When Brian Gluck from www.projectorscreen.com asked if I would like to host this year‘s ultra-short throw Projector showdown, I leaped at the opportunity. While the Projector Reviews team evaluates several ultra-short throw projectors yearly, it is hard to understand the differences solely based on measurements and memory.
Ultra-short throw (UST) projectors have emerged as a popular option for home entertainment enthusiasts seeking a massive, high-quality image without the cumbersome installation of traditional projectors. To help enthusiasts make informed decisions, ProjectorReviews.com and ProjectorScreen.com worked together to host the 2024 Ultra-Short Throw Projector Showdown. This event brought together some of the best UST projectors in the market for a head-to-head comparison under controlled conditions.
Since I was hosting the event along with Brian, we both opted not to participate in the judging. However, I want to share my impression of the event, so this article provides an in-depth look at the event setup, judging criteria, performance evaluations, and impressions of the standout projectors.
The 2024 UST Showdown was designed to address a recurring challenge - accurately comparing the performance of multiple projectors. While specifications like brightness and contrast ratios can provide some insight, they rarely reflect real-world usage. Memory and measurements alone don’t capture nuanced differences between projectors. By setting them up side-by-side in identical conditions, judges could directly assess each projector's strengths and weaknesses.
Brian was gracious enough to pull projectors from his current inventory. This ensured the manufacturers did not provide golden professionally tuned models, which could sway voting. The goal was to ensure we utilized projectors that an average consumer could buy. Each manufacturer was invited to come to Brian’s facility in New Jersey and adjust their projector before the event.
I’ve been to several projector comparisons where manufacturers have spent several hours in the service menu using complex measurement equipment to tune a projector to give it a performance advantage. This is why the picture adjustments were limited to things that an average consumer could quickly do utilizing readily available test patterns on the Internet or YouTube, such as Brightness, Contrast, Color Temperature, and Gamma. Once the projectors were adjusted to prevent tampering, they were repacked until the Showdown; during the event, no manufacturer's representatives were present to prevent them from influencing the vote.
While users would still need to adjust brightness and contrast for their particular environment, we will share the recommended picture settings provided by each manufacturer, which we utilized during the competition.
In addition, we will also share an alternative list of recommended adjustments provided by the judges that probably would have helped a couple of projectors deliver a more competitive image.
The event also emphasized real-world usage scenarios, testing projectors in modes most consumers would use rather than relying on golden samples or perfect calibration. This approach ensures buyers can trust that the insights align with what they’ll experience at home.
To help evaluate this year's 4K ultra short throw projectors, Projector Reviews worked with Projector Screen to bring together a diverse panel of expert judges, including ISF-certified calibrators, professional reviewers, and video technology enthusiasts, each of the six judges is well-regarded in the A/V industry.
Brian’s team set up eight identical screens so the judges would have the rare and unique opportunity to compare several leading ultra-short throw projectors side-by-side. To ensure a level playing field, the room was outfitted with eight Spectra Projection Vantage 0.5 gain ambient light rejecting screens, all 100 inches in size.
These screens were chosen for their proven performance and affordability, making them a practical pairing for UST projectors. The screens were mounted on specialized carts, and light uniformity was achieved using dimmable bulbs and white drop ceiling tiles to emulate a common living room. The lighting environment alternated between high ambient light and complete darkness to test projector adaptability.
Key supporting equipment included Kaleidescape media server, AVPro’s video distribution hardware, and Panasonic Blu-ray players. Projectors were connected via identical bullet train optical cables to ensure uniform signal quality. To prevent cross-screen interference, one-foot blinders were installed between projectors.
Another vital aspect was contrast, which measured the projector's ability to differentiate between the brightest whites and the darkest blacks in an image. This evaluation also included observing how effectively the projector displayed subtle gradations in brightness, contributing to a sense of depth and dimensionality.
The black levels and shadow detail category examined how well the projector handled dark scenes. Judges looked for deep, inky blacks and clear visibility of fine textures or subtle details within shadows. These factors are essential for cinematic viewing experiences in dark environments, where insufficient black levels can make scenes appear washed out.
Things like contrast, video processing, and picture tuning majorly influence real-world performance. After the Showdown, we measured each projector’s max brightness and black level to determine their contrast ratio. We noticed that the projector that measured the best often didn’t deliver the best real-world contrast and black levels.
The sharpness and detail of the image were also critical components of the evaluation. Judges scrutinized the clarity of fine details across the screen, ensuring that the image was sharp not just in the center but also at the edges. A sharp image contributes to an immersive viewing experience, particularly with high-definition and 4K content.
For motion handling, the judges focused on the smoothness of playback for content shot at 24 frames per second (24p), which is standard for most films. This involved evaluating whether the projectors could deliver a cinematic look without introducing judder or artificial smoothness caused by excessive motion interpolation.
