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LIVING LARGE So much home entertainment is now designed to be enjoyed on the biggest possible screen. While many movie theatres still stick to the same projectors they’ve used for years, the current generation of projectors designed for the home have really stepped up their game, to the point where you can create a completely immersive movie and TV experience on the wall of your living room. Setting up a projector and a screen doesn’t mean taking over the room – the latest 4K projectors are discreet short-throw boxes (they can sit on a shelf in front of the wall) and if you want to go all-out with a screen, you only need to pull it out when needed (some are even motorised so you can bring out your screen at the touch of a button!)

In the middle of all the chaos of the season, there are plenty of reasons to take some time off and just enjoy a good night in with your favourite TV shows, music and movies. With cinema-quality screens and sound ready for any home, and a planet’s worth of content to watch both via streaming and off Blu-ray and 4K disc, it’s time to treat yourself to the ultimate night in! THE ULTIMATE NIGHT IN

Choose a projector with streaming apps on board for an instant night in. A screen will make the picture much brighter and more immersive. PICK UP: A soundbar for audio big enough to match the picture.

JB’s Top Tips

What to Buy:

Philips NeoPix Ultra2+ Projector Smart projector with Android TV built in. $795

BenQ TH585 Full HD Gaming Projector Low input lag for ultra-responsive gaming. $1,495

PUTTING THE SMART INTO TV

STREAM ON! It’s a streaming world these days, and if you’re looking to enjoy the full range of online entertainment, you’ll want to get yourself a dedicated streaming device. While smart TVs come pre-loaded with streaming apps, a dedicated device will support much more than those – and usually do a much better job of streaming the highest-quality content. If you’ve got an older TV that still has a great picture, adding a streaming device will instantly smarten it up at very low cost. Streaming 4K video needs a solid broadband connection – make sure you have good Wi-Fi coverage for flawless streaming. PICK UP: A mesh Wi-fi network system for rock-solid wireless internet. JB’s Top Tips

What to Buy:

Of course, if you’re just looking to enjoy a night in on a smaller scale, you can still have a cinematic experience with the current range of smart TVs, many of which are breaking new ground in terms of picture quality and features. There are two main technologies to choose from here – OLED and LCD, each with their own advantages. OLED, with its millions of self-lit pixels, produces a rich and vibrant picture that’s unrivalled when it comes to the deepness of contrast (and they’re also superb for gaming). LED screens, on the other hand, usually offer better bang for the buck in terms of size – and quantum dot tech has brought their picture quality closer to that of OLED. Take your time to sample what’s on offer – but smart TVs are so good these days, it’s very hard to go wrong.

LG C1 65” OLED TV Perfect blacks, stunning HDR and a billion colours. $3495

Sony X90J Bravia XR LED 4K TV Featuring Google TV for complete connectivity. $2495

JB’s Top Tips

Spend time comparing the picture on TVs in the store to find the one for you. If you’ll be watching 4K discs, make sure the TV supports Dolby Vision. PICK UP: A universal remote to control your new TV and everything else.

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