Is a projector better than a TV?

It depends what you mean by better...If it's a large, movie-like picture that you want, a projector is the way to go, but there are some things you need to keep in mind:

1. A projector is not plug-and-play. There is some setup involved, especially if you're looking for permanent mounting.

2. You will need more equipment than just the projector. At the very least, you'll need a screen, a sound system (receiver and speakers), and a signal source (cable box, DVD player, video game), because projectors do not have TV tuners built in.

3. The picture from a projector looks pretty poor unless your room is almost completely dark. Anything that allows you to see the screen when the projector and lights are turned off is going to adversely affect the contrast of the image. If you don't have a dedicated theater room, you'll need room-darkening blinds.

If you decide that you can deal with these issues, don't shop simply by price. While there are some very inexpensive projectors on the market, they are designed more for computer than theater use, and will not have a good image. Look for something with a 16:9 aspect ratio and a resolution of 720p or 1080p.

The message board at www.avsforum.com can be a great resource.