If you've been dreaming of a massive home theater screen but don't want a traditional ceiling-mounted projector, today's ultra short throw (UST) laser projectors offer an exciting solution. I'll help you compare two leading options: the Formovie Theater ($2,999) and VAVA Chroma ($4,999), breaking down exactly what you get for your money.
Unlike regular projectors that need to sit far from the screen, UST projectors use specialized lens systems to create large images from just inches away. Think of it like the difference between using a regular flashlight versus a wide-angle one – UST projectors spread the light dramatically from very close up. This means you can place them in a TV console rather than mounting them on your ceiling.
Both of these models use advanced triple laser technology, which means they create images using separate red, green, and blue lasers instead of a traditional lamp. This results in brighter images and more vibrant colors than older projector technologies.
The Formovie Theater was released in summer 2022 and quickly made waves by winning the prestigious 2022 Laser TV Showdown competition. The VAVA Chroma launched around the same time after a successful crowdfunding campaign.
Since their releases, both have received firmware updates to improve performance, though the Formovie has generally seen more consistent support. The technology itself hasn't changed dramatically in this period, but prices have become more competitive, especially for the Formovie.
Having tested both projectors in various lighting conditions, the Formovie Theater shows a clear advantage in picture quality. Its 2800 lumens of brightness (think of lumens as the raw power of the light output) outshines the VAVA's 2500 lumens. While this might not sound like a huge difference, it's noticeable when watching HDR content or using the projector with some ambient light.
Color accuracy is where the Formovie really pulls ahead. Both projectors can display an impressive range of colors (around 107% of the professional Rec.2020 standard), but the Formovie handles them more naturally. The VAVA tends to oversaturate colors, making things look a bit artificial unless carefully calibrated.
The Formovie runs Android TV 11, which provides a smooth, familiar experience for streaming content. You get access to most major streaming services right out of the box. The VAVA's custom Android-based system feels less polished and can be more frustrating to use daily.
Gaming performance is another win for the Formovie, with its Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) automatically switching to game mode when it detects a console, reducing input lag (the delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen).
At $2,999, the Formovie Theater delivers exceptional value. You're getting better picture quality and more features than the $4,999 VAVA Chroma. The $2,000 price difference could be spent on a quality screen, sound system, or other home theater components.
In a dedicated home theater room, both projectors can deliver impressive results, but there are important differences:
Both projectors work best with ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screens specifically designed for UST projectors. These screens help maintain image quality even with some ambient light, though they add $500-1500 to the total cost.
The ultra-short throw ratio means both projectors need to sit about 4-8 inches from the wall for a 100-inch image. You'll need:
The VAVA Chroma offers some distinctive features:
The Formovie counters with:
Based on user reports and my experience, both projectors should last many years – their laser light sources are rated for 25,000 hours (about 8 years of 8-hour daily use). However, the Formovie's more active support community and regular updates give it an edge for long-term ownership.
Choose the Formovie Theater if:
Choose the VAVA Chroma if:
For most buyers, the Formovie Theater is the clear choice. It offers better performance in most areas while costing significantly less than the VAVA Chroma. The only compelling reasons to choose the VAVA would be if you specifically need its more powerful speakers or 3D capability.
Remember that whichever you choose, you'll want to budget for a good ALR screen and potentially an external audio system to get the most from your investment. These projectors represent the current pinnacle of home theater technology, offering a viewing experience that can rival or surpass traditional TVs at sizes that would be prohibitively expensive in OLED or LED formats.
| Formovie Theater | VAVA Chroma |
|---|---|
| Price - The baseline for calculating value | |
| $2,999 (excellent value for features) | $4,999 (premium pricing) |
| Brightness - Critical for ambient light performance | |
| 2,800 ANSI lumens (handles some ambient light well) | 2,500 ANSI lumens (best in darker rooms) |
| Color Gamut - Determines how vibrant and accurate colors can be | |
| 107% Rec.2020 (excellent accuracy out of box) | 106% Rec.2020 (tends to oversaturate) |
| HDR Support - Impacts contrast and color in modern content | |
| Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ (full suite) | HDR10 only (limited) |
| Gaming Features - Important for console gamers | |
| ALLM, low input lag, MEMC (great for gaming) | Basic support (higher input lag) |
| Built-in Audio - Affects need for external speakers | |
| 30W Bowers & Wilkins (high quality but lower power) | 60W Harman Kardon (more powerful) |
| Smart System - Determines ease of streaming | |
| Android TV 11 (polished, full app support) | Custom Android OS (less refined) |
| Special Features - Unique capabilities | |
| Superior HDR processing, better calibration | 3D support, eye protection sensor |
| Throw Ratio - Determines placement distance | |
| 0.233:1 (7.2" for 100" screen) | 0.233:1 (7.2" for 100" screen) |
| Warranty - Protection for your investment | |
| 2 years standard (3 years international) | 1 year standard |
The Formovie Theater is generally better for home theater use, offering superior picture quality, better HDR handling, and Dolby Vision support at $2,999. The VAVA Chroma at $4,999 has more powerful speakers but lower overall image quality.
The Formovie Theater is brighter at 2,800 ANSI lumens compared to the VAVA Chroma's 2,500 ANSI lumens. This difference is noticeable when watching HDR content or in rooms with ambient light.
The Formovie Theater is significantly better for gaming, featuring Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and lower input lag. The VAVA Chroma lacks these gaming-specific features and has higher input lag.
Yes, both projectors work best with ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screens specifically designed for UST projectors. These screens typically cost $500-1500 extra but are essential for optimal performance with either the Formovie Theater or VAVA Chroma.
The Formovie Theater runs Android TV 11 with better app support and a more polished interface. The VAVA Chroma uses a custom Android OS that's less refined and has fewer app options.
Both projectors have the same 0.233:1 throw ratio, requiring about 7.2 inches from the wall for a 100-inch image. This is identical for both the Formovie Theater and VAVA Chroma.
The VAVA Chroma has more powerful 60W Harman Kardon speakers, while the Formovie Theater has 30W Bowers & Wilkins speakers. However, the Formovie's sound quality is generally considered better despite lower power.
Both can handle some ambient light, but the Formovie Theater performs better with its higher 2,800 lumens brightness compared to the VAVA Chroma's 2,500 lumens. Both work best in controlled lighting conditions.
The Formovie Theater at $2,999 offers significantly better value, providing superior performance in most areas for $2,000 less than the VAVA Chroma at $4,999.
Yes, both the Formovie Theater and VAVA Chroma support 4K resolution, but the Formovie handles HDR content better with Dolby Vision support.
Both projectors use laser light sources rated for 25,000 hours (about 8 years of 8-hour daily use). The Formovie Theater has better firmware support than the VAVA Chroma.
While professional installation isn't required, both the Formovie Theater and VAVA Chroma need careful setup on a perfectly level surface. DIY installation is possible but requires patience and attention to detail.
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 - projectorcentral.com - rtings.com - formovie.com - projectorreviews.com - projectorcentral.com - projectorscreen.com - projectorcentral.com - nothingprojector.com - formovie.com - androidcentral.com - avsforum.com - projectorcentral.com - projectorreviews.com - vava.com - projectorscreenstore.com - youtube.com - projector.com.my - ust-projector.com
