When it comes to creating a stunning home theater experience without dedicating an entire room to a traditional projector setup, Ultra Short Throw (UST) projectors have become the go-to solution. Today, we're comparing two impressive contenders: the BenQ V5010i and the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro.
Ultra Short Throw projectors are special because they can create massive screens from just inches away from your wall. Unlike traditional projectors that need to sit far back in a room, UST projectors sit right below your screen. This means no more shadows when someone walks by and no need to mount anything on your ceiling.
The technology has come a long way in recent years. What started as a business presentation tool has evolved into a legitimate home theater option, with 4K resolution, HDR support, and brightness levels that rival high-end TVs.
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro, released in late 2023, represents the latest in UST technology. At $5,999, it's positioned as a premium option with cutting-edge features. The BenQ V5010i, launched in early 2023, comes in at around $3,500-4,000, offering a more budget-friendly but still feature-rich alternative.
In the world of projectors, brightness is measured in ANSI lumens, which tells you how much light the projector can output. The AWOL shines brighter at 3,500 ANSI lumens compared to the BenQ's 2,500. What does this mean in real-world use? The AWOL can maintain vivid images even with some lights on or during daytime viewing, while the BenQ performs best in more controlled lighting conditions.
Both projectors use laser light sources, which provide more consistent brightness and color over their lifespan compared to traditional lamp projectors. The AWOL edges out the BenQ in color range, covering 107% of the BT.2020 color space versus 95%. In practical terms, this means slightly more vibrant and accurate colors, particularly noticeable in nature documentaries or colorful animated films.
Modern gaming demands quick response times, and both projectors deliver here. The AWOL offers particularly impressive performance with just 8ms input lag at 1080p and 15ms at 4K. The BenQ isn't far behind at around 20ms, but competitive gamers might notice the difference. Both support Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), which automatically switches to game mode when it detects a console.
Both projectors offer modern smart features, but approach them differently:
When setting up a home theater, several factors come into play:
Both projectors are relatively easy to set up, but the BenQ's auto-calibration features make it slightly more user-friendly. The AWOL offers more precise manual adjustments, which home theater enthusiasts might prefer.
The AWOL includes a 36W stereo system, while the BenQ offers 40W of audio output. However, for a true home theater experience, you'll want to pair either with a dedicated sound system.
Both projectors work best with ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screens, which are specially designed for UST projectors. These screens help maintain image quality even with some ambient light, though they add to the overall cost.
The BenQ V5010i delivers excellent performance for its price point. You get most of the features that matter for typical home theater use, including good brightness, accurate colors, and smart features. It's an excellent choice if you're upgrading from a traditional projector or want to create a home theater without breaking the bank.
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro justifies its higher price with superior brightness, better gaming performance, and more precise color reproduction. It's the better choice for enthusiasts who want the absolute best performance and have the budget to match.
Consider these key factors when making your choice:
Both projectors represent the current state of UST technology, but the field is evolving rapidly. We're seeing developments in:
However, both these models should remain competitive for years to come, thanks to their strong core performance and updateable smart features.
The choice between the BenQ V5010i and AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro ultimately comes down to your specific needs and budget. The BenQ offers tremendous value and performance that will satisfy most users, while the AWOL delivers the absolute best in UST projection for those who demand it.
For most people setting up their first serious home theater, the BenQ V5010i hits the sweet spot of performance and value. However, if you're a serious enthusiast or have specific needs like gaming or bright room viewing, the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro's premium features justify its higher price tag.
Remember to factor in the cost of a quality ALR screen and sound system when planning your budget, as these components are crucial for getting the best experience from either projector.
| BenQ V5010i | AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Critical for ambient light performance and HDR impact | |
| 2,500 ANSI lumens (best for controlled lighting) | 3,500 ANSI lumens (excellent for bright rooms) |
| Color Gamut - Determines how vivid and accurate colors appear | |
| 95% BT.2020 (very good for most content) | 107% BT.2020 (exceptional, noticeable in HDR) |
| Gaming Input Lag - Lower numbers mean less delay for gaming | |
| 20ms @ 4K (good for casual gaming) | 8ms @ 1080p, 15ms @ 4K (excellent for competitive gaming) |
| Price - Value proposition relative to features | |
| $3,500-4,000 (excellent value for features) | $5,999 (premium price for best performance) |
| HDR Support - Affects contrast and color in HDR content | |
| HDR10, HLG (standard HDR support) | HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision (comprehensive support) |
| Built-in Audio - Important if not using external speakers | |
| 40W (4 speakers, good for casual use) | 36W (2 speakers, clear but less powerful) |
| Light Source Life - How long before significant brightness loss | |
| 20,000 hours (typical laser lifespan) | 25,000 hours (longer life, better value long-term) |
| Smart Features - Convenience for streaming and control | |
| Built-in Android TV (more integrated) | Android 9.0 + Fire TV Stick (more flexibility) |
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro is significantly brighter at 3,500 ANSI lumens compared to the BenQ V5010i's 2,500 ANSI lumens. This makes the AWOL better suited for rooms with ambient light.
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro offers superior gaming performance with 8ms input lag at 1080p and 15ms at 4K, while the BenQ V5010i has around 20ms input lag at 4K. Both support Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM).
The BenQ V5010i at $3,500-4,000 offers better value for most users, while the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro at $5,999 provides premium features for enthusiasts willing to pay more.
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro performs better in bright rooms due to its higher brightness. The BenQ V5010i works best in controlled lighting conditions.
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro offers slightly better color accuracy with 107% BT.2020 coverage, compared to the BenQ V5010i's 95% coverage.
Yes, both projectors work best with ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screens specifically designed for UST projectors. This is crucial for optimal image quality regardless of which model you choose.
The BenQ V5010i offers better auto-calibration features making it easier to set up, while the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro provides more precise manual adjustments.
Both projectors excel at movie watching, but the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro has an edge with better HDR support including Dolby Vision, while the BenQ V5010i offers very good HDR10 performance.
Yes, the BenQ V5010i has built-in Android TV, while the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro comes with Android 9.0 and includes a Fire TV Stick 4K Max.
The BenQ V5010i has a slightly more powerful 40W audio system compared to the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro's 36W system, though both benefit from external speakers for home theater use.
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro has a longer rated life of 25,000 hours compared to the BenQ V5010i's 20,000 hours, both using laser light sources.
Both perform well in dedicated theaters, but the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro offers superior performance for enthusiasts, while the BenQ V5010i provides excellent value for most home theater setups.
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: projectorscreenstore.com - projectorreviews.com - thesmarthomehookup.com - lbtechreviews.com - youtube.com - benq.com - projectorscreen.com - projectorcentral.com - visunext.co.uk - fonearena.com - projektoren-datenbank.com - benq.com - projectorjunkies.com - digitaltrends.com - youtube.com - avsforum.com - dreamediaav.com - awolvision.de - projectorreviews.com - bhphotovideo.com - youtube.com - projectorjunkies.com
