Trialling a No-TV Household – Looking for Affordable Projector Options for Occasional Movie Nights

RickyPoontang on 16/12/2024 - 12:56

I'm currently trialling a no-TV household and considering a projector for the occasional movie night. The goal is to avoid having a TV as a permanent fixture but still have the option to watch something on a larger screen when the mood strikes.

I’ve come across the Samsung Freestyle, but at its price point, I’m wondering if there are any cheaper alternatives that still offer decent quality for casual use. I’m not expecting top-tier brightness or 4K perfection – just something that works well enough for a good movie experience now and then.

If anyone has recommendations for affordable, reliable projectors (ideally something portable or easy to set up and pack away), I’d love to hear your thoughts. I’m also curious if anyone else has gone TV-free and how you’ve found it.

Would be a bonus if Kayo works too.

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 16/12/2024 - 12:59
    +1

    kayo

    You can just use a smart device too btw if that will be your deciding factor - in most cases it’s the superior option compared to inbuilt os.

    I have the 1080 Xgimi horizon, very serviceable even with some light in the room.

    Depends what’s your budget I suppose. Look up the last deals for Anker nebula projectors to see if that ticks your boxes. They are a well regarded cheaper option.

    As you go lower in price they are generally louder, and lumens not great.

  • John Kimble on 16/12/2024 - 13:20

    If you search Amazon for mini portable projector there a many no name brands around the $200 if you wanted something around that price range…

    Eg https://amzn.asia/d/b0fhcQ3

  • 87percent on 16/12/2024 - 13:25

    Couple of years ago i bought one of the BlitzWolf®BW-VP6 (for $200 from Banggood), and it's actually quite decent. The sound is a bit lacking, but i just hook up a pair of desktop speakers to it

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 16/12/2024 - 13:45
      +1

      Vp6 was one of the best value in jayce’s data sheet for some years iirc

  • sumyungguy on 16/12/2024 - 13:29

    I had a play with Samsung Freestyle at JB, fan noise is rated at 30dB(A) but it seemed intrusive to me so would need to be placed accordingly. Also a reviewer measured output at 240 ANSI lumens; Nebula Mars 3 Air is rated at 400 and includes a 2.5 hour battery.

  • joka on 16/12/2024 - 13:31
    +2

    So you've given up smoking and replaced it with hard drugs.

    • fantombloo on 17/12/2024 - 02:19

      Not sure what you mean specifically by "hard" but probably not a bad comparison.

      The former is usually all consuming and takes a heavy toll for little real benefit. The later, if consumed discriminatingly as planned, might provide more profound experiences with lesser overall negative consequences.

  • elgrande on 16/12/2024 - 13:35
    +4

    I havent had a TV for approx 10 years. Its easier than you think.

    • jv on 16/12/2024 - 14:23
      -4

      🤣

  • JimmyF on 16/12/2024 - 13:45
    +1

    The goal is to avoid having a TV as a permanent fixture but still have the option to watch something on a larger screen when the mood strikes.

    LOL So its a no TV household, until the mood strikes?

    • FireRunner on 16/12/2024 - 14:47
      +8

      To be fair it’s a no TV but sometimes a projector when the mood strikes household

    • RickyPoontang on 16/12/2024 - 15:32
      +2

      Kinda weird if I bring back my dates to watch a movie but turns out I have no tv AND no projector…

      • JimmyF on 16/12/2024 - 16:09

        So it really isn't a No TV household then as you want one when needed? I'm confused now 🤔

      • parsimonious one on 16/12/2024 - 16:12
        +3

        lol, no Netflix, just chill

  • spal on 16/12/2024 - 14:01
    +1

    We are a TV free home. We use Xgimi Horizon Pro with Nvidia Shield and Bose Soundbar900 connected to it. I absolutely love it. I bought the projector used of eBay. It has a reasonable built in speakers, if you did not wish to spend on external audio. Xgimi does not support Netflilx, hence the need to connect Nvidia Shield.
    Project it directly on a wall, still no issues.

    • RickyPoontang on 16/12/2024 - 15:33

      Can you connect a chromecast?

      • spal on 16/12/2024 - 23:06

        Yes, you can cast or connect android tv devices to it.

  • Kavoth on 16/12/2024 - 15:36

    OP what direction does your furniture face?????

    I bought the following for my gym room and it works a treat, just be aware bright rooms will absolutely kill any projector usage so obviously the more Lumens the better if used during daytime.

    BlitzWolf® BW-V5 LED Projector Physical 1080P Resolution 9000 Lumens Bluetooth 5.0

  • bargaino on 16/12/2024 - 15:37
    +2

    One tip. Do you already have an audio system?
    If you are going to do movie nights, a decent sound system is as important as a big screen. Plus, it is good for music, via bluetooth or network device.
    A sound bar just doesn't cut it for a projector screen - may as well be mono.

  • Duckie2hh on 16/12/2024 - 16:13
    +1

    watch it on a laptop.

  • follow on 16/12/2024 - 16:43

    I've replaced my tv with a bigger monitor for my computer. Just watch what I need on there instead. Do miss the recliner at times.

  • plmko on 16/12/2024 - 17:32
    +1

    No such thing as a cheap 4K projector.

    If the Samsung is already out of your budget your pickings are fairly small.

    IMO projectors are one of these things that paying more sees big leaps in quality. So either you'll need to go used or wait for a miracle clearance sale.

  • Mugsy on 17/12/2024 - 10:11

    We've recently done away with a TV with our recent house move (the old Sony Bravia was on its way out).

    Currently eyeing the Samsung Freestyle simply because we're currently using Samsung phones and I think there are a few features exclusive to the Samsung ecosystem that I thought was useful for us (can't remember what they are but I remember watching a youtube vid on the Freestyle v2 and thought it was the right product for us). The Freestyle just hardly goes on sale.

    TBH, we weren't using the TV much other than for background noise. The wife falls asleep in front of it so she's technically not watching it and I'm using the PC or phone more these days. Wife is actually using her ipad pro now which is good.

    • RickyPoontang on 17/12/2024 - 11:25

      Totally get it, Im the same!!

  • OBEY YOUR MASTERS on 17/12/2024 - 12:15

    This is what I have found from buying a projector this year:

    The screen is as big a deal as the projector itself. If you want a good clear picture you will need a screen that is very flat and smooth (free from graininess and imperfections). You might be able to get away with using a white wall if you dont care too much about picture quality. A decent ALR screen can easily cost as much as the projector but you will get excellent results. I ended up using white paint on a sheet of very flat form ply and mounting to a TV stand and its not bad. I will probably do more coats and sanding to get it smoother cause I want more clarity and detail.

    2000 lumens or less will restrict you to a picture size of 100 inches or less. A pitch black room will pay divdends if you have less lumens.

    Getting a good HDR picture with my projector has been very difficult. Any time there is something bright in the image (like a sunny background) the less bright objects get completely washed out. Again this will be to do with not enough lumens but also a lack of processing power in cheap projectors. Apparently TVs are mostly better at this than projectors. Also to do with the way movies are shot with todays technology. Others might be able to explain this better than me.

    Maybe none of this matters to you?? Perhaps you just want to aim your portable projector at the wall and watch some movies on Sat night and chill out?

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join