Great comparison Chris. I’m a huge fan of the immersion that you get with a 120 - 150” projection screen. I personally would do a 98” - 100” TV over a 100” UST. I love that we have options because we all have different needs.
Hey Mike!! I was genuinely surprised by this comparison. Going in I thought a TV would be a clear winner but the glare and terrible viewing angle made this a tough decision. Although I love a 120”+ screen, that only makes the projected image even dimmer than 100” which has me sticking with 100 in a bright room. To be fair that’s what the 135” in the basement is for though 😁😁
The other thing to consider is eye strain. I have a 85" tv and a 112" projector. I watch both from a 3,5meters distance (11 feet) and with the lights off I always choose the projector. It is much better for my eyes - even with a bigger screen. The HDR make things even worse for the TV, forcing me to turn on the lights and having a worse "cinema" experience
100% agree on the immersion factor. Projectors can't be beat when it comes to immersion. Less distractions and you "feel like you are there". Personally, I would not do a projector under 120", get a big TV for that. If you do have a nice basement where you can control light and put a 120"+ projector screen on the wall, then you should do it! I think when it comes to projectors and needs, most people probably can use both. Use the Projector for movies, tv shows, and social gatherings. Then use the TV in the living room for gaming and casual TV viewing. Best of both worlds!
@@JS1066 and if only the movies are in the dark in the evening, but the room has white ceilings and this is the living room. I think a projector would also be better. And another question for 120 inches of the screen - from what distance do you need to look? I have a distance of 3.5 meters from the screen-what do you think an alr screen would be better than 110 or 100 inches?
Ultimately doesn't "immersion" really just boil down to viewing angle? I mean yeah walking into a room and seeing that impressive projector screen is nice but when the content is on its really just a matter of screen size and distance away. So you can get the same immersion from a 100" TV that you can from a 150" screen you just need to be 50% closer.
Glad you did this comparison. I heard Youthman dismiss all UST projectors saying he’d prefer the TCL TV you had in the video. Good to see someone doing the actual side by side comparison instead of guessing.
One of the best videos I've seen in the is projector vs large TV space yet. Would. Love to see a video of short throws image quality on screens larger than its recommended size.
Exactly. With PJ you can have it hanging on the wall and have folding screen (in front of a furniture or whatever). With this huge TV you absolutely must have a dedicated space for that. And with kids it's kinda a deathly hazard (it can rip from the wall due to sheer weight or kids will make it fall etc.).
Would like to see the 100" Hisense U8K or TCL 98" QM8 as they are currently on sale for around $3k and would probably be the other option for those considering a Formovie Theater of AWOL 3500 @ approx $4,000 - $5,000
This video was actually going to be on the Hisense U8K but it was sold out. That being said, it still suffers from a lot of the same viewing angle issues even though it has much better overall picture quality than the TCL.
@@ChrisMajestic Let’s be honest here: who is watching a TV or projector at these screen sizes from that extreme of an angle? Anybody with the room or the space to accommodate a 100-inch screen size is 9 times out of 10 sitting dead on. Large-format pictures are all about immersion, not extreme viewing angles
I watch mine at about a 120 degree angle everyday. In the video in the scene where you saw the daytime side angle of the tv on the tv stand with a bunch of glare, that’s my usual angle from my kitchen and dining room. I assumed the tv would still look good but the projector actually looked better even being dimmer.
@@coreysmayfieldI have a 85 Hisense in our living room. Our couch is about 15’ long on one side and L shaped so there are definitely some extreme viewing angles in our seating. I of course prefer to sit dead middle but when we have 6 or more people over, some are going to be at extreme angles.
The Hisense and TCL QM8 both have very poor viewing angles with significant glare. If you have a room to accommodate 100 inch TV that room most likely will provide viewing angles that are problems for those tvs. When the rear projection CRTs first came out about 50 years ago you had to sit directly in front of the TV to get a decent picture. If you stood up or moved to the right or left the picture faded significantly. With all the advances in technology with televisions it is a astounding that we were still dealing with that same problem.
I have the awol 3500 pro. During the day the picture is really clear even when the blinds are open. Add on to the fact I can watch 120-150 inch makes up for anything a tv can bring.
Love the video! I purchased an Epson LS800 about a week ago and so far I love it. I decided on making my own custom 120" screen using Elite Screens Designer Cut CineGrey to save a few bucks. Building the frame was easy.
I have the AWOL and it is AMAZING! One big problem with TVs is they reflect any light source. The glare is a killer. With the AWOL and ALR screen, it is big, beautiful and no annoying reflections. And, as always, your videos are great. Take care!
Great overall video but for those who don't already know, UST projectors are not the only [or usually best] options available so it's a bit misleading to only include them and use the results to describe projectors in general.
Id go for the projector. Had rear projection my entire childhood and I like the fact that it had the more natural looking image with better viewing angles
I've had standard ceiling mount projectors for the past 13 years, and I'll never go back. Viewing angle, absolutely no reflections, massive size, and crystal clear images MORE than make up for lower contrast and need to dim the lights. Find a projector that outputs at least 2500 lumens and the only thing which really kills it it sunlight. I also find that reflected light off a screen is easier on the eyes than rear projected light.
Love it, great video! Keep up the good work! Projector fan for life over here. I don't ever want to go back to flat panel TVs with all that annoying glare happening during the deep deep black scene in your movie/show/game among other benefits like being way easier to move if you move to another house, etc.
I went with 98 inch TCL, based on my room dimensions, a standard projector could only display image of 100 inch, small kids, so they would definitely destroy a short throat projector. Saved a few bucks going with the TV. Use the extra cash to upgrade my speakers and receiver.
its not though, its just the camera does not pick up the viewing experience, just the illumination. when side by side the tcl is very obvious its pixels and you can see the gaps. needs to be 12k at that size to be free of the screen door effect.
Thank you for posting this comparison. I have been using an Optoma UST projector for three years now and was considering going back to a tv. Your video showed me that there are trade offs to the tv option that I had not considered! I will be holding pat for now and saving about $3k on a new tv that won’t make that much difference based on what I need. Many thanks!!!
