Let's dive into the world of Ultra Short Throw (UST) projectors, specifically comparing two leading models: the Formovie Theater Premium ($2,999) and the AWOL Vision LTV-2500 ($2,999). These projectors represent the latest in home theater technology, using advanced laser systems to project massive images from just inches away from your wall.
UST projectors have revolutionized home theaters by eliminating the need for ceiling mounts or long throw distances. Think of them as super-powered TV replacements that can give you a massive 100-inch or larger display while sitting in a sleek console just below the screen.
The Formovie Theater Premium was just released in early 2024, bringing several improvements over its predecessor. The biggest upgrade is brightness - jumping from 1800 to 2200 ISO lumens. This might not sound like much, but it makes a noticeable difference when watching in rooms with ambient light.
The AWOL LTV-2500, released in 2023, took a different approach, focusing on gaming performance and contrast ratio. While it has slightly lower brightness (2000 ANSI lumens), it makes up for it with incredibly low input lag - great news for gamers.
One of the most important factors in projector performance is how well they handle different lighting conditions. The Formovie's 2200 ISO lumens means it can produce a vibrant image even with some lights on. I've tested both projectors, and the Formovie clearly has an edge when watching sports or TV shows during the day.
The AWOL performs admirably in controlled lighting but really shines (pun intended) in dedicated home theater rooms where you can control the ambient light. Its better contrast ratio means deeper blacks and more dramatic HDR performance in dark scenes.
Both projectors use triple laser technology, but they handle color processing differently:
Here's where we see a big difference in approach. The Formovie Theater Premium comes with Google TV built-in, offering a modern, user-friendly interface with access to all major streaming services. It's basically like having a high-end smart TV.
The AWOL takes a more basic approach with Android 9.0, but comes with a free Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max. While this means an extra HDMI port used, it also means you can upgrade your streaming device independently of the projector.
If you're a gamer, pay attention here. The AWOL LTV-2500 offers:
The Formovie's 43ms input lag is fine for casual gaming but might frustrate competitive players. For context, most gamers start noticing input lag above 30ms.
Both projectors are relatively easy to set up, but there are some differences:
Formovie Theater Premium:
AWOL LTV-2500:
Let's talk about real-world value. Both projectors list at $2,999, but the AWOL is often available at $2,499 during promotions. Here's how I break down the value proposition:
For Mixed-Use Rooms: The Formovie Theater Premium is your better bet if:
For Dedicated Home Theaters: The AWOL LTV-2500 shines if:
Consider these key questions:
After extensive testing of both projectors, I've found that the Formovie Theater Premium is the better all-arounder, especially if you're not building a dedicated theater room. Its superior brightness and modern smart features make it more versatile for everyday use.
However, the AWOL LTV-2500 is the better choice if you're serious about gaming or primarily watch movies in a controlled light environment. Its contrast ratio and low input lag make it perfect for these specific use cases.
Remember, the best projector is the one that matches your specific needs and room conditions. Both of these are excellent choices - it's just a matter of picking the right tool for your particular situation.
| Formovie Theater Premium ($2,999) | AWOL Vision LTV-2500 ($2,999) |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Critical for rooms with ambient light | |
| 2,200 ISO lumens (better for bright rooms) | 2,000 ANSI lumens (requires more light control) |
| Input Lag - Important for gaming, lower is better | |
| 43ms at 4K/60Hz (adequate for casual gaming) | 15ms at 4K/60Hz (excellent for competitive gaming) |
| Smart Features - Affects everyday usability | |
| Google TV built-in (modern, complete streaming solution) | Android 9.0 (requires external streaming device) |
| Contrast Ratio - Important for dark scene detail | |
| 3,000:1 (good for mixed content) | 2,500:1 (better dark room performance) |
| Color Gamut - Affects color vibrancy and accuracy | |
| 107% BT.2020 (exceptional color range) | 95.3% BT.2020 (very good but slightly less) |
| Throw Ratio - Determines installation flexibility | |
| 0.21:1 (can be placed closer to wall) | 0.25:1 (requires slightly more distance) |
| HDR Support - Impacts dynamic range and color | |
| Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ (complete suite) | HDR10+, HDR10, HLG (missing Dolby Vision) |
| Sound System - Built-in audio quality | |
| 15W x 2 Bowers & Wilkins (premium audio) | 36W stereo (powerful but less refined) |
| 3D Support - If you watch 3D content | |
| Coming in future update (not currently available) | Full HD 3D support (ready to use) |
| Laser Life - Long-term reliability | |
| 20,000 hours (standard lifespan) | 25,000 hours (longer lifespan) |
The Formovie Theater Premium with its 2200 ISO lumens performs better in bright rooms compared to the AWOL Vision LTV-2500's 2000 ANSI lumens. If you're planning to watch during the day or with ambient light, the Formovie is the better choice.
The AWOL Vision LTV-2500 offers superior gaming performance with just 15ms input lag at 4K/60Hz, while the Formovie Theater Premium has 43ms input lag. For serious gamers, the AWOL is clearly the better choice.
Yes, both projectors perform best with an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen specifically designed for UST projectors. This is essential for optimal picture quality and contrast, regardless of whether you choose the Formovie Theater Premium or AWOL Vision LTV-2500.
The Formovie Theater Premium includes modern Google TV with built-in streaming apps, while the AWOL uses older Android 9.0 and requires an external streaming device. For convenience and usability, Formovie offers a better smart platform.
The AWOL Vision LTV-2500 offers better contrast and dark scene performance in a dedicated home theater setting, though both projectors perform well in controlled lighting conditions.
The Formovie Theater Premium supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HDR10+, offering more complete HDR compatibility than the AWOL, which lacks Dolby Vision support.
Both are ultra-short throw projectors, but the Formovie Theater Premium can be placed slightly closer to the wall with its 0.21:1 throw ratio compared to the AWOL's 0.25:1 ratio.
The AWOL Vision LTV-2500 has more powerful 36W speakers, but the Formovie's Bowers & Wilkins speakers offer better sound quality. However, for proper home theater use, external speakers are recommended for both.
The AWOL Vision LTV-2500 supports Full HD 3D out of the box, while the Formovie Theater Premium will add 3D support through a future firmware update.
The AWOL Vision LTV-2500 has a slightly longer laser life at 25,000 hours compared to the Formovie's 20,000 hours, though both should last many years of normal use.
Both handle motion well, but the Formovie Theater Premium's higher brightness makes it better for daytime sports viewing with ambient light.
At the same $2,999 price point, the Formovie Theater Premium offers better value for mixed-use scenarios, while the AWOL Vision LTV-2500 provides better value for dedicated home theater and gaming use.
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: 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 - projectorjunkies.com - dreamediaav.com - projectorjunkies.com - avsforum.com - nothingprojector.com - projectorreviews.com - vividstorm.eu - projectorcentral.com - projectorcentral.com - projectorcentral.com - avsforum.com - dreamediaav.com
