Dolby Vision and high brightness

Verdict

An excellent-bright UST projector, the AWOL Imaginative and prescient LTV-3500 Professional can be utilized in the course of the day with curtains open. It’s the Dolby Imaginative and prescient assist that basically elevates this mannequin, dealing with searing highlights whereas delivering a deeper, richer image elsewhere. If you wish to substitute a TV with a large-screen projector setup, that is the final word selection, however the excessive value and restricted variety of HDMI ports could put some folks off.

Introduction

Nearly as good because the AWOL Imaginative and prescient LTV-3500 UST projector is, there was one factor holding it again from true cinematic greatness: it didn’t assist Dolby Imaginative and prescient. That’s rectified within the up to date AWOL Imaginative and prescient LTV-3500 Professional, which takes all the pieces nice concerning the authentic and provides in the most effective HDR format.

If you’d like a full cinematic expertise with a projector you need to use in the course of the day, then this may occasionally very nicely be what you’re searching for.

Design

• Sits near the wall
• Wants an Ambient Mild-Rejecting (ALR) display screen for the most effective picture high quality
• Constructed-in audio system

Externally, there’s no actual distinction between the AWOL Imaginative and prescient LTV-3500 Professional and the usual LTV-3500 mannequin. That’s as a result of the brand new mannequin is predicated on the previous, with extra smarts and processing to take care of Dolby Imaginative and prescient.

As soon as once more, the projector is a large and flat field constructed to sit down inches away out of your chosen projection floor, sending the image up above. At 12.4kg and measuring 145 x 595 x 353mm, this can be a strong and chunky little bit of equipment.

Nonetheless, the benefit of a product like that is which you could take down your previous TV and substitute it with this projector with out shopping for any fancy ceiling mounts or extra-long HDMI cables.

You’ll probably want an Ambient Mild Rejecting (ALR) display screen to get the most effective picture high quality, notably if you wish to watch in the course of the day. I used to be loaned an AWOL Imaginative and prescient floor-rising display screen. Supplied with a USB dongle, the display screen robotically rises when the projector is turned on and rolls out of sight when the projector turns off. Or that’s the speculation; my preliminary pattern wanted a brand new dongle, because the display screen refused to shut when the projector turned off. The brand new dongle arrived, and stuck the problem. The one different downside I had was with the inner change on the display screen. This ought to be pressed by the display screen when it closes, shutting off the motor. Solely, the change had moved in transit, so I needed to realign it utilizing a screwdriver.

This display screen is a chunky additional ($2249) for the 100-inch model, and the mounted screens are round $1000 cheaper.

Simply remember that in case you do purchase the motorised display screen, the projector must be positioned low sufficient so {that a} full-size picture doesn’t overshoot the highest.

Options

• 4K (XPR) picture
• Tri-laster extremely brief thrown projector
• Three HDMI inputs, HDMI eARC output

As with its predecessor, the AWOL Imaginative and prescient LTV-3500 Professional is rated at 3500-lumens brightness, a full 1500 lumens brighter than the Hisense PX1-Professional. Extra brightness is nice for 2 causes: you’ll be able to watch this projector in the course of the day, and it could do extra with HDR photographs.

Because the projector sits so near the display screen, much less mild is misplaced in transmission, so that you’re getting much more of the brightness proper there on the display screen. With an ALR display screen rejecting mild from above, the result’s a really vivid picture that’s absolutely seen in the course of the day with blinds open – it’s like having a traditional TV.

Twin 36W stereo audio system are inbuilt, and suitable with Dolby Atmos. In the event you’re doing a like-for-like substitute of a TV, then the built-in audio system imply you’ll be able to rise up and operating with out shopping for a soundbar.

The one factor you would possibly miss from a daily TV is a tuner. To observe dwell TV, you’ll want to purchase a set-to field and plug that in.

On the again are the inputs and outputs. There are two accessible HDMI ports, one which helps HDMI eARC, delivering lossless audio codecs, akin to Dolby Atmos over Dolby TrueHD from an Extremely HD Blu-ray participant.

That’s not plenty of ports. Join up an honest sound system utilizing eARC, and there’s just one HDMI enter free for different gadgets. As I’ve acquired Sky Q and an Extremely HD Blu-ray participant, I discover that I’ve to swap the cables round when altering sources.

Technically, there’s a third HDMI port. That is positioned beneath a flap on the again, and is designed to carry the bundled Amazon Fireplace TV Stick 4K Max. That’s a sensible choice: each app you might need is supported, and it’s higher than having Android TV on the projector with a cut-down vary of apps.

It could simply be good if there have been not less than another HDMI port. I can see the necessity for an HDMI change for use for a lot of households.

Every enter helps a most of 4K at 60Hz, and there’s no assist for variable body charges. Enter lag is 17ms in 4K, though drop all the way down to 1080p and this drops to simply 8ms. Not unhealthy for a large-screen projector, though you could wish to maintain onto that TV for aggressive gaming.