I think your summary table is spot on. I went with projector for my setup primarily for installation reasons (which I will lump in with the portability category). It would be impossible to squeeze an equivalent sized TV into my current living room because access to that room is so serpentine. Even a 65" TV would be a challenge to get into this space. I've focused on light control, ALR screen, and a decent sound system to tune the home movie experience. I forgot to mention that the horzizontal falloff is negligible too compared with many direct view TVs I've seen and this affects how I setup seating in the room. Overall, I'm very happy with the setup. (Though, of course, I'd love better black levels. But, can't have everything.
Thank you so much for this Chris. I have been thinking about purchasing a projector for a some time now but not done it yet due to the fact that the TVs are always becoming larger and price most likely going down. This review will help with my decision making. One "point" that I am a little surprised with regarding the production of those large format "equipment"/gadgets is the fact that they are always installing some "sound systems" - and this often is a point that is one of the evaluation "parameter" in the reviews. But when one is going for this large format is a deticated sound system not a "default" or is that wrong (...am I outdated)? I even get "frustrated" having to spend on that when I have no need for it. Also for me the fact that you can have this large format almost disapear is a very large selling point for me at least. Having f.ex. a motor driven screen and a short throw projector that you could hide in a cabinet when you are not viewing. Therefor having almost a "normal" living room (Have pictures on the walls etc. and not this large "monster" taking all the attention/focus in the room). The largest "problem" for me is that I live in a very small country (... or few people would probably be more correct statement) where I don't have stores selling equipment like this so that has probably bin the main reason for the delay in my decission making regarding this. I would have to take a dedicated trip to UK or USA to view and purchase the items. I have had for about 20 years now a very old projector which is a Sony one (VPL-VW10HT; 3 LCD; 1366x768) and it has served me well through the years but I'm sure that the difference between it and the newer ones is huge. Large plus for me regarding this projector is the fact that it can produce a large picture in a small room. Best Regards from Iceland. P.s. Have Sony totally stopped producing short throw projectors? (f.ex. VPL-VZ1000ES) Do you know why?
I bought a cheap projector on prime day for 99$ I'm incredibly impressed by the picture quality even the sound and feature lit up our wall around 150" last night
Hey Chris you should add to your very last segment or mini statement of this type of review is cleaning/maintenance cause I was thinking some people forget to remember to clean the tv and especially going from a projector from a tv and how would you care for a projector
Hi Chris. I humbly ask for a review of the BenQ X500i. There are almost no reviews of this projector on UA-cam or in general online. I’m interested in this projector because I think it could be appropriate for my room. However, I’d really appreciate your analysis and thoughts of this product before I make such a big purchase. Please review it.
you do tremendous work... appreciated... planning my dream home theater which is about 1 year off but your information has played a great role in my decision making.. again.. thank you...
Very good information. This type of video rock. Side by side comparison very welcoming. Thank you for your efforts. Great job. Great detail information. ❤❤❤ Have a blessed holiday.
Chris, another top quality video as usual. I have a suggestion for your comparison videos if you don’t mind…..estimated yearly energy usage. Sure that doesn’t matter to some, but it’s a nice stat to have.
Thanks Chris i was also leaning towards the TCL tv i already have an epsom projector 4k only thing putting me off the TV is the viewing angle, as you say even when you stand up and sit down the screen dims, still a tricky decision, the major benefit for the TV to me is better daylight viewing minus the glare, i had glare on my old TV but you get used to it, still cant decide but your videos really help towards a new TV purchase.
true too but i have 100 inch ALR screen with my projector and 100 inches is max i can fit in my living room anyway ha ha, but the TCL tv is def better with the contrast and black levels you can clearly see this in chris video.i am weighing up other advantages of the TV against my epsom 4k projector, one thing for sure at night when really dark the projected image is actually awesome, i usreit for watching TV too.there is something about a film being projected that makes them better isnt it. @@TheMeefive
Unquestionably a tv will be brighter and have way more contrast. However, sometimes the look of projection will draw you into a movie way more than the surreal picture of a tv. Also i tend to sleep better with projection watching than a tv
Man Projectors are so comfortable to watch, sure picture quality is not as tv but it's so immersive, bigger, comfortable to watch and not a bulb shining in your eyes.
6 minute gang! Great videos man. Just found you a couple weeks ago and watched most of your videos ha. It gave me the extra push to order my ust which arrives today!
Wow this is perfect timing. After owning the Hisense L9G 100” for two years I finally decided to get the LG C3 83” OLED. I do miss the size a lot but the picture quality is unmatched. I would love to see the TCL compared to the Hisense U8K 100” mini LED.
Great video sir! You are one of the best AV reviewers out there right now. As soon as someone makes a roll-up tv screen, it will be game over for projectors. TVs can only get so big before you can't get them in your house.
Dang, the viewing angle issues are a real bummer! I was thinking FOR SURE something like this TCL would kill my Epson 5040UB (it's setup in hella darkened/treated room), but probably not. What I love the most about my projector is the perfect viewing angles. The Epsons are like LCDs without 2 major drawbacks - viewing angle issues and backlight bleed, by nature as they're projected, not backlit. Surprising also that the single chip DLP with possible rainbows have better contrast than the Epson! Here's hoping for a 100+ inch OLED or something
@@kendalltull9854 even TCL has higher end models at this size like the TCL qm8, but about same price as higher end USTs (~6k) . Also sony and samsung have 98 inch qled miniled tvs under 10k.. The s series is the lowest in the TCL product line, so it should definitely have compromised picture, but it should still destroy any projector for day time viewing.
The TLC he chose has terrible viewing angles; it is a mediocre TV at best. The TCL QM8 or even the Hisenxe U8K would have performed much better in the viewing angle test.
DLP technology has moving parts - tiny mirrors that move very very quickly. But essentially, to do black, they can just turn the mirror for that pixel and not light up the screen.3LCD has to block the light from the light source to do black, and while Epson does an amazing job of that, ther's still some bleed through. Other triple chip technologies are somewhat better at it, like LCOS and certainly triple-DLP is better still but you don't really see triple-DLP outside of pro projectors and there's a lot of dollars involved in the higher end stuff.
