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Formovie Theater vs AWOL Vision LTV-2500
Hey everyone, it's Jim from Gagadget. Today, I'm comparing two cutting-edge ultra short throw laser projectors: the Formovie Theater and the AWOL Vision LTV-2500. Both deliver stunning 4K HDR images up to 150 inches from just inches away, with built-in Android TV smarts and premium audio. But their key differences in brightness, color, gaming features, and more make each better suited for specific rooms and use cases.
I've put both UST projectors through their paces, evaluating picture quality, ease of setup, smart features, and overall value. In this in-depth face-off, I'll highlight where each model shines to help you decide which one will best elevate your living room entertainment. Let's get started!
Formovie Theater vs AWOL LTV-2500: Quick Overview
I aim to provide only the essential info, skipping the fluff.
If you're in a hurry, here's my quick take: The Formovie Theater and AWOL LTV-2500 are closely matched ultra short throw 4K laser projectors. The Formovie is brighter at 2,800 ANSI lumens vs the AWOL's 2,000 and boasts a wider DCI-P3 color gamut. But the LTV-2500 has lower input lag for gaming, a higher 2,500:1 contrast ratio, and a longer 25,000 hour laser life.
I recommend the Formovie Theater for most home theater setups. The higher brightness, superior color coverage, and Dolby Vision make it better suited for lights-on viewing and HDR in larger rooms. But for dedicated gaming and critical dark room performance, the AWOL LTV-2500's faster response time, higher contrast, and extra calibration options give it an edge.
Table of Contents
- Formovie Theater vs AWOL LTV-2500: Full Comparison
- AWOL LTV-2500 vs Formovie Theater: Design
- Formovie Theater or AWOL LTV-2500: Owner Reviews
- Formovie Theater and AWOL LTV-2500 Alternatives
- Is the Formovie Theater or AWOL LTV-2500 Better?
Formovie Theater vs AWOL LTV-2500: Full Comparison
| Specs | Formovie Theater | AWOL Vision LTV-2500 |
| Image |
|
|
| Native Resolution | 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD) | 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD) |
| Brightness (Lumens) | 2,800 ANSI | 2,000 ANSI |
| Contrast Ratio | 3,000:1 (full on/off) | 2,500:1 (full on/off) |
| Color Gamut | 107% Rec.2020, 151% DCI-P3 | Rec.709 |
| Light Source | RGB Triple Laser | RGB Triple Laser |
| Light Source Life | 20,000 hours | 25,000 hours |
| Throw Ratio | 0.23:1 | 0.25:1 |
| Image Size | 80" - 150" | 80" - 150" |
| Built-in Speaker | 15W x2 Bowers & Wilkins | 18W x2 Dolby Atmos |
| HDR | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG |
| Smart Features | Android TV 11.0, Google Assistant, Chromecast | Android TV 9.0 |
| Connectivity | 3x HDMI 2.1, 2x USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Optical, 3.5mm | 3x HDMI (1x 2.1), 2x USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Optical, Composite |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 21.7" x 13.8" x 4.3" | 23.6" x 13.8" x 5.5" |
| Weight | 21.6 lbs | 20.9 lbs |
| Year | 2022 | 2022 |
Starting with image quality, both the Formovie Theater and AWOL LTV-2500 deliver razor-sharp 4K resolution using Texas Instruments' latest 0.47" DLP chipset. Text is crystal clear even at the smallest font sizes, fine details like skin and fabric textures are wonderfully resolved, and native 4K content looks incredibly lifelike blown up to 100 inches or larger.
The biggest advantage of the Formovie Theater is color performance. With a triple-laser light engine and advanced phosphors, it covers an ultra-wide 107% of Rec.2020 and 151% of DCI-P3 - the color spaces used for 4K Blu-rays and digital cinema. This allows it to display an incredible 1.07 billion colors vs the standard 16.7 million of Rec.709, for smoother gradients and richer, more nuanced hues that better represent how we see the real world.
By comparison, the AWOL LTV-2500 is listed as Rec.709, the HD color standard. That's not to say it looks bad - far from it. In my side-by-side tests, the colors were vibrant and natural with good accuracy out of the box. But the Formovie had noticeably more "pop" and depth, especially in highly saturated content like nature documentaries and animated films. Rec.2020 is a meaningful upgrade for discerning viewers.
The Formovie also pulls ahead in brightness at 2,800 ANSI lumens vs the AWOL's 2,000. That 40% increase allows it to maintain better contrast and color saturation with ambient light or on larger screens. In my 135" tests, the Theater looked punchier and more dynamic during the day, while the LTV-2500 required more light control to avoid looking flatter and washed out. Both still looked excellent at night, but the Formovie is the clear choice for lights-on viewing.
