Projector or TV?

Which is better suited to the living room and home cinema?

Are you trying to decide whether a traditional TV or a projector is the better choice for your living room? With laser TVs and high-resolution OLED TVs now available, this decision is more complex – and more exciting – than ever before. We’d like to help you with this buying guide, as the perfect solution always depends on your specific room and viewing habits. We analyse all the relevant criteria, from achievable screen size and brightness to gaming suitability. Find out here which device best meets your requirements.

Content

Projector, laser TV or telly?

Each of these devices has its own specific strengths and weaknesses, which play a part in the decision-making process. To make the ideal choice for your home, you should familiarise yourself thoroughly with the three key advantages of each system and compare them with your requirements.

Field of application

Choosing the right device depends directly on its primary purpose and the environment in which it will be used. To achieve the best possible picture quality and the level of comfort you require, you should choose a device that suits your viewing habits. The question, therefore, is which product best meets your individual needs.

projector

Suitable for rooms that can be darkened effectively and where the largest possible screen size is a priority for an immersive film-watching experience.

Laser TV

Ideal for living rooms with normal lighting levels where a very large screen size is required. The best choice for small home cinemas where there isn’t enough space for a long-throw projector.

Television

The best solution for watching TV programmes on a daily basis, low-latency gaming and situations where the picture needs to be available instantly in any lighting conditions.

gemutliches-heimkino-beamer-lautsprecher

Installation

Integration into the living space is a key difference between the various types of equipment and requires different planning approaches. The choice depends on whether you prefer a solution that is permanently visible or a discreet, concealable large-screen display.

projector

Requires the projector to be permanently installed and cables to be laid to the projection screen. Offers maximum discretion, as a manual projection screen, for example, can be retracted.

Laser TV

The projector is positioned directly in front of the wall on a lowboard. A special projection screen can be permanently fitted or rolled up as required.

Television

It can either be mounted on the wall or placed on a piece of furniture. The device is always visible and serves as a design feature in the room.

2ca2b3f6e793b5f73a74c3434a725a1955c30e6b21cb0b55f00efb9cb14a79ed

Image quality

Picture quality depends heavily on the underlying technology and is particularly crucial when it comes to contrast. Your choice of device will influence how vivid and detailed light and dark scenes appear in your specific room environment.

projector

It produces excellent colours and high sharpness in dimly lit rooms. However, it lacks contrast in bright environments.

Laser TV

Thanks to its high brightness and special projection screens, it delivers good picture quality even in daylight, but does not quite achieve the perfect black level.

Television

Technologies such as OLED offer ideal black levels and excellent detail reproduction, even in bright lighting conditions. However, the television may reflect light when exposed to direct sunlight.

7bf7504c0af26c6c2f57f727de3cb492010781209f3a4181ba4bedfe68c47da1

Your guide to the perfect home cinema solution

When deciding between a traditional projector, a laser TV or a standard television, there are a few points you should bear in mind. The right choice depends on your needs and preferences.

Perfect for your film night: a projector or a laser TV

Maximum image size

The biggest advantage lies in the image’s scalability. Traditional projectors can achieve screen sizes of over 150 inches, which no television can match. This creates an immersive cinema experience in your living room.

Smooth image display

A projector projects the image, which is reflected off the projection screen. The eyes find this indirect light more pleasant and less straining than the direct light from a television. Ideal for long evenings of film-watching and viewing comfort.

Discreet placement

Projectors are generally smaller than bulky televisions, and with optional electric projection screens that can be retracted, you can create a more harmonious overall look in your home cinema

About the projectors

The allrounder for everyday life: the television

High contrast and black level

Thanks to their self-illuminating pixels, modern OLED and QLED televisions deliver an almost perfect black level and maximum contrast. This picture quality remains consistently excellent in everyday use, particularly in brightly lit rooms.

Ready to use straight away

The television is the ultimate plug-and-play device among all media devices. It is ready to use as soon as it is set up, delivers a brilliant picture without a long start-up time, and is ready for use straight away without the need for additional blackout measures.

Powerful gaming performance

For gamers, this TV offers clear advantages. Thanks to HDMI 2.1 and technologies such as VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) , high-end TVs achieve the lowest input lag. This is crucial for fast reaction times in competitive gaming.

About the televisions

Still not sure? All the information at a glance

projector

Laser TV

Television

Screen size

Large screen sizes for a real cinema experience

Flexibly scalable large screen for your film night

Fixed sizes available from small to large

Convenience

Requires a short set-up time before your film night can begin

As quick and easy as using a TV

Ready to go for your film night

Image brightness

Requires a dark room to reach its full potential

Delivers a good picture even in daylight

Produces a brilliant picture in daylight

Maintenance-free

Requires a lamp change after a long period of use

The laser lasts for several years before it needs replacing

Requires no maintenance

Value for money

Your home cinema at the best value for money

A good solution for home cinema

Better value for money with smaller screen sizes

Installation

May require more complex planning

No planning required – you can get started straight away

Set up the TV and you’re good to go!

Our product recommendations

Discover the perfect device to meet your individual requirements in terms of screen size and ease of use.

Home cinema projector recommendations

Laser TV recommendations

TV recommendations

The most important questions about projectors and televisions

Projectors are ideal for an immersive cinema experience in darkened rooms, perfect for film nights and major sports broadcasts. Televisions are better suited to everyday use in normal lighting conditions, as they always deliver a bright, high-contrast picture and are ready to use straight away. The choice therefore depends on whether you’re looking for an occasional, large-screen display or a practical, high-quality long-term solution.

Whilst a traditional projector functions almost exclusively as a pure output device, the laser TV is designed as a complete replacement for a television. It therefore not only features a built-in tuner, but also a wide and easily accessible range of connections. This allows users to connect and operate games consoles, soundbars or streaming devices just as easily as they would with a conventional TV set.

Modern projectors have made great strides in gaming and are an excellent choice for many gamers. Whilst high-end televisions still offer the lowest input lag thanks to HDMI 2.1 and features such as VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), many new projectors feature a gaming mode. This significantly reduces the delay, making 4K gaming at 60 Hz – and in some cases even Full HD at 120 Hz – possible with low input lag. For casual or immersive story-driven gaming, the projector is ideal with its huge screen; for competitive esports titles, however, the TV usually still offers a technical advantage.

Our guides with useful tips:

Buying a projector: The most comprehensive selection of brands and accessories.

celexon_bodenscheren_leinwand_hc_plus_lifestyle1

Projection screens: Get up close and personal with your future projection screen.

Home cinema living room with TV and surround system

TV Buying Guide: A wide selection of TVs and accessories

Tobias Berg and Oliver Stenzel - contact persons in Purchasing and Sales - write on glass pane

Would you like personalised advice?

We’d also be happy to provide you with personalised consulting – we look forward to your call or an email! If you’d prefer us to call you back free of charge, simply leave us your contact details now.

Consulting & Contact