Buying a projector? Try an LED TV instead

If you're thinking of buying a new projector for your office meeting room, why not consider getting an LED TV instead. LED TVs are similar to LCD TVs except that LED TVs use LEDs for backlighting the LCD panel, instead of using fluorescent lamps for backlighting. The newer LED TVs based on edge-LED lighting are slimmer (about an inch thick), lighter and consume about 40 percent less power than ordinary LCD TVs.

I use 55-inch LED TVs at my workplace (also at home) and I find them much better than projectors:

• Colors are much more accurate on an LED TV than on a projector. Colors often look washed out with projectors. In my work I need to present colors precisely; projectors just can't make the grade.

• LED TVs work well in a bright room, with their high contrast ratio. Most projectors require a dim room and special screens. I prefer to conduct presentations in a bright room with an LED TV.
• Most LED TVs are capable of Full High-Definition (HD) video. They are great for showing HD content on Blu-ray discs, also for HD video clips on YouTube. With projectors you often get blurry pictures as you fiddle with the focus and keystone controls.
• LED TVs require little maintenance; you just need to wipe the fingerprints off the screen. With projectors you need to buy and change the lamps and clean the filters.
• Sitting near the projector is uncomfortable because of the heat and the fan noise. No such problems with LED TVs, they are cool and quiet. If you're considering a plasma display, watch out for the heat and fan noise too.

But there are obvious drawbacks of LED TVs: LED TVs may be lighter than LCD TVs but they are still not as portable as most projectors. LED TVs also have a smaller screen size compared to projectors. The largest LED TVs available today are around 55 inches and they are expensive, though prices are falling.

I hope that someday with LED TV or better technology we can all enjoy sharp, color-accurate, high-contrast, high-definition images in meeting rooms everywhere.