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I'm thinking of getting rid of my computer monitors and replace them with a projector! Good or bad idea? What are my options when it comes to choosing a projector?
It's been awhile since I've used a computer projector, but I think that monitors provide a crisper, brighter image, so for personal computing, I think monitors are still the way to go. A 27-inch monitor can be had for a few hundred dollars these days and is plenty big for desktop use in my opinion. Dual monitors have become a thing at the office, but at home I still just go with a single monitor - good enough for me. I just use an "all in one" 27in desktop system at home with wireless keyboard and mouse to reduce the clutter of wires and streamline my physical desktop. I still have room next to it for a 27in monitor for my work laptop docking station as well.
If you want to stream video content from e.g. YouTube TV and watch it together with the family on your computer, then I can see a projector as potentially being a nice option because of the large image size, assuming you get a dedicated screen and high quality projector. I don't know if the picture colors and dynamic range will really match a TV though, at least during the daytime when the room is well lit by the daylight.
Of course they make BIG TVs these days at quite reasonable prices, but if you're going to set one up yourself, they can be hard to handle/mount because of their size and weight.
Last edited by OutdoorLover; 12-17-2023 at 06:18 AM..
I've used a Ben Q projector with the computer I use most for about seven years. (Using it right now.) The image is about 14' diagonal. (Feet, not inches)
I can switch between computer, OTA TV, DVD, VCR, Roku, Security cams, secondary security cams, as well as additional audio from turntable, cassette deck, FM rcvr. without getting out of my recliner.
I've a couple smaller LED projectors that give a decent image about 50" diagonal, but rarely use them.
No way would I use a smart TV as a monitor.
I still keep some computers with dedicated monitors, but that is another story.
I've used a Ben Q projector with the computer I use most for about seven years. (Using it right now.) The image is about 14' diagonal. (Feet, not inches)
I can switch between computer, OTA TV, DVD, VCR, Roku, Security cams, secondary security cams, as well as additional audio from turntable, cassette deck, FM rcvr. without getting out of my recliner.
I've a couple smaller LED projectors that give a decent image about 50" diagonal, but rarely use them.
No way would I use a smart TV as a monitor.
I still keep some computers with dedicated monitors, but that is another story.
I just purchased a Samsung Freestyle 2nd Gen from Best Buy. I think I'm gonna be a happy camper with it
I'm thinking of getting rid of my computer monitors and replace them with a projector! Good or bad idea? What are my options when it comes to choosing a projector?
I guess it comes down to what you're looking to do...
If having your desk in a meeting room environment where your sitting at your desk and looking across the room at a projected screen (or in this case, maybe working in your living/family room). Sure.
Not sure what it will accomplish if it's just going to remain in your office and hitting a screen 3' from you vs. having a monitor on you desk. I'm guessing both will have relatively the same foot print on your desk. And the projector is likely going to cost more for the same quality resolution/display (not to mention a nice projection screen).
In either case - it comes down to pixels per inch. Large TV's (or, in this case projectors) aren't always a good idea for computer monitors (assuming same resolution) as the pixels are simply bigger. In essence, you don't necessarily have more screen real estate just because you went to a larger size... but again, it's based on what you're trying to accomplish.
As someone who's used bulb projectors, LED projectors, laser projectors, monitors and LED video walls...
Projectors are sh*t unless you're getting into the bigger lasers, and those get up into the thousands. The dinky pieces of garbage you're buying for a couple hundred bucks are good in a pinch or for projecting at hotels. I've seen some good home theater ones, but I wouldn't be using those as a daily use display screen.
The contrast ratio almost always sucks unless you're in a dark room or have a multi-thousand lumen projector, and unless you turn the lights down, you can't see them.
In short, except for home theater...projectors suck. Anyone who says they're great has never used a "great" screen.
These have Audio Out jacks so you could connect some good speakers too.
Samsung Freestyle 2nd Gen. It has a similar interface as a firestick TV. So I can watch movies and TV with it. I'm not sure if I need to buy a adapter or not. Best Buy told me I don't need to. Maybe, I would if it was the 1st gen. Yeah, I didn't like the price at $650 bucks but, I think it was worth it.
I bought a pair of 32 inch LED TVs 7 years ago for my desktop computer. They were half the price of 32 inch monitors. At today's prices you can get TVs for considerably less than monitors and they will work just fine, like mine do.
Samsung Freestyle 2nd Gen. It has a similar interface as a firestick TV. So I can watch movies and TV with it. I'm not sure if I need to buy a adapter or not. Best Buy told me I don't need to. Maybe, I would if it was the 1st gen. Yeah, I didn't like the price at $650 bucks but, I think it was worth it.
I am curious.
What do you expect the projector to deliver, or how will you use it, that you think will be a better experience than a monitor or TV?
Are you using a large room for presentations or instructions??
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