The best display system you’ll ever experience

With Windows Media Center transforming PCs into powerful digital movie machines, and games like Crysis boasting the kind of eye-caressing loveliness that puts the PlayStation 3 to shame, there’s never been a better time to ditch that tiny monitor and go large with your display.

There are two main options available: a flat-screen HDTV, such as the Samsung LE46M87; or a home cinema projector like the Optoma HD70. Where should your wedge go? Read on and find out…

What you Need

Haul the Samsung out of its sizeable box and you’ve got a complete audio-visual solution – just hook up your PC via the standard monitor input or one of the three HDMI sockets and refreshingly user-friendly.

The Optoma, on the other hand, doesn’t mess about with anything audiorelated. It supplies only an image – and you’ll need to invest in a dedicated projection screen for the best results.

Setting Up

Setting up a projector can be a delicate process, but the HD70 is refreshingly user-friendly. It does need to be placed almost directly in front of your screen, but zooming and focusing the image is a simple matter of twiddling two knobs.

If the projector is above, below or to the right or left of the screen you then need to adjust something called the ‘keystone’ setting to compensate, which again is straightforward. Then you can tweak individual picture settings like colour, contrast and brightness until you’ve got the image just right.

Getting the Samsung up and running is even easier: just plug it in and switch it on. As with the projector, there’s a wealth of picture options available, including a Game Mode that Samsung claims minimises lag between your actions and the response of the screen.

Display Conditions

One thing to remember when buying any projector is that it needs to be used in near pitchblack conditions. The HD70 is no different, and the image looks washed out and vague in daylight.

The Samsung, like all LCD TVs, works like a dream in most conditions, including a well-lit room. In fact, its bright screen actually delivers a better picture when there’s a bit of ambient light; in complete darkness, black parts of the picture look slightly grey.

In picture size stakes, there’s only one winner here. While the Samsung’s 46-inch widescreen slab is far from shabby, the Optoma can comfortably throw out a picture over 300 inches wide, transforming your living room into a miniature Odeon. It’s scalable, too, so don’t fret if you don’t have the space for such a gigantic image.

Resolution

Given the right source material, the HD70 also delivers the goods when it comes to detail. Its native resolution of 1,280×720 means it’s able to display ultra-sharp high definition video like WMV-HD videos and the latest games.

Whether you’re watching high def material or standard TV programmes, the image is crisp, clear and renders fast-moving objects beautifully smoothly.

The Samsung can handle a higher 1,920×1,080 resolution, and it supports the 1,080p HD format (the highest quality HDTV signal around, around five times more detailed than standard TV and DVD quality) through its alldigital HDMI inputs.

You’ll only find an HDMI connection on some of the latest PC graphics cards, though, and if you’ve connected your PC via the standard VGA monitor connection, you’ll have to plump for a slightly lower resolution: we managed to get a widescreen 1,280×1,024 working.

When the source material is of a high quality – say a game like Company of Heroes running at 1,920×1,080 – the screen performs brilliantly. That said, motion isn’t quite as silky smooth as on the projector, and poorer quality material (like TV through your PC’s digital tuner) looks a little rough and ropey.

In the Long Term

Obviously, it’s difficult to predict how these displays will perform in the long term, although the projector’s lamp will need replacing after a few thousand hours’ use.

Our Verdict

Samsung LE46M87

Buy it if… You want a product that provides audio and high-quality HD visuals in one neat package.

Don’t buy it if… You plan to watch lots of standard TV shows, rather than HD ones.

Optoma HD70

Buy it if… You’re willing to spend more on extra equipment and want a huge, cinematic picture.

Don’t buy it if… You don’t like sitting in the dark and find the idea of fiddling with picture settings terrifying.

The Bottom Line

The Optoma HD70 provides a large, smooth image for a relatively small amount of money – but there are other costs and ease of use to consider. The Samsung LE46M87 is a joy to live with, even if it can’t quite match the HD70’s picture quality.