When it comes to creating a huge cinematic experience at home, Ultra Short Throw (UST) projectors have revolutionized what's possible. Unlike traditional projectors that need to sit far from the screen, these technological marvels can create massive images from just inches away. Today, we're comparing two of the most compelling options: the Formovie Theater ($2,999) and the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 ($2,999).
UST projectors have grown tremendously in popularity since 2020, offering a genuine alternative to large TVs. They can create massive 100"+ images while sitting just inches from your wall, eliminating the traditional placement headaches of standard projectors. Both of our contenders were released in 2022 and represent the current state of the art in UST technology.
The Formovie Theater and Epson LS800 take fundamentally different approaches to creating their images. The Formovie uses a DLP chip combined with an ALPD 4.0 RGB+ triple laser light source - think of it as having three distinct colored lasers working together to create the image. This technology enables incredibly precise color control and a wider range of possible colors.
The Epson, meanwhile, uses a 3LCD system with a blue laser phosphor source. This means it splits white light into three separate LCD panels for red, green, and blue, then recombines them. This approach typically offers excellent brightness efficiency and eliminates the "rainbow effect" that some viewers can see with DLP projectors.
Perhaps the most significant difference between these projectors is their brightness capability. The Epson boasts an impressive 4,000 lumens, while the Formovie offers 1,800 lumens. What does this mean in real-world use?
The Epson's exceptional brightness makes it incredibly versatile - it can deliver a vibrant image even with some ambient light in the room. This makes it perfect for living rooms or spaces where you can't achieve perfect darkness. Think sports viewing parties or casual daytime watching.
The Formovie, while still bright enough for most situations, really shines (pun intended) in controlled lighting conditions. Its lower brightness actually helps it achieve better black levels in dark scenes, which can be crucial for movie watching.
The Formovie Theater excels here with its 107% BT.2020 color coverage - that's an incredibly wide range of colors it can reproduce. For context, this means it can display more colors than most content even contains. The Epson's 77% DCI-P3 coverage is still good, but not quite at the same level.
While the Epson advertises a huge 2,500,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, the Formovie's 3,333:1 native contrast actually delivers better real-world results in dark scenes. This is particularly noticeable when watching movies in a dark room, where the Formovie produces noticeably deeper blacks.
The Formovie has a clear advantage in HDR support, offering Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HDR10+. These are different formats for High Dynamic Range content, with Dolby Vision generally considered the premium option. The Epson only supports basic HDR10, which still looks good but doesn't offer the same scene-by-scene optimization as Dolby Vision.
If you're a gamer, the Epson LS800 has a clear advantage with its 16.7ms input lag - that's the delay between pressing a button and seeing the result on screen. The Formovie's 41.9ms lag isn't terrible, but competitive gamers will notice the difference. The Epson also supports 1080p/120Hz gaming, which can provide smoother motion in supported games.
Both projectors offer built-in sound systems, but the Formovie's Bowers & Wilkins-designed audio setup is notably superior. It provides fuller, more detailed sound that could potentially eliminate the need for a separate sound system in casual viewing situations. The Epson's Yamaha system is competent but not quite as impressive.
Both projectors offer modern smart features, but the Formovie's Android TV implementation feels more polished. It includes native support for major streaming services and has received several software updates since launch. Both offer WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, though the Formovie's eARC support gives it an edge for advanced audio setups.
The Epson's shorter throw ratio means it can sit slightly closer to the wall for a given screen size, which might be crucial in tight spaces. Both projectors offer geometric correction features to help achieve a perfect rectangle, even if the projector isn't perfectly aligned.
Both use laser light sources rated for around 20,000 hours of use - that's about 10 years of watching 5 hours per day. Neither requires lamp replacements like traditional projectors.
Choose the Formovie Theater if:
Choose the Epson LS800 if:
Both projectors represent excellent value at their $2,999 price points, but they excel in different areas. The Formovie Theater is the choice for movie enthusiasts who prioritize image quality and can control their viewing environment. The Epson LS800 is perfect for bright rooms and gaming, offering more versatility for varied use cases.
