The home theater landscape has changed dramatically in recent years, with ultra short throw (UST) projectors emerging as an exciting alternative to massive TVs. These specialized projectors sit just inches from your wall, eliminating the traditional ceiling mount and long throw distance that made projector setups challenging. Let's dive into two of the most compelling options available today: the NexiGo Aurora Pro ($2,499) and the Formovie Theater ($2,999).
Before we compare these projectors, it's helpful to understand what makes them special. Both use triple laser technology (using separate red, green, and blue lasers) instead of traditional lamps. This means better colors, instant on/off capability, and longer life - typically 25,000+ hours compared to 3,000-5,000 hours for lamp projectors. Think of it like upgrading from fluorescent to LED lighting - it's simply a better technology.
The Formovie Theater arrived in mid-2022 and quickly established itself as an image quality champion. Its 2,800 ANSI lumens (a standardized measurement of brightness) and excellent contrast ratio make it particularly good at handling ambient light - something that traditionally plagued projectors. The blacks are notably deep, and colors pop without looking artificial.
The newer NexiGo Aurora Pro, released in 2023, brings 2,400 ANSI lumens and some impressive technical specifications. While slightly less bright, it compensates with advanced features like Dynamic Laser Dimming, which adjusts the laser output in real-time to improve contrast. Think of it like having automatic dimming headlights, but for your projector.
In real-world viewing:
Here's where things get interesting. The NexiGo Aurora Pro supports 4K resolution at 120Hz refresh rate (meaning the image updates 120 times per second) and has very low input lag (the delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen) of just 12ms. For context, most people can't detect lag below 20ms.
The Formovie, while excellent for movies, has higher input lag (43ms) and is limited to 60Hz. For casual gaming, this is fine, but competitive gamers will definitely notice the difference. If you're serious about gaming, especially fast-paced titles like first-person shooters or racing games, the NexiGo is the clear choice.
Both projectors offer Android TV integration, but implementation differs:
An often-overlooked aspect of projectors is their built-in sound systems. The Formovie Theater features a 30W Bowers & Wilkins sound system that produces impressive audio for a projector. The NexiGo Aurora Pro counters with a more powerful 60W system (using dual woofers and tweeters). Both support Dolby Atmos, but in practice, you'll likely want a dedicated sound system for a true home theater experience.
Both projectors need about 4-8 inches of space from your wall to produce an 80-100 inch image. Key considerations:
The NexiGo Aurora Pro at $2,499 represents excellent value, especially for gamers. You're getting cutting-edge gaming features and solid overall performance. The Formovie Theater at $2,999 justifies its higher price with superior brightness and slightly better movie performance.
After extensive testing, here's how they perform in different scenarios:
Choose the NexiGo Aurora Pro if:
Choose the Formovie Theater if:
Remember, both projectors represent significant improvements over models from just a few years ago. The triple laser technology, smart features, and ultra short throw capability make them excellent choices for modern home entertainment.
The projector market continues to evolve rapidly. While both these models are current leaders, watch for:
Both projectors excel in their respective strengths. The Formovie Theater remains the choice for pure movie enthusiasts, while the NexiGo Aurora Pro offers better gaming performance and newer technology at a lower price point. Your choice should ultimately depend on your primary use case and viewing environment.
Remember to factor in the cost of a good ALR screen (typically $500-1000) and potential audio upgrades when planning your budget. Either choice will provide an impressive large-screen experience that was previously impossible without dedicating an entire room to a traditional projector setup.
| NexiGo Aurora Pro ($2,499) | Formovie Theater ($2,999) |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Critical for ambient light performance and HDR impact | |
| 2,400 ANSI lumens (good for dim to moderate lighting) | 2,800 ANSI lumens (better for bright rooms) |
| Input Lag - Crucial for gaming responsiveness | |
| 12ms at 4K/120Hz (excellent for competitive gaming) | 43ms at 4K/60Hz (okay for casual gaming only) |
| Contrast Ratio - Determines black level performance and image depth | |
| 3,000:1 native, 6,000:1 dynamic (good) | 4,510:1 native (noticeably better movie experience) |
| Audio System - Important if not using external speakers | |
| 60W quad-speaker system (impressive built-in audio) | 30W Bowers & Wilkins (better quality, less powerful) |
| Gaming Features - Affects compatibility with latest consoles | |
| HDMI 2.1, 4K@120Hz, 1080p@240Hz (future-proof) | HDMI 2.0, 4K@60Hz only (limited for serious gaming) |
| Smart Features - Impacts ease of streaming content | |
| Basic Android TV (some apps require sideloading) | Full Android TV 11 (better app support, more stable) |
| Color Coverage - Determines color vibrancy and accuracy | |
| 107% BT.2020 (excellent) | 107% BT.2020 (excellent) |
| Laser Life - Important for long-term ownership costs | |
| 25,000 hours (about 8-10 years of typical use) | 25,000 hours (about 8-10 years of typical use) |
| Value Features - Extra capabilities that justify price | |
| Dynamic laser dimming, higher refresh rates, newer HDMI | Superior contrast, better brightness, premium audio |
The Formovie Theater ($2,999) is generally better for dedicated home theater use due to its superior contrast ratio and better color accuracy out of the box. However, the NexiGo Aurora Pro ($2,499) is an excellent choice if gaming is part of your home theater usage.
The Formovie Theater is brighter with 2,800 ANSI lumens compared to the NexiGo Aurora Pro's 2,400 ANSI lumens. This difference is noticeable when dealing with ambient light or HDR content.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro is significantly better for gaming with 12ms input lag and 4K@120Hz support. The Formovie Theater is limited to 4K@60Hz with 43ms input lag.
Yes, both the NexiGo Aurora Pro and Formovie Theater work best with an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen specifically designed for ultra short throw projectors.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro has more powerful 60W quad speakers, while the Formovie Theater has a 30W Bowers & Wilkins system with better audio quality. For serious home theater use, external speakers are recommended for both.
Yes, both projectors can effectively replace a TV, with the Formovie Theater being better for bright rooms and the NexiGo Aurora Pro offering better gaming features.
Both projectors can create images from 80 to 150 inches diagonal, making them suitable for large home theater screens.
The Formovie Theater has better native streaming app support, while the NexiGo Aurora Pro requires some apps to be sideloaded.
Both the NexiGo Aurora Pro and Formovie Theater use triple laser technology rated for 25,000 hours of use, equivalent to about 8-10 years of typical viewing.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro offers better value at $2,499 with newer gaming features, while the Formovie Theater at $2,999 justifies its higher price with better image quality and brightness.
The Formovie Theater handles ambient light better, but both projectors perform best in controlled lighting conditions. Neither requires a completely dark room like traditional projectors.
The Formovie Theater is better for movies due to its superior contrast ratio and color accuracy, though the NexiGo Aurora Pro still provides excellent movie viewing experience with the added benefit of better gaming capabilities.
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: projectorreviews.com - thesmarthomehookup.com - nexigo.com - projectorscreen.com - avsforum.com - rtings.com - projectorcentral.com - youtube.com - rtings.com - avsforum.com - avsforum.com - techradar.com - projectorcentral.com - rtings.com - formovie.com - projectorreviews.com - projectorcentral.com - projectorscreen.com - projectorcentral.com - nothingprojector.com - formovie.com
