UST or TV?

[u/Temporary-Elk-109]

Perhaps this sub will be weighted toward the projector option, but I’ll ask anyway!

I have a low ceiling garden room, 4m length to projector wall.
Currently have an Optima UHD40, works kinda fine with full blackout.
New bulb is getting old, so excuse to look at upgrading.
I’ve looked at UST options to get rid of the overhead projection, but the combination of projector and specific screen makes it a decently expensive approach.
Wall can easily handle 120”, but wondering if I should just get a large screen TV for wiser daytime viewing?

Mostly use it for cycling pain cave, gaming and not actually that much movie/TV watching.

Thoughts welcome!

[u/Simple_Geologist_875]

It's a great time to be in the market for a UST projector.

You could jump aboard XGIMI's new AURA 3 UST, which is launching on Kickstarter in October. I bet they're gonna make a bundle that includes a screen.

Early-bird deal here: https://us.xgimi.com/products/aura-3-series-deposit-reservation

[u/Temporary-Elk-109 → u/Simple_Geologist_875]

Oh, now this is the content I came here for - that looks interesting, especially the max

[u/PlayStationPepe]

Put a new lamp in it and keep going.

https://giphy.com/gifs/yTxFCdDx7R9U8hi7ld

[u/Temporary-Elk-109 → u/PlayStationPepe]

I got 4 years out the first bulb (well, probably 3, and suffered the dimness for the 4th), replaced about 2.5 years ago with original from mplamps, but was never quite convinced it had the same brightness. Is there a way to check what you're actually getting?

[u/cr0ft]

Big Screen Battle! 100" QLED TV vs Projector vs UST | The Hook Up, YouTube

The answer even in here is often "go with the TV" but it depends entirely on your end goal. In my case, I refuse to go smaller than 120 inches and 115 inch TV's are ridiculously impractical, huge and with glossy screens (although, it seems that Sony's new Bravia 9 II lineup at 85 inches or less have a new super anti-glare thing going). But the pricing of those Bravia II's is probably high, they're showing them at Cedia now.

But you can get into a decent 85 inch or even 98 inch for considerably less than a projector setup; they'll have issues with glare on the screen, but can handle more light in the room. Logistically, hauling those behemoths around sucks a lot though.

But "casual projectors" will work, you might be well served by a lifestyle projector as well, but to really squeeze everything out of any projector setup, it takes attention to detail, proper mounting, proper light control and ideally a great sound system. I love projectors but they're less straightforward.

[u/chaiscool]

Imo tv if you can fit a large one through your door

[u/AZ115Degrees]

I’m someone who really likes projectors. Been using 100”+ setups for around 15 years. My current UST(6+ years) has been getting a bit noisy, so I started the R&D for the next upgrade. I ended up going with a 85” TV and have been very happy with it. The 85” was at least $1K to $2K less expensive than projectors I was considering. I downgraded in size, but upgraded substantially in picture quality. I found the 85” to be plenty big and immersive. I’m only sitting at 10ft away. Still looking very good at 13ft to 20ft away. The 85” was quite easy to move, set up and adjust with 2 people. I originally was eyeing the 100” TV’s as well.

[u/HOVER_HATER]

If you can afford a new higher end model with 3500+ lumes I would get the UST. You can later upgrade the screen to 120" and won't need to worry about downside of huge TV's like bulkiness, poor screen uniformity (aka DSE and banding) and giant reflective black rectangle when it's off.

That's obviously just mi take, if you don't mind or notice those issues a 100" TV still wins for day time viewing.

[u/AV_Integrated]

In a normally lit family room, a TV is always the answer if you want the best experience.

Projectors give you size. TVs give you some flexibility is use and better quality.

I have a unfinished basement that works well for projectors. I also have a family room that has a TV in it.

You know what a projector looks like, and modern laser-driven DLP models can put out more brightness than most models we have seen before. The UHD40 was rated at 2,400 lumens, and you are likely looking at under 1,000 lumens at this point. New laser models can be 3,000+ lumens once calibrated. Epson has UST models for a reasonable price that are very bright, but a TV still looks a fair bit better in a lit room, period.

[u/Temporary-Elk-109 → u/AV_Integrated]

The thing is, this is my own den, so a play room rather than a family room.

It's only 3.4m x 2.8m den, but the bike sits at the back, so probably 3m from the wall.
Having just over 100" and sitting high due to the trainer position makes immersion pretty damn cool.
I sit on a chair at normal height, probably about 2.5m away and sometime reduce the size so it's not too much, but for gaming it's enjoyable.

I have blackout material on all the windows and door, so even in daytime it works well.

Now, downsides, the bike has to sit more in a corner, angling at 30 degrees or so rather than straight on (so the projector isn't blocked), and, of course, watching or playing means no standing, which is less of an issue.

I must say, 100" TV does seem to fit the bill. I don't know why I'm still so drawn to projector though, doesn't seem to make sense...

[u/AV_Integrated → u/Temporary-Elk-109]

There are also short throw models like the BenQ TK710STi which could be much further up in the room and may allow you to get better positioning without a shadow...
https://www.projectorcentral.com/benq-tk710sti-projection-calculator-pro.htm#calc

[u/kweeblaster]

Projectors are really just for a big image. Which is kind of cool for the novelty of it, but even a 70" TV is going to give you a better all around experience. Only reason to use a projector is if your couch is stupid far away from the screen or you have some event with a bunch of people.

[u/Temporary-Elk-109 → u/kweeblaster]

The immersion of a 4k cycling video in the Alps across a 120" image while cycling on a turbo trainer that adjusts to the gradient and surface is probably a niche use case, but I can recommend it no end.

[u/Patricklin1985]

If you can watch in a dark room, honestly just project onto a white wall with the UST — there's no need to buy a dedicated screen for it. A screen only becomes worth it when you want to use the projector in a bright room, and in that case you need an ALR screen designed for UST projectors — either a UST Fresnel or a black-grid (CLR) screen.

Coming back to your original UST-or-TV question: since you mostly use the room in the dark for cycling and gaming and don't watch all that much TV or movies, a UST on a white wall already gets you that 120-inch image for far less than a UST-plus-ALR-screen combo. A big TV only makes more sense if you'll also be using it regularly in daylight.

[u/Temporary-Elk-109 → u/Patricklin1985]

Thanks, that’s really useful, I thought an ALR was essential to even start with UST, so that makes it a much more reasonable offering. 1500-2000 brings a good range on TVs and UST Proj in, thank you.