When it comes to creating a stunning home theater experience, Ultra Short Throw (UST) projectors have revolutionized what's possible, especially for those of us who don't have dedicated theater rooms. Today, we're comparing two impressive options: the BenQ V5010i ($2,999) and the Formovie C3 ($1,899).
Ultra Short Throw projectors are special because they can create massive screens while sitting just inches from your wall. Unlike traditional projectors that need to be mounted far back in a room, UST projectors use clever optics to project upward and outward, creating large images from a very short distance. This makes them perfect for living rooms and spaces where a traditional projector setup isn't practical.
The technology has come a long way since the first UST projectors appeared around 2019. Today's models offer true 4K resolution, smart features, and impressive brightness levels that work even in rooms with some ambient light. Both the BenQ V5010i and Formovie C3 represent the latest generation of this technology, released in late 2023 and early 2024 respectively.
The BenQ V5010i shines literally brighter with 2,500 ANSI lumens (a standardized measurement of light output). This makes it more versatile for rooms with windows or ambient light. The Formovie C3, while not as bright, uses ALPD (Advanced Laser Phosphor Display) technology, which can provide better contrast in darker rooms.
For home theater enthusiasts, both projectors support HDR (High Dynamic Range) content, which helps create more lifelike images with better contrast between bright and dark areas. The BenQ has a slight edge in color accuracy, covering 98% of the DCI-P3 color space (the standard used for digital cinema), while the Formovie C3 focuses on contrast ratio, achieving 3000:1.
If you're planning to connect a gaming console, the BenQ V5010i has a clear advantage with its lower input lag (the delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen) of 17.9ms at 4K/60Hz. The Formovie C3's 40ms input lag is acceptable for casual gaming but might frustrate competitive players.
Both projectors include built-in sound systems that are surprisingly capable. The BenQ offers 40W total power with dedicated woofers and tweeters, while the Formovie provides 30W through dual speakers. In practice, both sound better than most TV speakers, but serious home theater setups will still want separate audio systems.
The Formovie C3 offers impressive value at $1,899, packing features like:
The BenQ V5010i justifies its higher $2,999 price with:
Both projectors offer automatic geometric correction to help align the image perfectly with your screen or wall. The Formovie C3's shorter throw ratio means it can sit slightly closer to the wall, which might be crucial in very tight spaces.
The BenQ runs a more polished Android TV interface with full access to popular streaming apps. The Formovie C3's Chinese-based FengOS might require users to connect external streaming devices like Roku or Apple TV for the best experience.
Both projectors use laser light sources rated for around 20,000-25,000 hours of use. That's about 10 years of watching 5 hours daily, with no bulbs to replace. This is a huge improvement over traditional lamp-based projectors.
Consider these key factors when choosing between these projectors:
After extensive testing and research, I find the BenQ V5010i to be the better overall projector, especially for mixed-use scenarios involving gaming and daytime viewing. However, the Formovie C3 represents exceptional value and would be my choice for a dedicated dark room theater setup where its lower brightness isn't a limitation.
Remember, both projectors represent significant improvements over models from just a few years ago, offering better color accuracy, lower input lag, and more sophisticated smart features. Whichever you choose, you'll be getting a capable home theater centerpiece that can create a cinematic experience in spaces where traditional projectors wouldn't work.
The choice ultimately comes down to your specific needs and budget. If you can afford it, the BenQ's versatility and superior brightness make it the safer choice. But if you're building a dedicated theater room or working with a tighter budget, the Formovie C3 delivers impressive performance at a more accessible price point.
| BenQ V5010i | Formovie C3 |
|---|---|
| Price - Your starting budget decision point | |
| $2,999 | $1,899 |
| Brightness - Critical for rooms with ambient light or daytime viewing | |
| 2,500 ANSI lumens (works well in bright rooms) | ~1,800 ANSI lumens (best for controlled lighting) |
| Input Lag - Essential for gaming, lower is better | |
| 17.9ms at 4K/60Hz (excellent for gaming) | 40ms (acceptable for casual gaming only) |
| Color Coverage - Important for movie accuracy | |
| 98% DCI-P3 (cinema-grade color) | 95% DCI-P3 (very good color) |
| Maximum Screen Size - Consider your wall space | |
| 120 inches | 200 inches |
| Throw Ratio - Determines how close to wall needed | |
| 0.25:1 | 0.23:1 (slightly better for tight spaces) |
| Audio System - Important if not using external speakers | |
| 40W (2x5W tweeters + 2x15W woofers) | 30W (2x15W speakers) |
| Smart Features - Affects ease of use | |
| Android TV (full US app support) | FengOS (limited US app support, external streamer recommended) |
| HDR Support - Important for latest content | |
| HDR10/HLG/HDR10+ | HDR10+ |
| Light Source Life - Long term cost consideration | |
| 20,000 hours | 25,000 hours |
The Formovie C3 is significantly cheaper at $1,899, while the BenQ V5010i costs $2,999 - a $1,100 difference.
The BenQ V5010i performs better in bright rooms with its 2,500 ANSI lumens compared to the Formovie C3's lower brightness output.
The BenQ V5010i is superior for gaming with its 17.9ms input lag at 4K/60Hz, while the Formovie C3 has 40ms input lag, making it less suitable for competitive gaming.
The Formovie C3 can project up to 200 inches, while the BenQ V5010i maxes out at 120 inches.
Both projectors work best with ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screens designed for UST projectors, especially if using them in rooms with ambient light.
The BenQ V5010i has a more powerful 40W system with dedicated woofers and tweeters, compared to the Formovie C3's 30W system.
Both projectors offer excellent longevity - the Formovie C3 rates at 25,000 hours, while the BenQ V5010i offers 20,000 hours.
The BenQ V5010i has full US streaming app support, while the Formovie C3 requires an external streaming device for best results.
Both are ultra-short throw with similar throw ratios - the Formovie C3 at 0.23:1 and the BenQ V5010i at 0.25:1, requiring only inches from the wall.
Both offer excellent movie viewing, but the BenQ V5010i has slightly better color accuracy with 98% DCI-P3 coverage compared to the Formovie C3's 95%.
Yes, both the BenQ V5010i and Formovie C3 support true 4K (3840x2160) resolution.
In a controlled dark environment, the Formovie C3 offers better value, while the BenQ V5010i is better for mixed-use spaces with varying light conditions.
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 - youtube.com - projectorcentral.com - projectorcentral.com - rtings.com - formovie.com - projectorsg.com - projector.com.bd - formovie.in - avsforum.com - projector.my - aytexcel.com - nothingprojector.com
