Please note that this is a meta-review prepared by the Simple Home Cinema team. Our meta-reviews analyse and cross-check data across multiple sources including professional reviews, user reviews and user forums to arrive at our analysis and review scores, and are useful to get an overall – and hopefully balanced – picture for a specific product. We will specifically state if we had the product tested by one of our team. Please do let us know, should you find any errors.
In the expanding market of ultra-short throw (UST) projectors, innovation continues to push boundaries. Enter the Formovie Theater Premium, which builds upon the success of its predecessor, the Formovie Theater, with improvements in RGB+Phosphor laser technology, Dolby Vision support, and a luxurious Bowers & Wilkins audio system. Priced at $2,999, this projector delivers a cinema-size display of up to 150 inches with jaw-dropping contrast and sound quality.
Although there are a few lingering rough edges, primarily around color accuracy and gaming capabilities, Formovie’s cutting-edge technology and ongoing commitment to firmware updates make the Theater Premium one of the most compelling UST projectors on the market today. Let’s explore its strengths, its few shortcomings, and why it earns high marks as a future-proof projector in its category.
Design and Build Quality: Sleek and Space-Saving
The Formovie Theater Premium retains the sleek and functional design of its predecessor, with an all-metal enclosure that measures 21.65 x 4.23 x 13.74 inches and weighs 21.6 lbs. Its premium industrial design fits seamlessly into modern living spaces, while its compact depth and leveling dials ensure flexibility and precision during installation.
The improved 0.21:1 throw ratio is a standout feature, allowing users to project a 150-inch diagonal screen from just 15.75 inches away from the wall. This shorter distance offers unmatched convenience and versatility, even in smaller spaces. Compared to competitors like the Hisense PX3-Pro or LG CineBeam HU915QB, the Formovie retains its edge as one of the most compact and elegant UST projectors available.
If you are into high-end home theater, check out our Display and Audio Calibration Guides to maximize your experience.
Projection Performance: Immersive and Dynamic
Advanced RGB+Phosphor Laser Technology
Central to the projector’s success is its ALPD 4.0 triple-laser system, combining blue laser-phosphor with an RGB laser for rich, vibrant, and speckle-free visuals. During testing, neither laser speckling nor rainbow effects were detected—ensuring a smooth viewing experience for even the most sensitive eyes.
Brightness and Contrast: Cinematic Excellence
The device boasts 2,200 ANSI lumens, which performs exceptionally well in dimly lit environments and even competes in moderately bright rooms. For optimal results, pairing the projector with an Ambient Light Rejecting (ALR) screen enhances clarity and brightness. Meanwhile, its 3,200:1 FOFO (Full-On/Full-Off) contrast ratio sets it apart from rivals like the Epson LS800, producing cinematic black levels and nuanced details in darker scenes.
Watching movies like Solo: A Star Wars Story and Deadpool & Wolverine showcased breathtaking shadow details and particle-rich visual effects, offering a truly immersive experience.
Color Performance: A Bright Spot with Room for Refinement
Formovie advertises 107% BT.2020 gamut coverage, and while testing indicated 100% DCI-P3 and Rec.709 reproduction, real-world measurements for BT.2020 struggled at 84.51%. However, this is still higher than many UST projectors in this price tier.
One minor drawback was color oversaturation, which was particularly noticeable when viewing Dolby Vision HDR content. Reds appeared overly vivid, and highlights sometimes clipped during brighter scenes. Thankfully, firmware updates already in progress aim to resolve such issues, improving mid-range HDR tones and enhancing overall accuracy. Additionally, deep calibration (if desired) can rein in oversaturation and unlock more natural color reproduction.
Despite these issues, the projector’s native richness in detail and vibrancy still makes it a fantastic choice for general movie watching, sports, and casual content.
Gaming Performance: A Mixed Bag
The Formovie Theater Premium includes ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), targeted at gamers. However, when activated, ALLM unnecessarily disables Game Mode while enabling motion compensation, leading to very high input lag of 135 ms. By turning off ALLM and calibrating manually, input lag improves to 35 ms (4K/60Hz)—acceptable for casual gaming but lower-tier when compared to competitors like the Epson LS800, which offers 16 ms latency optimized for fast-paced gaming.
For gamers seeking ultra-smooth performance, this is an area where Formovie could make further strides. Casual players, however, will still find gameplay enjoyable.
Superb Audio Performance: Iconic Bowers & Wilkins Sound
Rarely does a projector wow with its speakers, but the 30-watt Bowers & Wilkins sound system is a true highlight. With Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, it delivers a deep, room-filling soundstage with clear dialogue and satisfying bass. For most users, this means there is no immediate need for a dedicated sound system. Whether you’re watching a blockbuster movie or streaming a Netflix show, the sound is immersive and balanced.
For audiophiles or home theater enthusiasts, an AV receiver or premium soundbar can be paired via the HDMI eARC port for a multi-channel surround experience.
Smart Features and Usability: Google TV Steals the Show
The upgrade to Google TV (Version 12) is a major win for usability, providing a smoother and more intuitive experience than the older Android TV platform. Popular streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube come pre-installed, avoiding previous workarounds. Wi-Fi 6 ensures lag-free streaming, while Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity is available for connecting peripherals.
One downside, however, is the basic remote control, which some users have reported as prone to malfunction. While it fulfills basic duties, Formovie could improve its reliability to match the premium expectations of this projector.
PRICE CHECK
Use the below links to check the most up-to-date product price.
| Retailers |
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| Amazon.com |
| ProjectorScreen.com |
The Competition: How Does It Stack Up?
The Formovie Theater Premium appeals to users seeking high-end visuals, but how does it compare to market leaders?
- Hisense PX3-Pro ($3,299): Offers better out-of-the-box color accuracy and HDR performance, but at a slightly higher price.
- Epson LS800 ($2,999): Perfect for gamers with low input lag and excellent brightness for daylight viewing.
- LG CineBeam HU915QB ($5,999): Features best-in-class brightness and HDR tone mapping, but at almost twice the cost.
While competitors dominate certain niches, Formovie’s rich contrast, audio performance, and pricing make it one of the best overall value-packed UST projectors today.
PRICE CHECK
Use the below links to check the most up-to-date product price.
| Retailers |
|---|
| Amazon.com |
| ProjectorScreen.com |
Final Verdict: Perfect for the Cinematic Enthusiast
The Formovie Theater Premium is an impressive UST projector, blending stunning contrast, immersive sound, and a versatile design to deliver value at a competitive price point. Though its color handling and gaming performance leave some room for improvement, these areas are being actively addressed through firmware updates, ensuring long-term viability for buyers.
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Once calibrated for accurate white, grayscale and EOTF, how many lumens is it outputting, and what is the contrast ratio (on/off) at that point?
You’re looking at around 1800-2000 lumens, and 2800:1 on/off (2500:1 at 1% APL). This isn’t approaching anywhere near LCOS results obviously.