Consider your specific needs and viewing environment carefully. If you're creating a dedicated home theater, the Formovie's superior contrast and color accuracy make it the better choice. For a multi-purpose living room where ambient light control isn't always possible, the Epson's brightness advantage might be more valuable.
| Formovie Theater 4K UST | Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 |
|---|---|
| Price - Current Market Position | |
| $2,999 | $2,999 |
| Brightness - Critical for room lighting flexibility | |
| 1,800 ISO lumens (best for controlled lighting) | 4,000 lumens (excellent bright room performance) |
| Projection Technology - Impacts color accuracy and rainbow effects | |
| ALPD 4.0 RGB+ triple laser DLP (superior color, possible rainbow effects) | 3LCD with blue laser phosphor (no rainbow effects, less precise color) |
| Color Gamut - Determines range of displayable colors | |
| 107% BT.2020 (class-leading) | 77% DCI-P3 (good but not exceptional) |
| Contrast Ratio - Affects black levels and image depth | |
| 3,333:1 native (better dark room performance) | 2,500,000:1 dynamic (lower native contrast) |
| HDR Support - Impacts high dynamic range content quality | |
| Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ (comprehensive) | HDR10 only (basic) |
| Gaming Performance - Important for interactive content | |
| 41.9ms input lag (adequate for casual gaming) | 16.7ms input lag (excellent for competitive gaming) |
| Built-in Audio - Affects need for external speakers | |
| 30W Bowers & Wilkins system (premium quality) | 20W Yamaha system (good but not exceptional) |
| Throw Ratio - Determines installation flexibility | |
| 0.23:1 (typical UST placement) | 0.17:1 (allows closer wall placement) |
| Smart Features - Impacts content access | |
| Android TV 11.0 with complete streaming support | Android TV with limited streaming app support |
| Connectivity - Affects system integration | |
| 3 HDMI 2.0 (1 eARC), WiFi 5, BT 5.0 | 3 HDMI 2.0 (no eARC), WiFi 5, BT 5.0 |
| Light Source Lifespan - Long-term ownership consideration | |
| 20,000 hours (laser) | 20,000 hours (laser) |
| Maximum Screen Size - Installation flexibility | |
| Up to 150 inches | Up to 150 inches |
| Weight - Installation consideration | |
| 21.6 lbs | 27.6 lbs |
The Epson LS800 is significantly better for bright rooms with its 4,000 lumens compared to the Formovie Theater's 1,800 lumens. If you're planning to watch during the day or with lights on, the Epson is the clear choice.
The Formovie Theater offers superior picture quality with better contrast (3,333:1) and wider color gamut (107% BT.2020). Its triple laser system provides more accurate colors than the Epson LS800, especially in controlled lighting conditions.
The Epson LS800 is significantly better for gaming with its 16.7ms input lag, compared to the Formovie Theater's 41.9ms. The Epson also supports 1080p/120Hz gaming for smoother motion.
Yes, both the Formovie Theater and Epson LS800 work best with ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screens specifically designed for UST projectors. This helps maintain picture quality and contrast, especially in rooms with ambient light.
The Epson LS800 can sit slightly closer to the wall with its 0.17:1 throw ratio, while the Formovie Theater needs slightly more distance with its 0.23:1 ratio. Both can project a 100-inch image from approximately 1-2 feet away.
The Formovie Theater has superior built-in audio with its Bowers & Wilkins sound system compared to the Epson LS800's Yamaha system, though both are better than typical projector speakers.
Both the Formovie Theater and Epson LS800 use laser light sources rated for 20,000 hours, which equals about 10 years of use at 5 hours per day.
The Formovie Theater has native Netflix support through Android TV, while the Epson LS800 requires additional streaming devices for Netflix access.
The Formovie Theater is better for movie watching with its superior contrast, wider color gamut, and support for Dolby Vision HDR, while the Epson LS800 only supports basic HDR10.
Yes, both the Formovie Theater and Epson LS800 work with standard household power outlets and don't require special electrical installation.
Both the Formovie Theater and Epson LS800 are laser projectors that require minimal maintenance. There are no lamps to replace, just occasional dust cleaning.
At $2,999 each, the Formovie Theater offers better value for home theater enthusiasts prioritizing image quality, while the Epson LS800 provides better value for bright room viewing and gaming.
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: rtings.com - formovie.com - projectorscreen.com - projectorcentral.com - formovie.com - formovie.com - projectorcentral.com - bmcav.com.au - formovie.ca - projectorcentral.com - formovie.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
