Why you need a big screen for footy finals fever

Watching the big game on a big screen with a group of rowdy guests to share the experience is the next best thing to being there!

A big screen 4K Ultra HD TV or a projector packed with smart tech and bursting with billions of vivid colours brings the stadium spectacle home and fully immerses you in all the on-field action.

And with AFL and NRL matches now available in 4K on selected sports subscription services, the best seat at the game really is at home.

Transforming your lounge room into sports central with a big screen TV is as easy as ticking off these key features, so let’s go shopping…

Bigger is better

More and more Aussie homes are embracing the immersive luxury of a big screen experience and upsizing to 75” and 85” smart TVs – and if the space is available, why not go massive with a 98” set?

When it comes to watching sports they are a bona fide winner; from glorious goals, marks and tries to contentious umpire calls and score reviews, you won’t miss a thing with stunning 4K resolution enhancing every detail.

The best seats in the house

Premium seating is just as important at home as it is at a stadium, and a TV with a wide viewing angle ensures every sofa spectator can enjoy the best image quality – even if they’re not seated dead centre – with no reduction in contrast or colour.

OLED TVs are renowned for their extremely wide viewing angles, while mini LED sets also offer an excellent view from any vantage point.

Silky-smooth sport

AFL and NRL are dynamic, fast-paced sports, so you’ll want a TV that can keep up with all the action.

The TV’s refresh rate – the number of times per second the display refreshes the image – determines how well it will reduce any blur or judder.

A native refresh rate of 120Hz and above will keep the play smooth, and image-processing tech can also work to keep things fluid and natural.

Sport smarts

Dedicated sports streaming apps like Kayo can be preloaded or easily downloaded and added to the UI menu bar, so you’re all ready to go with just a click or voice command on game days.

Some LG TVs feature a pre-installed Sports Alert app for game reminders, live score updates and results.

New Hisense smart TVs are designed with sports fans in mind, with a dedicated AI Sports Mode that will detect when you’re watching the game and activate automatically, optimising the picture by adjusting the TV’s refresh rate to match the speed of the play for consistently smooth action.

It will also boost surround sound to enhance the roar of the crowd, while keeping the commentary clear and audible.

Other smart features that can enhance your game day experience include customisable picture-in-picture and split screen modes, so you can choose how you want to view the game.

Wall-to-wall sport

Watching the game projected on a massive screen of 120 inches or even bigger turns the game into a truly cinematic event with even greater immersion.

A 4K projector’s picture quality can rival that of the best TVs, and most feature smart functionality like built-in steaming apps and Google or Android TV platforms.

Projectors not only give you the flexibility to adjust the screen size to suit your indoor space, but also let you watch a night game outdoors using a portable model.

You can tend to the barbie without missing a moment, and kick the footy on the back lawn during the game or half-time entertainment.

Projector pointers

One of the most important things to look for when choosing a projector is its level of brightness, which is indicated by the number of ANSI lumens – the more lumens, the brighter the picture, so aim for a model with 2,000 and above.

Short and ultra-short throw projectors are best for indoor use and can sit close to a wall or dedicated screen, while portable projectors can be set up wherever you want the game to be, from the bedroom and backyard to the beach.

A white wall is a ready-to-go screen, but a fixed or portable light-rejecting screen will deliver premium picture quality. And if you’re taking the game outdoors, the side of the garage or a white sheet will pass muster.