@ChrisMajestic Have you already seen the Hisense PX3-Pro? How does picture quality compare to other UST projectors? Is it a big improvement in quality?
HI @chrismajestic - Thanks for this great comparison. I am wondering whether in all of your UST experience that you have found that all USTs result in a light overspill / halo around the screen - even with nil geometric correction? I am finding this the case on a PX2-PRO on a 120" FScreen Fresnel, and trying to nail the root issue
I’d say projection is really a 120”+ zone now as screen tech has developed and cheapened There is a big difference between a 100 and 120” screen in immersion levels , more than you would think when you see the screens next to each other We have an 85” TV and 136” projector screen hybrid solution with in ceiling screen For movies it’s not even close , and a 100” TV would also look pretty small compared to the 136” screen which is also 50cm closer as it comes down in front of the center speaker and amps which also has the benefit of having the sound coming through the (acoustically transparent) projection screen
and keep it to a dedicated windowless movie room, then a simple screen and simple 4K ceiling mount projector is all you need. You basically start at how big as possible can the screen be, then design the rest. Moving a big TV is no joke, that alone is a hard pass.
Before I spend a bunch of money. I would like the Laser Projector. My theater room is 12’ wide by 26’. My ceiling is only 7’. I was hoping for at least 120” screen. Is this doable? With 3 seats per row 2 rows..
You need to find the detailed specs of the projector you want and see if you’ll have enough ceiling clearance. You may need a really low tv stand or you may need to sit the projector on the floor. The specs on the rest of the room dimensions are good.
Great video!! what about an Epson 5050ub with normal 1.0 gain white screen vs Formovie Theater with ALR screen? both in a completed dark room with dark colored walls (but without velvet on it, since people say it is the best non reflective solution)
i have my projector in my basement now to get a tv down the stairs and a turn into the next door going down might be a struggle ... and again you can get a bigger picture from a projector that is more immersive to watch as Youthman said... and my projector is mainly for movies so its always dark ..
I have that 98” TV, you have to turn off that energy saving option to really get the full brightness of it. After I did that, no matter what angle I stood from, the tv looked amazing.
The brightness drops significantly at an angle regardless of power settings. This isn’t just a characteristic of this tv. It’s the same with most large TVs.
Aloha Chris, i have a proper ceiling mounted Epson projector and a 127in screen 20ft away. I use a Roku plugged into a soundbar that sit on a high shelf behind me right next to the project. My problem is the main audio comes from behind me. Dialog from movies muddy and hard to understand. I often put on subtitles. Is there anyway to get low latency speakers in front of me wirelessly? Not willing Running cables all over my living room. Cheers, Po
In the picture quality section another fact or point is "Resolution" "Frame Rate" and "Upscaling" actual native 4K, and difference in HDMI versions with 120hz/144hz etc.
HDMI versions was in the design section. I had a section about resolution but removed it to keep the video shorter. The Epson isn’t actually 4k (it’s closer to 2k) so the tv easily wins against that. The awol was about as sharp as the tcl with 4k but the awol was definitely sharper with 480p and 720p content. The upscaling on the tcl was pretty bad.
Electricity must be dirt cheap in the US, because that's the one thing reviewers never talk about. So, what is the power consumption between that big 98 inch tv and the tested ust laser projectors?
I'm a projector fan and like to be immersed in the cinema experience. I have a 120" screen for watching movies with a full-screen 2.35:1 aspect ratio. I would love to own a 100" TV with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The problem with watching a widescreen movie on a 100", 16:9 inch TV is the letterbox effect. On a 100" screen, this would mean 6-inch black bars on the top and bottom of the movie. A UST projector that would allow switching from 16:9 to 2.35:1 would be great, too.
No doubt a TV the same size as a projected image even from a good JVC projector will look better. The main advantage of projection is the ability to project larger images than TV. Now have a JVC projecting on a good 125” or larger screen in a light controlled room and it’s projection that gets the nod. Different tools for different purposes.
I'm still go with UST, only wish they make UST with two ratio ..like from TV ratio goes to 2.35 cinematic ratio just like regular projector dose it automatically for u with set up of course with 2.35 ratio ALR screen , as u said u can take it anywhere , do it any size screen with it as goes up to 150", is portable & comes in 3D 2 , pic is bright, blks deep & Vivid colors for me. I'm NOT fan of Epson projectors anyway from the get-go , BUT I'm stick with my good ole UST & 120" ALR screen👍
An UST with native 2.35:1 would be so good. I'd buy one immediately. For me, movies are the main focus, and I'd be happy to watch 16:9 with black bars on the sides. Then when firing up a movie, it would expand to the sides and give that wow factor. With a 16:9 projector things are "backwards", I get a bigger image for TV content than movies which kinda sucks.
What screen do you recommend if I'm looking into Epson - EpiqVision Ultra LS800 4K PRO-UHD Ultra Short-Throw 3-Chip 3LCD Smart Streaming Laser Projector and i want to use all 150inch capability? I looked online but I couldn't come up with anything ? Thank you in advance
Excellent Video comparison Chris, BIG Well Done..!! This TV (27 April 2024) is £1800 in UK, ...BARGAIN? I'm torn, current set up is 4K Projector, Screen Width 2.4 metres (16:9), 100% Dark Room at All times, Viewed straight on. - I notice the TCL is VA Panel, so Viewing Angles Don't Matter, my question to the community is 'Will the screen size drop be too much a negative experience" - TV Contrast and Black Levels are probably superior to an UST-Pj at similar price?? Thank You g
Love tbe video. ONLY thing i wonder is how well the camera is going to handle recording both screens at the same time id have to assume it makes the projector loom worse than it is.
I’ve spent lots of time determining the best camera and camera settings for shooting projectors and it looks very true to life in the video outside of UA-cam compression
@@ChrisMajestic I assumed as much. Been watching your videos for years. Just was wondering in this instance and viewing environment. As always keep up the great work.
