In the age of streaming, it is not uncommon to have a television in nearly every room.If there is a wall or space on the dresser, it is a perfect spot to put one.Additionally, televisions are not that expensive, yet that depends on the size and quality of the image that you want.
For this, I have decided to ditch putting a television in my spare room and decided to go another, cheaper route.A projector is way better than a TV Any size, any time While a television is usually the way to go for a spare room, I decided to go with a projector this time around.Not only does it offer a bigger screen, but it also comes at a lower price.
Close Depending on how far you place the projector, the screen size will vary.This allows for more flexibility in how big or small you want the screen depending on how much space the room has.This flexibility also goes hand-in-hand with how much you spend on one compared to a television of the same size.
It is no secret that televisions get more expensive the bigger they get, but projectors stay the same.For example, my projector cost me about $699 when I got it, and I am able to scale it up to 150 inches and show content in 4K resolution.In comparison, a 100-inch television usually costs well over $1,000, which is obviously more expensive than the projector I bought.
However, you may not even need a screen that big, and you can get a smaller projector just like you can get a smaller television.With this, the price goes down, but a projector is still cheaper than a television of the same size.Yaber K3 Series Projectors Enjoy the delightful and immersive entertainment experience of Yaber K3 projectors sporting 1600 ANSI Lumens, 1080P FHD resolution, original NovaGlow technology, and the power-packed sound of JBL and Dolby Audio.
Plus, the exclusive CoolSwift cooling system lets you binge-watch your favorite movies and web series, and game on for hours worry-free.See at Yaber Expand Collapse WiMiUS Mini Projector The WiMiUS Portable Projector is a great option for those looking for a high quality projector that is both affordable and portable.See at Amazon Expand Collapse Nomvdic P1000 4K UHD Home Projector 7 Color White Brightness Rating 2,300 lumens Built-in Speaker Yes Contrast 3,000,000:1 Native Resolution 3,840 x 2,160 Max Screen Size 180 inches The fusion of 4K UHD resolution, 2,300 ANSI lumens, 125% Rec.
709 color gamut, and HDR technology unleashes a world of razor-sharp imagery and vivid, lifelike colors that burst off the expansive 180-inch screen.See at Amazon Expand Collapse A 40-inch 1080p television I got for my bedroom cost me about $170.However, getting a projector with the same resolution that casts over 40 inches cost nearly $100 less than that at about $84.
But going back to the flexibility, sometimes your needs change, and you might not need the size you have.A television is less flexible because it stays one size for the rest of its life, but a projector can be made bigger or smaller depending on its specifications and your preference.VIZIO 40-inch D-Series Full HD 1080p Smart TV See at amazon Expand Collapse Additionally, a television of that screen size would stick out like a sore thumb when it is off, but a projector is different.
By putting one in my spare room, it transforms the whole wall into a screen in seconds and hides it when not in use, unlike a television of the same size would.Easy setup for a great experience Getting everything together wasn’t hard for the picture I got While putting a television in a spare room is simple, since you either place it on a table or mount it, you have to do a little more planning when it comes to a projector.With this in mind, I thought the setup would be a lot trickier, but I was pleasantly surprised to see it was not.
I first set up a mounted shelf on the back wall to house my projector and its accessories.This was simple and only took about an hour to do—since I don’t do a lot of shelf mounting in my spare time—so it took no time at all, really.Then I put up a screen to be projected on.
While this isn’t necessary for every setup, my wall has some scratches and paint chipping that would take away from the picture being cast on it, so I got a screen to cover that.Luckily, finding a screen has a lot of flexibility.You can either get one specifically designed for projectors, which is what I did, or simply use a white sheet.
However, I was unable to find a 150-inch sheet that I liked, which is why I went with the screen I purchased.After the hardest parts, to me, were complete, I knew there was one more thing I wanted to connect to my projector: a streaming device.Fortunately, it came with two HDMI ports, so I used one for my gaming console and the other for my Apple TV.
Apple TV 4K Operating System tvOS Resolution 4K Audio codecs Dolby Atmos RAM/storage 64GB or 128GB Connectivity Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi and Ethernet Immerse yourself in stunning 4K HDR with Apple TV 4K.Stream your favorite content with exceptional clarity and color, powered by the A15 Bionic chip.Enjoy seamless access to apps, games, and Apple Originals, all with the convenience of Siri voice control and personalized recommendations.
$199 at Apple See at Amazon $199 at Best Buy Expand Collapse Roku Ultra $91 $99 Save $8 Operating System RkuOS Connectivity luetooth, Ethernet, HDMI, USB, Wi-Fi The impressive Roku Ultra has everything you'd want from a streaming device, with Dolby Vision and Atmos providing quality 4K picture and sound.$91 at Amazon Expand Collapse Google TV Streamer 4K Dimensions 6.4in x 3in x 1in Wi-Fi Yes Ethernet Yes Ports HDMI Operating System Google TV Experience stunning 4K streaming with Google TV Streamer.Enjoy seamless access to your favorite apps, shows, and movies with a powerful, easy-to-use interface.
Elevate your entertainment with voice control, personalized recommendations, and smooth performance in vibrant Ultra HD.$100 at Amazon Expand Collapse Even though my projector came with software offering smart capabilities, such as accessing streaming services and casting to it with AirPlay, it is not always the best experience, just like with a smart TV.Furthermore, a streaming box is better at handling internet connections.
With the Apple TV connected, I also decided to connect my HomePod mini for better sound quality.This allowed the sound to come from the direction of the content rather than from the back of the room, where the projector is located.Apple HomePod Mini Connectivity Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Voice Assistant Siri $99 at Apple $99 at Best Buy $99 at Staples Expand Collapse However, these additions are optional.
Without them, the projector still provides a good viewing and sound experience, but for me, adding them made the overall experience a little better.Once everything was connected and set up, I was able to sit down and enjoy my content on the big screen, which I will say is much more enjoyable.Even though I may be watching the same content I would on a television, having the projector take up nearly the entire wall makes the experience more immersive.
The picture was beautiful, there was no glare, and it was easy to see, even with some daylight leaking into the room.While I don't have a fancy seating setup and was mostly lying on a bed from my aunt's old house, surrounded by an old piano and mountains of pillows, the experience the projector created made all of that fade away.It pulled me in and made me feel like I was part of the content rather than simply watching it.
Amazing for where it fits Now, there are still benefits to having a television over a projector, such as not needing a place to cast the picture and having a quicker setup.However, these were easy obstacles to overcome, and once I found a solution and executed it, they were no longer a problem.Setting up the projector was a great investment for my spare room.
I love the immersive viewing experience it provides, and it allows more people to join me for a movie or gaming session since it gives everyone a clear view without having to squint.For a lower price and a better viewing experience, consider a projector instead of another television.While it may not be the right fit for every room, it can be a great option for spaces where it works.
Read More
