We touched on this earlier, but let’s recap. Big screen TVs cost a hefty sum and obviously don’t change size or form factor, we’re decades away from that technology leaving the realm of science fiction into reality. Certainly, if you live in a larger place or don’t mind a TV taking up a lot of space we won’t tell you to avoid TVs at all costs, that would be silly. Just be aware that a large and heavy TV may become a liability if your lifestyle involves moving more often than once every two years, or if you prefer a more open plan living space. A large TV in a small space can become almost like a wall, so keep that in mind. But sure, today’s TVs have superb image quality, 4K, HDR, smart features and a lot more. We’re not going to lie to you, portable projectors can’t compete in terms of image quality.
As for monitors, those really don’t represent much of a choice. The large ones are so expensive you’re better off with a TV. Small ones just ruin viewing experiences. For sure in a pinch it’s OK to watch movies or Netflix or whatever on even a 13” laptop or your phone, but let’s be serious. When you want to kick back and dive into a cinematic session, a tiny screen will make you feel miserable. You’re not on the bus, you’re home.
Portable projectors these days fold many great technologies into compact products you can move in your backpack without even noticing, let alone move around your studio. They have good image quality and built-in sound, and most importantly, good portable projectors now have full wireless capabilities. They work with your Wi-Fi and many have Bluetooth, so streaming content from apps and other sources like your smartphone, tablet, or laptop is a breeze. In this regard, portable projectors have smart features very much on the same level as TVs.
We’re not going to claim portable projectors are super cheap, at least not the good ones. But they cost less than TVs and allow you to showcase content on everything from an available wall to a foldable 200” screen. That kind of flexibility cannot be beat by any other technology right now, and pairs beautifully with the lifestyles of people who live in small spaces.
Since small residential units usually imply efficiency, it bears mentioning that portable projectors offer great energy efficiency. The good ones use LED projection and require very little power to perform at peak quality. That’s unlike giant TVs with their reliance on heaps of wattage.
