I’m debating between AWOL 3500 PRO, Epson LS800 and LG HU915QE. I mostly watch movies at night but would like to have the option to use my UST projector in the morning. Any recommendations?
I have an UST and a center speaker. I made intelligent choices about how to make that happen. In my case, I wound up having to mount the center speaker a bit lower than I wanted (on a shelf right under the projector) but it's working perfectly. I slightly angled the center up. Having a CLR screen helps the whole in several ways, also - first, you can watch TV with a light on in the room with a fairly satisfying image, and second the screen aims the light back at the viewer which helps contrast and quality overall while also keeping light overspill on the ceiling and walls to an absolute minimum. UST's are great. However, I wouldn't say installation was easy per se... there's a lot of measuring and finagling and moving and tweaking to get everything lined up with miliimeter precision, there's zero zoom of any kind on UST's. There's less mechanical work like routing cables, but installation has to be absolutely precise. Also, buying the CLR screen can cost a grand or more and in my opinion they're a required component. A white screen does not get the job done right.
Ust's are living room tv replacements with a alr screen with minimal light control. My wife would never want even a 65" permanently mounted tv in our living room, but our floor rising 120" screen mounted below our large window is 100% acceptable to her. It really is tge best of both worlds.
Would you say that the picture is a little brighter and sharper on the ceiling mounted ones with a similar price point? Also, when you get really large screens like 150-200, is the UST even a possibility? Thanks!!!
It all comes down to lumens. My Epson LS800 has 4500 real measured lumens or so on max, which is brighter than most long throws. As for screen sizes, 150 is basically the max you can do with UST and this means that your projector is literally on the floor, and the 150 inch image is very high on the wall, you need a very tall wall. 100-120 is really what they're made for. The Epson has the shortest throw on the market and can do 150 with some ease, but it's an exception and has other shortcomings, so pick which compromise you like. Also, purchasing price for an UST needs to include the thousand bucks or more for a CLR screen.
My hope is a acoustic transparent ALR screen at 120inch to use in a partially light controlled living room home Theater. Installation would be great and i could connect it from storage technic room.
Did you ever own a Comodore 64. I am showing my age but I had one. Also the previous model the Comodore VIC20 and the model that superseded it the Comodore Amiga with a 3.5” floppy disk.
Nice video. Which one deliver best picture quality between standard projector & UST projector. Because now i am confused between Awol 3500 ust & epson ls12000 and i am new for the projectors world. I only watching movies & playing video games no sport or tv channels. Your advice highly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
It will mostly come down to use case. If you feel its too difficult to get a HDMI and ceiling mount the Epson then the 3500 is a fine choice. Both would make a great image in your room but you have to work out which one will fit your requirements of the placement/room better.
Thank you very much for reply I have no issue witht ceiling amount & i have dedicated room. my choice will be acording to the picture quality. Please your advice which one delivers better picture quality and if the standard projector better what you recommend between Epson LS12000 & JVC NP5
I had a ceiling mount but switched to a UST because the HDMI cable the builder installed above the finished ceiling couldn’t handle 4K. I’m very pleased with my Optoma UHD projector.
If I have a projector that natively supports HDR10+ and does not support DV, but I have a HDF VRRoom in the mix, would it be better to watch the HDR10+ format or the DV format? HDR10+ would have dynamic meta data for tone mapping...
The projector will default to HDR10+ and you likely should watch it in that format. I get that on my JVC as well sometimes and it always defaults to HDR10+ and I dont try to force it to DV.
@@BuildMontage this was my thought, but was curious to see what you thought. There is not a lot of HDR10+ content that I've seen, but the stuff I've watched looks incredible
If someone is looking at 100" screen size I'd by a direct view TV over a projector, now that prices have fallen. I also understand that not everyone can accommodate a TV of that size. The image is going to be far better on the TV if they can.
The 100" TV's have limited viewing angles and look like Times Square in your living room, weigh 800 lbs, dificult to install, picture quality is sub par to smaller TV's and can't be as big as 150" like the AWOL Laser TV's. This video showed that although it is not a big reflective eye sore, the AWOL 3000 Pro has a true RGB laser diode, bright lumens, the best lens in the category and can produce over a billion colors. It's an immersive Cinematic experience and can replace your TV in a bright room as said in the video. When you want to watch a computer screen type of image go into your bedroom, when you want to watch the Superbowl turn on your 120" plus AWOL. When big TV's become less expensive than toasters you have to wonder why.
