As a hardcore console and PC gamer, I have an almost fanatical obsession with chasing the ultimate visual experience to fully immerse myself in virtual worlds. My relentless pursuit for the best-in-class display hardware to match the continually advancing graphics prowess of next-gen gaming rigs like the PS5 and Xbox Series X has led me to consider two tempting big-screen options this year – TCL’s showstopping 98-inch 4K QLED TV and Samsung’s cinema-rivaling 4K triple laser ultra-short throw projector system.
Let’s analyze how these giant display contenders fare on the most crucial metrics I care about as a discerning gamer.
Native Contrast – Deeper Blacks Mean Higher Gaming Immersion
There’s nothing more detrimental to gaming immersion than washed out greyscale images plagued by backlight bleed or clouded by hazy blacks. I want inky shadows strikingly silhouetted against piercing bright highlights. That emotion-stirring contrast is key to perceived depth and realism.
Winner: TCL 98” 4K QLED TV
The TCL 98C735 utterly dominates here with its VA panel boasting a 5000:1 native contrast ratio coupled to 480 individual full array local dimming zones. This lets it render resin-rich shadows while blasting searing highlights up to 600 nits in specular areas during HDR gaming. Reviewer Vincent Teoh measured a stellar 24,630:1 contrast with local dimming engaged during testing on HDTVTest. Such precision backlight control prevents any distracting halo effects while painting captivating contrast that pulls me deeper into the game world.
The Samsung 4K triple laser projector falls painfully short of this performance bar. Its silicon-based DLP projection chip cannot yield inky blacks when tasked with emitting up to 2500 nits worth of brightness. Technical limitations in native contrast of projection systems threshold laser dimming modulation to only around 6000:1 as noted by projector-central. While pairing the Samsung projector with a quality ALR screen helps counter living room lighting somewhat, lamps cannot eclipse self-emitting QLED TV technology on contrast.
HDR Gaming – Reflective Laser Projection Struggles Here
Today’s videogames feature stunning High Dynamic Range graphics when played on compatible hardware. For me, HDR gaming is transformative by introducing greater luminance range between shadows and highlights that lend uncanny realism to scene compositions. From glistening wet cobblestone alleyways illuminated by lamps to glowing embers slowly dying out inside dilapidated buildings, HDR gaming heightens immersion through accentuated lighting dynamics.
But this demands peak brightness levels that only direct-emitting display panels like QLED TVs can sufficiently produce compared to light-reflective projection screens.
Winner: TCL 98” 4K QLED TV
The TCL 98C735 dazzles here with its 600 nits peak luminance for HDR gaming content coupled with deep blacks thanks to its VA panel and full array local dimming backlight. This headroom above the 400 nits baseline along with 98.5% DCI-P3 coverage generates explosive highlights and vivid colors for gaming in HDR10/HDR10+ that translate beautifully without clipping or color banding.
Samsung’s 100” projector system, rated for 144% Rec.709 color, lacks enough brightness muscle and contrast to match. Relying on a projected image, its black floor sits too high to adequately render shadows. So dark scene details disappear and specular highlights don’t quite dazzle since the IPS screen cannot sufficiently reject ambient light. Still limited to Rec.709 color, HDR content lacks the vibrant hues and expanded luminance to really showcase advanced games.
Responsiveness – Lag Kills The Gaming Experience
Serious gaming demands highly responsive displays with minimal input lag for competitive reflex-oriented titles. Slow displays introduce noticeably delayed controls that affect targeting precision. With big-screen TVs and projectors processing tons of pixels, gaming lag is a common pitfall.
I measure display input latency obsessively before adopting screens for responsive high FPS eSports gaming on my custom-built PC rig. Consoles also benefit with certain displays featuring dedicated ‘Game Mode’ presets.
Winner: TCL 98” 4K QLED TV
The Samsung Premiere 4K projector registers disappointingly high input lag of 80ms according to Rtings in Game Mode during 4K HDR gaming. That’s almost 4x slower than the flagship 4K 144Hz gaming monitors I use daily. Such lag could mean the difference between victory or defeat in fast-paced competitive online titles.
