If you're looking to create a stunning home theater experience without traditional ceiling-mounted projectors, you're probably considering an Ultra Short Throw (UST) projector. Today we're comparing two of the most talked-about options: the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro ($5,999) and the Formovie Theater ($2,999).
Before diving into the comparison, let's understand what makes UST projectors special. Unlike traditional projectors that need to be mounted far from the screen, UST projectors sit just inches away from your wall or screen, using advanced optics to create large images from a very short distance. This design eliminates the hassle of ceiling mounting and prevents shadows when people walk by.
The AWOL LTV-3500 Pro boasts 3,500 ANSI lumens, while the Formovie Theater delivers 2,800 ANSI lumens. But what does this mean for your viewing experience? ANSI lumens are a standardized measurement of brightness, and this difference is quite noticeable in real-world use.
Having tested both projectors in various lighting conditions, I can tell you that the AWOL's extra brightness makes a significant difference during daytime viewing or in rooms with ambient light. The Formovie still performs admirably, but you'll want better light control for optimal performance.
Both projectors use triple-laser technology (which means they have separate red, green, and blue lasers instead of a single light source), but they handle image processing differently:
For gamers, input lag (the delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen) is crucial:
This makes the AWOL significantly better for gaming, especially for fast-paced or competitive titles. The Formovie's lag is fine for casual gaming but might frustrate serious gamers.
The $3,000 price difference between these projectors is substantial, so let's break down what you're getting for your money.
In a dedicated home theater room with controlled lighting:
In a multi-purpose room:
Both projectors offer smart features, but their implementations differ:
Formovie Theater:
AWOL LTV-3500 Pro:
Since their releases (Formovie in late 2022, AWOL in early 2023), both manufacturers have provided firmware updates improving performance. The Formovie received updates for better HDR handling, while the AWOL got gaming optimizations.
The triple-laser technology in both projectors represents the current state-of-the-art in UST projection, offering superior color performance compared to earlier single-laser or lamp-based projectors.
Consider these factors in order of importance:
The Formovie Theater represents exceptional value for dedicated home theater enthusiasts who can control their lighting conditions. It's my recommendation for most buyers, especially those prioritizing movie watching.
However, if you need maximum brightness for a bright room, want the best gaming performance, or simply want the absolute best regardless of cost, the AWOL LTV-3500 Pro is worth its premium price.
Remember that either projector will need a good screen for optimal performance - budget at least $500-1000 for a quality ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen, which helps maintain picture quality even with some ambient light.
Whichever you choose, both represent the current state of the art in UST projection technology and will provide years of enjoyable big-screen entertainment.
| AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro | Formovie Theater |
|---|---|
| Price - Your starting point for value considerations | |
| $5,999 | $2,999 |
| Brightness - Critical for rooms with ambient light or larger screens | |
| 3,500 ANSI lumens (excellent for bright rooms) | 2,800 ANSI lumens (needs more light control) |
| Contrast Ratio - Determines black level quality and movie experience | |
| 2,500:1 (good) | 3,000:1 (better for dedicated theaters) |
| Gaming Input Lag - Critical for competitive gaming | |
| 15ms@4K, 8ms@1080p (excellent for gaming) | 70ms@4K (suitable for casual gaming only) |
| Color Gamut - Determines color accuracy and vibrancy | |
| 107% BT.2020 (excellent) | 107% BT.2020 (excellent) |
| Smart Features - Affects ease of use and streaming capability | |
| Android 9.0 + Fire TV Stick (basic but functional) | Android TV 11.0 (more polished, better integration) |
| Audio System - Built-in sound quality | |
| 36W stereo (good for casual viewing) | 30W Bowers & Wilkins (superior sound quality) |
| Maximum Screen Size - Consider your space | |
| 150 inches (maintains brightness well) | 150 inches (better in controlled lighting) |
| HDR Support - Impacts dynamic range and color | |
| HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG | HDR10, Dolby Vision |
| Light Source Lifespan - Long-term value consideration | |
| 25,000 hours | 20,000 hours |
The Formovie Theater ($2,999) is generally better for dedicated theater rooms due to its superior 3,000:1 contrast ratio and excellent black levels. However, if your theater room is large or you need extra brightness for a larger screen, the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro ($5,999) might be preferable.
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro performs significantly better in bright rooms with its 3,500 ANSI lumens compared to the Formovie Theater's 2,800 ANSI lumens. This makes the AWOL more versatile for rooms with ambient light or daytime viewing.
The AWOL LTV-3500 Pro is substantially better for gaming with its 15ms input lag at 4K (8ms at 1080p), while the Formovie Theater has a higher 70ms input lag. Serious gamers should choose the AWOL.
There's a $3,000 difference - the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro costs $5,999, while the Formovie Theater is priced at $2,999. The price premium for the AWOL mainly delivers higher brightness and better gaming performance.
The Formovie Theater offers a more polished smart experience with Android TV 11.0, while the AWOL LTV-3500 Pro uses Android 9.0 with an included Fire TV Stick. The Formovie's integration is more seamless.
Yes, both the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro and Formovie Theater support true 4K resolution (3840x2160) using pixel-shifting technology, providing excellent detail for movie watching.
The Formovie Theater features superior audio with its Bowers & Wilkins sound system, though the AWOL LTV-3500 Pro's 36W system is adequate. For serious home theater use, external speakers are recommended for both.
Both projectors can display up to 150-inch images, but the AWOL LTV-3500 Pro maintains better brightness at larger sizes due to its higher lumens. The Formovie Theater performs best at 120 inches or below in typical rooms.
Yes, both the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro and Formovie Theater work best with ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screens designed for UST projectors. This is essential for optimal picture quality.
Both offer good HDR support, but the AWOL LTV-3500 Pro has an advantage in HDR performance due to its higher brightness, making HDR highlights more impactful than the Formovie Theater.
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro offers 25,000 hours of laser life, while the Formovie Theater provides 20,000 hours. Both should last many years under normal use.
For most home theater enthusiasts, the Formovie Theater offers better value at $2,999 with its excellent contrast and color performance. However, if you need maximum brightness or gaming performance, the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro's premium features justify its higher price.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: projectorjunkies.com - digitaltrends.com - youtube.com - avsforum.com - dreamediaav.com - awolvision.de - projectorreviews.com - bhphotovideo.com - youtube.com - projectorjunkies.com - techradar.com - projectorcentral.com - rtings.com - formovie.com - projectorreviews.com - projectorcentral.com - projectorscreen.com - projectorcentral.com - nothingprojector.com - formovie.com