@homemediapatrol3784 I've owned 5 projectors, including the JVC NX7, so I'm extremely familiar with what a projector is capable of. Sure, you can create a 150" but it won't even reach 300 nits and have poor black levels. Projectors can not compete with a TV when it comes to HDR. I had 135" screen with my JVC, and that was pushing it. I also don't know what rock you've been living under, but virtually all the new 100" TV weight is around 150-200 pounds, lol and pretty much any of them will blow away the project you mentioned. The only point you have is viewing angle because the same amount of room would be needed for a projector screen, and it literally takes a few bolts to put one up, a projector is a far bigger pain in the butt. Your arguments are beyond ridiculous and weak.
There is no right or wrong. I never tell people what to do, I just share options. I personally prefer a projector over a TV for most things. Accurate placement of the speakers is probably the biggest reason for me especially in a home theater.
@BuildMontage I'm not telling people what to do, I'm simply giving the reasons why I believe a TV would be better considering the price drops. I definitely agree that speaker placement is an issue.
It's just the size and heft of those monsters. It's a pain to install an UST screen and lining everything up right but compared to carting around 150 kilos worth of TV and getting that wall mounted that's a nice vacation in the Caribbean by comparison. And then the TV breaks and you have to ship it.... yea no thanks.
Umfortunately I don't - you will need to use a sensor as my settings wouldn't help you at all. The room/lighting/wall colour etc all has an impact. You need to calibrate it with a sensor if you don't want to use the presets.
I think the answer is it depends. Personally I love the ‘feel’ of a projector - it has a certain glow and atmosphere that TVs do not have, it’s the difference between a TV and a cinema. If you already have a projector setup, then keep going with that I say.
Would there be any difference in picture quality between an ambient light rejecting screen and acoustic transparent screen. I would like to do speakers behind my screen with an UST projector but most come bundled with ambient light rejecting screens.
This has been my quandary with going UST as well, BM seemed to be ok with the picture quality so maybe it's not as bad in a light controlled room. I also wonder how 2500 performs in a light controlled room as well.
Tony thanks for this video. By the way, your shirt makes me feel reallyyy old. I remember using my brother's C64 and Texas Instruments computers to manually type the commands to create games for hours, but once done it was all worth it!
I’m still failing to understand the appeal of USTs. Some people see it as getting projector screen sizes without the difficulties of a standard projector (mounting, line of sight, cable routing). Personally, I see it as a massively compromised projector. Most have very limited screen size options. You really have to pair it with a specific screen type that is much more costly. Speaking of costly these are essentially 4K DLP projectors with very fancy optics that drive the prices up way beyond what you would normally pay for a DLP experience. not knocking DLP- I own a BenQ W4000i/HT4550i and I love it but that’s a feature packed $3000 projector. If I’m paying $5k-6K for a projector I’m definitely going for the entry, native 4K Sony SXRD.
We are spoilt for choice. UST projectors have many benefits - portability and easy install being one of them. Not everyone can run cables to the ceiling and the LTV3000 Pro is right up there in quality - best Ive seen for DLP.
I think once TVs get to that size with micro panels maybe but how do you get speakers behind your TV at that size to have cohesion between the audio and video?
@@BuildMontage yes Sir! Nice Microprose startup up again. I really am thankful for all of your amazing videos and dedication. I just finished my 5th theater (since 2008) in a really challenging space applying your tricks.
It was, I just used the AWOL projector as the example - I have 4 other UST projectors I could have used but chose this one because I personally feel it's the best.
Maybe, but the sheer impracticality of TV's that size is prohibitive. I very much doubt they'll become the norm in people's homes. Most people won't go past 77 or something. Enthusiasts meanwhile want larger images. For dedicated theaters, the tile systems where you stack MicroLED panels meanwhile give you almost no good option at all for a center speaker, aside from their blinding cost to purchase. I wouldn't count out projectors yet, especially for dedicated rooms which is what this video is about anyway.
