Beyond the fixed TV: BenQ's Rajeev Singh on redefining home entertainment
BenQ India MD Rajeev Singh explains why projectors are replacing fixed TVs for Gen Z and offering better value than massive screens.
Imagine you are on a weekend getaway in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh. As the sun sets and the air turns crisp, instead of everyone crowding around a tiny smartphone screen, you pull a compact device from your bag, aim it at the side of your car, and instantly transform the outdoors into a massive cinema. This is the vision of the next generation of entertainment—one that moves away from the static, wall-mounted television and toward a more fluid, portable experience.
In a recent deep dive into the evolving display industry, Rajeev Singh, Managing Director for BenQ India & South Asia, shared insights into why the traditional "TV plus soundbar" dominance is being challenged by a new wave of projection technology.
The shift from fixed screens to lifestyle flexibility
For decades, the gold standard for home entertainment has been a massive television bolted to a living room wall. However, Singh argues that this rigid setup is increasingly out of sync with how younger demographics, particularly Gen Z, actually live. While smartphones and desktop monitors serve as private, personal extensions of the user, the desire for a "larger-than-life" experience is often social.
"One of the biggest problems with a television isn't its picture quality; it is the fact that it is a fixed, giant black mirror taking up permanent real estate," Singh noted. Unlike a TV that demands a dedicated, unchangeable space, projectors offer the magic of a shared movie night with total portability. They can move from the bedroom to the kitchen or even to a holiday home, adapting to the user's lifestyle rather than forcing the user to adapt to the device.
Debunking the high-maintenance myth
Historically, projectors were viewed as fussy, high-maintenance devices that required pitch-black rooms, specialized screens, and expensive lamp replacements. Singh clarified that modern technology has effectively eliminated these hurdles:
- Surface Versatility: Modern projectors can now project onto almost any surface, using digital compensation to adjust for the wall's colour, even if it is a dark shade like grey.
- AI-Powered Setup: The days of manual calibration are over. Built-in AI cameras can now automatically read the projection surface, calibrate the image, and fix the geometry the moment the device is placed down.
- Superior Colour: The debate over "depth" versus "colour" has shifted. Premium projectors now utilize true RGB technology with three separate laser sources, providing a level of vibrancy that often surpasses conventional televisions.
The massive price gap: Projectors vs. Giant TVs
For those looking to upgrade their living rooms without the permanence of a TV, Singh highlighted the advantages of Ultra-Short Throw (UST) laser projectors. When paired with motorized Ambient Light Rejecting (ALR) screens—which absorb overhead light and reflect the projector's light—users can achieve OLED-like quality even in bright rooms.
The most striking difference, however, is the financial aspect. Singh pointed out a significant disparity in the cost of large-scale viewing:
- The TV Cost: A massive 115-inch television can cost upwards of Rs 30 Lac.
- The Projector Alternative: An ultra-short throw projector can provide a much larger 150-inch screen for approximately Rs 3 Lakh.
This allows consumers to enjoy a significantly larger cinematic experience and superior colour reproduction for a fraction of the price of a massive television. Furthermore, the need for external soundbars is diminishing, as newer UST projectors are being designed with built-in sound chambers and waveguides to deliver high-quality audio directly from the unit.