by sheriffmitchell

Question by Paul Johnson: What are the advantages and disadvantages to buying a front-projection HDTV as compared to other HDTVs?

Best answer:

Answer by themikejonas
Pros:

- you can’t get any flatter than front projection.
- your home theater can really look like a home theater.
- screen size is dictated by the size of the screen you’re projecting on, which can be larger than most plasmas or DLP’s.

Cons:

- your viewing environment will have to be a bit more controlled than with other HDTV’s; outside light leaking in is going to be more of a problem. Unless the room is really, really dim, your contrast ratio isn’t going to be as good as other TV’s (that is, blacks won’t look as black).
- a good HDTV projector is about as pricey as a plasma; you’ll also have to occasionally purchase bulbs, which can cost a few hundred each.
- you’ll have to figure out where and how to mount the projector and the screen.
- if you don’t have one already, you’ll probably have to invest in a sound system to connect the projector to.

Basically, if you’re going to have a real swank “home theater” setup, a projector is going to be a good option. But it may be hard to imagine firing up a 00 projector, pulling down the screen and drawing the blinds in your living room just to catch a Simpsons rerun.

What do you think? Answer below!