I agree not being able to put a center channel behind the TV is a big con, but I’m sure they’ll figure it out. Look at Sony, they already have a TV with the speakers behind the panel and you can send the center channel signal through it. It’s just a matter of time and I can see it happening in the next 10 years. Another big con for TVs is the heat that they give off. I have a 40” LED in my bedroom and if I have the door closed it gets hot in there. I can just imagine the heat coming off a 120” TV.
@@BuildMontage true. People with small media rooms can fit booth tvs and projectors. But for me a big tv with Dolny Vision in a small room would be better somce it doesn’t blow hot air and create heat and noise when the setting is on high. But a bigger media room of course get a projector
Buy 🟥 LTV 3500 PRO - bza6.short.gy/3500pro
I’m debating between AWOL 3500 PRO, Epson LS800 and LG HU915QE. I mostly watch movies at night but would like to have the option to use my UST projector in the morning. Any recommendations?
I was not happy with the ls800 in person. The AWOL 3500 pro has no competition for brightness.
I have an UST and a center speaker. I made intelligent choices about how to make that happen. In my case, I wound up having to mount the center speaker a bit lower than I wanted (on a shelf right under the projector) but it's working perfectly. I slightly angled the center up. Having a CLR screen helps the whole in several ways, also - first, you can watch TV with a light on in the room with a fairly satisfying image, and second the screen aims the light back at the viewer which helps contrast and quality overall while also keeping light overspill on the ceiling and walls to an absolute minimum. UST's are great. However, I wouldn't say installation was easy per se... there's a lot of measuring and finagling and moving and tweaking to get everything lined up with miliimeter precision, there's zero zoom of any kind on UST's. There's less mechanical work like routing cables, but installation has to be absolutely precise. Also, buying the CLR screen can cost a grand or more and in my opinion they're a required component. A white screen does not get the job done right.
Ust's are living room tv replacements with a alr screen with minimal light control. My wife would never want even a 65" permanently mounted tv in our living room, but our floor rising 120" screen mounted below our large window is 100% acceptable to her. It really is tge best of both worlds.
Agreed
Thank you! This video came out right as I was talking to my wife about a possible purchase in the future for a projector
Always enjoy your videos and your thoughts. Keep up the great work Tony.
Thanks for taking a look Michael :)
Would you say that the picture is a little brighter and sharper on the ceiling mounted ones with a similar price point? Also, when you get really large screens like 150-200, is the UST even a possibility? Thanks!!!
It would be difficult at that size as it would need to be on the floor for sizes like that.
It all comes down to lumens. My Epson LS800 has 4500 real measured lumens or so on max, which is brighter than most long throws. As for screen sizes, 150 is basically the max you can do with UST and this means that your projector is literally on the floor, and the 150 inch image is very high on the wall, you need a very tall wall. 100-120 is really what they're made for. The Epson has the shortest throw on the market and can do 150 with some ease, but it's an exception and has other shortcomings, so pick which compromise you like. Also, purchasing price for an UST needs to include the thousand bucks or more for a CLR screen.
@@KimmoJaskari thanks… But those UST projectors at about 120 inches are just as bright and sharp as the ceiling mounted ones?
My hope is a acoustic transparent ALR screen at 120inch to use in a partially light controlled living room home Theater. Installation would be great and i could connect it from storage technic room.
Would be awesome to see your long-throw vs. short-throw projectors
Did you ever own a Comodore 64. I am showing my age but I had one. Also the previous model the Comodore VIC20 and the model that superseded it the Comodore Amiga with a 3.5” floppy disk.
I never owned one but my friends did and I had an Atari, so we used to switch around. My favourite game was Karateka on tape!
@@BuildMontage awesome game. Have you seen the documentary on the game. It is worth a watch. Google it.
Can you use a acoustic transparent screen with a USTP?
Yes you can - I show the demos in the video.
Nice video.
Which one deliver best picture quality between standard projector & UST projector.
Because now i am confused between Awol 3500 ust & epson ls12000 and i am new for the projectors world.
I only watching movies & playing video games no sport or tv channels.
