When it comes to creating a high-end home theater experience, Ultra Short Throw (UST) projectors have revolutionized what's possible. Today, we're comparing two standout models: the BenQ V5010i and the Formovie Theater Premium, both representing the cutting edge of home projection technology.
Before diving into the comparison, let's understand what makes UST projectors special. Unlike traditional projectors that need to sit far from the screen, UST projectors can create massive images from just inches away. This means you can place them in a TV console and still get a 100-inch or larger picture - pretty amazing stuff!
The Formovie Theater Premium is the newer of our two contenders, launching in late 2024 with some impressive upgrades over its predecessor. It brings Dolby Vision support (which helps make HDR content look better by optimizing brightness and color for each scene) and increased brightness to 2200 ISO lumens. The BenQ V5010i arrived earlier in 2024, featuring RGB laser technology that produces exceptionally accurate colors right out of the box.
The BenQ takes the lead here with 2500 ANSI lumens compared to Formovie's 2200 ISO lumens. While these measurements use different standards (making direct comparison tricky), both projectors are bright enough for moderate ambient light. However, the BenQ has a clear advantage for daytime viewing or rooms with lots of windows.
This is where things get interesting. The Formovie boasts 107% coverage of the BT.2020 color space (the standard for ultra-high-definition content), while the BenQ manages 95%. In practical terms, both deliver stunning colors, but the Formovie can produce slightly more vibrant reds and greens.
The Formovie's Dolby Vision support is a significant advantage for movie lovers. It makes HDR content look more natural and detailed, especially in dark scenes. The BenQ counters with excellent HDR10+ support and superior out-of-box color accuracy, meaning you won't need professional calibration to get great results.
The Formovie comes with Google TV built-in, offering a familiar streaming experience with access to most major apps. The BenQ takes a more basic approach with its smart features, though both support wireless casting from phones and tablets.
In terms of inputs, both projectors offer multiple HDMI ports supporting 4K/60Hz, making them ready for current gaming consoles and streaming devices.
For gamers, input lag (the delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen) is crucial. The BenQ shines here with lower input lag numbers, making it the better choice for competitive gaming. The Formovie still performs respectably and includes Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), which automatically switches to game mode when it detects a console.
Both projectors feature impressive built-in sound systems. The BenQ includes a 40W system with dedicated woofers and tweeters, while the Formovie sports a Bowers & Wilkins-designed soundbar. In my experience, both sound better than typical TV speakers, but serious home theater enthusiasts will still want a separate sound system.
UST projectors can be tricky to position perfectly, but both models include helpful features:
The Formovie's slightly shorter throw ratio (0.21:1 vs. the BenQ's 0.25:1) means it can sit a bit closer to the wall for the same size image.
The Formovie Theater Premium launches at $3,500 but offers a pre-order price of $2,999. The BenQ V5010i typically retails between $3,499 and $4,499. Considering their features:
Your choice should depend primarily on your viewing environment and priorities:
Choose the BenQ V5010i if:
Choose the Formovie Theater Premium if:
Both projectors represent excellent choices in the UST category, with each offering distinct advantages. The BenQ excels in bright rooms and gaming scenarios, while the Formovie offers better value and more premium features for movie enthusiasts.
For my home theater setup, I'd lean toward the Formovie Theater Premium due to its Dolby Vision support and value proposition. However, if I were setting up in a bright living room or needed gaming performance, the BenQ V5010i would be my pick.
Remember that both projectors will benefit from a proper ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen - it's an extra expense but makes a huge difference in image quality, especially with ambient light.
| BenQ V5010i | Formovie Theater Premium |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Critical for daytime viewing and ambient light performance | |
| 2,500 ANSI lumens (excellent bright room performance) | 2,200 ISO lumens (better for controlled lighting) |
| Color Gamut - Determines how vivid and accurate colors can be | |
| 95% BT.2020 (very good color range) | 107% BT.2020 (exceptional color range) |
| HDR Support - Impacts contrast and color in high-quality content | |
| HDR10, HDR10+ (good for streaming) | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ (best available) |
| Gaming Input Lag - Lower numbers mean better gaming experience | |
| Under 20ms at 4K/60Hz (excellent for gaming) | 43ms at 4K/60Hz (adequate for casual gaming) |
| Built-in Audio - Important if not using external speakers | |
| 40W system (2x15W woofers, 2x5W tweeters) | 30W Bowers & Wilkins soundbar (higher quality) |
| Smart Features - Affects ease of use and streaming capabilities | |
| Basic smart features with casting | Full Google TV with streaming apps |
| Price - Value consideration vs features | |
| $3,499-$4,499 (premium pricing) | $2,999-$3,500 (better value) |
| Throw Ratio - Determines how close to wall it needs to be | |
| 0.25:1 (needs 14.5" for 100") | 0.21:1 (needs 12.5" for 100") |
The BenQ V5010i is superior for bright rooms with its 2,500 ANSI lumens compared to the Formovie's 2,200 ISO lumens. If you have large windows or significant ambient light, the BenQ will maintain better image quality during daytime viewing.
The Formovie Theater Premium offers better value at $2,999-$3,500, compared to the BenQ V5010i at $3,499-$4,499. You get Dolby Vision and Google TV integration for a lower price.
The Formovie Theater Premium edges out for movie watching due to its Dolby Vision support and wider color gamut (107% BT.2020). This means better HDR performance and more vibrant colors in films.
The BenQ V5010i is significantly better for gaming with input lag under 20ms at 4K/60Hz, while the Formovie has 43ms lag. This difference is noticeable in fast-paced games.
Yes, both the BenQ V5010i and Formovie Theater Premium perform best with an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen designed for UST projectors. This is essential for optimal picture quality.
The BenQ V5010i has more powerful 40W audio, but the Formovie Theater Premium features higher-quality Bowers & Wilkins speakers. Both are good for casual viewing, but a separate sound system is recommended for home theater use.
Yes, both projectors can effectively replace a TV, offering 100"+ screen sizes. The BenQ V5010i works better in bright rooms like living rooms, while the Formovie Theater Premium excels in dedicated home theater spaces.
Both projectors support screens from 80" to 150". The Formovie Theater Premium needs slightly less space with its 0.21:1 throw ratio compared to the BenQ's 0.25:1.
The BenQ V5010i has better out-of-box color accuracy and may not need calibration. The Formovie Theater Premium often benefits from professional calibration for optimal performance.
The Formovie Theater Premium has an advantage with built-in Google TV and native streaming apps. The BenQ requires an external streaming device for the best experience.
Both projectors use laser light sources rated for approximately 20,000 hours of use. At 4 hours per day, that's over 13 years of operation.
No, neither the BenQ V5010i nor the Formovie Theater Premium are designed for ceiling mounting. They are specifically engineered for placement on a credenza or entertainment center below the screen.
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 - techradar.com - projectorscreen.com - avsforum.com - rtings.com - nothingprojector.com - formovie.com - bmcav.com.au - projectorcentral.com - digitalcinema.com.au - projectorreviews.com - techpowerup.com - nothingprojector.com
