Just starting to plan my media room (frame just went up on the house we're buliding) and need some opinions from those in the know.

I'm tossing up between a LG 60" plasma or HD Projector. The Media Room is 4.33m long x 4.93m wide, so you're probably sitting about 3.8-4m away from the screen. The wall that will hold either the TV or be projected on is 2.27m wide.

Just wondering is this wall too small to project on? i.e. is it a waste to get a projector for a wall this size and not worth the hassle of screens/wall paint.

Just after some peoples ideas or have gone the projector / big screen for any pro's / con's.

cheers

This is gonna be epic. Grabbing twisties.

one day in the future, people will look back and ask if LCDs and plasma tvs lived on the earth at the same time.

I currently have a decent project and I would prefer a decent size plasma or LCD anyday over it. Had to replace the bulbs a few times and in the end it's just not worth it in the end. The room sounds similar size to mine and you really only need the project back about 2.5-3 metres.

I plan on replacing it in the new year when things pick up with a 50"+ LCD or plasma

I'd go with the tele, mainly because you don't have to worry about bulbs, and it'll be nice and easy to watch regardless of the lighting conditions. Unless you've got a windowless room, chances are that a projector will only look top-notch at night time.

I have a projector as my main TV and I'd probably suggest a big LCD as well. I do love my projector though. Tough call.

Plasma is good in dark rooms, but otherwise go LCD.

Problem with projector is that you need to have the room completely darkened to watch.

I definitely rate plasmas over LCD's. I don't know anything about the technology but when I see them all lined up side by side, I'd take plasma any day.

I'm a big sport watcher so I'll be sticking with Plasma v Projector (didn't even want to open Plasma v LCD v Projector can of worms).

Rooms got two windows (dont open, got ducted air con going in) that will have heavy curtains to make room total black.

House does have a family room so that's where a normal 42" tele will go hence I wanted this room to be a bit extravagent.

plasma lolz

Haven't looked into it recently but do you still have to replace the bulbs on modern projectors like every 6 months or something? They're stupidly expensive with a really short lifespan, or at least they were anyway.

Problem with projector is that you need to have the room completely darkened to watch.

This is the problem I have. My uncle had a big ass projector and even the smallest glimmer of light detratcs from the quality.

My 42" Plasma cost $800 when I bought it, LCD of the same size cost HEAPS more. So LCD must be better.

Anyway I've never been a fan of projectors. Busted bulbs + light interference.. What about power consumption, I know Plasma's are greedy little buggers, are projectors any worse?

This is gonna be epic. Grabbing twisties.

Grabbing twisties what ? ... Term will get jealous

My 42" Plasma cost $800 when I bought it, LCD of the same size cost HEAPS more. So LCD must be better.

large format plasma manufacturing has been around longer than equilivent LCD manufacturing, the cost of building the panel itself is where the difference in price is. It all comes down to content, plasma excels in blacks and skin tones, LCD excels in high contract images and PC usage. personal preference wins out.

Did you just get the 'Breeder Bonus' from Ruddles?

I used to be a huge fan of projectors..

I never bought one for more than $300 on eBay, burned em out then bought another.

not great things to have with kiddies around though.. unless you can roof-mount them

If you do decide on plasma, don't go LG. Get a Panasonic or Philips instead.

Mmmm, all good points. Na no kiddy bonus ere', no kids, that I know of....If I were to go projector would indeed be roof mounted. Projector does start to sound rather annoying with the roof mounting, screens, bulbs, lighting....

Dont like lg? Any reason?

plasma sparkle (google it) FTL. LCD FTW.

Buy a projector and a plasma. Roof mount the projector and have a drop down screen a couple of inches from the wall mounted tv. That way when you wanna watch a good movie use the projector and for everything else use the tv. My projector has about 2500 hours bulb time i think. I've used about 40 of that by only watching quality movies on it. Everything else I just watch on the LCD tv.

Most high end home theater setups seem to be going for both Plasma and Projector like Rev described. Unless you are getting it professionally installed with C-Bus lighting I would priorities a Plasma over a Projector.

A friend has a $30000 projector that I got to play a bit of Xbox on and it was f***ing cool but I don't think the regular ones are quite so impressive nor work so well in semi lighted conditions. Plasma will just be more versatile IMO.

plasma sparkle (google it) FTL. LCD FTW.

seems an odd argument, since LCD has more dithering applied to the image being an 8bit depth vs the 10bit on most plasmas. Given that the effect is usually only seen on static gradient images it becomes a bit of a moot point.

I don't understand why anyone would want to get a projector.


Then again when i think of projector i think of those s***ty ones back in school.

I'm looking at getting the entry level Sony Bravia projector (~$3k) for movies and larger viewings (ie; we have a crew that turn out for Prison Break & Heroes) combined with a 40-46" HD something for regular usage.

I've been watching on an age-old BenQ projector and while it's not superb in terms of motion blur and such there is still something awesome about watching a screen so large for a movie.

I picked up a Glass Beaded (best for non-dedicated rooms) 106" 16:9 motorised screen on eBay for under $200 delivered which will drop in front of the LCD/Plasma (so I don't have to move speakers etc...).

I think it really comes down to how much of a purest (sp?) you are about motion blur & the other plasma vs lcd arguments.

I don't understand why anyone would want to get a projector

The thing I like about projectors is it gives you that cinema feeling. The picture might not be 100% as good as watching on a smaller hi-def tv but it's still f***ing awesome, although I think that depends on the movies. I watched Flash Gordon on it and it looked amazing but Tim Burton's Batman looked like ass. Notting Hill was another amazing looking movie as well. The picture quality and the colors looked really f***ing nice. And my projector is hi-def so playing s*** thru my blu-ray player looks damn good.

But like I said a bit earlier, I like having both tv and projector and if you can afford it and have the room I reckon they're worth getting.

Whats with all the people leaning away from a LCDvsPLASMA debate? Isnt there a hard and out set rule now on whats better?

I know debates like the DVD-R and DVD+R were stupid because they are largely the same thing to debate over however surly plasmas and LCD are very very different in terms of cost, maintaining, lifespan and what they deliver to you so the debate should be able to be finalised right?

Whats with all the people leaning away from a LCDvsPLASMA debate? Isnt there a hard and out set rule now on whats better?

I know debates like the DVD-R and DVD+R were stupid because they are largely the same thing to debate over however surly plasmas and LCD are very very different in terms of cost, maintaining, lifespan and what they deliver to you so the debate should be able to be finalised right?

No that's preciously the problem, these days there isn't a hard and fast rules. They're getting so close to each other in terms of price, picture quality, life span etc. at least on papers. that's why in the end it really comes down to each person's eyes and abilities to perceive differences. That's why when it comes down to it the old saying seeing is believing really what you should do to decide as to what to get and not just paper specs.

These days, generally it's less like a objective debate and more like a religious flame war / hair splitting competition.

Pretty good summery opec, cheers.

i would go the plasma. i picked up a 50" pioneer for my folks few months ago and its wonderful.

ta for the projector tip Rev.

'gonna have to buy another one for those special occasions eh