The TCL 98C735 also exhibits processing delay without Game Mode enabled. But engaging this dedicated low latency preset cuts input lag down to just 15ms at 60 Hz and 6.2ms at 120 Hz according to HDTVTest data. That’s excellently responsive and ensures my commands register instantly for pixel-perfect aim. The difference is profound for twitch gameplay. TCL’s sets now utilize AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support to eliminate tearing artifacts.
| Display Model | Input Lag (Game Mode) | Refresh Rate Support |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Premiere 4K Laser Projector | 83ms | 60Hz |
| TCL 98” 4K QLED TV | 15ms (60Hz) 6.2ms (120Hz) |
60Hz 120Hz |
The above data summarizes how vastly quicker and more gaming-suitable the TCL TV reacts compared to Samsung’s lag-crippled projector.
Motion Handling – Smooth Gameplay Prevents Eye Strain
Gaming marathons demand displays with exemplary motion clarity. Few things tire my eyes faster than blurry trails smearing across the screen as I quickly pan the camera during intensive FPS run ‘n gun sessions. I crave buttery smooth animation with sharp visuals retained during fast motion. This allows me to precisely track targets.
Fortunately, both displays here utilize high-performance Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) techniques for tear-free andfluid frame delivery when paired with compatible gaming devices. But an important distinction emerges when analyzing the underlying refresh rates supported.
Winner: TCL 98” 4K QLED TV
The Samsung Premiere 4K laser projector lacks any HDMI 2.1 ports. So despite adaptive VRR featured, gaming is limited to 4K 60Hz output from consoles or PCs. While smooth, such dated HDMI 2.0 bandwidth cannot fully satisfy my hunger for ultra-fluid high frame rate games natively rendering above 60 FPS.
By contrast, the TCL 98C735 natively supports 4K gaming at up to 120Hz over its twin HDMI 2.1 ports. Being among the first televisions with 4K 120Hz VRR and ALLM support, this transforms gameplay into an ocean of liquid-smooth animation ideal for fast-paced shooters and racing games pumping out 100+ FPS. Such bleeding-edge performance remains exclusive to big-screen HDMI 2.1-enabled displays and keeps the TCL 98C735 highly future-proof as games continue evolving.
Color Performance – Vibrant & Accurate Hues Increase Realism
I don’t just want bloom, bling and eye-candy explosions. Beyond impressive effects, I yearn my games to render subtle, natural hues that extend the sense of atmosphere and realism through accurate color reproduction.
Whether it’s the golden orange glow of a crackling fire dynamically illuminating a stone cave or the emerald greens of lush jungle canopies showing off ray tracing in Far Cry 6, color handling plays a big part in immersive gaming.
Winner: TCL 98” 4K QLED TV
The TCL 98C735 leverages quantum dot technology to produce one of the widest, most voluminous color ranges in its price segment. It can reproduce greater than billion color variations and hit 98.5% DCI-P3 color space coverage. This allows modern HDR games mastered to cinema-grade P3 color to realize their full vibrant potential. Specular highlights like neon signage, richer sunsets, and deeper natural tones all translate more faithfully to breathe believability into game worlds.
The Samsung 4K laser projector with its Rec.709 color hardware cannot fully showcase gaming content mastered for wide color gamut. Shades appear more washed out and undersaturated, lacking the vibrant hues rendered on wide color displays. Since laser projection relies more on filter-based manipulation for color rather than direct wide-gamut sources, certain hues can shift strangely off their natural tones under changing brightness levels.
Viewing Angle – Enjoy Big-Screen Gaming With Friends
As a social gamer frequently hosting LAN parties and PlayStation racing sessions for groups of friends to enjoy Rocket League together, I require displays with generous viewing angles to accommodate seating variability across my living room.
Narrow viewing angles that cause immediate color and contrast shifts will spoil gameplay immersion for anyone not firmly eye-level with these mega-sized screens. Panel uniformity also proves vital with larger TV sizes.
