When it comes to creating a high-end home theater experience, ultra-short throw (UST) projectors have revolutionized what's possible in home entertainment. Today, we're comparing two leading options from Formovie: the newer Formovie Theater Premium 4K UST Projector ($2,999) and the original Formovie Theater UST Projector ($2,299).
Before diving into the specifics, let's understand what makes UST projectors special. Unlike traditional projectors that need to sit several feet away from the screen, UST projectors can create large images from just inches away. This design solves many common installation headaches and makes it possible to have a massive screen without reorganizing your entire room.
The original Formovie Theater made waves when it launched, offering exceptional value in the UST market. In late 2024, Formovie released the Premium version, incorporating several meaningful upgrades based on user feedback and technological advances.
The most significant improvements in the Premium model include:
Both projectors use Formovie's ALPD 4.0 RGB+ triple laser technology, which is essentially three separate laser light sources (red, green, and blue) working together to create incredibly accurate colors. This technology allows both projectors to display an impressive 107% of the BT.2020 color space – that's actually more colors than most TVs can show.
However, the Premium model brings some notable improvements:
The Premium's 2200 ISO lumens (compared to 1800 in the original) makes a noticeable difference in rooms with ambient light. In practical terms, this means you can watch during the day without completely blacking out your windows. From my experience testing both models, the Premium handles afternoon viewing significantly better, though both still perform best in controlled lighting.
While both models offer excellent color reproduction, the Premium includes enhanced speckle suppression technology. Speckle is a subtle shimmer effect sometimes visible with laser projectors, and the Premium's improved handling makes for a more refined image, especially in bright scenes.
Here's where the Premium model really shines. With an input lag of just 18ms (that's the delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen), it's substantially more responsive than the original's 43ms. For context, anything under 30ms is considered good for gaming.
Both projectors support 4K gaming at 60Hz, but the Premium's lower input lag makes it noticeably more suitable for fast-paced games. If you're planning to use your projector for gaming, this difference alone might justify the extra investment.
The Premium introduces Google TV, replacing the Android TV system found in the original model. This change brings several benefits:
Both models offer similar physical connectivity, including multiple HDMI ports and eARC support for advanced audio setups.
Both projectors feature ultra-short throw ratios, but the Premium's 0.21:1 ratio (versus 0.23:1) allows for slightly closer wall placement. In practical terms:
Premium model:
Original model:
The Premium features a second-generation Bowers & Wilkins sound system, which provides noticeably better audio quality than the original model. While both offer good built-in sound, the Premium's upgraded system might eliminate the need for a separate soundbar in some setups.
At $2,999, the Premium commands a $700 premium over the $2,299 original model. Whether this price difference is justified depends on your specific needs:
In my testing, both projectors excel in their intended environments. The original model continues to impress in dedicated home theater settings, while the Premium adds flexibility for broader use cases. The Premium's enhanced brightness and gaming performance make it more versatile, but the original model remains a strong value proposition for movie enthusiasts.
Consider these key factors:
Both projectors represent excellent value in the UST market, but they serve slightly different needs. The Premium model is more versatile and future-proof, while the original Theater remains a strong choice for dedicated home theater use.
When making your decision, focus on your specific use case rather than just the spec sheet. Consider factors like room lighting, gaming needs, and whether the Premium's upgrades align with how you'll actually use the projector. Either way, you'll be getting one of the best UST projectors available in their respective price ranges.
| Formovie Theater Premium ($2,999) | Formovie Theater ($2,299) |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Critical for rooms with ambient light | |
| 2,200 ISO lumens (good for moderate ambient light) | 1,800 ISO lumens (best in controlled lighting) |
| Throw Ratio - Determines how close to wall you can place it | |
| 0.21:1 (18% closer placement possible) | 0.23:1 (standard UST placement) |
| Input Lag - Essential for gaming responsiveness | |
| 18ms (excellent for competitive gaming) | 43ms (acceptable for casual gaming only) |
| Smart Platform - Affects ease of streaming content | |
| Google TV (native Netflix, better interface) | Android TV 11 (requires manual app installs) |
| Audio System - Important if not using external speakers | |
| 2nd gen Bowers & Wilkins (superior clarity) | 1st gen Bowers & Wilkins (good but basic) |
| HDR Support - Impacts picture quality with HDR content | |
| Enhanced Dolby Vision (wider device compatibility) | Standard Dolby Vision (basic support) |
| Color Processing - Affects image quality and accuracy | |
| Enhanced speckle suppression, better accuracy | Standard ALPD 4.0 processing |
| Value Proposition - Who should choose this model | |
| Better for bright rooms, gaming, latest features | Better for dedicated theater, budget-conscious buyers |
Both the Formovie Theater ($2,299) and Formovie Theater Premium ($2,999) perform excellently in dedicated theater rooms. However, if you have complete light control, the standard Theater model offers better value since many Premium features target bright room performance.
The main difference is brightness and gaming performance. The Premium offers 2,200 ISO lumens vs 1,800 on the standard model, and significantly lower input lag (18ms vs 43ms).
The Formovie Theater Premium is notably better for daytime viewing with its 2,200 ISO lumens brightness, while the original Theater performs best in darker conditions.
Yes, if you're a gamer, the Premium model's 18ms input lag makes it worth the extra cost compared to the standard model's 43ms lag. The difference is particularly noticeable in fast-paced games.
The Premium model includes native Netflix support through Google TV, while the original Theater requires manual app installation through Android TV.
The Theater Premium features an upgraded second-generation Bowers & Wilkins sound system, offering better audio quality than the original model's first-generation system.
Both the Premium and standard Theater are designed as ultra-short throw projectors meant for table or cabinet placement. Ceiling mounting isn't recommended for either model.
Both projectors work best with ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screens, especially for daytime viewing. This is slightly more important for the Premium model since it's better suited for bright room use.
The Theater Premium is better for sports viewing due to its higher brightness and better motion handling, particularly beneficial when watching in rooms with ambient light.
Yes, both the Premium and standard Theater support true 4K resolution with HDR and Dolby Vision capabilities.
The Premium model can be placed slightly closer with its 0.21:1 throw ratio, while the standard model needs to be about 18% further from the wall with its 0.23:1 ratio.
The Formovie Theater Premium is better suited for multi-purpose rooms due to its higher brightness, better gaming performance, and improved smart features. The standard Theater is ideal for dedicated theater spaces where ambient light can be controlled.
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 - projectorreviews.com - projectorcentral.com - projectorscreen.com - projectorcentral.com - nothingprojector.com - formovie.com
