Last Updated on April 22, 2022 by Markeyus Franks
To answer the question is a Projector better than a TV for gaming? Projectors are good for gaming. Many new projectors come with high resolution, lumen, and contrast levels. They can easily rival a good TV, but the answer comes down to personal preference. With a projector you get a larger screen, but will lack a bright backlit unless you have a darker room. With a TV you get a vibrant light, but are limited to the TV’s size and position.
Find the best projectors for the money in 2021 by clicking Here
Why would you choose a Projector or over a TV for Gaming
Cost-Benefit– One great advantage that a projector has over a TV is the sheer cost to size ratio. The typical size of a projector is between- ‘n-and will cost a fraction of the cost. Although there are many large TV’s that have great screen resolution and contrast, many projectors will still be able to compete at a high level.
Wow factor- Let’s be honest, many gamers would love to have a projector in their house because of the immense size and visual experience. Many modern games are filled with tiny details and large landscapes most games look like a virtual world itself. With that being said, having a large viewing screen is much better on the eyes and overall gaming experience. With a projector, you get that wow factor that you just can’t get on a regular TV. Now some TVs can produce magnificent pictures, but with the improvement in projector technology, you’re just going to get the better picture for the buck going the projector route. Also with a projector, you get that cinema fill that you won’t have with a TV.
More Immersive -One Instant Advantage that projectors have over TV’s is that their huge screen makes them more immersive. When you’re in front of a 100-inch projector screen surrounded with a sweet sound system you just get that overall immersive feeling. This is great for movies, but even better for games because it almost feels like you are there. As stated earlier, many different games have tiny details that may be overlooked on a standard TV, but if you have a huge l00-120 inch projector, it just makes it that much easier to see.
Color ratio-
What to look for when considering a Gaming Projector
when deciding on a projector for gaming, you should consider a couple of things first.
Low input lag time– Low input Lag time is the length of time it takes a projector to receive a response input from a controller or keyboard. If you want to experience that fast response. With the rise in advanced-multiplayer gaming, having low input lag time is crucial. This should be one of the first features to look for when considering a gaming projector:
Lumens- The official definition of lumens is ” A unit of luminous flux in the international system of units, that is equal to the amount of light given out through a solid angle by a source of candela intensity radiating equally in all directions.” In other words, Lumens equals brightness. The more lumens you have in a projector, the brighter the picture is, and when it comes to a good projector, brightness is everything.
How many lumens do you need to play a projector in a bright room? Typically projectors are made for darker rooms, but some projectors work pretty well in brighter rooms. The Lumens that work best in brighter rooms are going to be between 1500-2500. If you like to play games in the light more often, then we would recommend a 2500-4,000 lumens projector
Resolution– The great thing about projectors are that you can change their screen size as you see fit, so having a high resolution projector is important. The last thing you want to do is look at a 150inch blurry screen. Remember, the larger the screen the higher the resolution, we recommend 1080p or above. You can get away with 720p, but You may be disappointed with the visual results. 4K will be your best bet, but they can get a little pricey. So if you’re looking a cheaper route then stick to 1080p
Short throw-A short throw projector is a projector that can amplify a screen size up to 120 inches from gust 4 feet. This is perfect for small rooms. If you want to have a projector closer to your wall instead of behind you, then go for a short-throw projector. Here is a good short throw gaming projector we’ve found on Amazon
Ultra short throw-It gets even better. Ultra short throw projectors can throw up to a hundred inches of screen size being only 15 inches away from the wall. Now you can sit a projector on your entertainment center instead of hanging it from your ceiling 20 ft away.
