Ultra short throw (UST) laser projectors have revolutionized home theater, offering massive screens without the traditional projector mounting hassles. These technological marvels can sit just inches from your wall while delivering cinema-sized images. Let's dive into comparing two leading options: the Samsung Premiere 9 ($5,999) and the Formovie Theater ($2,999).
Both projectors use triple laser technology, which means they employ separate red, green, and blue lasers instead of a traditional lamp and color wheel. This approach delivers superior color accuracy and longevity - you're looking at around 20,000 hours of use before any significant degradation. That's nearly seven years of watching 8 hours daily.
The Samsung Premiere 9, released in late 2024, represents Samsung's latest advancement in laser projection. It incorporates their new Quantum 4K Processor, the same brain powering their premium TVs. This processor handles upscaling and image processing, making lower-resolution content look remarkably sharp on the big screen.
The Formovie Theater, while slightly older (2022), uses ALPD 4.0 technology - an advanced laser-phosphor display system that's 30% more efficient than previous generations. This efficiency translates to better color accuracy and contrast, even if overall brightness is lower than the Samsung.
In my experience testing both units, the differences in image quality are nuanced but important:
The Samsung's 3,450 lumens versus Formovie's 2,800 makes a noticeable difference in rooms with ambient light. To put this in perspective, that's like comparing a bright LCD TV to a slightly dimmer OLED - both look great in controlled lighting, but the brighter option handles daylight better.
Here's where things get interesting. Despite its lower brightness, the Formovie actually produces better contrast (3,000:1 ratio) and deeper blacks. This becomes particularly noticeable during dark movie scenes - think star fields in space movies or shadowy horror films. The Samsung, while still good, shows slightly elevated black levels that appear more dark grey than true black.
Both projectors excel here, but in different ways:
In practical terms, both deliver stunning colors, but the Formovie edges ahead in absolute color accuracy, especially after professional calibration.
For gamers, both projectors support 4K/60Hz gaming, but there are important differences:
While neither matches the sub-20ms response of gaming monitors, the Formovie's lower lag makes it noticeably more responsive for gaming. However, Samsung's gaming interface and automatic game mode detection are more polished.
The Samsung Premiere 9 runs on Tizen OS, the same system used in their smart TVs. It's sleek, responsive, and supports all major streaming services natively. The interface feels premium and well-integrated.
The Formovie Theater uses Android TV 11, offering more flexibility but occasionally feeling less polished. The advantage here is broader app compatibility and easier sideloading if you're into that.
Both projectors take different approaches to sound:
The Samsung's upfiring speakers create a more spacious soundstage, but both systems surprisingly good for built-in audio. That said, serious home theater enthusiasts will want to pair either projector with a dedicated sound system.
The Samsung's 0.19:1 throw ratio means it needs just 4.5 inches from the wall for a 100-inch image. Formovie's 0.23:1 ratio requires slightly more distance - about 5.5 inches for the same size. This difference might seem small, but it could matter depending on your furniture depth.
Both offer digital keystone correction, but Samsung's system is more refined and easier to use. The Formovie provides more adjustment points but requires more patience during setup.
At $2,999, the Formovie represents exceptional value, offering comparable or better image quality than the $5,999 Samsung in many areas. However, Samsung justifies its premium with:
Both use reliable laser light sources rated for 20,000+ hours, but Samsung's brand reputation and support network might provide more peace of mind for some buyers.
For bright rooms or spaces with ambient light, the Samsung's extra brightness makes it the better choice. In dedicated theater rooms or spaces with good light control, the Formovie's superior contrast and lower price make it more appealing.
If budget is a primary concern, the Formovie delivers 90% of the Samsung's performance at half the price. However, if you're after the absolute best and price isn't a limiting factor, the Samsung's refinements and brightness advantage might be worth the premium.
For movie enthusiasts in controlled lighting, the Formovie's superior contrast and color accuracy make it the better choice. For mixed-use rooms where the projector will handle TV shows, sports, and casual viewing with some lights on, the Samsung's brightness and processing advantages become more valuable.
Both projectors excel in their respective ways. The Formovie Theater stands out as the value champion, offering exceptional image quality for its price. The Samsung Premiere 9 justifies its premium with superior brightness, better processing, and a more polished overall experience.