The evaluation of each projector in the 2024 Ultra-Short Throw Projector Showdown was based on a comprehensive set of criteria designed to reflect real-world viewing experiences. Judges assessed performance in both SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) and HDR (High Dynamic Range) modes, focusing on attributes critical to image quality and usability in various environments.
While none of these UST projectors could deliver the inky blacks of a premium Home Theater projector, they still deliver impressive picture quality. During the competition, the judges were advised to “grade on a curve,” so the units that performed best in a category got an “A.” So remember, an “A” in black level for a UST projector is not the same as a “A” on an premium LCOS-based Home Theater projector.
The judge’s scorecard was divided into SDR and HDR, each with several criteria. One of the important criteria for both HDR and SDR was color accuracy, which involved analyzing how closely the projector replicated natural colors, particularly skin tones. The ideal image maintained a neutral color temperature of 6500K, ensuring that colors were vibrant yet realistic without oversaturation. Skin tones had to appear lifelike with no unnatural tints or deviations. The judges noticed that accurate HDR color reproduction does not directly relate to accurate SDR colors, so the projector placement often varied by format.
The overall brightness of the projector was another essential factor. Judges examined whether each projector could deliver a bright, vivid image, particularly in well-lit environments, without compromising color accuracy. During the HDR testing, the judge also evaluated whether highlight details in bright areas of the image were visible and not blown out.
The ability to perform in daytime viewing conditions was a separate consideration. Judges tested how well each projector's image withstood ambient light, ensuring the picture remained clear and engaging even in less-than-ideal lighting conditions.
There are three elements when it comes to good HDR tone mapping. The first is the ability to deliver deep blacks while still maintaining shadow detail. The second element is the ability to deliver good onscreen brightness and the third is the ability to do all of this without blowing out bright highlight detail when viewing challenging HDR scenes. During the event, some projectors struggled with very dark HDR screens while others struggled with bright material.
Lastly, the presence of visual artifacts was meticulously examined. Judges identified any distracting issues, such as DLP rainbows, laser speckle, chromatic aberration (color fringing), banding, or digital noise. These artifacts can significantly impact the viewing experience, particularly for those sensitive to such imperfections. By applying these rigorous criteria, the judging panel ensured that the evaluation covered various factors relevant to home entertainment enthusiasts. This approach provided a balanced assessment of each projector's strengths and weaknesses, offering valuable insights to potential buyers.
After the event, to determine ranking of each projector, the sum of the points in each category (SDR & HDR) were tabulated. To calculate a projector's "Total Point Score", the sum of the SDR and HDR categories tabulated to determine "Total Point Rank".
To select an "Overall Judges Pick," the judges were also asked to pick their top 3 overall choices, taking everything about the projector into account, including picture quality, design, and user interface. Using ranked choice voting, 3 points were awarded for a #1 pick, 2 points for a #2 pick, and 1 point for a #3 pick. The projector tabulation of points was used to determine its ranked choice.
Before the event, I compiled a list of challenging SDR and HDR clips which were played back using the Kaleidescape Strato system. The evaluations featured a curated list of movie scenes and test patterns.
Movies used during testing included:
The HDR tests used HDR10 content since all the projectors supported that format. Towards the end of the event, we utilized a Kaleidescape Strato V to feed Dolby Vision encoded versions of several clips to the compatible projector to see if there was a noticeable improvement in picture quality,
The Hisense PX3-PRO includes several upgrades over the previous PX2-PRO, including the ability to display a native contrast of 3,000:1, support for HDR10+ in addition to Dolby Vision, 4K AI upscaling, 3D video support, and it's the company's first IMAX-enhanced projector. The PX3-PRO offers a significant brightness upgrade over the PX2-PRO, with 3,000 ANSI lumens of manufacturer-rated brightness, representing a 25% increase. The PX3-PRO also features Google TV integration.
Known for its exceptionally high brightness levels, the award-winning Epson LS800 projector is ideal for environments with ambient light. Epson's 3-Chip 3LCD technology delivers excellent color performance without the distracting rainbow effect or other color issues sometimes found on DLP projectors. One of Epson's significant advantages over DLP-based USTs is that 3LCD projectors produce an equal amount of white and color lumens. While its 4K PRO-UHD pixel-shifting technology doesn’t quite match the sharpness of DLP-based projectors, it does enhance on-screen resolution beyond Full HD.
The Formovie Theater Premium arrived with high expectations, following the success of its predecessor, the Formovie Theater, which dominated the previous year’s shootout. This updated model included a brighter output, an improved throw distance, and a switch to Google TV for a more seamless streaming experience.
