Variation Reviewed: AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Ultra Short Throw Projector 4K Triple Laser 3500 Lumens UST

I have been looking for a replacement for my primary 75” LCD TV purchased in 2016. It had been slightly damaged in a move which ended up leaving inconsistent light levels (it appeared to have a dark smudge in the middle of the screen in certain viewing conditions). I was also mildly disappointed with its 3D picture quality (ghosting and crosstalk in most scenes).

Having spent a couple of months researching LED, OLED, projectors, and Ultra Short Throw projectors I settled on the AWOL LTV-3500. I have paired it with a motorized, floor-rising VividStorm 120” ultra short throw (UST) ambient light rejecting (ALR) screen. I could not be happier with the performance of the LTV-3500 as a full-time replacement for my 75” LCD TV.

3-D Performance: Having had disappointing experiences with LED 3D TVs in the past, I was resigned to the idea that I just couldn’t achieve a near theatrical presentation at home. I was wrong! The LTV-3500 has blown me away. Paired with DLP-Sync active shutter glasses (purchased separately online), the 3D picture is completely solid with absolutely no crosstalk or ghosting, seemingly no flicker from ambient light sources and instant, easy syncing. With such a bright, clear 3D image at 120”, I am very happy with 3D at home… for the first time.

Gaming: Gaming with a Playstation 5 the LTV-3500 has been a very good experience. I’ve played fast racing games (Wipeout, GT7), action RPGs (Diablo 3, Final Fantasy 7 Remake), platformers (Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart, Sackboy A Big Adventure) and haven’t had any issues with input lag.

Watching HD streaming content: Streaming from the included Fire TV Stick 4k Max, that neatly tucks into a panel at the rear of the projector, looks great. I also have a 4k Apple TV which performs similarly to the Fire TV. Viewing programming from Amazon Prime, Netflix, Disney+, Paramount+, Apple TV+ and other services on the 3500 has transformed programs from “a show on TV” to “an event” in my living room.

4K UHD and HD Blu-ray discs do not disappoint and really show off what the 3500 is best at: brightness, contrast and color reproduction ability.

Pair the LTV-3500 with a good UST ALR screen. It is worth the investment for enjoyment in varied lighting conditions and improved contrast overall. I’m very pleased with the 120” VividStorm. The screen came with a USB wireless dongle to plug into one of the USB ports on the projector. It raises and lowers the screen when the projector power is turned on and off. It works without any setup.

Areas of improvement: First, the system menus take some fiddling to fully understand. Second, the black levels aren’t perfect but the brightness, contrast and color fidelity more than make up for it. Dolby Vision (HDR) is currently in the works which will be a welcome addition.

Overall, I would highly recommend the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 to anyone looking to transform their TV/Movie/3D watching and game-playing into a spectacle. It is truly transformative. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to watch something.

           

Variation Reviewed: Formovie Theater Ultra Short Throw Projector 2800 Lumen Triple Laser UST Fengmi T1 Global Android OS

The purchase process was smooth. I got in touch with one of the sales reps via the chat and then on the phone. The projector screen shipped almost immediately however, I had to wait for the projector for almost 2 weeks. Over all, I am impressed by the quality of the product and the image that it produces. One of the immediate items that popped up was on HDMI3 eARC port, my receiver was not receiving the input audio from the Android TV system and the input/screen refreshes every 30 sec or so thus pausing the externally sourced video (like Amazon Fire Stick). I raise a support ticket and waiting for an update from the seller. As long as I am on HDM1 or 2 or while on HDMI3, turn of the eARC on T1, no issues observed. Unless you plan to use external player like Fire Stick or Apple TV, this might be a deal breaker.

As it is already mentioned in lot of the reviews, the top right corner does have some focus issues but I felt it was negligible. The projector could have been a bit more luminous or brighter for my room (as it a basement with a window and bright ceiling lights) but when no ambient light present, the image is outstanding. The built in speaker is not bad but I would anyways not use it for theater experience. Still exploring the options on the device. The KeyStone setting needs some understanding for new bees like me. While I was not able to adjust the height exactly to get 120" screen but was able to get the screen to fill most of the screen, almost like up to 118 to 119". I do see some spilling of the screen in the darkest setting of the room but otherwise, no issues.

The experimental USB dongle provided works excellently with the system for shutting the VivdStorm roll down as soon as the T1 is shutdown. Liked it. Still working on setting up one remote for all the devices. Definitely need to tinker some settings for that to happen.

I wished there were more user defined profiles available to save for brighter room setting and a darker rooms setting. Otherwise, it is constant adjustment according to the ambient lighting. Still exploring the product.

           

Variation Reviewed: Vividstorm Motorized Floor Rising ALR Projector Screen for Ultra Short Throw Projectors 120 Inch - VSDSTUST120H

Using with a Fengmi T1 UST projector. Gives fantastic images. Able to use with some ambient light - currently with dimmed wall-wash spots above the screen and dim lights elsewhere. Also gives great images in a blackened room, helps the already deep blacks of the T1. Currently using on the floor, still waiting to mount into a cabinet of some kind. My goal is to use the screen in front of a wall mounted OLED that I'll use for full-on daytime use in a brightly lit room. Great support from Projectorscreen.com and the manufacturer over a minor issue when first delivered which was quickly resolved. Mechanism seems robust and is working well after one month of daily use. I have no reason to be concerned about it going forward.

Variation Reviewed: Vividstorm Motorized Floor Rising ALR Projector Screen for Ultra Short Throw Projectors 120 Inch - VSDSTUST120H

This screen is a beast and the image looks great with my UST projector. The USB trigger also works great. I would recommend buying the wall mounting brackets along with your purchase - I bought a white screen so that it fades into the background and we have art on the wall that is visible when the screen is retracted.

Variation Reviewed: Formovie Theater Ultra Short Throw Projector 2800 Lumen Triple Laser UST Fengmi T1 Global Android OS

Living in an apartment wasn't going to stop me from obtaining a home theater I've always dreamed of having.

Formovie Projector:

I went with this projector after seeing a lot of reviews that this projector is the best in the market for its price range. AndroidTV OS was a must for me, because I wanted to sideload apps, uninstall proprietary apps and replace the ad filled AndroidTV Launcher with a minimal style launcher (which you see in the attached picture).

This projector has been phenomenal for me so far with no issues.

Vividstorm Floor Rising 92" Screen:

No issues, other than with the screen USB Trigger gift. On their website they say this USB can trigger their screens when plugged into 99% of projectors. Well the Formovie must be in the 1%, because when I plug the USB in my projector, the USB does not retrieve power (Other USBs do retrieve power when plugged in). I've tested their USB on other devices like my av receiver and computer, and it triggers the screen to rise. This does not penalize the screens review, as Vividstorm mentioned it was a gift, but it would have been nice for it to work.