When it comes to creating a high-end home theater experience, Ultra Short Throw (UST) laser projectors have become increasingly popular. Today, we're comparing two leading options: the Formovie Theater Premium ($2,799) and the VAVA Chroma ($3,499), both of which aim to replace your traditional TV with a massive, cinema-like display.
Before diving into the specifics, let's understand what makes these projectors special. Unlike traditional projectors that need to sit far from the screen, UST projectors can create huge images from just inches away. They use advanced laser technology instead of traditional lamps, offering better colors, longer life, and instant on/off capability.
The Formovie Theater Premium was released in early 2024, building upon their successful original Theater model with improved brightness and smart features. The VAVA Chroma launched in late 2021 and represented one of the first consumer-focused triple laser USTs under $5,000.
The technology has evolved significantly:
Both projectors utilize triple laser technology, but there are notable differences in implementation:
The Formovie outputs 2200 ISO lumens while the VAVA claims 2500 ANSI lumens. Though these numbers might suggest the VAVA is brighter, real-world testing shows the Formovie actually performs better in rooms with ambient light. This is because ISO lumens provide a more standardized measurement than ANSI lumens.
The Formovie's 107% BT.2020 color gamut slightly edges out VAVA's 106% coverage. More importantly, the Formovie includes Dolby Vision support, which provides dynamic HDR adjustment scene-by-scene. This makes a noticeable difference when watching movies, especially in darker scenes where subtle details matter.
Modern projectors are essentially smart TVs, and this is where we see significant differences:
The Formovie's Google TV integration means easier access to streaming services and better app support. Having used both systems, the Formovie's interface feels much more polished and responsive.
Both projectors support gaming, but the Formovie's lower input lag (around 18ms) makes it slightly better for competitive gaming. However, both will serve casual gamers well.
Audio handling varies significantly between models:
Despite lower power ratings, the Formovie's speakers provide clearer, more balanced sound. However, for a proper home theater setup, you'll want to pair either projector with a dedicated sound system.
Both projectors require careful placement to achieve optimal image alignment. They need to sit roughly 6-8 inches from your wall or screen to project a 100-inch image. Key differences:
At $700 less, the Formovie Theater Premium offers better features than the VAVA Chroma. The inclusion of Dolby Vision, superior smart features, and better overall picture quality make it the clear value leader.
Consider the Formovie Theater Premium if:
Consider the VAVA Chroma if:
For most buyers, the Formovie Theater Premium represents the better choice. It offers superior picture quality, better smart features, and more recent technology at a lower price point. While the VAVA Chroma is still a capable projector, it's harder to recommend at its higher price point unless you find it significantly discounted.
The gap between these projectors reflects the rapid pace of UST projector development. The newer Formovie demonstrates how quickly the technology is advancing, particularly in terms of smart features and HDR handling. For home theater enthusiasts, either projector can deliver a fantastic big-screen experience, but the Formovie's more recent release and superior feature set make it the more future-proof choice.
Remember to factor in the cost of a quality ALR screen (typically $500-1000) when budgeting for either projector. The screen makes a significant difference in image quality, especially in rooms with ambient light.
| Formovie Theater Premium ($2,799) | VAVA Chroma ($3,499) |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Critical for ambient light performance and HDR impact | |
| 2,200 ISO lumens (good for moderate ambient light) | 2,500 ANSI lumens (similar real-world performance) |
| Color Gamut - Determines how vibrant and accurate colors appear | |
| 107% BT.2020 (exceptional color range) | 106% BT.2020 (very good color range) |
| HDR Support - Affects contrast and color in high-quality content | |
| Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ (best-in-class) | HDR10 only (limited dynamic range adjustment) |
| Smart Features - Impacts ease of use and streaming capabilities | |
| Google TV with Netflix certification (fully featured) | Basic Android TV (limited app support) |
| Audio System - Built-in sound quality for those not using external speakers | |
| 30W Bowers & Wilkins (superior clarity) | 60W Harman Kardon (louder but less refined) |
| Gaming Input Lag - Lower numbers mean better gaming response | |
| 18ms (excellent for casual gaming) | 40ms (acceptable for casual gaming) |
| Throw Ratio - Determines how close to wall placement needs to be | |
| 0.21:1 (slightly more flexible placement) | 0.233:1 (requires slightly more distance) |
| Operating System - Affects daily usability and updates | |
| Latest Google TV (regular updates) | Older Android TV (less frequent updates) |
The Formovie Theater Premium ($2,799) is superior for dedicated home theaters due to its Dolby Vision support and better contrast performance. While the VAVA Chroma ($3,499) is capable, it lacks advanced HDR features that make a difference in controlled lighting conditions.
Both projectors perform similarly in ambient light, with the Formovie's 2,200 ISO lumens roughly equivalent to VAVA's 2,500 ANSI lumens. Both require an ALR screen for best daytime performance.
Yes, both the Formovie Theater Premium and VAVA Chroma perform significantly better with an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen. This is essential for maintaining contrast and color accuracy, especially in rooms with ambient light.
The Formovie Theater Premium has superior smart features with current Google TV and Netflix certification. The VAVA Chroma uses an older Android TV system with more limited app support.
The Formovie Theater Premium offers better gaming performance with 18ms input lag compared to the VAVA Chroma's 40ms, making it more suitable for gaming.
While the VAVA Chroma has more powerful 60W Harman Kardon speakers, the Formovie's 30W Bowers & Wilkins system provides better audio quality. However, both should be paired with dedicated speakers for true home theater sound.
Both projectors can create a 100-inch image from approximately 8 inches from the wall, making them suitable for most living rooms or media rooms. Minimum room depth of 10 feet is recommended.
The VAVA Chroma supports 3D content with compatible glasses, while the Formovie Theater Premium is awaiting a firmware update for 3D support.
The Formovie Theater Premium offers better value at $2,799 with superior features and performance compared to the VAVA Chroma at $3,499.
Yes, both projectors can effectively replace a TV, offering similar brightness and better picture size. The Formovie Theater Premium's better smart features make it more suitable as a TV replacement.
Both projectors feature laser light sources rated for approximately 25,000 hours of use, equivalent to over 10 years of typical viewing.
The Formovie Theater Premium significantly outperforms the VAVA Chroma in HDR content, thanks to its Dolby Vision support and superior contrast handling.
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 - androidcentral.com - avsforum.com - projectorcentral.com - projectorreviews.com - vava.com - projectorscreenstore.com - youtube.com - projector.com.my - ust-projector.com