Hey Chris any input on how good the aurora pro at the showdown really is post firmware update…based on the UA-cam channel showdown it looks like it out performed the formovie along with other top brands not sure which of the two to get now?
Not sure UST are there yet. They seem to a bit of a spotty image and the black levels are not close at all to a OLED or even an older generation normal projector. I think they need a few more years of development. For a video file like me who likes watching movies anything less then a "native" 4k picture is a no. I know the Epson and a few others are really good but just think they don't hold a candle to a native OLED or native projector.
Great video thank you for showing us side-by-side comparisons with a realistic TV to projector ratio size. I have a 7000 lumen Pro Epson projector that's got an amazing picture but at 7000 lumens it overpowers my 75 inch Sony XBR. Yes it pulls much more current and creates much more heat but honestly I take a projector any day for a good movie night even if its fake 4k. The TV is great for my kids UA-cam and Netflix watching because if they ran out on the projector everyday it would burn up the bulb and use over three times the power
Very good video. One detail is that apparently the Awol is bigger than the Formovie, and for those who are going to place the projector built into a piece of furniture it could make a difference. I would like to see a review of Arc sonos vs projector sound (or does that comparison not exist?). Can a Formovie be upgraded to 3D?
Quick question and sorry to take up your time. I’m looking to replace my tv with a projector. I have about 2000 dollars to invest, if you were me what projector would you get for a dedicated dark theater, p.s I don’t mind if the projector is portable like a xgimi horizon ultra, or something that has to be mounted, I plan to mostly watch movies ( I’m sure sometimes a football game or gaming but mostly movies)
I guess I'm one of the few who would never compare a TV to a Projector as I see them as being used differently for different purposes. For me TVs = living room, bedrooms, etc. Projector = Home theater.
also for tv, no big projector sitting under the screen, it's cheaper, looks better, lasts longer, and as far as sound goes, almost every big screen owner has a sound system.
I have a Wimius native 1080p Bluetooth projector that costed $90.00 on Amazon. A $40.00 150+ inch screen and the projector has 120,000 hours of lamp life. Its dimensions are 5.3x4.1x6.1and it sits 12..5 ft from the screen. All any tv would have over it would be a better image quality. I have to say image quality because a 151 inch 1080p picture is just better than any 98 inch picture by virtue of size.
Great video. I do want to point out that if you do go UST, you want to lean heavily into its strengths, and one of those is that you can go 120 inches with relative ease. Especially with the Epson. The Epson is also capable of 120 in an 8-foot room just fine without having to go with sliding shelves or other things to get the projector almost to the floor. In my view, it's an easy sell - 20+ inches more on the diagonal is a *lot* of surface area. Sure, installing the screen is a bit of a pain and an exercise in patience but... hauling that 98 inch monstrosity is just such a pain. Imagine needing to ship that TV out for service... at least an UST, you pick up, put in a box and carry under your arm (almost). I also hate glare with a passion. All OLED TV's are super-glossy, in a lit room it's a giant mirror. And - TV''s this size aren't OLED.
@@PSYCHOV3N0M I like watching the TV when I’m watching a TV, not looking in a mirror. Anti reflective treatments are not all the same. Look at Apple’s high end displays, the standard glass has a good anti reflective coating, and their top of the line options include a nano textured glass for even less reflection, all with amazing picture quality.
When you said "cost" at 00:49, you were completely in sync with yourself. Trippy.
Lmao for real.
😂
Great comparison Chris. I’m a huge fan of the immersion that you get with a 120 - 150” projection screen. I personally would do a 98” - 100” TV over a 100” UST. I love that we have options because we all have different needs.
Hey Mike!! I was genuinely surprised by this comparison. Going in I thought a TV would be a clear winner but the glare and terrible viewing angle made this a tough decision. Although I love a 120”+ screen, that only makes the projected image even dimmer than 100” which has me sticking with 100 in a bright room. To be fair that’s what the 135” in the basement is for though 😁😁
The other thing to consider is eye strain. I have a 85" tv and a 112" projector. I watch both from a 3,5meters distance (11 feet) and with the lights off I always choose the projector. It is much better for my eyes - even with a bigger screen. The HDR make things even worse for the TV, forcing me to turn on the lights and having a worse "cinema" experience
100% agree on the immersion factor. Projectors can't be beat when it comes to immersion. Less distractions and you "feel like you are there". Personally, I would not do a projector under 120", get a big TV for that. If you do have a nice basement where you can control light and put a 120"+ projector screen on the wall, then you should do it! I think when it comes to projectors and needs, most people probably can use both. Use the Projector for movies, tv shows, and social gatherings. Then use the TV in the living room for gaming and casual TV viewing. Best of both worlds!
@@JS1066 and if only the movies are in the dark in the evening, but the room has white ceilings and this is the living room. I think a projector would also be better. And another question for 120 inches of the screen - from what distance do you need to look? I have a distance of 3.5 meters from the screen-what do you think an alr screen would be better than 110 or 100 inches?
Ultimately doesn't "immersion" really just boil down to viewing angle? I mean yeah walking into a room and seeing that impressive projector screen is nice but when the content is on its really just a matter of screen size and distance away. So you can get the same immersion from a 100" TV that you can from a 150" screen you just need to be 50% closer.
Glad you did this comparison. I heard Youthman dismiss all UST projectors saying he’d prefer the TCL TV you had in the video. Good to see someone doing the actual side by side comparison instead of guessing.
One of the best videos I've seen in the is projector vs large TV space yet. Would. Love to see a video of short throws image quality on screens larger than its recommended size.
Exactly. With PJ you can have it hanging on the wall and have folding screen (in front of a furniture or whatever). With this huge TV you absolutely must have a dedicated space for that. And with kids it's kinda a deathly hazard (it can rip from the wall due to sheer weight or kids will make it fall etc.).
Would like to see the 100" Hisense U8K or TCL 98" QM8 as they are currently on sale for around $3k and would probably be the other option for those considering a Formovie Theater of AWOL 3500 @ approx $4,000 - $5,000
This video was actually going to be on the Hisense U8K but it was sold out. That being said, it still suffers from a lot of the same viewing angle issues even though it has much better overall picture quality than the TCL.