The XGIMI Aura 2 is powered by XGIMI’s Dual Light 2.0 technology, which combines laser and LED light sources to achieve 2300 ISO lumens of brightness while displaying 99% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. The projector supports both the IMAX Enhanced and Dolby Vision certifications, suggesting a strong focus on providing cinematic image quality. Lastly, the Aura 2 includes an auto picture calibration feature that delivers incredibly accurate color reproduction at the press of a button.
The Nexigo Aurora Pro is a tri-color laser projector that can reproduce 107% of the BT.2020 color gamut, ensuring vibrant and accurate visuals. The projector supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+. Good native contrast combined with effective dynamic laser dimming technology delivers good black levels and excellent shadow detail.
The Hisense PL2 is the least expensive ultra-short throw projector in Hisense’s lineup. The single laser projector supports Dolby Vision and HDR10. The projector runs on the Google TV platform, offering access to popular streaming services and voice control via Google Assistant.
The Formovie Cinema Edge was the least expense projector in the Showdown. It is a single laser projector designed to deliver excellent picture quality at an attractive price for value-conscious consumers seeking an immersive viewing experience. Formovie Cinema Edge uses the Google TV operating system.
The Samsung Premiere 9 (LPU9D) entered the competition as the most expensive projector in the showdown, priced at $5,999. The Premiere 9 has a maximum brightness of 3,450 ISO lumens, which is significantly higher than the 2,800 ANSI lumens offered by the 2021 Premiere LSP9T. The unit runs on Samsung's Tizen OS, providing access to popular streaming services, and it comes with the Samsung Gaming Hub, which provides access to over 3,000 premium titles from partners like Xbox, which can be played without a console.
The 2024 Ultra-Short Throw Projector Showcase brought together a diverse lineup of projectors, each with unique strengths and weaknesses.
Among the top performers was the Hisense PX3-PRO, a triple-laser model that impressed judges with its consistent performance across all evaluation criteria. While no projector in the Showdown delivered a perfect image, the PX3-PRO scored at the top or near the top of every judge’s scorecard in nearly every category. So, while the projector didn't do everything perfectly, it did everything well. Judges were impressed with its ability to deliver balanced brightness, accurate color reproduction, and solid black levels which made it a standout option.
The PX3-PRO excelled in both SDR and HDR testing, showcasing its versatility in various lighting conditions. While it may not have been the absolute best in every category, its well-rounded performance earned it the top spot in the competition.
Before the event, Projector Reviews had awarded the PX3-PRO, our Editor’s Choice, for ultra short throw projectors between $3,000 and $4,000.Priced at approximately $3,500, the PX3-PRO demonstrated why it is a strong option for those seeking top-tier performance in a UST projector.
Epson did not physically come to the facility to adjust the LS800, however they did provide some recommended settings. The settings produced an accurate picture, but they dramatically impacted the unit's brightness. The projector’s use of 4K PRO-UHD pixel-shifting technology enhanced its resolution beyond HD but fell short of the sharpness achieved by its DLP-based competitors.
Many of the judges had prior experience with the Epson and would've chosen different adjustments, but according to the rules of the competition, the manufacturer made the final decision. After the competition, the judges made some adjustments that they believed would've delivered the best image during the competition, and the units, core strengths of brightness, and equal color lumens were revealed.
Judges noted its exceptionally high brightness and vibrant colors when set to its Dynamic mode, which amplifies its brightness and appeal. While this mode allowed the LS800 to deliver an impactful and vivid image, it came at the expense of strict color accuracy. Despite its limitations in calibration flexibility, the LS800 is well-suited for users who prioritize brightness and usability, especially in bright rooms. The LS800 remains one of the best choices for users prioritizing brightness and ease of use, with a price often available for under $3,000.
The Formovie Theater Premium entered the competition with high expectations, building on the success of its predecessor, the Formovie Theater, which won the previous year’s shootout. The Theater Premium did not disappoint, offering improvements in brightness, throw distance, and overall hardware performance.
Its HDR tone mapping was particularly effective, and the vibrant, oversaturated SDR colors appealed to judges, especially in well-lit environments. However, some judges found the oversaturation less desirable for accuracy-focused applications. Even so, the Theater Premium consistently ranked as one of the top models, proving its continued dominance in the UST market.
While every other projector was equipped with a single or RGB laser light source, The Aura 2 utilizes a hybrid dual-laser and LED light engine. The judges were impressed with its outstanding SDR color accuracy, noting its lifelike skin tones and cinematic presentation. The projector’s ease of setup and auto-calibration features also earned praise.
However, the projector struggled with some HDR10 content, especially in high-brightness scenes where detail loss and blown highlights were evident. Fortunately, when viewing Dolby Vision content, the projector performed excellently, making it a viable option for users who prioritize SDR accuracy and rely on Dolby Vision for HDR streaming. Priced at approximately $2,699, it appeals to those looking for precise color reproduction at an affordable price.
