If you're looking to create an impressive home theater setup without dedicating an entire room to a traditional projector, ultra short throw (UST) projectors are a game-changing solution. Today, we're comparing two leading options: the Formovie Theater Premium ($2,799) and the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 ($3,448).
Unlike traditional projectors that need to sit far from the screen, UST projectors can create massive images from just inches away. This clever technology uses sophisticated optics to "throw" the image upward at an extreme angle, making them perfect for modern homes where space is at a premium.
The projector market has seen significant advances recently. The Formovie Theater Premium represents the latest in triple-laser technology, while the Epson LS800, released in late 2022, showcases the evolution of 3LCD technology. Both bring notable improvements in brightness and color accuracy compared to their predecessors.
One of the biggest practical differences between these projectors is their brightness capability. The Epson LS800 boasts an impressive 4,000 lumens, while the Formovie Theater Premium offers 2,200 ISO lumens. What does this mean in real-world use?
In my experience testing projectors, the Epson's extra brightness makes a huge difference in rooms with ambient light. You can watch sports or play games during the day without completely darkening the room. The Formovie still performs admirably but is better suited to controlled lighting conditions where its superior contrast and color accuracy can shine.
The Formovie Theater uses advanced ALPD 4.0 RGB+ triple laser technology (which means it has separate red, green, and blue lasers for more accurate colors) and covers 107% of the BT.2020 color space - that's actually wider than what most content is mastered in. In practical terms, colors look incredibly vivid and natural.
The Epson uses their proven 3LCD technology with a laser light source. While it might not match the Formovie's color gamut on paper, it compensates with exceptional brightness and contrast. Its 2,500,000:1 contrast ratio helps deliver deep blacks even in brighter rooms.
Here's where the Formovie Theater Premium really stands out. It supports Dolby Vision (advanced HDR that adjusts picture quality scene-by-scene) and HDR10+, while the Epson only supports basic HDR10. For movie enthusiasts, this difference is noticeable when watching content from streaming services or 4K Blu-rays.
If gaming is your priority, the Epson LS800's 16.7ms input lag (the delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen) is impressively low for a projector. The Formovie isn't far behind at 18ms, and both support 4K gaming at 60Hz. For competitive gaming, both are perfectly suitable, though dedicated gamers might prefer the Epson's higher brightness for daytime sessions.
The Formovie comes with Google TV built-in, offering a more polished streaming experience than the standard Android TV found in the Epson. Both provide access to major streaming services, but Google TV's interface is more user-friendly and receives more frequent updates.
Both projectors need to sit very close to your wall or screen. The Formovie's 0.21:1 throw ratio means it can project a 100-inch image from just inches away. The Epson requires slightly more distance but still maintains a very compact setup.
Installation tip: Always ensure you have a high-quality screen designed for UST projectors. These screens help reject ambient light from above while maintaining picture quality from the extreme projection angle.
The Epson includes a impressive Yamaha 2.1 sound system that's perfect for casual viewing. The Formovie's built-in sound is good but not quite as robust. However, in a dedicated home theater setup, you'll likely want to connect either projector to a separate sound system for the best experience.
At $2,799, the Formovie Theater Premium offers exceptional value for home theater enthusiasts who prioritize picture quality and HDR performance. Its superior color accuracy and HDR support make it particularly appealing for movie watching in controlled lighting conditions.
The Epson LS800 at $3,448 justifies its higher price through class-leading brightness, excellent gaming performance, and a superior built-in audio system. It's more versatile for bright room viewing and multi-purpose spaces.
Consider your primary use case:
Both projectors represent the cutting edge of UST technology, but they serve slightly different needs. The Formovie Theater Premium is the cinema enthusiast's choice, offering superior picture quality and HDR support at a lower price point. The Epson LS800 is the more versatile option, with enough brightness to handle any lighting condition and excellent gaming capabilities.
For my home theater setup, I'd personally lean toward the Formovie Theater Premium because I have good light control and primarily watch movies and TV shows. However, if I were setting up in a multi-purpose living room with large windows, the Epson LS800's additional brightness would be worth the extra investment.
Remember, whichever you choose, investing in a quality UST-specific screen will help you get the most out of either projector.
| Formovie Theater Premium ($2,799) | Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 ($3,448) |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Most critical spec for daytime viewing and ambient light performance | |
| 2,200 ISO lumens (requires some light control) | 4,000 lumens (excellent for bright rooms) |
| HDR Support - Determines dynamic range and color depth in high-end content | |
| Dolby Vision + HDR10+ (superior for movies) | HDR10 only (basic HDR support) |
| Color Gamut - Affects how vivid and accurate colors appear | |
| 107% BT.2020 (excellent for home theater) | 100% Rec.709 (good but not as wide) |
| Input Lag - Critical for gaming responsiveness | |
| 18ms (good for casual gaming) | 16.7ms (slightly better for gaming) |
| Contrast Ratio - Impacts black levels and image depth | |
| 3,000:1 (good for dark rooms) | 2,500,000:1 dynamic (better for bright rooms) |
| Built-in Audio - Determines if you need external speakers | |
| Basic stereo speakers (may want external) | 2.1 Yamaha system (quite capable standalone) |
| Smart Features - Affects ease of streaming content | |
| Google TV (superior interface, more updates) | Android TV (basic but functional) |
| Throw Ratio - Determines how close to wall needed | |
| 0.21:1 (extremely close placement) | 0.22:1 (very close placement) |
| Light Source Lifespan - Long term maintenance consideration | |
| 25,000 hours (10+ years typical use) | 20,000 hours (8+ years typical use) |
The Formovie Theater Premium ($2,799) is superior for dedicated home theater use, thanks to its Dolby Vision support and better color accuracy. While both projectors perform well, the Formovie's superior HDR capabilities make it the better choice for movie enthusiasts in controlled lighting conditions.
The Epson LS800 ($3,448) with its 4,000 lumens is significantly better for bright rooms. The Formovie's 2,200 lumens can handle some ambient light, but the Epson is clearly superior for daytime viewing.
The Formovie Theater Premium offers better value at $2,799, especially for home theater use. The Epson costs more at $3,448 but justifies its price if you need the extra brightness.
The Epson LS800 features a superior Yamaha 2.1 sound system that's quite capable for casual viewing. The Formovie's audio is decent but you'll likely want external speakers for a proper home theater setup.
Both are good for gaming, but the Epson LS800 has a slight edge with 16.7ms input lag compared to the Formovie's 18ms. The Epson's higher brightness also makes it better for daytime gaming sessions.
Yes, both projectors work best with ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screens specifically designed for UST projectors. This is essential for optimal picture quality regardless of which model you choose.
Both are ultra-short throw projectors with similar throw ratios. The Formovie Theater Premium (0.21:1) and Epson (0.22:1) can both project a 100-inch image from approximately 15-17 inches from the wall.
The Formovie Theater Premium has an advantage with its Google TV interface, offering a more refined streaming experience compared to the Epson's basic Android TV system.
Both projectors offer excellent longevity. The Formovie offers 25,000 hours while the Epson LS800 provides 20,000 hours of use, both translating to many years of typical viewing.
The Formovie Theater Premium has superior HDR capabilities with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support. The Epson only supports basic HDR10, making it less capable for high-end HDR content.
No, both projectors are designed to sit on a cabinet or credenza below the screen. This is one of the main advantages of UST projectors for home theater use.
The Epson LS800 has slightly easier setup with its built-in alignment tools, while the Formovie Theater Premium requires more careful adjustment but offers better picture quality once properly configured.
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 - 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
