Gaming on a projector is an incredibly immersive, but flawed, experience

Gaming Projector Source: Windows Cardinal

For years now, I've been asked if console gaming on a projector is a viable option. How do factors like input lag, prototype quality, colors, and built-in speakers bear upon the feel? At that place are many unlike devices on the market, but nosotros tested out the affordable ViviMAGE Explore 3 that costs $200 and the mid-range BenQ TH585 that comes in at $600. While both perform admirably when you lot're viewing films, shows, or other content, they don't quite match other affordable TVs with low input lag similar the TCL six-Series R625. With that said, a massive prototype takes immersion to unprecedented levels.

Both the TH585 and Explore 3 are 1080p projectors. We decided against using 4K ones, equally many start at the prohibitively-expensive $1,500 range and go up from there. That'southward a lot more expensive than many 4K TVs with low input lag, which is, in my opinion, the most important metric when it comes to gaming. Depression input lag results in more precise controls, which, in turn, results in a much more pleasant gaming experience.

The TH585 projector features a effulgence of three,500 lumens, a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, a congenital-in speaker, fifteen,000 hours of lamp life, a dual-voltage power supply, so information technology'll piece of work all over the globe. However, the highlight of the device has to be the "Game Mode." It appears to tighten up the input lag and response fourth dimension, making your controller actions feel much more immediate and precise.

Explore 3 Source: ViviMAGE

I played Anthem, Destiny 2, Doom Eternal, Gears 5, Monster Hunter Globe: Iceborne, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps on the TH585 using an Xbox 1 X. While 60 frames per 2nd (FPS) games like Doom Eternal, Gears five, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps performed actually well – with minimal input lag – Anthem and Destiny 2 were a petty difficult to aim because they run at 30 FPS on the panel. If y'all're going to be using a projector, I'd recommend sticking to threescore FPS titles.

The Explore iii projector features a comparable brightness to the TH585, includes a dual-voltage power supply, merely has an viii,000:1 contrast ratio. Still, it makes up for that by offering peachy surround audio speakers and lx,000 hours of lamp life. The image quality on the Explore iii isn't as good as the TH585, especially the vibrancy of the colors, but the price is $400 less.

Merely like the TH585, I played Anthem, Destiny 2, Doom Eternal, Gears 5, Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps on the Explore 3 using an Xbox One X. Over again, 60 FPS games like Doom Eternal, Gears 5, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps performed well – with minimal input lag, though more than the TH585 on Game Mode – just Anthem and Destiny 2 were a little difficult to aim because of their low frame charge per unit on the console.

I personally wouldn't recommend playing 30 FPS games on a projector because they feel incredibly choppy. threescore FPS titles fare much meliorate, but 4K televisions still have the upper paw when it comes to input lag. Everything is just a little flake smoother and more responsive on the TCL vi-Series and the Sony X900F. The next generation of consoles is launching this holiday flavour and games appear to be targeting lx FPS at a blank minimum. Hopefully, that's going to be the end of thirty FPS games.

Th585 Benq Source: BenQ

Now, you might enquire, "tin yous really tell the difference when it comes to input lag?" Well, the curt reply to that is "yes." Even games like Destiny 2 – that run at 30 FPS – experience much smoother on a 4K display with depression input lag than they do on the Explore 3 or the TH585 with Game Style enabled.

Higher input lag figures don't render these projectors unplayable by whatsoever stretch of the imagination, but you lot do take to wrestle with the controls a footling bit. The precision to get on a 4K display isn't in that location when y'all're gaming on a projector. The difference is slight, but information technology's noticeable.

Nonetheless, there's ane area where TVs can't compete, and that'southward immersion. The do good a projector offers is the power to scale up the image dramatically. When you're playing on a 120-inch screen, or larger, information technology simply feels more immersive. You lot can't beat out the experience, no matter if yous're on a 65-inch 4K brandish.

It's hard to describe how it feels when you're controlling the action from a projector that encompasses your entire wall. There's a sense of elation that I oasis't experienced in a while since I mostly use gaming monitors or high-pixel density TVs. I wouldn't say gaming on a projector is better than a TV, simply information technology's way more fun. If y'all practice decide to game on a projector, just have some external speakers handy.

Affordable option

Explore 3

ViviMAGE Explore 3

Can't beat the price

The ViviMAGE Explore 3 features native 1080p resolution and 60,000 hours lamp life. Employing 4 times as many pixels as 720p, it creates clear images for a great gaming experience.

Big-screen gaming

Th585 Benq

BenQ TH585

Features Game Fashion

The BenQ TH585 is a 1080p projector with a low-latency mode for gaming. It as well features a 10,000:1 dissimilarity ratio, so images announced brighter and colors more vibrant.

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