Your advice highly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
It will mostly come down to use case. If you feel its too difficult to get a HDMI and ceiling mount the Epson then the 3500 is a fine choice. Both would make a great image in your room but you have to work out which one will fit your requirements of the placement/room better.
Thank you very much for reply
I have no issue witht ceiling amount & i have dedicated room.
my choice will be acording to the picture quality.
Please your advice which one delivers better picture quality and if the standard projector better what you recommend between Epson LS12000 & JVC NP5
I had a ceiling mount but switched to a UST because the HDMI cable the builder installed above the finished ceiling couldn’t handle 4K. I’m very pleased with my Optoma UHD projector.
model?
Ease of install is a big benefit for sure.
@@tvtime1505 p-1
If I have a projector that natively supports HDR10+ and does not support DV, but I have a HDF VRRoom in the mix, would it be better to watch the HDR10+ format or the DV format? HDR10+ would have dynamic meta data for tone mapping...
The projector will default to HDR10+ and you likely should watch it in that format. I get that on my JVC as well sometimes and it always defaults to HDR10+ and I dont try to force it to DV.
@@BuildMontage this was my thought, but was curious to see what you thought. There is not a lot of HDR10+ content that I've seen, but the stuff I've watched looks incredible
If someone is looking at 100" screen size I'd by a direct view TV over a projector, now that prices have fallen. I also understand that not everyone can accommodate a TV of that size. The image is going to be far better on the TV if they can.
The 100" TV's have limited viewing angles and look like Times Square in your living room, weigh 800 lbs, dificult to install, picture quality is sub par to smaller TV's and can't be as big as 150" like the AWOL Laser TV's. This video showed that although it is not a big reflective eye sore, the AWOL 3000 Pro has a true RGB laser diode, bright lumens, the best lens in the category and can produce over a billion colors. It's an immersive Cinematic experience and can replace your TV in a bright room as said in the video. When you want to watch a computer screen type of image go into your bedroom, when you want to watch the Superbowl turn on your 120" plus AWOL. When big TV's become less expensive than toasters you have to wonder why.
@homemediapatrol3784 I've owned 5 projectors, including the JVC NX7, so I'm extremely familiar with what a projector is capable of. Sure, you can create a 150" but it won't even reach 300 nits and have poor black levels. Projectors can not compete with a TV when it comes to HDR. I had 135" screen with my JVC, and that was pushing it. I also don't know what rock you've been living under, but virtually all the new 100" TV weight is around 150-200 pounds, lol and pretty much any of them will blow away the project you mentioned. The only point you have is viewing angle because the same amount of room would be needed for a projector screen, and it literally takes a few bolts to put one up, a projector is a far bigger pain in the butt. Your arguments are beyond ridiculous and weak.
There is no right or wrong. I never tell people what to do, I just share options. I personally prefer a projector over a TV for most things. Accurate placement of the speakers is probably the biggest reason for me especially in a home theater.
@BuildMontage I'm not telling people what to do, I'm simply giving the reasons why I believe a TV would be better considering the price drops. I definitely agree that speaker placement is an issue.
It's just the size and heft of those monsters. It's a pain to install an UST screen and lining everything up right but compared to carting around 150 kilos worth of TV and getting that wall mounted that's a nice vacation in the Caribbean by comparison. And then the TV breaks and you have to ship it.... yea no thanks.
Would you have the color settings for the AWOL 3000? Trying to get the moist out of mine.
Umfortunately I don't - you will need to use a sensor as my settings wouldn't help you at all. The room/lighting/wall colour etc all has an impact. You need to calibrate it with a sensor if you don't want to use the presets.
I think the answer is it depends. Personally I love the ‘feel’ of a projector - it has a certain glow and atmosphere that TVs do not have, it’s the difference between a TV and a cinema. If you already have a projector setup, then keep going with that I say.
100% - I much prefer the projector over a TV and use them exclusively over TVs in all my setups in my home.
Hey what media player are u using starts with a z:?? not the apple tv
Sure - it's the Zidoo media player - I have video reviews on my channel about them :)
@@BuildMontage Thank you very much
Long live 3d i find 3d on a projector an awesome experience
Totally agree!
Would there be any difference in picture quality between an ambient light rejecting screen and acoustic transparent screen. I would like to do speakers behind my screen with an UST projector but most come bundled with ambient light rejecting screens.