@@ChrisMajestic Let’s be honest here: who is watching a TV or projector at these screen sizes from that extreme of an angle? Anybody with the room or the space to accommodate a 100-inch screen size is 9 times out of 10 sitting dead on. Large-format pictures are all about immersion, not extreme viewing angles
I watch mine at about a 120 degree angle everyday. In the video in the scene where you saw the daytime side angle of the tv on the tv stand with a bunch of glare, that’s my usual angle from my kitchen and dining room. I assumed the tv would still look good but the projector actually looked better even being dimmer.
@@coreysmayfieldI have a 85 Hisense in our living room. Our couch is about 15’ long on one side and L shaped so there are definitely some extreme viewing angles in our seating. I of course prefer to sit dead middle but when we have 6 or more people over, some are going to be at extreme angles.
The Hisense and TCL QM8 both have very poor viewing angles with significant glare.
If you have a room to accommodate 100 inch TV that room most likely will provide viewing angles that are problems for those tvs. When the rear projection CRTs first came out about 50 years ago you had to sit directly in front of the TV to get a decent picture. If you stood up or moved to the right or left the picture faded significantly. With all the advances in technology with televisions it is a astounding that we were still dealing with that same problem.
I have the awol 3500 pro. During the day the picture is really clear even when the blinds are open. Add on to the fact I can watch 120-150 inch makes up for anything a tv can bring.
Love the video! I purchased an Epson LS800 about a week ago and so far I love it. I decided on making my own custom 120" screen using Elite Screens Designer Cut CineGrey to save a few bucks. Building the frame was easy.
I have the AWOL and it is AMAZING! One big problem with TVs is they reflect any light source. The glare is a killer. With the AWOL and ALR screen, it is big, beautiful and no annoying reflections. And, as always, your videos are great. Take care!
Omg the glare was horrible!!
I also have the awol. It honestly is the best ust projector I’ve seen and it’s worth every penny! Days, nights it doesn’t matter with this beast
Great overall video but for those who don't already know, UST projectors are not the only [or usually best] options available so it's a bit misleading to only include them and use the results to describe projectors in general.
Agreed.
Id go for the projector. Had rear projection my entire childhood and I like the fact that it had the more natural looking image with better viewing angles
I've had standard ceiling mount projectors for the past 13 years, and I'll never go back. Viewing angle, absolutely no reflections, massive size, and crystal clear images MORE than make up for lower contrast and need to dim the lights. Find a projector that outputs at least 2500 lumens and the only thing which really kills it it sunlight. I also find that reflected light off a screen is easier on the eyes than rear projected light.
Love it, great video! Keep up the good work! Projector fan for life over here. I don't ever want to go back to flat panel TVs with all that annoying glare happening during the deep deep black scene in your movie/show/game among other benefits like being way easier to move if you move to another house, etc.
I dont understand, why is TV looking so "small" in comparison to a mere 2 inches diagonal difference with the UST screen ? Thank you.
Thank you for the viewing angles comments. You're the only reviewer who's gone into it in-depth and you've just saved me a ton of money
Well Done Chris! I'm still leaning towards a large TV...100in minimum... Thanks for pointing out the advantage to both...
I went with 98 inch TCL, based on my room dimensions, a standard projector could only display image of 100 inch, small kids, so they would definitely destroy a short throat projector. Saved a few bucks going with the TV. Use the extra cash to upgrade my speakers and receiver.
The TCL looks so much better right from the beginning.
its not though, its just the camera does not pick up the viewing experience, just the illumination. when side by side the tcl is very obvious its pixels and you can see the gaps. needs to be 12k at that size to be free of the screen door effect.
@@djfirestormxhuh?
i'm curious if 147% dci-p3 of triple laser projectors have better colors at night than a much lower color rating on a TCL tv
Thank you for posting this comparison. I have been using an Optoma UST projector for three years now and was considering going back to a tv. Your video showed me that there are trade offs to the tv option that I had not considered! I will be holding pat for now and saving about $3k on a new tv that won’t make that much difference based on what I need. Many thanks!!!
The 3D part is the biggest draw for me for a projector. Although I'm not a super fan of active 3D, but you take what you can get right?
I think your summary table is spot on.
I went with projector for my setup primarily for installation reasons (which I will lump in with the portability category).
It would be impossible to squeeze an equivalent sized TV into my current living room because access to that room is so serpentine. Even a 65" TV would be a challenge to get into this space.
I've focused on light control, ALR screen, and a decent sound system to tune the home movie experience.
I forgot to mention that the horzizontal falloff is negligible too compared with many direct view TVs I've seen and this affects how I setup seating in the room.
Overall, I'm very happy with the setup. (Though, of course, I'd love better black levels. But, can't have everything.
Can you review the L9H it’s the best UST
Thank you so much for this Chris.
I have been thinking about purchasing a projector for a some time now but not done it yet due to the fact that the TVs are always becoming larger and price most likely going down. This review will help with my decision making.
One "point" that I am a little surprised with regarding the production of those large format "equipment"/gadgets is the fact that they are always installing some "sound systems" - and this often is a point that is one of the evaluation "parameter" in the reviews. But when one is going for this large format is a deticated sound system not a "default" or is that wrong (...am I outdated)? I even get "frustrated" having to spend on that when I have no need for it.
Also for me the fact that you can have this large format almost disapear is a very large selling point for me at least. Having f.ex. a motor driven screen and a short throw projector that you could hide in a cabinet when you are not viewing. Therefor having almost a "normal" living room (Have pictures on the walls etc. and not this large "monster" taking all the attention/focus in the room).
The largest "problem" for me is that I live in a very small country (... or few people would probably be more correct statement) where I don't have stores selling equipment like this so that has probably bin the main reason for the delay in my decission making regarding this. I would have to take a dedicated trip to UK or USA to view and purchase the items. I have had for about 20 years now a very old projector which is a Sony one (VPL-VW10HT; 3 LCD; 1366x768) and it has served me well through the years but I'm sure that the difference between it and the newer ones is huge. Large plus for me regarding this projector is the fact that it can produce a large picture in a small room.
