When you're ready to upgrade your home theater setup in 2024, two standout options are the BenQ V5000i ($3,499) and the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro ($6,999). Let's dive into what makes these projectors special and help you decide which one best fits your needs.
UST projectors represent a major evolution in home theater technology. Unlike traditional projectors that need to sit far back in a room, these units can create massive images while sitting just inches from your wall. This technology has revolutionized home theater setups, especially for those who want a massive screen but don't want a projector mounted on their ceiling.
Both projectors we're looking at today use laser light sources instead of traditional bulbs. This means they turn on instantly, last much longer (20,000+ hours), and maintain consistent brightness throughout their lifespan.
The BenQ V5000i was released in mid-2023, while the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro has been on the market since early 2023. Both represent the latest generation of UST technology, with triple-laser light engines that produce incredibly accurate colors.
In the past year, we've seen significant improvements in these projectors compared to older models, particularly in:
Brightness is crucial for UST projectors since many people use them in living rooms rather than dedicated theater spaces. The AWOL's 3,500 ANSI lumens versus BenQ's 2,500 ANSI lumens represents a significant real-world difference.
What does this mean practically? The AWOL can maintain vibrant images even with some lights on or during daytime viewing. The BenQ still performs well but works best in more controlled lighting conditions.
Both projectors offer excellent color reproduction, but there are notable differences:
While these numbers might seem close, the AWOL's superior color coverage combined with Dolby Vision support creates more nuanced and lifelike images. However, the BenQ's color accuracy out of the box is excellent, and most users would be thoroughly impressed by either.
Gaming on a massive screen is incredible, and both projectors handle it well:
BenQ V5000i:
AWOL LTV-3500 Pro:
For casual gamers, either projector works great. Competitive gamers might prefer the AWOL's lower input lag at 1080p/120Hz.
Both projectors require careful placement to align with your screen. Unlike some cheaper projectors, neither has automatic keystone correction - this is actually good for image quality, but means setup requires more patience.
The BenQ's slightly shorter throw ratio means it can sit a bit closer to the wall, which might matter in tight spaces. Both project images from 80" to 150" depending on placement.
At nearly half the price of the AWOL, the BenQ V5000i represents excellent value for most users. It delivers 80-90% of the AWOL's performance at a significantly lower price point.
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro justifies its premium price through:
If you're placing this in a living room with ambient light, the AWOL's extra brightness makes a noticeable difference. However, the BenQ still performs admirably if you have decent light control.
In a controlled environment, both projectors shine. The AWOL's superior HDR processing and color coverage become more apparent, but the BenQ still delivers an excellent theater experience.
Both handle gaming well, but the AWOL's lower input lag at 120Hz might matter for competitive gamers. For most gaming scenarios, the BenQ's performance is more than adequate.
Consider these key factors:
The BenQ V5000i represents the sweet spot for most users, offering excellent performance at a reasonable price. It's particularly compelling for those wanting a high-end theater experience without breaking the bank.
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro is the choice for enthusiasts who demand the absolute best and have the budget to match. Its superior brightness, color coverage, and HDR processing create truly spectacular images.
Either way, both projectors represent the current state of the art in UST technology, and either one will provide years of impressive big-screen entertainment.
| BenQ V5000i ($3,499) | AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro ($6,999) |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Critical for ambient light performance | |
| 2,500 ANSI lumens (good for moderate lighting) | 3,500 ANSI lumens (excellent for bright rooms) |
| Color Gamut - Determines color richness and accuracy | |
| 95% BT.2020 (very good for most content) | 107% BT.2020 (exceptional, noticeable with HDR) |
| HDR Support - Impacts contrast and color in modern content | |
| HDR10+ (good but basic) | HDR10+, Dolby Vision (superior processing worth the upgrade for movie lovers) |
| Gaming Input Lag - Lower is better for responsive gaming | |
| 4K/60Hz @ 17.9ms (excellent for casual gaming) | 4K/60Hz @ 15ms, 1080p/120Hz @ 8ms (better for competitive gaming) |
| Built-in Sound - Important if not using external speakers | |
| 40W Trevolo system (surprisingly capable) | 36W Dolby Atmos (good but similar performance) |
| Smart Features - Affects ease of use | |
| Android TV 11 (integrated) | Android 9.0 + Fire TV Stick 4K Max (requires external device) |
| Laser Life - Long-term reliability | |
| 20,000 hours (typical for the class) | 25,000 hours (slightly better longevity) |
| Value Proposition - Price to performance ratio | |
| Excellent value for mixed-use scenarios | Premium price but justified for dedicated theater use |
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro ($6,999) is superior for dedicated theater spaces due to its better HDR processing, higher brightness, and wider color gamut. However, the BenQ V5000i ($3,499) still provides excellent performance at half the price if budget is a concern.
The AWOL LTV-3500 Pro with 3,500 ANSI lumens performs significantly better in bright rooms compared to the BenQ's 2,500 ANSI lumens. This difference is especially noticeable during daytime viewing.
The BenQ V5000i costs $3,499, while the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro is priced at $6,999 - a $3,500 difference that reflects their respective performance levels.
Both are excellent for gaming, but the AWOL LTV-3500 Pro offers slightly better performance with 8ms input lag at 1080p/120Hz. The BenQ V5000i is still great for casual gaming with 17.9ms at 4K/60Hz.
While both have built-in speakers (BenQ 40W, AWOL 36W), for a true home theater experience, we recommend an external sound system with either projector.
Both projectors can display images from 80" to 150" diagonal, making them suitable for most home theater setups.
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro offers superior HDR performance with Dolby Vision support and better color coverage compared to the BenQ V5000i's HDR10+ capability.
The AWOL offers 25,000 hours of laser life, while the BenQ provides 20,000 hours - both providing many years of typical use.
Both projectors work best with ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screens designed for UST projectors, though they can work with standard screens in controlled lighting.
Both require careful initial setup, but the BenQ V5000i has a slight advantage with its integrated Android TV compared to the AWOL's external Fire TV stick solution.
Yes, both can effectively replace a TV, but the AWOL's higher brightness makes it more suitable for everyday TV viewing in bright rooms.
The BenQ V5000i offers better value for most users, delivering excellent performance at a more accessible price point. The AWOL LTV-3500 Pro justifies its premium price only for users demanding the absolute best performance.
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: projectorscreen.com - projectorscreen.com - avsforum.com - techradar.com - projectorreviews.com - projectorcentral.com - digitaltrends.com - digitaltrends.com - ooberpad.com - projectorjunkies.com - digitaltrends.com - youtube.com - avsforum.com - dreamediaav.com - awolvision.de - projectorreviews.com - bhphotovideo.com - youtube.com - projectorjunkies.com