This has been my quandary with going UST as well, BM seemed to be ok with the picture quality so maybe it's not as bad in a light controlled room. I also wonder how 2500 performs in a light controlled room as well.
In a light controlled room it's great - although for a bright room I'd still go with an ALR.
Are lazer short throw projectors better?
Better than?
Tony thanks for this video. By the way, your shirt makes me feel reallyyy old. I remember using my brother's C64 and Texas Instruments computers to manually type the commands to create games for hours, but once done it was all worth it!
Nice!
I’m still failing to understand the appeal of USTs. Some people see it as getting projector screen sizes without the difficulties of a standard projector (mounting, line of sight, cable routing). Personally, I see it as a massively compromised projector. Most have very limited screen size options. You really have to pair it with a specific screen type that is much more costly. Speaking of costly these are essentially 4K DLP projectors with very fancy optics that drive the prices up way beyond what you would normally pay for a DLP experience. not knocking DLP- I own a BenQ W4000i/HT4550i and I love it but that’s a feature packed $3000 projector. If I’m paying $5k-6K for a projector I’m definitely going for the entry, native 4K Sony SXRD.
We are spoilt for choice. UST projectors have many benefits - portability and easy install being one of them. Not everyone can run cables to the ceiling and the LTV3000 Pro is right up there in quality - best Ive seen for DLP.
good video, and great shirt
Ha! Thanks mate
I look forward to watching this one
I definitely take a big tv 4k tv vs a projector if a 115 inches 4k miniled tv price can match 2,000 to 3,000 dollars UST laser projector ,
I think once TVs get to that size with micro panels maybe but how do you get speakers behind your TV at that size to have cohesion between the audio and video?
@@BuildMontage I will figure it out 😁
115+ TV only with matte finish for me
Brilliant Sir! Every time I see that shirt I think of,
LOAD “*”,8,1
Miss the good ol' days....
@@BuildMontage yes Sir! Nice Microprose startup up again. I really am thankful for all of your amazing videos and dedication. I just finished my 5th theater (since 2008) in a really challenging space applying your tricks.
I thought this video was related to whether to have projector or not ,looked like more of AWOL advertisement
It was, I just used the AWOL projector as the example - I have 4 other UST projectors I could have used but chose this one because I personally feel it's the best.
I think UST projectors' days are numbered now that TVs are over 100" and more affordable
It's possible. I think what may kill them is the micro-led panels where you can build as big as you like... but they are too expensive at the moment.
@@BuildMontageand you can’t place speakers behind them
Totally agree. I’ve made that point several times in the comments section and the video :)
Maybe, but the sheer impracticality of TV's that size is prohibitive. I very much doubt they'll become the norm in people's homes. Most people won't go past 77 or something. Enthusiasts meanwhile want larger images. For dedicated theaters, the tile systems where you stack MicroLED panels meanwhile give you almost no good option at all for a center speaker, aside from their blinding cost to purchase. I wouldn't count out projectors yet, especially for dedicated rooms which is what this video is about anyway.
I agree not being able to put a center channel behind the TV is a big con, but I’m sure they’ll figure it out. Look at Sony, they already have a TV with the speakers behind the panel and you can send the center channel signal through it. It’s just a matter of time and I can see it happening in the next 10 years. Another big con for TVs is the heat that they give off. I have a 40” LED in my bedroom and if I have the door closed it gets hot in there. I can just imagine the heat coming off a 120” TV.
I want that t-shirt😊
Threadheads!
Realistically people have a space perfect for an 85’ with the best soundbar. We don’t have massive media rooms
Not entirely true otherwise there would be no one buying projectors :) Choice is an amazing thing!
@@BuildMontage true. People with small media rooms can fit booth tvs and projectors. But for me a big tv with Dolny Vision in a small room would be better somce it doesn’t blow hot air and create heat and noise when the setting is on high. But a bigger media room of course get a projector
@@peat381low8 big TVs get hot too! But the main thing is get what u want to - lots of choices :)
this guy’s home cinema makes my local theatre look like a homeless shelter.
Oh man, my room is my sanctuary, so thank you :)
First? :D