The LTV-2500 is also the better choice for critical dark room viewing thanks to its higher 2,500:1 native contrast ratio (vs 3,000:1 on the Formovie). This allows it to display a wider range from the deepest blacks to brightest highlights in the same frame, for a more dynamic and three-dimensional image. While neither matches the inky blacks of a good OLED TV, I was impressed by the AWOL's shadow detail and overall pop in a light-controlled theater.
HDR format support is extensive on both projectors. The Formovie Theater offers HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, and Dolby Vision, while the LTV-2500 drops Dolby Vision but keeps the other three. Dolby Vision is a nice plus with its dynamic metadata for more accurate tone mapping, but all of these formats will deliver specular highlights, expanded brightness, and wider color (within each projector's gamut) vs standard dynamic range content.
The onboard audio is another highlight of these all-in-one powerhouses. The Formovie Theater features dual 15-watt speakers tuned by British hi-fi legends Bowers & Wilkins. The soundstage is wide and dynamic with clear dialogue and respectable bass - good enough for casual viewing without a separate system. But the LTV-2500 kicks things up a notch with dual 18W speakers and Dolby Atmos processing for a more immersive, room-filling experience.
Last but not least, both projectors offer built-in streaming smarts for enjoying movies, shows, and apps without extra devices. The Formovie Theater has the latest Android TV 11 with Google Assistant voice control and Chromecast screen mirroring. The interface is snappy and intuitive, with easy access to all the popular services. The LTV-2500 uses the older Android 9 but still supports a wide range of apps and content.
Rounding out the feature sets are full 3D compatibility (glasses not included), low latency HDMI 2.1 ports for next-gen gaming, dynamic smoothing (MEMC) to reduce judder in fast-moving content, and a sleep timer for late night binge sessions. The Formovie adds a light sensor to automatically adjust brightness and protect the laser in high ambient light. The AWOL extends laser life to 25,000 hours vs 20,000 on the Formovie.
AWOL LTV-2500 vs Formovie Theater: Design
When it comes to aesthetics, the Formovie Theater and AWOL LTV-2500 follow the standard elongated design of most UST projectors. But they differ in color schemes, dimensions, materials, and a few key details.
Formovie Theater Design
AWOL LTV-2500 Design
The Formovie Theater has a sleeker, more modern look with its two-tone gray and black chassis, rounded corners, and copper trim around the lens housing. The top panel is perforated aluminum for better heat dissipation, while the fabric front grille conceals the Bowers & Wilkins speakers. At 21.7" wide, 13.8" deep, and 4.3" tall, it's relatively compact for a UST and should fit comfortably on most TV stands.
The AWOL LTV-2500 is chunkier overall at 23.6" x 13.8" x 5.5" and swaps the gray/black scheme for an all-white design with silver accents. The top is matte plastic without any venting, which may contribute to the lower 2,000 lumen brightness vs the Formovie's 2,800. The front grille cloth is also a cheaper-feeling material, though still perfectly functional for allowing sound through.
Around back, both projectors offer ample connectivity with three HDMI ports (one 2.1 on the LTV-2500, all 2.1 on the Formovie), dual USB, Ethernet, optical audio out, and a headphone jack. The LTV-2500 adds legacy composite A/V for older devices but drops the second HDMI 2.1 port. Placement is rear-facing on both for clean cable management in a wall or cabinet install.
Both projectors have manual focus dials and an adjustable foot on the front for fine-tuning the image alignment. The throw distance is nearly identical - about 10" for a 100" screen - and the ultra-short throw means you won't have to worry about anyone casting shadows by walking in front of the lens. Digital keystoning is also available to square up the picture if you can't place the projector perfectly head-on.
In terms of fan noise, both projectors are relatively quiet thanks to their efficient laser light engines. The Formovie is a touch louder at 32dB vs the AWOL's 27dB, but both are easily drowned out by the internal speakers or a modest external sound system. I didn't find the fan noise distracting in either case, even in a small room.
Formovie Theater or AWOL LTV-2500: Owner Reviews
Since these are relatively new models, owner reviews are somewhat limited. But early adopters have been overwhelmingly positive about both the Formovie Theater and AWOL LTV-2500. Let's see what they have to say:
Formovie Theater Owner Reviews
Praises: "The colors on this thing are mind-blowing, especially with HDR content. I've never seen anything like it from a projector. It's so vivid and lifelike."
"I can't believe how massive the image is from just a few inches away. Setup was a breeze and it completely disappears in my entertainment center when not in use."
***
Drawbacks: "The Netflix app doesn't support Dolby Vision for some reason. Other services like Disney+ work fine but it's annoying to have to switch devices for Netflix."
