It was an honor to have been invited by Brian Gluck of ProjectorScreen.com to serve as a judge for the "2024 UST Projector Showdown" at the ProjectorScreen.com Headquarters in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey. This exciting event was produced by ProjectorReviews.com and run by Technical Editor and Lead Reviewer Phil Jones. Powered by Spectra Projection, AVPro Edge, and Kaleidescape, the showdown brought together the latest and greatest in ultra-short throw projector technology.
As a technical reviewer for ProjectorReviews.com, I have extensive experience evaluating projectors. Additionally, I earned my ISF (Imaging Science Foundation) Level II certification in September 2021 after attending the Advanced Video Calibration School at the CEDIA Global Headquarters in Fishers, Indianapolis. The course was taught by none other than ISF Founder Joel Silver and ISF Specialist and Trainer Jason Dustal, who, the last time I spoke with him, had personally calibrated over a thousand displays. This rigorous training equipped me with the expertise to analyze display devices with professional-grade precision, enabling me to provide in-depth assessments of color accuracy, contrast, and overall image fidelity.
The showdown offered a unique opportunity to see these cutting-edge devices go head-to-head in a controlled environment. The goal was to determine the best UST projector of 2024. It's important to keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all "best" projector, as different models excel in different areas. The key is to find the projector that best suits your individual needs and priorities.
The Venue and Setup
As I previously mentioned, the showdown was hosted at the ProjectorScreen.com headquarters, which provided an ideal setting for this detailed evaluation. The dedicated space allowed for optimal projector placement and minimized ambient light interference, ensuring a fair and accurate assessment of each contender. Spectra Projection contributed their top-of-the-line screens, paired perfectly with each projector to maximize performance. AVPro Edge handled flawless signal delivery and connectivity, while Kaleidescape supplied high-quality source content to push these projectors to their limits.
Judging Criteria and Methodology
The panel of expert judges used a rigorous evaluation process to assess each projector across multiple criteria.
In SDR mode, we evaluated:
Color accuracy/skin tone: The accuracy of color reproduction, with particular attention to how natural skin tones appeared.
Contrast: The difference between the brightest whites and darkest blacks, which contributed to image depth.
Black level/shadow detail: The ability to reproduce deep blacks while retaining details in shadows.
Detail/sharpness: The clarity and precision of fine lines and textures.
24p motion: Smoothness in handling 24 frames per second content, the standard frame rate for most movies.
Overall scene brightness: The brightness of the image and its impact on perceived quality.
Uniformity: The consistency of brightness and color across the screen.
Daytime viewing: Performance in rooms with ambient light.
For HDR mode, we additionally assessed:
Highlight detail: The ability to reproduce bright highlights without losing detail.
UHD detail/sharpness: Clarity and precision of 4K HDR content.
WCG content: The ability to reproduce the wider color gamut offered by HDR.
Visual artifacts: Presence of issues like posterization or banding.
No Calibration Performed
To clarify, no calibration was performed by the judges during the event. As a Technical Reviewer with ProjectorReviews.com, I have access to both the Murideo 8K SEVEN Generator and SEVEN Generator, which we typically use for evaluations. However, I did not bring or use these devices at the showdown, nor did I use any colorimeters, Portrait Displays/calman software, or other calibration tools. The judges did not adjust a single mode or setting on the projectors. All evaluations were based solely on how the projectors performed with the settings and modes provided.
The Judges
The judging panel brought a wealth of expertise from across the AV industry. Joining me for the 2024 UST Projector Showdown judging was Milton "EBPMan" Santiago, a YouTube content creator with over 80 million views. Milton's channel, EBPMAN Tech Reviews, is a trusted source for the latest in consumer electronics. Known for delivering in-depth, reliable reviews, Milton has helped viewers find the tech that’s right for them.
Andy Grimm is a freelance projector reviewer and display calibrator whose work has been featured in Home Theater Review, Sound & Vision, and Pixel Home Theater. With a sharp eye for detail and expertise in display calibration, Andy brought valuable technical knowledge to the panel.