The Aura 2’s support for Dolby Vision mitigated this issue, delivering excellent results for compatible content. This model is particularly appealing to users who prioritize SDR accuracy and stream Dolby Vision HDR material, though it may not satisfy those with more demanding HDR requirements.
The Aurora Pro earned high marks for its ability to reveal fine shadow details in dark HDR scenes. This capability made it particularly suitable for movies and shows with dimly lit scenes, such as The Batman or Game of Thrones. While the projector performed well in brightness and color reproduction tests, its user interface and smart features lagged behind its competitors.
Additionally, the inability to fully disable motion compensation was noted as a drawback. Nevertheless, the Nexigo Aurora Pro proved to be a solid choice, especially for viewers who value exceptional shadow detail in their viewing experience. While it didn’t outperform all competitors in usability, its stellar shadow detail and strong overall performance made it a favorite among several judges.
The Premiere 9 was the most expensive projector in the lineup but faced challenges due to its lack of manufacturer support during the setup process. Despite its high price point, Samsung declined to provide recommended settings or send representatives for fine-tuning.
Based on prior experience, we chose one of the most accurate picture modes, which is either Movie or Filmmaker Mode. We used Filmmaker Mode to evaluate the projector since that mode is commonly brighter than the Movie mode.
Evaluated in its default filmmaker mode, the Premier 9 delivered an accurate but dim image compared to its competitors, which impacted its performance in categories like contrast and daytime viewing.
Since this is a manufacturer setting, we didn't want to make any significant changes that would have enhanced the unit’s brightness at the sacrifice of the projector’s overall color accuracy. This type of decision would have needed to be made by the manufacturer, but Samsung declined to make that call.
After the competition, judges experimented with Dynamic mode. They found it significantly improved brightness while maintaining a decent level of accuracy. Despite its potential, the Premier 9’s absence of optimized settings hindered its overall competitiveness. While different settings would have helped it score dramatically, it was doubtful that the image improvements would have been significant enough to alter the top rankings.
The Cinema Edge was the least expensive projector in the Showdown, but it delivered solid performance. Its single-laser design limited its color and brightness capabilities compared to triple-laser models. Judges noted that while it performed well for its price, it struggled to compete with similarly priced projectors offering more advanced features.
The Cinema Edge is a great budget-friendly option but may leave potential buyers questioning whether spending slightly more for an older, higher-tier model would yield better results. For example, Projector Screens sells the older 2023 showdown-winning Formovie Theater for just $2,399, and tri-laser Nexigo Aurora Pro sells for $2299.
The PL2, a single-laser model, surprised judges with its strong performance in both SDR and HDR evaluations. Its ability to produce high-quality images without requiring an ultra-wide color gamut demonstrated its practicality for most mainstream content. However, its single-laser design became apparent when displaying intense HDR colors, where it lacked the depth and vibrancy of triple-laser projectors.
While the PL2 received high scores overall, it was edged out by tri-laser equipped models in the final rankings, particularly those with superior HDR performance.
Overall, the Showdown highlighted the diversity and specialization of UST projectors. Each model excelled in particular areas, emphasizing that the best choice ultimately depends on individual preferences and use cases.
The Hisense PX3-PRO stood out as the most versatile and balanced option, consistently performing well across all scenarios. The Epson LS800, when configured in Dynamic Mode, shone in bright environments, while the Formovie Theater Premium offered vibrant visuals that appealed to many judges. The XGIMI Aura 2 catered to color enthusiasts, the Nexigo Aurora Pro excelled in shadow detail, and the Samsung Premier 9 hinted at untapped potential with more refined tuning.
Meanwhile, the Formovie Cinema Edge and Hisense PL1 showcased solid performances for their price points but were overshadowed by models with RGB laser light sources and advanced features. The results underscored the importance of aligning projector selection with personal viewing needs and preferences.
Each projector in the 2024 UST Showdown offered unique advantages, showcasing the diversity of features available in the UST market. The Hisense PX3-PRO stood out as the most well-rounded option, excelling in both SDR and HDR scenarios and meeting the needs of various viewing environments. Its consistent performance across categories solidified its position as the top choice for many judges.
While we awarded an overall judge’s pick and we're sharing their favorite models, this does not mean that these are the best models for everyone's applications. What features and image characteristics matter most will vary based on personal tastes. This is why several judge's favorite projectors scored lower than other models on their scorecards.
In conclusion, the 2024 UST Showdown provided valuable insights into each projector’s capabilities, emphasizing the importance of selecting a model that aligns with individual viewing preferences and use cases. Whether prioritizing brightness, color accuracy, or adaptability, there is a UST projector to suit every home entertainment enthusiast.