As with most DLP 4K projectors, this one has a Full HD DMD chip, which makes use of XPR know-how to spice up the decision to 4K. XPR works by shifting the DMD chip 4 instances per body to construct up the next decision picture that’s, for all intents and functions, 4K.

It really works brilliantly, and I defy anybody to inform the distinction between XPR and ‘true’ 4K. The one actual draw back is that 4K content material is locked to 60Hz.

HDR assist is current with HDR10+, HLG and Dolby Imaginative and prescient, which has solely just lately grow to be out there for projectors. It’s Dolby Imaginative and prescient that had me excited: it’s the most effective HDR normal, delivering the highest-quality photographs, whether or not you’re streaming or taking part in from disc.

Three lasers (pink, inexperienced and blue) are utilized in succession to construct up a color picture, negating the necessity for a color wheel and making a brighter, sharper picture. AWOL Imaginative and prescient claims 107% of the BT 2020 Color Gamut and 147% of DCI-P3.

These non-replaceable lasers will final for 25,000 hours, which is greater than ten years of use in case you have been to look at TV on daily basis for eight hours per day.

Energy consumption is round 200W, which is about double that of a 55-inch OLED TV. That’s not unhealthy, contemplating I had round 4 instances the display screen actual property for less than twice the ability consumption.

As with most laser UST projectors, there’s not a lot in the way in which of picture adjustment. A very powerful factor is to align the display screen in order that it’s utterly flat, then use the projector’s legs to make it degree, after which manoeuvre the AWOL Imaginative and prescient LTV-3500 Professional to sit down head-on to the display screen. In the event you do want minor digital adjustment, there’s the six-point keystone. Lastly, there’s guide focus to get the picture sharp.

A neat Bluetooth distant is offered within the field, which can be utilized for organising the projector’s settings, altering enter and the like.

Image High quality

• Vastly vivid picture
• Dolby Imaginative and prescient content material seems implausible
• Blacks not fairly as scientific as on a TV

Due to the 3500 Lumens brightness, the AWOL Imaginative and prescient LTV-3500 Professional produces a massively vivid picture. Even on a sunny day, with mild streaming by means of my entrance window, I can nonetheless watch this projector. Certain, darkish and moody content material does higher when it’s darkish or the blinds are shut, however that’s true of a TV. What you get here’s a no-compromise projector: while you simply wish to sit down and watch one thing, you’ll be able to see what’s happening with out having to shut curtains or blinds.

In fact, the AWOL Imaginative and prescient LTV-3500 Professional is greatest with the highest-quality Dolby Imaginative and prescient content material performed at 4K. Watch Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, and the AWOL Imaginative and prescient LTV-3500 Professional delivers a luxurious image.

The scenes at OrgoCorp are vivid and enjoyable, with the projector delivering searing whites, whereas sustaining wealthy and vivid colors.

After they must function on Rocket, the projector handles the distinction between the brilliant central a part of the picture whereas delivering shadow element. It’s an enormous step up by way of high quality from the unique AWOL Imaginative and prescient LTV-3500.

Avatar: The Means of Water seems completely beautiful. With the excessive brightness, Pandora seems unbelievable, with mild dappling by means of the undergrowth. This projector delivers cinema at its greatest.

As with all projectors, blacks aren’t fairly as clinically good as on a high-quality OLED TV. Given the big picture and excessive brightness, I’ll commerce a little bit black-level efficiency.

It’s price taking part in round with the picture settings. There are presets (I discovered Vivid or Film) the most effective, plus a person mode that offers full color management, so I may tweak the picture additional.

When Dolby Imaginative and prescient content material is taking part in, there are three devoted modes to select from (Darkish, Shiny or Vivid): decide the one which fits your content material and lounge the most effective.

Usually, I’d say flip off movement compensation, however right here, I say depart it on, however set to a low degree. That’s as a result of the XPR tech signifies that all 4K content material runs at 60Hz. Movement compensation helps easy out any mismatch between supply body price and show refresh price, and is especially helpful when watching lower-quality content material.

HD content material seems good however in case you watch SD content material, then there are obvious artefacts and different points, that are simpler to identify on such a big display screen than on a TV. Then once more, that’s extra of a problem with SD content material than it’s a criticism of this projector.

Sound High quality

• Not a lot bass
• Dolby Atmos and DTS:X assist
• Ahead-firing audio system

Specs-wise, twin 35W audio system and assist for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X sound spectacular. Total, the sound high quality is extra price range soundbar than a full-cinema-system substitute.

My principal concern is that there’s not a lot bass right here, so soundtracks lose their affect and don’t sound as immersive. There’s sufficient energy and readability to fill a room, however the projector lacks punch. With regards to encompass and 3D audio, the AWOL Imaginative and prescient LTV-3500 Professional doesn’t create an immersive soundscape. I left my Sonos Arc and encompass sound audio system linked.

There are followers operating continuously on this projector. For louder content material, I discovered my soundbar drowned out the fan noise; when watching one thing quieter, there’s a mild hum to cope with, which wasn’t too annoying.

Newest offers