For most buyers, the Formovie's value proposition makes it the smarter choice, especially in dedicated theater rooms. However, if you need the extra brightness or value Samsung's premium features, the Premiere 9's advantages might be worth the additional investment.
| Samsung Premiere 9 | Formovie Theater |
|---|---|
| Price - Major difference in investment required | |
| $5,999 (premium pricing) | $2,999 (excellent value) |
| Brightness - Critical for rooms with ambient light | |
| 3,450 ISO lumens (handles bright rooms well) | 2,800 ANSI lumens (best in controlled lighting) |
| Contrast Ratio - Impacts image depth and black levels | |
| Lower contrast (elevated black levels) | 3,000:1 (superior dark scene performance) |
| Color Gamut - Determines color range and accuracy | |
| 154% DCI-P3 (excellent color volume) | 107% Rec.2020 (superior color accuracy) |
| Throw Ratio - Affects installation flexibility | |
| 0.19:1 (4.5" for 100" image) | 0.23:1 (5.5" for 100" image) |
| Audio System - Built-in sound quality | |
| 40W 2.2.2 channel Dolby Atmos (more immersive) | 30W Bowers & Wilkins (better clarity) |
| Gaming Performance - Important for gamers | |
| 55ms input lag (moderate latency) | 42ms input lag (better responsiveness) |
| Smart Platform - Affects ease of use | |
| Tizen OS (polished, limited flexibility) | Android TV 11 (more apps, less refined) |
| HDR Support - Impacts dynamic range | |
| HDR10+, HDR10, HLG (better processing) | Dolby Vision, HDR10+ (more format support) |
| Light Source Lifespan - Long-term durability | |
| 20,000 hours (triple laser) | 20,000 hours (ALPD 4.0 RGB+) |
| Maximum Screen Size - Installation flexibility | |
| 130 inches (recommended max) | 150 inches (larger possible size) |
The Samsung Premiere 9 is better for bright rooms with its 3,450 lumens compared to the Formovie Theater's 2,800 lumens. This makes the Samsung a better choice for rooms with windows or ambient light.
The Formovie Theater at $2,999 offers significantly better value compared to the Samsung Premiere 9 at $5,999, while still delivering comparable image quality in most areas.
While both projectors work best in controlled lighting, the Samsung Premiere 9 handles ambient light better. The Formovie Theater performs optimally in darker environments.
The Formovie Theater offers better contrast and more accurate colors, while the Samsung Premiere 9 provides higher brightness and superior HDR processing. For pure picture quality in dark rooms, the Formovie has a slight edge.
Both are adequate for casual gaming, but neither is ideal for competitive gaming. The Formovie Theater has lower input lag (42ms) compared to the Samsung Premiere 9 (55ms).
The Samsung Premiere 9 needs 4.5 inches for a 100-inch image, while the Formovie Theater requires 5.5 inches. Both are very space-efficient.
Both have good built-in audio systems, but for a true home theater experience, external speakers are recommended. The Samsung Premiere 9 has a superior built-in system with Dolby Atmos support.
The Samsung Premiere 9 offers easier setup with better alignment features and a more user-friendly interface compared to the Formovie Theater.
Both the Samsung Premiere 9 and Formovie Theater use laser light sources rated for 20,000 hours, approximately 10 years of typical use.
Yes, both projectors can effectively replace a TV, but the Samsung Premiere 9 is better suited for this due to its higher brightness and more TV-like smart interface.
While both projectors can project onto a white wall, an ALR (ambient light rejecting) screen is recommended for optimal performance, especially with the Formovie Theater in brighter rooms.
The Samsung Premiere 9 offers a more polished smart TV experience with Tizen OS, while the Formovie Theater uses Android TV which provides more app flexibility but a less refined interface.
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: avsforum.com - valueelectronics.com - youtube.com - techradar.com - youtube.com - news.samsung.com - samsung.com - soundandvision.com - samsung.com - sound-advice.online - trustedreviews.com - techradar.com - projectorcentral.com - rtings.com - formovie.com - projectorreviews.com - projectorcentral.com - projectorscreen.com - projectorcentral.com - nothingprojector.com - formovie.com
