The home theater landscape has changed dramatically in recent years, with Ultra Short Throw (UST) projectors becoming increasingly popular alternatives to traditional TVs and projectors. These innovative devices sit just inches from your wall, yet can create massive 100+ inch images without the traditional setup hassles of ceiling-mounted projectors.
Let's dive into a detailed comparison of two leading options: the premium $5,299 AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro and the mid-tier $3,299 Hisense PX3-PRO. Both launched in late 2022 and have received multiple firmware updates to enhance their capabilities.
The heart of both projectors is their triple-laser light engines – a significant upgrade from traditional lamp-based systems. These lasers (red, green, and blue) create incredibly vivid colors while lasting up to 25,000 hours, essentially the lifetime of the projector. Think of it as never having to change a light bulb, while getting better picture quality than most high-end TVs.
Both the AWOL Vision and Hisense use sophisticated pixel-shifting technology to achieve 4K resolution. While they start with 1080p chips, they rapidly shift the image four times per frame to create a true 4K image (3840x2160 pixels). In practice, the difference between this and native 4K is virtually impossible to spot from normal viewing distances.
One area where these projectors really shine (pun intended) is brightness. The AWOL Vision leads with 3,500 ANSI lumens versus the Hisense's 3,000. For context, that's about 3-4 times brighter than most traditional home theater projectors. This means you can actually watch during the day or with lights on – something that was nearly impossible with older projectors.
Having spent considerable time with both units, here's how they perform in key areas:
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro has a slight edge in overall picture quality, particularly in HDR content. Its superior processing handles challenging scenes better, maintaining detail in both bright and dark areas simultaneously. However, the Hisense PX3-PRO is no slouch, offering excellent color accuracy and impressive contrast for its price point.
For gamers, the AWOL Vision is the clear winner. Its 8ms input lag at 1080p/120Hz is remarkable for a projector, making it viable for competitive gaming. The Hisense performs adequately for casual gaming but wasn't specifically designed with gamers in mind.
Hisense takes the lead in smart features with its Google TV integration. Everything works smoothly out of the box, including Netflix (which can be problematic on some projectors). The AWOL Vision includes an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which works well but feels less integrated.
Both projectors require careful placement to achieve optimal image alignment. You'll want to:
The AWOL Vision offers slightly more flexible adjustment options, which can make installation a bit easier. However, both projectors include geometric correction tools to help achieve a perfect rectangle.
At nearly $2,000 less, the Hisense PX3-PRO represents excellent value for most users. It delivers 90% of the AWOL Vision's performance at 60% of the price. However, the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro justifies its premium for specific users:
In a dedicated home theater room, both projectors excel. The AWOL Vision's superior HDR processing and slightly better black levels give it an edge for movie enthusiasts. However, the Hisense's better contrast ratio can actually make it preferable in some scenes.
For living room use, the AWOL Vision's higher brightness makes it more versatile. It better handles ambient light and can maintain vibrant images even with some lights on. The Hisense performs well but might struggle more in bright conditions.
Gamers should strongly consider the AWOL Vision. Its lower input lag and better motion handling make a noticeable difference in fast-paced games. The Hisense is fine for casual gaming but might frustrate competitive players.
Consider these key factors when making your choice:
Both projectors represent excellent choices in the UST market, with the Hisense PX3-PRO offering tremendous value and the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro delivering premium performance for those willing to pay for it.
For most users, the Hisense PX3-PRO provides an excellent balance of performance and value. However, if you're a serious gamer, have a particularly bright room, or simply want the best possible picture quality regardless of cost, the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro is worth the premium.
Remember that both projectors require careful setup and proper screen selection to perform their best. Consider professional installation if you're not comfortable with precise alignment and calibration.
The UST projector market continues to evolve rapidly, but these two models represent some of the best options available today, each excelling in their respective price brackets while offering different strengths for different users.
| AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro ($5,299) | Hisense PX3-PRO ($3,299) |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Critical for daytime viewing and HDR impact | |
| 3,500 ANSI lumens (excellent for bright rooms) | 3,000 ANSI lumens (good for moderate lighting) |
| Contrast Ratio - Determines black levels and image depth | |
| 2,500:1 native | 3,000:1 native (noticeably better dark scenes) |
| Color Gamut - Affects color richness and accuracy | |
| 107% BT.2020 (exceptional) | 110% BT.2020 (slightly better) |
| Gaming Performance - Important for competitive gaming | |
| 8ms@1080p/120Hz (excellent for gaming) | 15-20ms@1080p (adequate for casual gaming) |
| Smart Features - Affects ease of streaming | |
| Basic Android 9.0 + Fire TV Stick included | Full Google TV integration (more convenient) |
| Audio System - Important if not using external speakers | |
| 36W stereo (good for casual viewing) | 50W Harman Kardon (noticeably better) |
| HDR Support - Impacts dynamic range and color accuracy | |
| HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision (superior processing) | HDR10, HDR10+ (good but less refined) |
| Throw Ratio - Determines installation flexibility | |
| 0.25:1 (100" from 10.5" away) | 0.25:1 (100" from 11.4" away) |
| Price Value - Overall cost-benefit consideration | |
| Premium price, best-in-class performance | Better value, excellent performance for price |
For a dedicated home theater setup, the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro ($5,299) has a slight edge due to its superior HDR processing and better black level detail. However, the Hisense PX3-PRO ($3,299) offers excellent performance at a significantly lower price point.
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro offers 3,500 ANSI lumens compared to the Hisense PX3-PRO's 3,000 ANSI lumens. This 500-lumen difference is noticeable in rooms with ambient light or when viewing HDR content.
Yes, both projectors are bright enough for moderate ambient light. The AWOL Vision performs better in bright conditions due to its higher brightness, while the Hisense PX3-PRO works best with some light control.
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro is significantly better for gaming with its 8ms input lag at 1080p/120Hz. The Hisense PX3-PRO is suitable for casual gaming but may not satisfy competitive gamers.
Yes, both projectors perform best with an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen specifically designed for UST projectors. This is essential for optimal picture quality and contrast, regardless of whether you choose the AWOL Vision or Hisense.
Both projectors need similar placement, requiring approximately 10-12 inches from the wall for a 100-inch image. The AWOL Vision and Hisense PX3-PRO have nearly identical throw ratios of 0.25:1.
The Hisense PX3-PRO has better integrated smart features with its full Google TV system. The AWOL Vision comes with a Fire TV Stick 4K Max but lacks native smart TV integration.
The Hisense PX3-PRO offers better value at $3,299, delivering about 90% of the performance of the $5,299 AWOL Vision at 60% of the cost.
Yes, both projectors support 4K resolution through pixel-shifting technology. The AWOL Vision and Hisense both produce sharp, detailed 4K images that look excellent at typical viewing distances.
The Hisense PX3-PRO features a more powerful 50W Harman Kardon sound system compared to the AWOL Vision's 36W system. However, for the best home theater experience, an external sound system is recommended for both.
The Hisense PX3-PRO has better native streaming support through Google TV. While the AWOL Vision can access all services through its included Fire TV Stick, the experience isn't as integrated.
Both projectors use triple-laser light sources rated for approximately 25,000 hours of use. The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro and Hisense PX3-PRO should provide similar longevity with proper care and maintenance.
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 - shop.hisense-usa.com - avsforum.com - youtube.com - projectorcentral.com - avsforum.com - youtube.com - projectorreviews.com - avsforum.com - projectorcentral.com - en.heimkinowelten.de - dreamediaav.com
