Choosing Between Today's Top Ultra Short Throw Projectors: A Detailed Comparison

If you're in the market for a high-end home theater projector in 2024, you've likely encountered the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro ($5,999) and Formovie Theater Premium ($2,799) in your research. Both represent the latest in ultra short throw (UST) technology, which allows you to place the projector just inches from your wall while still achieving massive screen sizes up to 150 inches. Let's dive into what makes these projectors different and help you decide which one better suits your needs.

The Evolution of UST Projectors

UST technology has come a long way since its early days, when these projectors were primarily built for business presentations. Today's models incorporate advanced triple laser light sources, sophisticated HDR processing, and smart TV features that rival high-end televisions. The Formovie Theater was released in summer 2022, while the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro came later as an upgraded model with enhanced features.

Brightness and Room Flexibility

Perhaps the most significant difference between these projectors is their brightness capability. The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro outputs an impressive 3500 lumens, while the Formovie Theater provides 2200 lumens. But what does this mean in real-world use?

Lumens measure the total light output of a projector, and more lumens generally means better visibility in rooms with ambient light. The AWOL's higher brightness makes it significantly more versatile - you can watch sports during the day or keep some lights on during movie night without the image looking washed out. The Formovie, while still bright, performs best in controlled lighting conditions where its superior contrast ratio can shine.

This difference becomes particularly noticeable when watching HDR content. HDR (High Dynamic Range) requires enough brightness to display both dark shadows and bright highlights simultaneously. The AWOL's extra lumens help it deliver more impactful HDR performance, especially in scenes with bright highlights.

Picture Quality Deep Dive

Both projectors use similar core technology - a DLP chip with XPR pixel-shifting to achieve 4K resolution, combined with triple laser light sources. However, they take different approaches to image processing and calibration.

The Formovie Theater comes better calibrated out of the box, with more accurate colors that closely match industry standards. It also boasts a higher native contrast ratio of 3000:1 compared to the AWOL's 2200:1. This means that in a dark room, the Formovie can produce deeper blacks and more nuanced shadow detail.

The AWOL Vision provides more extensive calibration controls, allowing enthusiasts or professional calibrators to dial in the exact picture they want. While it requires more setup to achieve its best picture, its higher brightness gives it an advantage in preserving color saturation when there's ambient light.

Both projectors support all major HDR formats including Dolby Vision and HDR10+, but implement them differently:

• The Formovie emphasizes accuracy and precision in HDR tone mapping
• The AWOL leverages its higher brightness for more dramatic HDR highlights

Gaming Performance

For gamers, input lag (the delay between pressing a button and seeing the result on screen) is crucial. Here, the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro has a clear advantage:

• 8ms lag at 1080p
• 15ms lag at 4K
• Supports ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)

The Formovie's input lag ranges from 34-43ms depending on resolution, which is acceptable for casual gaming but may be noticeable to competitive players. Both projectors support 4K/60Hz gaming, though neither reaches 4K/120Hz like some high-end gaming TVs.

Smart Features and Usability

The Formovie Theater runs Android TV 11.0, providing a polished smart TV experience with built-in streaming apps and Google Assistant integration. The interface is snappy and familiar if you've used other Android TV devices.

The AWOL Vision uses a more basic Android 9.0 implementation but includes more extensive integration options for smart home systems like Control4 and Crestron. This makes it a better choice for custom home theater installations where automation is important.

Audio Capabilities

While most serious home theater enthusiasts will use separate audio systems, built-in sound quality can matter for more casual setups:

• The Formovie features Bowers & Wilkins tuned speakers that provide surprisingly good audio for a projector
• The AWOL's 36W system is functional but less refined

Both support eARC for connecting to external sound systems, which I'd strongly recommend for the best experience.

Installation and Setup

UST projectors require careful placement to achieve optimal image geometry. Both projectors include geometric correction features, but they're best used sparingly as they can impact image quality. The AWOL's slightly shorter throw ratio (0.25 vs 0.21) means it can sit slightly closer to the wall for the same image size.

Value Consideration

At $2,799, the Formovie Theater represents exceptional value, delivering premium picture quality and features at a mid-range price point. The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro at $5,999 requires a bigger investment but justifies it with class-leading brightness and gaming performance.

How to Decide

Consider your viewing environment and habits:

Choose the AWOL Vision if:

• Your room has significant ambient light
• Gaming performance is a priority
• You need smart home integration
• Budget allows for the premium price

Choose the Formovie Theater if:

• You have good light control
• Picture accuracy is your priority
• You want built-in streaming
• Value is important
• You'll use the built-in audio

Both projectors represent impressive achievements in UST technology, but they serve different needs. The Formovie Theater excels as a dedicated home theater projector in controlled conditions, while the AWOL Vision offers more flexibility for bright rooms and gaming at a premium price point.

For my own use, I prefer the Formovie Theater's value proposition and picture quality in my dedicated theater room. However, if I were setting up in a living room with large windows, the AWOL's extra brightness would be worth the premium.

Remember that either projector will benefit significantly from a proper ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen, which helps preserve contrast and color saturation by rejecting off-axis light. This is especially important for UST projectors due to their extreme projection angle.

AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro Ultra Short Throw Projector Deals and Prices

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