[Noobio2]

Hello, AVS hive mind. Years ago, you helped me put together an entry-level system that has served me very well – thanks again!

Now I’m moving into a new condo, and am excited to invest a bit more in a better home theater experience. I’m including a couple of pictures of the space, and my initial / threshold question is: projector or panel?

The tape on the wall shows roughly the size of a 75” panel. I thought this would be a huge upgrade from my current 55”, but it is a bigger wall and space, and I’m surprised to think maybe I should be going even bigger. But maybe it will look larger once the place isn’t empty? Anyway, going larger than 75” for a panel is going to start running me into the big bucks, and at that point, maybe projector starts to make more sense? I'd like an immersive, impressive HT experience! (Though I should note that it will be hard to get this room super dark a lot of the time.)

Any thoughts / opinions on size and technology type would be greatly appreciated.

Bonus question: I’ve been talking to the only home theater biz in town, and they put together a proposal for me featuring a Samsung UN75Q60RAF. As best I can tell this is a set from 2014? Should I run from these folks? I would really love some expertise helping me out this time – I want wiring to be nicely in the wall, and will need (want) ceiling speakers for surrounds, etc.

Thanks!

 

[steve1106]

At the end of the day a TV is just a TV while a projector is so much more. A simple comparison between a 70" TV and a entry level projector in my family room tells me all I need to know. Which would you rather watch a movie on?

If it was me, I'd grab a projector and just give it a try using the wall as a screen to get a feel for size. Then if the projector didn't do it for you, return it and pick up a little...tiny... 75" to 85" TV.

 

[airscapes]

At the very least, tape out a 120" diag around your TV tape. You can use a drop down screen and keep the 55" on the wall for daylight news and noise. could also use a swing arm mount and put the TV on the side wall near the corner if you wanted a fixed frame screen. Projection is a bit more involved, so if you like to just get it done now, a tv may be what you want...
I think if you tape out a 120" screen you will want the projector.

 

[redpoint5]

I had the same dilemma and decided projector was the clear choice. My room is relatively easy to light control (basement) and the wall is enormous.

Bought a 4k Benq projector for $630. It looks amazing even on my green painted wall.

 

[bluewaves]

The TV you are looking at is the current model, don't know where you got that the TV is from 2014



https://www.samsung.com/us/televisi...-q60-qled-smart-4k-uhd-tv-2019-qn75q60rafxza/


Now that being said there is no comparison to a large screen, even if you give up 4k for a large screen there is nothing like a large screen.



Now remember you're going to have to be able to get an HDMI to the projector and if you do cheap out your performance in the not completely dark room may suffer

 

[Noobio2]

Thanks everyone! That's good advice about taping out the larger screen too to get an idea of the difference. I don't foresee any problem getting HDMI to a projector on the ceiling, but light control is going to be a problem in this space, unless I spend another fortune on blackout shades.... If I bought a really good / bright projector, can I get away with it, or it absolutely has to get dark in there?

 

[airscapes]

Thanks everyone! That's good advice about taping out the larger screen too to get an idea of the difference. I don't foresee any problem getting HDMI to a projector on the ceiling, but light control is going to be a problem in this space, unless I spend another fortune on blackout shades.... If I bought a really good / bright projector, can I get away with it, or it absolutely has to get dark in there?

Dark colored walls and ceiling within 6' of the screen and no other light in the room beside the projector. Other wise you might as well buy the little box.

 

[Noobio2]

Dark colored walls and ceiling within 6' of the screen and no other light in the room beside the projector. Other wise you might as well buy the little box.

Ok, after a considerable amount of hand-wringing, I'm going for the "little box." But which one?! Front-runners are:

Samsung 82" Q90R (QLED)
LG 77" C9 PUB (OLED)
Sony 85" X950G (LED)

I'm leaning heavily toward the Samsung. Should I care that it doesn't support Dolby Vision? Other thoughts?

Thanks yet again!

 

[redpoint5]

The 86" LG 86UM8070PUA has been $1750 recently. It doesn't have the best picture quality, but it has size for the price.

 

[barryecohen]

I have a BenQ HT2050A projecting on a dove gray canvas screen, and at night, with the lights out, the image is amazing, but I often watch with the lights on.
Is the image better when I turn them out, ABSOLUTELY! but for some casual YouTube viewing, or a Football game, the image is fine in a lit room.
When I'm hanging out with some friends, and we're BSing and casually watching something we're discussing, I don't feel I need that amazing movie picture.
YMMV