Channa "Techno Dad" De Silva, a popular YouTube influencer and co-creator of the Spatial Audio Calibration Toolkit, runs the Techno Dad channel, where he reviews TVs, audio equipment, and A/V gear. His content blends technical insights with engaging, accessible explanations for all levels of home theater enthusiasts.
Chris Majestic, a YouTube projector reviewer and influencer, shares his expertise on the MajesTechs channel. With a passion for home theater technology, Chris is known for his thorough and approachable reviews of projectors and other AV equipment.
Chris Boylan, an ISF-trained calibrator and seasoned technology journalist, has been writing about audio and video technology since 1993. He founded the tech site Big Picture Big Sound in 2005 and is currently the Editor-at-Large for eCoustics, where he continues to cover advancements in the AV industry.
The showdown featured a range of ultra-short throw projectors from leading brands, each offering distinct features and capabilities.
The Hisense PX3 Pro is a tri-chroma laser projector with a brightness level of 3000 lumens and the ability to produce a 100-inch image. It supports a wide color gamut with accurate color reproduction and is designed for use in rooms with moderate ambient light. Its sibling, the Hisense PL2, is a more compact laser projector that provides decent color accuracy and brightness levels suitable for smaller spaces.
The Formovie Cinema Edge supports Dolby Vision and HDR10 with a 4K UHD resolution. This projector uses a laser light source and has a compact design intended for home theater setups. Another option from Formovie, the Theater Premium, offers a balance of features and price. It delivers 4K UHD resolution, HDR support, and flexible placement options.
The EpsonLS800 is known for its high brightness, capable of delivering up to 4000 lumens, and employs a 3LCD engine for vibrant colors with 4K enhancement to improve image detail. These features make it ideal for brightly lit rooms. However, during our showdown, the LS800 did not fully showcase its typical strengths. This was likely due to the mode and specific settings chosen by Epson for the event, which, for one reason or another, may not have been optimized to highlight the projector’s usual selling points.
For those on a budget, the NexiGo Aurora Pro is a laser projector that combines a 4K UHD resolution with moderate brightness levels and built-in streaming functionality. The XGIMI Aurora Pro, meanwhile, is a compact projector with a 4K UHD resolution, aimed at users seeking an efficient and straightforward solution.
The Samsung Premiere 9 LPU9D features HDR10+ support, a native 4K resolution, and a premium build quality. It is designed for viewers seeking a high-end home theater experience. However, during the showdown, the Premiere 9 LPU9D didn’t perform to its potential, as the manufacturer did not provide any guidance on optimizing its settings for the showdown.
While some models made it to the top three, others fell short in key areas during our evaluations.
Many of these projectors demonstrated impressive features on paper, but not all translated into consistent performance during testing. Some models struggled with presenting lifelike skin tones, occasionally rendering them anemic or sickly, particularly in scenes with challenging lighting conditions. Others suffered from insufficient brightness, making their images appear dim, especially in rooms with ambient light. HDR performance also proved to be a challenge for several contenders, with some projectors failing to deliver the punch and highlight detail expected from modern 4K HDR content.
It’s worth noting that our evaluations were based on a combination of real-world content and advanced test patterns. In addition to scenes from movies like La La Land, with its bright and vibrant costumes; Mad Max: Fury Road, with its intense action and gritty aesthetic; and Samsara, with its rich, global imagery, we tested the challenging dark visuals of The Batman. One particularly demanding scene featured the Riddler’s tense ambush of Gotham’s mayor, where the villain lurks in the shadows of a dimly lit home, blending almost completely into the darkness before striking. This sequence tested each projector’s ability to render fine shadow details, maintain contrast, and preserve the ominous tension of the moment.
To further push the projectors to their limits, we utilized the Spears and Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark disc. This industry-standard tool provided HDR-specific test patterns to evaluate key performance metrics such as tone mapping, dynamic range, and color accuracy. Combined, these resources ensured that our judgments were comprehensive and robust.