Laser prosector– Laser prosecutors are used mostly in short-throw projectors. They are projectors powered by laser instead of a bulb. This gives the image a much better resolution and higher lumens. Some laser printers are so bright they have to have an optical diffuser to reduce the brightness
Top Projectors for gaming
Short Throw
1.Optoma GT1080Darbee Short Throw Projector for Gaming –
This short-throw projector is going to be one of the best when it comes to gaming. It comes with a unique image enhancement feature, giving it the ability to capture greater video detail. The projector can extend to a size of 120 inches at 4 feet away and has an input lag of just 16 ms. The low input lag alone makes this unit perfect for gaming. The picture quality specs are as follows:
- Full HD 1080p ( 1920X1080)
- 3000 Lumens – Great for lighted areas
- 28,000:1 Contrast Ratio
- 144hz rapid refresh rate
- 3d Broadcasting
Check prices on Amazon
BenQ HT2150ST 1080P Short Throw Projector –
This is another great projector for gaming. It was awarded the best overall gaming projector in 2019. With its unique game mode and low input lag, you will experience a breath-taking gaming experience. This projector can extend up to 100 inches at 3 feet and 300 inches altogether. The picture quality specs are as follows:
- Full HD 1080p ( 1920X1080)
- 2200 Lumens
- 15000:1 contrast ratio
- 6 zoom RGB color wheel
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Regular
ViewSonic 1080p Projector with 3500 Lumens DLP 3D Dual HDMI and Low Input Lag for Home
The Viewsonic is the ideal projector for a moderate price. With its ultra-low input latency(16ms), and high color accuracy, this projector is perfect for gaming. It also comes with a unique sport mode, giving you enhanced details in accuracy while watching your favorite team play. The Viewsonic picture quality is as follows:
- Full HD 1080p ( 1920X1080)
- 3500 Lumens Perfect for bright rooms
- 15000 lamp life
- Full HD
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Projector 3500lumens Mini Portable DLP 3D Video Projector Max 300 ” Home Theater Projector Support 1080P HDMI WIFI–
Yet another great projector for the money, This small projector packs a mean punch with WIFI, built-in 7800 MAH battery, and an updated Android OS, You can pretty much take this projector anywhere. Although on the smaller end, this projector can extend pictures up to 300 inches. This projector is great for games, movies, camping, sharing photos. The picture quality specs are as follows:
- 1280X800 Native Resolution – Supports up to 1080p
- 3500 Lumens- Perfect for bright rooms
- 20,000-hour lamp life
Budget
AZEUS RD-822 Video Projector, 5000 Lux Support 1920×1080 with Built-in 5W Sound Speaker,
The Azeus video projector is a great budget projector for games. With a 3000:1 contrast ratio and 5,000 lumens, this projector is an excellent choice for gaming. The projector video can expand up to 200 inches and supports up to a 1080p image. It also has a light bulb life of 50,000 hours for long life viewing. A great thing about this mini projector is that you have an option to purchase a 4-year warranty that guarantees to fix any problems or they will replace the projector entirely.
Check prices on Amazon.
DR. J Professional HI-04 1080P Supported Portable Movie Projector, 3600L Mini Projector with 100Inch Projector Screen –
This is a very popular budget projector that won’t break your pockets. It comes with a 2000:1 aspect ratio and can support videos up to 1080p( 720 natively). In the past year, the company has increased its contrast ratio and added in a 100 inch projector screen. This is an amazing deal if you ask us. Although you’re not going to get stellar images and videos, this projector still does a fantastic job with picture quality and has easily become one of the best selling projectors on amazon.
Here’s an in depth list of the best projectors on the market
Advantages TVs have over Projectors
The main advantage that a TV has over a projector is the backlight and contrast ratio TVs are many times brighter than projectors during the day time. They also have higher contrast ratios which are a combination of brightness and dark levels. You also don’t have to buy anything other components for it to work. With a projector, if you want the best quality picture, a projector screen will be needed.
Advantages projectors have over TVs
The primary advantage that projectors have over TV’s are their abilities to create massive screen sizes that you just can’t get with TVs. If you’re looking for a big-screen picture that’s good the money, then your best bet is going to be a projector every time. Also, projectors are more portable and suitable for seminars and presentations.