Best Regards from Iceland.
P.s. Have Sony totally stopped producing short throw projectors? (f.ex. VPL-VZ1000ES) Do you know why?
Thanks for the video Chris!
Are you going to review the PRO versions of Awol USTs?
I bought a cheap projector on prime day for 99$ I'm incredibly impressed by the picture quality even the sound and feature lit up our wall around 150" last night
Hey Chris you should add to your very last segment or mini statement of this type of review is cleaning/maintenance cause I was thinking some people forget to remember to clean the tv and especially going from a projector from a tv and how would you care for a projector
Hi Chris. I humbly ask for a review of the BenQ X500i. There are almost no reviews of this projector on UA-cam or in general online. I’m interested in this projector because I think it could be appropriate for my room. However, I’d really appreciate your analysis and thoughts of this product before I make such a big purchase. Please review it.
Great comparison, level of detail. Can see that this took a good amount of time to put together. Thank you!
you do tremendous work... appreciated... planning my dream home theater which is about 1 year off but your information has played a great role in my decision making.. again.. thank you...
Very good information. This type of video rock. Side by side comparison very welcoming. Thank you for your efforts. Great job. Great detail information. ❤❤❤ Have a blessed holiday.
Chris, another top quality video as usual. I have a suggestion for your comparison videos if you don’t mind…..estimated yearly energy usage. Sure that doesn’t matter to some, but it’s a nice stat to have.
thats the last thing anybody wod care about
Thanks Chris i was also leaning towards the TCL tv i already have an epsom projector 4k only thing putting me off the TV is the viewing angle, as you say even when you stand up and sit down the screen dims, still a tricky decision, the major benefit for the TV to me is better daylight viewing minus the glare, i had glare on my old TV but you get used to it, still cant decide but your videos really help towards a new TV purchase.
there are higher end 98inch TV in the 5-8k range that would destroy any ultra short projector. I am talking miniled tvs from sony, tcl and samsung.
yeah but what prices i expect very very high @@blackcaesar8387
But they'd still only be 98 inches. Bigger is better
true too but i have 100 inch ALR screen with my projector and 100 inches is max i can fit in my living room anyway ha ha, but the TCL tv is def better with the contrast and black levels you can clearly see this in chris video.i am weighing up other advantages of the TV against my epsom 4k projector, one thing for sure at night when really dark the projected image is actually awesome, i usreit for watching TV too.there is something about a film being projected that makes them better isnt it.
@@TheMeefive
@@tnkelly01 yep. I'll never go back to tv
What are the typical lifecycles of projectors and their bulbs? Are the easily replaceable and how much are they?
Great video Chris! Can you do a comparo between UST, ST and Ceiling
Unquestionably a tv will be brighter and have way more contrast. However, sometimes the look of projection will draw you into a movie way more than the surreal picture of a tv.
Also i tend to sleep better with projection watching than a tv
I agree Zora!
Man Projectors are so comfortable to watch, sure picture quality is not as tv but it's so immersive, bigger, comfortable to watch and not a bulb shining in your eyes.
@@sheri1983I agree, once I bought a projector it’s so comfortable man
6 minute gang! Great videos man. Just found you a couple weeks ago and watched most of your videos ha. It gave me the extra push to order my ust which arrives today!
Fantastic presentation Chris! Thanks! - Cheers!
Wow this is perfect timing. After owning the Hisense L9G 100” for two years I finally decided to get the LG C3 83” OLED. I do miss the size a lot but the picture quality is unmatched. I would love to see the TCL compared to the Hisense U8K 100” mini LED.
U8k hands down.
Great video sir! You are one of the best AV reviewers out there right now. As soon as someone makes a roll-up tv screen, it will be game over for projectors. TVs can only get so big before you can't get them in your house.
Can you post a link to the “FEET” you used to elevate the projector.. thanks keep up the good informative videos Chris!
Great video! Thanks for doing all the work that it took to make this happen. Until I can get a 100 inch OLED for $5k I will stick to my projectors.
There was a deal recently at best buy for $4,000
@@Clint3571 the 83 inch is $4k. The 98 inch is $30k! The size difference is still significant.
@@marcalvarado1915 $3,000 for a 100" Hisense at Best Buy right now.
Well done 👏🏼 👍🏼
Good demo and info 👍🏼 thank you from England 🏴
Great one and thanks ! I never like the glare / eye strain I get from our oled TV's .
14:42 Not a rainbow on the TV near the duck's feet as soon as we start talking about RBE 🤣
Can you do a video on best projector for a drive in theatre? Really want to be able to do a drive in movie thing in my town
That's great video Chris, and very informative.
Dang, the viewing angle issues are a real bummer! I was thinking FOR SURE something like this TCL would kill my Epson 5040UB (it's setup in hella darkened/treated room), but probably not. What I love the most about my projector is the perfect viewing angles. The Epsons are like LCDs without 2 major drawbacks - viewing angle issues and backlight bleed, by nature as they're projected, not backlit. Surprising also that the single chip DLP with possible rainbows have better contrast than the Epson! Here's hoping for a 100+ inch OLED or something
LG makes a 97" but it's not cheap as you'd expect. To be fair, there are better choices than the TCL if you want to go big even if it isn't an OLED.
@@kendalltull9854 You're right, and as bigger tvs become a thing now even better options in the future
@@kendalltull9854 even TCL has higher end models at this size like the TCL qm8, but about same price as higher end USTs (~6k) . Also sony and samsung have 98 inch qled miniled tvs under 10k.. The s series is the lowest in the TCL product line, so it should definitely have compromised picture, but it should still destroy any projector for day time viewing.
The TLC he chose has terrible viewing angles; it is a mediocre TV at best. The TCL QM8 or even the Hisenxe U8K would have performed much better in the viewing angle test.
