It’s easy to view the smart TV as central to your home entertainment experience, providing access to streaming services, gaming consoles, physical media, and even smart home operation. With various connected devices, such as a soundbar, Blu-ray player, or PlayStation 5, you unlock a world of entertainment opportunities and immersive experiences. However, after testing out a new high-end projector by Samsung, I’m impressed by the alternative and see how a projector can easily rival and even surpass a smart TV in a bunch of areas.

I tested out the Samsung’s Premiere 5 Full HD Touch Interaction Projector for a few weeks, and was immediately impressed by the versatility and personalization it offered when it comes to home entertainment. The portable design means you can set up the projector around the house (and outside with some care and caution), creating a screen up to 100 inches while also enjoying all the features that come with a smart operating system. Here’s what I learned after intensely playing with this stunning device.

Brand

Samsung

Native Resolution

1080p

This versatile, short-throw projector features stunning 1080p resolution and HDR and is backed by Samsung’s operating system. With a screen reaching up to 100 inches, and interactive touchscreen technology, this projector provides immersive and personalized entertainment.

Pros & Cons

• Short throw
• Portable and verstaile use
• Tizen operating system

• Expensive
• Touchscreen operation is sensitive

Price, availability, and specs

The projector features the Tizen operating system and connects to Wi-Fi. It boasts HD resolution and HDR video formatting with Dolby audio compatibility. With a short throw, it can yield a screen up to 100 inches in size, while also projecting images onto the ground when used in conjunction with its included support stand.

It features built-in speakers, but can also connect to audio outputs via Bluetooth. It features two micro-HDMI ports, including one that supports eARC, as well as a USB port. The projector weighs less than eight pounds, and is fairly easy to move around the home and set up; though it isn’t designed to be used outdoors where dust or water can disrupt processes.

The Premiere 5 Touchscreen Projector retails for $2,500 in Canada and £1,999.00 in the UK.

What I liked about The Premiere 5 FHD Projector

Versatile, comprehensive and engaging

There’s plenty to love about this projector, and it’s noticeable right from the start. Setup and operation are fast and easy, and once you sign in to a Samsung account and connect to Wi-Fi, you’ll be on your homepage ready to stream. The projector is equipped with Tizen, which means it comes with all of Samsung’s operating system features, including access to a range of entertainment, fitness, and productivity apps. Tizen offers an intuitive and clutter-free home page and navigation system, as well as an ambient mode, console-less gaming hub, casting options, and a multi-view feature, allowing you to set up multiple sources at once on the same screen.

My first instinct was to see just how big the image could get without sacrificing quality. The projector advertises 100 inches, although I think you can stretch it just a bit and still enjoy what you’re watching. Of course, you’ll need a big enough surface to enjoy a screen that size (and enough space to sit back to take it all in). You can get it large enough for many people to sit around and enjoy, but also small enough for one person’s intimate viewing experience.

What struck me the most was the brightness and contrast. I tried it out on various walls, including a white wall, a pink one, and a dark green one, all at different times of day, and it looked superb. You’ll definitely notice a difference when watching it in a dark room, but it stands up to ambient light quite well, especially if you’re casually watching reality TV while cooking or just want something on in the background.

I didn’t find genre to be a problem either. I enjoyed live sports, action films, old sci-fi movies, and reality TV. In addition to the HDR, the motion smoothing was adequate, and the processing proved fast.

I was also surprised by the quality of the audio. The sound is robust and rich for a projector, and plenty suitable on its own. While you can easily connect a Bluetooth speaker (I tried out my Samsung soundbar), it’s not absolutely necessary, which allows you to more reasonably move around the projector; you don’t always want to have to bring a speaker along with you.

Perhaps one of the most fun features is an ambient mode that is a lot better than what is offered on a smart TV. You can choose from a range of options, from the scenic to the relaxing to the geometric and mind-bending. You can even design your own ambient projection, compiling a scene complete with text, drawings, personal pictures, and videos.

It comes with Samsung’s terrifically designed remote, which recent Samsung TV consumers will recognize. The version I enjoyed features four quick launch buttons; it’s white to match the white exterior of the projector. You can also control the projector via the SmartThings app on your phone, which will allow you to change settings, adjust the screen size, connect to Bluetooth, and more easily access ambient mode.

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What I didn’t like about The Premiere 5 FHD Projector

When you get past a steep investment, there is little to dislike

Once I got past the myriad possibilities, and let the sense of overwhelm pass, it was hard to find drawbacks that were fair to call out. There is a limitation to the video quality, as it only casts in HD, and you’re not going to get the perfect contrast ratio, but I don’t think either of those traits are problematic. It’s unfair to compare the projector to an OLED TV, especially when it’s still better than many budget-friendly LED models. I cast an image next to my Samsung OLED, and there was a real difference, but not so much that makes me not want to enjoy the projector in the right situations.

The touchscreen option does require a bit of effort to get working. It’s only available when using the projector in conjunction with its stand and casting to the ground (the stand has a small monitor on it to survey the screen) There was some trial and error in making sure the surfaces I was using didn’t have any glare, which can mess up the interactivity. I didn’t quite find it entirely necessary to use the touchscreen in my regular activities, but I’m sure there are some situations where it will be quite helpful, especially if you’re looking to use the projector for any work or creative endeavors.

If there was one thing to nitpick, it’s that, in order to put on the stand, you have to unplug the device and then reinsert the power cable. It’s also worth noting that the adapter is quite large and will take up some outlet real estate. You should also know that the unit comes with a high price tag, comparable to some high-end QLED TVs as well as some OLED models. I’m not sure if it can replace a great TV, but it can certainly replace a bunch of average ones.

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Should you buy the Premiere 5 FHD Projector?

You can surely find a use for it if you have the budget

There are plenty of worthwhile uses as a replacement for and supplement to a smart TV. However, I think a full replacement might be hard for some consumers simply because you’re not getting the 4K resolution and best HDR formatting, but it’s still a worthwhile investment depending on your interests and home set-up. For some entertainment, I still prefer a smart TV, but I found a bunch of situations where I preferred the projector, from use in the kitchen, bedroom, and outdoor deck. Before reviewing the projector, I never thought twice about the potential.

Perhaps the biggest selling point is the versatility. The portable nature, wide range of screen sizes possible, and that you can stream, game, cast, and work with the projector means that there are myriad ways to enjoy the device. The price is fairly high and worth consideration, but if you’re looking for a second screen in your home, it’s worth getting one that can do a lot instead of opting for another smart TV. Until I tested out the Samsung Premier 5, I didn’t know I wanted it so badly for my home enjoyment.

Brand

Samsung

Native Resolution

1080p

Connectivity

WiFi5, BT5.2

HDR

Yes

This versatile, short-throw projector features stunning 1080p resolution and HDR and is backed by Samsung’s operating system. With a screen reaching up to 100 inches, and interactive touchscreen technology, this projector provides immersive and personalized entertainment.