Winner: Samsung 100” Laser Projector
By inherent technological limitation, the TCL 98C735 employs a VA-type LCD panel optimized for high static contrast over off-axis visibility. Coupled with such an immense 98-inch screen, inherent darkening and gamma shifts creep in when moving just 15° to 20° off-center – quite restrictive for room-filling gaming sessions among a packed sofa. Precalibration uniformity also measures subpar with slight vignetting and sporadic backlight bleed visible, though rarely conspicuous during actual gaming.
Samsung’s ultra-short throw laser projector easily wins this category by spraying a gorgeously uniform projected image across an even bigger 100” ALR ambient light rejection screen. Thanks to projection lens technology, picture quality remains unaffected within a wider 120° viewing cone. So more oblique sightlines from around the living room remain distortion-free. The angle flexibility here better accommodates off-center local multiplayer gaming.
Installation – Professional TV Mounting Brings Stability At Scale
Successful integration of TV or projector hardware at such monumental display sizes demands thoughtful installation planning personalized for unique living spaces. Their hefty hardware introduces mounting challenges absent with smaller screens.
Getting this right ensures long-term residential stability while yielding that floating modern aesthetic. Botching this risks catastrophic collapse of very expensive equipment.
Winner: Tie
The TCL 98” TV requires sturdy vertical surface mounting reinforced to hold its imposing 140 lb frame. Beyond oversized articulated arms, additional bracing anchors into surrounding wall studs provide tremendous stability. Inputs must be routed through in-wall raceways. Professional services minimize complication, maximizing safety given tighter placement parameters closer to walls.
Projectors permit more flexibility thanks to throw distances and downward ceiling mounts. But Samsung’s Premiere triple laser ultra-short throw system still weighs a bulky, awkward 42 lbs. Matching ALR screens feature another 66 lbs needing lateral mounting onto stone, brick or robust drywall. Input/output runs remain necessary too.
Both displays realistically necessitate hire of professional AV integration teams unless mount points already exist from former setups. Creative room layouts also help avoid aesthetic or functional compromises that undermine their spectacular imaging. With appropriate planning, either technology can anchor beautiful bespoke home theaters. But caution remains vital when operating such oversized hardware demanding delicate care.
Pricing – Giant 4K TVs Now Surpass Flagship Projectors on Value
All cutting-edge display hardware carries premium price tags pushing the boundaries of performance and scale. But pricing ultimately determines accessibility to the coveted gaming greatness promised by these visual titans. Fantastical big-screen gaming pursuits must sensibly align with gamer budgets.
Winner: TCL 98” 4K QLED TV
At a mighty but surprisingly affordable £3,600 MSRP, the feature-packed TCL 98C735 debuts thousands cheaper than Samsung’s imposing but dimmer 4K laser projection setup. For the projector’s £5,000 cost alone, you must tack on another £2,700 to integrate a capable 100” 16:9 ambient light rejecting screen just to complete the unified projection system.
All told, the TCL 98-inch TV serves up superior display technology delivering tangibly better contrast, color and searing HDR highlights that simply outmatch rival projection technology with a similar screen size. You sacrifice zero performance, only gaining HDMI 2.1 future-proofing, quantum-dot color and mini-LED backlighting precision unseen in the projector market – all for over £3,000+ less than Samsung’s laser projection package.
Verdict – TCL 98C735 Stands Taller for At-Home Big Screen Gaming
Given its self-emitting QLED panel technology spanking Samsung’s projected beams across key imaging metrics that matter most to gamers – contrast, color gamut, HDR peak brightness, and critically lag & motion resolution – while costing thousands less even for a smaller 98” diagonal, the TCL 98C735 emerges the more compelling big-screen gaming display currently attainable.
Owning the best technical specs in its category, TCL’s 4K television checks every box on features from HDMI 2.1 VRR support down to THX Game Mode low latency that leave the rival Samsung Premiere projector system stranded back in the HDMI 2.0 era, struggling to keep up with cutting-edge consoles.
Sure, projection still wins on installation flexibility and viewing angles while promising even larger projected screen sizes. But atop its superior imaging capabilities, TCL’s 98-inch Mini-LED 4K TV corresponds tighter to gamer budgets by continuing the value focus of their lauded 6-Series sets. This positions the TCL 98C735 as today‘s foremost big-screen gaming display technology.