DLP technology has moving parts - tiny mirrors that move very very quickly. But essentially, to do black, they can just turn the mirror for that pixel and not light up the screen.3LCD has to block the light from the light source to do black, and while Epson does an amazing job of that, ther's still some bleed through. Other triple chip technologies are somewhat better at it, like LCOS and certainly triple-DLP is better still but you don't really see triple-DLP outside of pro projectors and there's a lot of dollars involved in the higher end stuff.
@ChrisMajestic Have you already seen the Hisense PX3-Pro? How does picture quality compare to other UST projectors? Is it a big improvement in quality?
HI @chrismajestic - Thanks for this great comparison. I am wondering whether in all of your UST experience that you have found that all USTs result in a light overspill / halo around the screen - even with nil geometric correction? I am finding this the case on a PX2-PRO on a 120" FScreen Fresnel, and trying to nail the root issue
Thoughts on the XGIMI Horizon Ultra?
I’d say projection is really a 120”+ zone now as screen tech has developed and cheapened
There is a big difference between a 100 and 120” screen in immersion levels , more than you would think when you see the screens next to each other
We have an 85” TV and 136” projector screen hybrid solution with in ceiling screen
For movies it’s not even close , and a 100” TV would also look pretty small compared to the 136” screen which is also 50cm closer as it comes down in front of the center speaker and amps which also has the benefit of having the sound coming through the (acoustically transparent) projection screen
and keep it to a dedicated windowless movie room, then a simple screen and simple 4K ceiling mount projector is all you need. You basically start at how big as possible can the screen be, then design the rest. Moving a big TV is no joke, that alone is a hard pass.
Thanks for the video. What sizes has the projector screen? It is bigger than the TV. 120"?!
You should review the 98 inch Sony x90l and put it against the Formovie or Epson LS12000.
Before I spend a bunch of money. I would like the Laser Projector. My theater room is 12’ wide by 26’. My ceiling is only 7’. I was hoping for at least 120” screen. Is this doable? With 3 seats per row 2 rows..
You need to find the detailed specs of the projector you want and see if you’ll have enough ceiling clearance. You may need a really low tv stand or you may need to sit the projector on the floor. The specs on the rest of the room dimensions are good.
@@ChrisMajestic Thanks so much for your reply Hisense LG9 120” is what I’m looking at.
Great video!! what about an Epson 5050ub with normal 1.0 gain white screen vs Formovie Theater with ALR screen? both in a completed dark room with dark colored walls (but without velvet on it, since people say it is the best non reflective solution)
i have my projector in my basement now to get a tv down the stairs and a turn into the next door going down might be a struggle ... and again you can get a bigger picture from a projector that is more immersive to watch as Youthman said... and my projector is mainly for movies so its always dark ..
Would like to see the comparison between Projecor v Bravia 9 or QN90D
I have that 98” TV, you have to turn off that energy saving option to really get the full brightness of it. After I did that, no matter what angle I stood from, the tv looked amazing.
The brightness drops significantly at an angle regardless of power settings. This isn’t just a characteristic of this tv. It’s the same with most large TVs.
I'd love to see a comparison between the Nexigo and the latest Sony QD-OLED.
Great Video. Someday hopefully soon we can get a reasonably priced Microled 120”-150”. 5 years??
I have a question.......I bought a short throw projector but I want to watch normal tv ....Do I have to buy a set top box? thank you
Aloha Chris, i have a proper ceiling mounted Epson projector and a 127in screen 20ft away. I use a Roku plugged into a soundbar that sit on a high shelf behind me right next to the project. My problem is the main audio comes from behind me. Dialog from movies muddy and hard to understand. I often put on subtitles.
Is there anyway to get low latency speakers in front of me wirelessly? Not willing Running cables all over my living room.
Cheers,
Po
In the picture quality section another fact or point is "Resolution" "Frame Rate" and "Upscaling" actual native 4K, and difference in HDMI versions with 120hz/144hz etc.
HDMI versions was in the design section. I had a section about resolution but removed it to keep the video shorter. The Epson isn’t actually 4k (it’s closer to 2k) so the tv easily wins against that. The awol was about as sharp as the tcl with 4k but the awol was definitely sharper with 480p and 720p content. The upscaling on the tcl was pretty bad.
Electricity must be dirt cheap in the US, because that's the one thing reviewers never talk about.
So, what is the power consumption between that big 98 inch tv and the tested ust laser projectors?
We worry about Electricity costs when dealing with Air conditioning not Tvs
I'm a projector fan and like to be immersed in the cinema experience. I have a 120" screen for watching movies with a full-screen 2.35:1 aspect ratio. I would love to own a 100" TV with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The problem with watching a widescreen movie on a 100", 16:9 inch TV is the letterbox effect. On a 100" screen, this would mean 6-inch black bars on the top and bottom of the movie. A UST projector that would allow switching from 16:9 to 2.35:1 would be great, too.
No doubt a TV the same size as a projected image even from a good JVC projector will look better. The main advantage of projection is the ability to project larger images than TV. Now have a JVC projecting on a good 125” or larger screen in a light controlled room and it’s projection that gets the nod. Different tools for different purposes.
Brooooo Thank you for doing a video like this. I am going to be getting a new "TV" next year and this is the comparison I needed
Nice video, well narrated and very thorough. Thankyou
Great video... Can you do a video on how to convince the wife to let there husband buy a new tv when the 65" they already own works fine 😂
🤣🤣
Excellent comparison Chris😊
What's the best way to connect Bose900 with projector .. Bose has only EARC or Optical , projector does not not have any of these .
so, if you put the projector behind the screen, would it be better?
you should have used an ALR screen for the projector ..and that is a game changer
I'm still go with UST, only wish they make UST with two ratio ..like from TV ratio goes to 2.35 cinematic ratio just like regular projector dose it automatically for u with set up of course with 2.35 ratio ALR screen , as u said u can take it anywhere , do it any size screen with it as goes up to 150", is portable & comes in 3D 2 , pic is bright, blks deep & Vivid colors for me. I'm NOT fan of Epson projectors anyway from the get-go , BUT I'm stick with my good ole UST & 120" ALR screen👍
An UST with native 2.35:1 would be so good. I'd buy one immediately. For me, movies are the main focus, and I'd be happy to watch 16:9 with black bars on the sides. Then when firing up a movie, it would expand to the sides and give that wow factor. With a 16:9 projector things are "backwards", I get a bigger image for TV content than movies which kinda sucks.
