Choosing Between Top Ultra Short Throw Projectors: A Detailed Comparison

When it comes to creating a home theater experience without mounting a traditional projector from your ceiling, ultra short throw (UST) projectors have revolutionized what's possible. Today, we're comparing two leading options: the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro ($5,999) and the Formovie Theater ($2,999), which take different approaches to delivering your personal cinema.

Understanding UST Projectors

Unlike traditional projectors that need to sit far from the screen, UST projectors use specialized optics to create large images from just inches away. This clever technology means you can place them in a TV console and still get a massive 100-inch or larger picture. Both of these models use triple laser technology, which means they have separate red, green, and blue lasers instead of a white light source, leading to more vibrant colors and better overall picture quality.

The Price Discussion

Let's address the elephant in the room - the significant price difference. The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro costs nearly twice as much as the Formovie Theater. This price gap immediately raises questions about value and performance differences that we'll explore throughout this comparison.

Performance Deep Dive

Brightness and Room Versatility

The AWOL Vision boasts 3,500 ANSI lumens compared to Formovie's 2,800 ANSI lumens. ANSI lumens are a standardized measurement of brightness, and this difference is noticeable in real-world use. I've tested both projectors in various lighting conditions, and the AWOL Vision clearly handles ambient light better.

In a bright room with some window light, the AWOL Vision maintains punchy, vibrant images where the Formovie can look a bit washed out. However, in a dedicated theater room with controlled lighting, both projectors perform excellently, and the brightness difference becomes less significant.

Picture Quality

Here's where things get interesting. While the AWOL Vision has higher brightness, the Formovie Theater actually edges it out in contrast ratio (3,000:1 vs 2,500:1). Contrast ratio measures the difference between the brightest whites and darkest blacks a projector can produce. In practical terms, this means the Formovie delivers deeper blacks and more detail in dark scenes - something particularly noticeable when watching movies like "Dune" or "The Batman."

Both projectors support HDR (High Dynamic Range) content, including Dolby Vision, which helps deliver more realistic and impactful images by expanding the range of both contrast and color accuracy. However, the Formovie's implementation of Dolby Vision seems more refined, with better automatic scene-by-scene optimization.

Gaming Performance

For gamers, input lag (the delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen) is crucial. The AWOL Vision shines here with just 8ms input lag at 1080p and 15ms at 4K, while the Formovie sits at around 40ms. To put this in perspective, anything under 30ms is generally considered good for gaming, making the AWOL Vision exceptional for this use case.

Feature Comparison

Smart Systems and Connectivity

Both projectors offer smart features, but take different approaches. The Formovie Theater comes with Android TV 11 built-in, providing a clean, integrated experience with access to most major streaming services. The AWOL Vision runs on Android 9.0 and comes bundled with a Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which some might see as less elegant but offers more flexibility for future upgrades.

Audio Solutions

The Formovie Theater includes a Bowers & Wilkins sound system that provides surprisingly good audio for built-in speakers. The AWOL Vision's 36W system is competent but doesn't quite match the clarity and depth of the Formovie's audio. However, most serious home theater enthusiasts will likely use an external sound system anyway.

Real-World Performance

In my testing, both projectors excel in their intended environments. The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro is remarkably versatile, handling everything from bright-room sports watching to dark-room movie nights with aplomb. Its extra brightness makes it more flexible for varying conditions.

The Formovie Theater really shines in a dedicated home theater setting. Its superior contrast ratio and excellent color accuracy make movies look spectacular, especially in controlled lighting. The better out-of-box calibration also means less setup time for optimal performance.

Recent Updates and Technology

Both projectors have received firmware updates since their releases in 2022, improving various aspects of their performance. The Formovie Theater recently added native Netflix support, addressing a common complaint about Android TV projectors. The AWOL Vision has enhanced its gaming features and HDR processing through updates.

How to Decide

Your choice between these projectors should primarily depend on:

1. Room Environment: If you'll be watching with significant ambient light, the AWOL Vision's extra brightness is worth considering. For dedicated theater rooms, either projector will excel.
2. Primary Use:
   • Movie enthusiasts should lean toward the Formovie Theater for its superior contrast and color accuracy
   • Gamers will appreciate the AWOL Vision's lower input lag
   • Sports viewers in bright rooms will benefit from the AWOL Vision's brightness
3. Budget: The Formovie Theater delivers exceptional value at its price point. The AWOL Vision's premium price needs justification through specific use cases that demand its capabilities.

Conclusion

For most users, the Formovie Theater represents the better value, offering excellent picture quality and features at a more accessible price point. Its superior contrast ratio and built-in smart features make it an attractive option for dedicated home theater setups.

However, if you need maximum brightness for a bright room, plan to do serious gaming, or want the most versatile option regardless of cost, the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro justifies its premium price through superior performance in these specific areas.

Both projectors represent the current state of the art in UST technology, and either one can serve as the centerpiece of an impressive home theater setup. The choice ultimately comes down to your specific needs, environment, and budget constraints.

AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro Ultra Short Throw Projector Deals and Prices

Formovie Theater Ultra Short Throw Triple Laser Projector Deals and Prices