When it comes to creating a home theater experience, Ultra Short Throw (UST) laser projectors have become increasingly popular. Today, we'll compare two compelling options: the BenQ V5000i ($3,499) and the Formovie C3 ($1,899), helping you understand which might be right for your setup.
Unlike traditional projectors that need to sit far back in a room, UST projectors sit just inches from your wall or screen. This clever design lets you create a massive display without hanging anything from your ceiling or dealing with people walking through the projection beam. Think of it like having a giant TV, but one that's actually a powerful projector sitting in your media cabinet.
The technology has come a long way in recent years. When UST projectors first appeared, they often struggled with image quality and brightness. Now, with advanced laser light sources and improved optics, they're genuine alternatives to large TVs.
The BenQ V5000i was released in June 2023, bringing several cutting-edge features to the market. It represents the latest in UST technology, particularly with its RGB triple laser system - think of it as having three separate laser light sources (red, green, and blue) instead of just one, resulting in more accurate and vibrant colors.
The Formovie C3, released in late 2022, takes a different approach. It uses a single laser with a phosphor wheel (imagine a color wheel that helps create different colors from a single light source), which is a proven technology that helps keep costs down while still delivering good picture quality.
The BenQ's triple laser system is like having three precision paintbrushes instead of one - it can reproduce 98% of the DCI-P3 color space (the standard used in digital cinema). In practical terms, this means colors look more natural and vibrant, especially in HDR content like modern streaming shows and movies.
The Formovie C3's single laser system still produces good colors, but it can't quite match the BenQ's color accuracy. However, its 2,250 lumens of brightness (a measure of how much light it can output) is plenty for most home theaters, especially in controlled lighting.
In actual use, both projectors handle movies well, but the BenQ V5000i has a clear advantage in brighter rooms. Its extra brightness and superior color handling mean you don't need to completely darken your room to enjoy a good picture. This makes it more versatile for casual viewing or daytime use.
If you're a gamer, this comparison gets interesting. The BenQ V5000i supports 4K gaming at 120Hz through its HDMI 2.1 port and includes special gaming features like Auto Low Latency Mode (which automatically reduces input lag when it detects a gaming console). Input lag - the time between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen - is impressively low at 17.9ms.
The Formovie C3 doesn't specifically target gamers. While you can certainly play games on it, it lacks the specialized gaming features that make the BenQ stand out for this use case.
The BenQ comes with Android TV built-in, giving you access to most major streaming services right out of the box. This means you can start watching Netflix, Disney+, or other services without connecting any additional devices.
The Formovie C3's smart features are more limited, especially in markets outside China. You'll likely want to connect a streaming device like a Roku or Apple TV for the best experience.
Both projectors offer multiple HDMI ports, but the BenQ's HDMI 2.1 support gives it an edge for future-proofing. They both include audio outputs for connecting to external sound systems, which you'll probably want to use for the best home theater experience.
For both projectors, you'll want to consider your room setup carefully. UST projectors work best with special ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screens, which help maintain picture quality even with some ambient light. These screens aren't included with either projector and can add $500-1,500 to your total cost.
The BenQ needs about 30 inches of space from the wall to project a 100-inch image, while the Formovie needs slightly less at around 22 inches. Both are quite flexible in terms of placement options.
The Formovie C3 represents excellent value at $1,899, especially if you're primarily watching movies in a controlled lighting environment. It delivers solid picture quality and good contrast, though you'll need to factor in the cost of a streaming device if you don't already have one.
The BenQ V5000i at $3,499 is a premium option, but it justifies its higher price with superior color accuracy, better bright-room performance, and advanced gaming features. It's more of a complete package out of the box.
Consider these key factors when making your choice:
Remember, whichever you choose, you'll also want to budget for a good ALR screen and potentially an external sound system for the best home theater experience.
