGE prints, whats the use. You need to be able to start at least, ONE size larger than the print you are trying to sell your client.

Projection is the way to go. (At least if your intent is to make money and sell prints.)

Billy, may I ask how much time you have spent using either the projector or large screen LCD? I used a projector for over 3 years and went to a 42 inch LCD because of better color, resolution and sharpness, and my projector was high end equipment. I have even try the top of the line Sony that cost well over $5000 and was still not happy. To suggest that the projector is better may show that you have not used projectors that much. As for showing large prints to get the large print sales, this sounds much like so many speakers I have heard. I am not a speaker and believe me before digital we showed our proofs in 4x5 inch size and still sold large prints, may I again ask a question? How many 30x40 inch prints do you sale? Most of our large print sales over many years have been in the 20x24 inch range.
Wayne

[toverman]

I don't have a projecter, but I have a friend whose media room (video games, TV) has one. Like others have said, the light in the room has to be controlled for it to be worthwhile ... you have to love watching TV in the dark pretty much.

There are unlimited things in photography to spend money on that most of us have to prioritize big time. If you feel strongly that projected proofing sessions will boost your business, put a projector on your list for sure. You could also buy a nice LCD TV at first, run slideshows of your images on it and have studio samples of various sizes, framed, for clients to get an idea of actual products/sizes. Then when you're rolling in the dough, use some of your profits to invest in a projector/screen/dark-colored paint for the walls of your projection room.