What screen do you recommend if I'm looking into Epson - EpiqVision Ultra LS800 4K PRO-UHD Ultra Short-Throw 3-Chip 3LCD Smart Streaming Laser Projector and i want to use all 150inch capability? I looked online but I couldn't come up with anything ? Thank you in advance
Excellent Video comparison Chris, BIG Well Done..!! This TV (27 April 2024) is £1800 in UK, ...BARGAIN? I'm torn, current set up is 4K Projector, Screen Width 2.4 metres (16:9), 100% Dark Room at All times, Viewed straight on.
- I notice the TCL is VA Panel, so Viewing Angles Don't Matter, my question to the community is 'Will the screen size drop be too much a negative experience" - TV Contrast and Black Levels are probably superior to an UST-Pj at similar price?? Thank You g
What are the top 5 projector for a home theater under 3.5k
Wondering which one use more power?
How (can) do you increase the size of the image (forgetting about the screen) of the Ultra short throw epson? Do you move it further away?
Yes you move it back and adjust the focus.
Love tbe video. ONLY thing i wonder is how well the camera is going to handle recording both screens at the same time id have to assume it makes the projector loom worse than it is.
I’ve spent lots of time determining the best camera and camera settings for shooting projectors and it looks very true to life in the video outside of UA-cam compression
@@ChrisMajestic I assumed as much. Been watching your videos for years. Just was wondering in this instance and viewing environment. As always keep up the great work.
Hey Chris any input on how good the aurora pro at the showdown really is post firmware update…based on the UA-cam channel showdown it looks like it out performed the formovie along with other top brands not sure which of the two to get now?
Not sure UST are there yet. They seem to a bit of a spotty image and the black levels are not close at all to a OLED or even an older generation normal projector. I think they need a few more years of development. For a video file like me who likes watching movies anything less then a "native" 4k picture is a no. I know the Epson and a few others are really good but just think they don't hold a candle to a native OLED or native projector.
Great video thank you for showing us side-by-side comparisons with a realistic TV to projector ratio size. I have a 7000 lumen Pro Epson projector that's got an amazing picture but at 7000 lumens it overpowers my 75 inch Sony XBR. Yes it pulls much more current and creates much more heat but honestly I take a projector any day for a good movie night even if its fake 4k. The TV is great for my kids UA-cam and Netflix watching because if they ran out on the projector everyday it would burn up the bulb and use over three times the power
i can't stand the image of anything but a modern OLED.
What's the movie at @ 9:57
Can you make a nebula capsule 3 laser vs mars 3 air vs xgimi halo+ video ?
Really well done. Thank you!
Very good video. One detail is that apparently the Awol is bigger than the Formovie, and for those who are going to place the projector built into a piece of furniture it could make a difference.
I would like to see a review of Arc sonos vs projector sound (or does that comparison not exist?).
Can a Formovie be upgraded to 3D?
The top of the projector image looks a little wonky. It’s bowed compared to the frame of the screen.
I like the TV better, I can't watch my UST during the day because of the washout picture. The tv gives you better picture day and night.
Love your videos. You are like a mind reader. Right on time with what I'm thinking 🤔. 👍
Quick question and sorry to take up your time. I’m looking to replace my tv with a projector. I have about 2000 dollars to invest, if you were me what projector would you get for a dedicated dark theater, p.s I don’t mind if the projector is portable like a xgimi horizon ultra, or something that has to be mounted, I plan to mostly watch movies ( I’m sure sometimes a football game or gaming but mostly movies)
One thing I love about projectors is that you always have perfect viewing angles
Very helpful Video! And I choose Projector!
I guess I'm one of the few who would never compare a TV to a Projector as I see them as being used differently for different purposes. For me TVs = living room, bedrooms, etc. Projector = Home theater.
Great vid! Thanks for the content!
also for tv, no big projector sitting under the screen, it's cheaper, looks better, lasts longer, and as far as sound goes, almost every big screen owner has a sound system.
I have a Wimius native 1080p Bluetooth projector that costed $90.00 on Amazon. A $40.00 150+ inch screen and the projector has 120,000 hours of lamp life. Its dimensions are 5.3x4.1x6.1and it sits 12..5 ft from the screen.
All any tv would have over it would be a better image quality. I have to say image quality because a 151 inch 1080p picture is just better than any 98 inch picture by virtue of size.
Great video. I do want to point out that if you do go UST, you want to lean heavily into its strengths, and one of those is that you can go 120 inches with relative ease. Especially with the Epson. The Epson is also capable of 120 in an 8-foot room just fine without having to go with sliding shelves or other things to get the projector almost to the floor. In my view, it's an easy sell - 20+ inches more on the diagonal is a *lot* of surface area. Sure, installing the screen is a bit of a pain and an exercise in patience but... hauling that 98 inch monstrosity is just such a pain. Imagine needing to ship that TV out for service... at least an UST, you pick up, put in a box and carry under your arm (almost). I also hate glare with a passion. All OLED TV's are super-glossy, in a lit room it's a giant mirror. And - TV''s this size aren't OLED.
LG sells 97" OLED TVs. Not cheap, but they are available.
There's a reason why glossy panels are a GOOD thing:
It doesn't degrade picture quality.
Matte screens are garbage. 🤮🤮🤮
@@PSYCHOV3N0M I like watching the TV when I’m watching a TV, not looking in a mirror. Anti reflective treatments are not all the same. Look at Apple’s high end displays, the standard glass has a good anti reflective coating, and their top of the line options include a nano textured glass for even less reflection, all with amazing picture quality.
Thanks for that UST it is.
What about power consumption
Great explanation.
My eyes are very grateful since I changed from oled to projector. That is my reason :o taking care of my eyes health.