| Many homeowners are struggling with an important, | | | | However, plasma's have the advantage of not |
| electronic question: What is the ideal display for my | | | | needing any amount of space. A projector must have |
| home theater? Many people have fought this debate, | | | | a long enough corridor to project its image on the wall |
| but I'll try to make clear some important considerations. | | | | or screen. To get an 81-inch or greater image, you |
| The most important detail to consider when deciding | | | | need a decent distance between the projector and |
| between a projector and a large plasma television is | | | | the target. Second, a projector's image is dependent |
| ambient light. A room with lots of windows presents a | | | | on more than the quality of the projector; you must be |
| problem for a projector because every little bit of | | | | projecting onto a specialized surface or you lose detail. |
| ambient lighting degrades the projected image. The | | | | A top of the line HD projector with a very high native |
| ideal environment for a projector is one where you | | | | resolution would be wasted if you were just projecting |
| have total control over the lighting. If your home theater | | | | the image onto a wall. You need an equally high quality |
| uses a projector, you are limited to using it when you | | | | screen with features such as a matte finish to |
| can eliminate other light. A plasma screen can be used | | | | eliminate reflection and glare. A plasma display requires |
| anyplace, anytime. | | | | no additional equipment. |
| Assuming your home theater has blackout curtains, or | | | | Overall, a projector has the potential of creating a |
| exists deep underground; let's examine differences | | | | beautiful image, but it needs too much to work |
| between a plasma television and a projector. One | | | | effectively. If you're creating a private movie theater |
| advantage of a projector is that you can get a much | | | | with lighting control and an investment in a screen, |
| larger picture than is available in plasma. Projectors can | | | | mounting equipment, and blackout curtains, then a |
| produce images comparable to an 81-inch screen and | | | | projector is your piece of equipment. For everyone |
| larger. This just isn't possible with a plasma screen. | | | | else, I suggest a plasma television. |