Ultimately, while these projectors all had their moments of strength, such as excelling in color reproduction, brightness, or detail, they didn’t accumulate enough points across all criteria to break into the top three.
My Top Picks
SDR Performance
Formovie Theater Premium: This projector offered the best SDR performance, excelling in natural color reproduction, contrast, and sharpness. Its ability to handle fine details in a controlled lighting environment made it the top choice for SDR.
Hisense PX3 Pro: Thanks to its tri-chroma laser technology, this projector delivered vibrant colors and smooth tonal transitions, even in moderately lit rooms.
NexiGo Aurora Pro: While not as technically advanced as the other picks, this budget-friendly model demonstrated strong SDR performance with accurate colors and clear image quality.
HDR Performance
Hisense PX3 Pro: This projector excelled in HDR with its vibrant color gamut, high brightness, and excellent highlight detail.
Formovie Theater Premium: Its balance of brightness and shadow detail made it a close second in HDR, delivering a refined and immersive experience.
NexiGo Aurora Pro: Despite its lower price, the NexiGo Aurora Pro provided respectable HDR performance, with decent brightness and highlight preservation.
Overall Performance
Hisense PX3 Pro: Exceptional performance across SDR and HDR modes, combined with its versatility, made this the top overall choice.
Formovie Theater Premium: With its balanced performance and excellent value, this projector was a strong runner-up.
NexiGo Aurora Pro: For its price, the NexiGo Aurora Pro delivered commendable overall performance, making it a standout budget option.
Honorable Mention: XGIMI Aura 2 The XGIMI Aura 2 narrowly missed the top three but deserves recognition for its user-friendly design, and compact form factor. While its visual performance wasn’t as strong as the top picks, it provided an appealing all-in-one entertainment solution, making it a solid choice for those prioritizing simplicity and convenience.
The Results
You now know my results as an individual judge, but what about the rest of the judging panel? And how did the projectors perform once all the scoresheets were tallied? For that additional information, Brian Gluck and Phil Jones have you covered.
After we submitted our scoresheets, Brian and Phil compiled all the data to create the final rankings. These results have now been published on ProjectorScreen.com by Brian and on ProjectorReviews.com. by Phil.
Brian’s detailed results are available on ProjectorScreen.com, while Phil’s insights, evaluations, and results can be found on ProjectorReviews.com. Together, these rankings reflect the collective expertise of the judging panel and a thorough testing process that incorporated both objective performance metrics and real-world viewing experiences.
Concluding Thoughts
The 2024 UST Projector Showdown was not just a fascinating experience but also a testament to the rapid advancements in projection technology. The event highlighted the versatility and potential of ultra-short throw projectors, showcasing how they can meet a wide range of needs—from cinematic home theaters to more casual family rooms.
What stood out most to me was the diversity in strengths among the contenders. Each projector brought something unique to the table, whether it was color accuracy, brightness, or HDR capabilities. It reinforced the fact that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution; the "best" projector will always depend on individual preferences, intended usage, and the viewing environment.
This event also underscored the importance of hosting evaluations in controlled environments with expert analysis. The meticulous setup, high-quality screens, and use of advanced testing tools such as the Spears and Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark disc ensured the results were thorough and reliable.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to see where ultra-short throw projection technology goes from here. Innovations in brightness, black levels, and HDR handling will continue to push boundaries, bringing us even closer to replicating the theater experience in our homes. It’s clear that manufacturers are paying attention to feedback from events like this, which only helps drive the industry forward.
I encourage anyone considering a UST projector to explore the detailed results published by both Brian Gluck on ProjectorScreen.com and Phil Jones on ProjectorReviews.com. Their insights offer invaluable guidance for anyone navigating the ever-growing projector market.
Participating in this event was a privilege, and I look forward to continuing to share my expertise with the projector and AV community. Whether you're upgrading your home theater or diving into projection technology for the first time, the options available today make it an incredibly exciting time to be an enthusiast.