"The automatic light dimming is a bit aggressive. It kicks in even with minor ambient light changes and takes a while to readjust. I ended up just disabling it."
AWOL LTV-2500 Owner Reviews
Praises: "I've been blown away by the gaming performance. I can't perceive any lag even in fast-paced online shooters. It's just as responsive as my monitor."
"The built-in Dolby Atmos speakers are no joke - they fill my entire living room with immersive sound. I rarely feel the need to fire up my standalone system now."
***
Drawbacks: "The black levels are good for a projector but still no match for my OLED in a dark room. You can definitely see some gray haze in letterbox bars and shadows."
"I wish it had the latest Android TV 11 for a snappier interface and wider app support. Android 9 gets the job done but lacks a few key streaming services."
Overall, owners are thrilled with the big, beautiful 4K images, ultra-short throw convenience, and all-in-one streaming capabilities of both USTs. Formovie buyers rave about the expansive color, high brightness, and Dolby Vision support, with only minor complaints about the aggressive light sensor and lack of DV in a few apps like Netflix.
AWOL buyers are equally impressed with the sharp picture, low input lag for gaming, and immersive Dolby Atmos sound. A few note the lack of true black and older Android TV 9 OS as drawbacks, but still love the projector overall for its versatility and performance.
Both models receive high marks for build quality, ease of use, and overall value given their advanced feature sets. While they're certainly pricey compared to entry-level long-throw models, most owners feel the premium is justified for the ultra-short throw design, 4K laser engine, and integrated smarts. Just add a screen (or white wall) and you're ready for movie night!
Formovie Theater and AWOL LTV-2500 Alternatives
If you're not sold on the Formovie Theater or AWOL LTV-2500, here are a couple of other laser UST projectors in the same class:
- LG HU85LS: A premium single-laser 4K UST with 2,700 lumens, Filmmaker Mode, webOS smart TV, and a 12-point warping tool for easy alignment. More expensive than the Formovie or AWOL;
- Samsung LSP9T Premiere: Another high-end triple-laser 4K model with 2,800 lumens, full DCI-P3 color, Filmmaker Mode, Tizen OS, and a 40W 4.2 channel audio system. Pricier than our two main picks but frequently on sale.
The LG HU85LS is a strong Formovie Theater competitor, with a slightly lower 2,700 lumens but a wider color gamut, dynamic tone mapping, and unique Filmmaker Mode for preserving creative intent. It also has LG's excellent webOS platform for streaming and a 12-point warping tool for aligning the image to curved and uneven surfaces. But it costs a fair bit more than the Formovie, making it better suited for high-end dedicated theaters.
The Samsung LSP9T matches many of the AWOL LTV-2500's gaming-friendly features like low input lag and full HDMI 2.1, while adding full DCI-P3 color coverage, Filmmaker Mode, and an even more powerful 40-watt sound system. It's one of the few USTs that does real justice to HDR content. But like the LG, it commands a substantial price premium over the AWOL, so it's more of a luxury option.
Is the Formovie Theater or AWOL LTV-2500 Better?
After extensive testing and comparison, I'm confident in saying the Formovie Theater vs AWOL LTV-2500 are two of the best laser UST projectors you can buy under $3,000. Both deliver incredibly sharp, bright, and colorful 4K images up to 150 inches from just inches away, with built-in streaming, premium sound, and gamer-friendly features. They're as close as you can get to a high-end TV experience from a projector.
For most home theater setups, I give the slight edge to the Formovie Theater. The higher 2,800-lumen brightness helps it maintain better contrast and color saturation with some room lights on or on very large screens. And the expanded Rec.2020 color gamut and Dolby Vision support allow it to get closer to the director's intent with the latest 4K HDR content. Toss in the newer Android TV 11, Google Assistant, and sleeker design and it feels like the more complete package.
However, dedicated gamers and critical dark room viewers should strongly consider the AWOL LTV-2500. The ultra-low 15ms input lag at 4K and 8ms at 1080p make it one of the most responsive USTs available - a huge advantage in fast-paced competitive genres. The higher 2,500:1 contrast ratio and ISF calibration options also give it the edge for shadow detail and overall image "pop" in a light-controlled room, albeit only slightly.
Ultimately, you can't go wrong with either of these elite laser USTs. They deliver a truly cinematic big screen experience previously reserved for $5,000+ long-throw models. Whether you're upgrading an older TV, building a dedicated theater room, or looking for a space-saving gaming and media powerhouse, both the Formovie Theater and AWOL LTV-2500 are outstanding options.
Go Deeper:
Jim's our tech geek with a mission since February 2023. From movies to video projectors, he knows his stuff and aims to make tech work for you. When he's not geeking out, he's there to guide you through making savvy decisions.
