When it comes to creating a home theater experience, Ultra Short Throw (UST) laser projectors have revolutionized what's possible in typical homes. Let's dive into a detailed comparison of two leading options: the Formovie C3 at $1,899 and the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 at $3,499.
Unlike traditional projectors that need to sit far from the screen, UST projectors can create massive images from just inches away. Think of them as a TV replacement that can give you a 100-inch or larger display without dominating your room. They use sophisticated mirrors and lenses to project upward at an extreme angle, creating a giant image from a sleek unit that sits close to your wall.
The Epson LS800, released in late 2022, represents a mature product from an established manufacturer. It uses 3LCD technology, which splits light into three colors simultaneously - think of it like having three projectors in one, each handling red, green, or blue. This approach eliminates the "rainbow effect" (those occasional color flashes some people see) that can occur with single-chip projectors.
The Formovie C3, a newer entry to the market, uses DLP (Digital Light Processing) technology with a single chip and a color wheel. While this can produce very sharp images, especially with text, some viewers may notice that rainbow effect. However, modern DLP implementations have largely minimized this issue.
The LS800's 4,000 lumens make it a powerhouse - it's bright enough to use in a living room with windows. In my experience testing UST projectors, this level of brightness means you don't need to completely darken the room to enjoy a movie.
The C3's 2,200 lumens are more typical for this category. While perfectly adequate for movie nights or gaming in controlled lighting, you'll want to manage ambient light more carefully. Think of it like the difference between a high-end LCD TV and a basic LED TV in terms of cutting through room light.
Both projectors offer 4K resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels), but they get there differently:
In practice, both produce sharp, detailed images, but there are differences:
The Formovie C3 includes:
The Epson LS800 provides:
At nearly half the price of the LS800, the C3 represents significant value. You're getting:
However, the LS800 justifies its premium with:
For a dedicated home theater room:
For a multi-purpose room:
Both projectors support gaming, but:
Consider these key factors:
The LS800 and C3 represent different approaches to the UST projector market. The LS800 is a premium option that excels in bright environments and offers refined performance. The C3 delivers impressive value, providing most of the key features at a significantly lower price point.
For most users in controlled lighting environments, the C3's value proposition is compelling. However, if you need maximum brightness or plan to use the projector in varied lighting conditions, the LS800's premium features justify its higher price.
Remember, both options provide a dramatic upgrade over traditional TVs, offering massive screen sizes that would be prohibitively expensive in conventional displays. Your choice ultimately depends on your specific needs, room conditions, and budget priorities.
| Formovie C3 Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector | Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 3LCD Laser Projector |
|---|---|
| Price - Base consideration for value assessment | |
| $1,899 | $3,499 |
| Brightness - Critical for ambient light performance | |
| 2,200 ANSI lumens (best for controlled lighting) | 4,000 ANSI lumens (excellent for bright rooms) |
| Display Technology - Impacts color accuracy and potential rainbow effect | |
| Single-chip DLP (sharper text, possible rainbow effect) | 3LCD (better colors, no rainbow effect) |
| Contrast Ratio - Affects black levels and image depth | |
| 3,000:1 native contrast | 2,500,000:1 dynamic contrast (superior dark scenes) |
| Throw Ratio - Determines placement distance from wall | |
| 0.23:1 (needs 7.2" for 100" screen) | 0.17:1 (needs 5.5" for 100" screen) |
| Input Lag - Critical for gaming performance | |
| 35ms (acceptable for casual gaming) | 16.7ms (excellent for competitive gaming) |
| Smart Features - Affects standalone usability | |
| FengOS (limited US app support, external streamer recommended) | Android TV (full US streaming support built-in) |
| Sound System - Important if not using external speakers | |
| 2x15W dual speakers | 2.1 system with 20W total (better bass response) |
| Laser Life - Long-term ownership consideration | |
| 25,000 hours | 20,000 hours |
| Warranty - Protection for investment | |
| 1 year international | 2 year limited (better coverage) |
For a light-controlled dedicated theater, the Formovie C3 at $1,899 offers better value. Its 2,200 lumens are sufficient for dark rooms, and the image quality is excellent. The Epson LS800's extra brightness isn't as necessary in this setting.
The biggest difference is brightness - the Epson LS800 outputs 4,000 lumens versus the Formovie C3's 2,200 lumens. The Epson also uses 3LCD technology while the Formovie uses DLP, affecting color accuracy and potential rainbow effects.
The Epson LS800 is significantly better for bright rooms with its 4,000 lumens. The Formovie C3 requires more light control for optimal viewing.
If you're using it in a bright room or need maximum brightness, yes. The Epson LS800 justifies its $3,499 price with superior brightness, better color accuracy, and established brand support. For dark rooms, the Formovie C3 at $1,899 offers better value.
The Epson LS800 has superior gaming performance with 16.7ms input lag compared to the Formovie C3's 35ms. The Epson also has a dedicated gaming HDMI port.
While both have built-in speakers, for a true home theater experience, external speakers are recommended. The Epson LS800 has a better built-in 2.1 sound system, but neither matches dedicated home theater audio.
Both offer 4K resolution, but the Epson LS800 provides better color accuracy with its 3LCD technology. The Formovie C3 offers excellent sharpness but may exhibit the rainbow effect common to DLP projectors.
Both are ultra-short throw projectors, but the Epson LS800 can sit slightly closer with its 0.17:1 throw ratio versus the Formovie C3's 0.23:1 ratio. For a 100-inch screen, that's about 5.5 inches versus 7.2 inches.
The Epson LS800 has better smart features for US users with full Android TV support. The Formovie C3's FengOS has limited US app support and may require an external streaming device.
The Formovie C3 has a slightly longer rated laser life at 25,000 hours compared to the Epson LS800's 20,000 hours. Both should last many years under normal use.
Yes, both can replace a TV, but the Epson LS800 is better suited for bright room TV viewing due to its higher brightness. The Formovie C3 works best in controlled lighting conditions.
The Epson LS800 offers better protection with a 2-year limited warranty, while the Formovie C3 comes with a 1-year international warranty.
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: 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 - techradar.com - danamic.org - projectorscreen.com - projectorcentral.com - epson.com - dreamediaav.com - dell.com - rtings.com - avsforum.com - audiogeneral.com - news.epson.com - projectorcentral.com