The BenQ V5000i and Formovie C3 both represent different sweet spots in the UST projector market. The BenQ is the more capable all-rounder with some premium features, while the Formovie offers excellent value for more focused home theater use. Your choice should align with your specific needs and budget rather than just picking the "better" projector.
| BenQ V5000i ($3,499) | Formovie C3 ($1,899) |
|---|---|
| Light Source Technology - Affects color accuracy and long-term reliability | |
| RGB Triple Laser (superior color accuracy) | Single Laser + Phosphor (good but less accurate) |
| Brightness - Critical for ambient light viewing | |
| 2,500 ANSI lumens (good for moderate lighting) | 2,250 ANSI lumens (best in darker rooms) |
| Color Gamut - Determines how vivid and accurate colors appear | |
| 98% DCI-P3, 95% BT.2020 (cinema-grade color) | Not specified (good but lesser coverage) |
| Gaming Features - Important for console/PC gamers | |
| HDMI 2.1, 4K@120Hz, 17.9ms input lag | Basic support, no specific gaming features |
| Smart Features - Affects need for additional devices | |
| Full Android TV with streaming apps | Limited OS, requires external streaming device |
| Throw Ratio - Determines how close to wall needed | |
| 0.25:1 (needs ~30" for 100" image) | 0.23:1 (needs ~22" for 100" image) |
| Sound System - Important if not using external speakers | |
| 40W Trevolo with Dolby/DTS (quite capable) | 2x15W dual speakers (adequate) |
| HDR Support - Impacts dynamic range and contrast | |
| HDR10, HDR10+, HLG (comprehensive) | HDR10, HLG (standard support) |
| Value Proposition - Cost vs Features | |
| Premium price, superior features for enthusiasts | Budget-friendly, good performance for movies |
Both the BenQ V5000i ($3,499) and Formovie C3 ($1,899) perform well in dark rooms. The Formovie C3's contrast performance makes it an excellent choice for dedicated home theaters, while delivering great value. However, if budget isn't a concern, the BenQ V5000i's superior color accuracy provides a slightly better cinematic experience.
The Formovie C3 offers excellent value at $1,899, while the BenQ V5000i commands a premium at $3,499. The price difference is justified by the BenQ's superior features, but the Formovie C3 provides strong performance for basic home theater needs.
The BenQ V5000i is notably better for bright rooms with its 2,500 ANSI lumens and advanced light source technology. The Formovie C3 performs best in controlled lighting conditions.
Yes, both projectors work best with an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen. This is especially important for UST projectors and will significantly improve picture quality. Budget an additional $500-1,500 for a quality ALR screen.
The BenQ V5000i is significantly better for gaming, offering HDMI 2.1, 4K@120Hz support, and low input lag. The Formovie C3 lacks specific gaming features, making it more suitable for casual gaming only.
The BenQ V5000i includes full Android TV support with popular streaming apps. The Formovie C3 requires an external streaming device for most users outside China.
Both projectors offer approximately 20,000-25,000 hours of laser life. The BenQ's triple laser system and the Formovie's single laser are both highly reliable and should last many years of normal use.
While both can technically be ceiling mounted, they're designed to sit on a cabinet close to your projection wall. UST projectors like the BenQ V5000i and Formovie C3 work best in their intended ultra-short throw position.
The BenQ V5000i features a superior 40W Trevolo sound system with Dolby support. The Formovie C3 has basic 30W speakers. However, for proper home theater sound, an external audio system is recommended for both.
Both projectors can deliver images from 80" to 150" diagonal. The BenQ requires slightly more distance from the wall compared to the Formovie for the same image size.
The BenQ V5000i supports full HD 3D with compatible glasses. The Formovie C3 doesn't specify 3D support in its feature set.
The BenQ V5000i is more future-proof with its HDMI 2.1 support, gaming features, and triple laser system. However, the Formovie C3 still offers solid 4K performance that will satisfy most users for years to come.
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 - youtube.com - projectorcentral.com - rtings.com - formovie.com - projectorsg.com - projector.com.bd - formovie.in - avsforum.com - projector.my - aytexcel.com - nothingprojector.com
