The problem with Short Throw Laser Projectors (WeMax) 

Odd, the instruction manual didn't say that I should start with an unfinished basement so that I could build around this unit. Way too much hassle! And after installing a regular projector, I'm not sure there were any inherent advantages to the short throw projector.

@@Bootstrappin again, There is a plethora of great information on the internet that could have helped better informed the decision. Particularly with regard to an expensive purchase. Especially since projectors are a reflected medium as opposed to a directive medium, like a TV monitor. Mounting, reflection, diffraction, viewing angle, throw angle, brightness, throw distance, light reflection, LoS and light rejection are all considerations off the top of my head that I have to learn when considering my first projector. These consideration all carried over to subsequent projector. But if I want the best experience and ROI, I put in the time. You have to design any room around a projecter for optimal results particularly because it is reflective. The advantage of a short throw over a long throw, which I have owned both, is that you do have to have ~11 feet of unobstructed line of sight air space between your viewing area, where you sit and the screen that you viewing, contingent on your desired viewable screen size. The may mean the exploration of various mounting options and even some creative keystoning. A short throw means you have less of the focus of design is around the mounting options and LoS of the projector which shifts to the screen making it more like a TV. Though, pound for pound, projectors will give you more screen size for the buck, considering the recent availability and pricing reductions of extra large screen tvs, 75 - 85 inches, I have sold my projectors, and have moved toward direct images media such as LG C1s.

Just got my first short throw projector. Totally different experience. Feel like you’ve just not done the right research.

Good point Mat but another is maybe you shouldn't have to or the manufacturer should provide or offer clear pre-reqs. Yes maybe you and I understand this the research bit but home theater experience shouldn't be a science experiment. Manufacturer also hold some responsibility. For example slapping Atmos on a sound bar doesn't mean that it always produces Atmos sound. We may understand that but how many don't get that if it's not in the source material your NOT getting Atmos. Also you can't get Atmos unless you have at least two height channels and PLUS most Atmos tracks streamed or otherwise are quite week. Don't get me started on Atmos more Dolby BS marketing to rip consumer's

@@MatthewParksSr I mean, are you listening to yourself? Look at how much information you just described just to make a reasonable experience with the projector possible. This is a *consumer level product* that is marketed as plug-and-play. The manual for this projector is practically shorter than your comment, and that's more or less my point with this video. I'm making this video available, so that in the course of doing research, people can understand the inherent downsides - including not just immutable items such as a room itself, but also the non-existence of appropriate furniture. It's an unfair expectation on the manufacturer's part to make the customer have to figure out the setup and not offer solutions to common problems. It's unreasonable.

😂😂😂

I'll concede that these short throws are so finnicky that they can't deal with anything other than a perfect surface... but most of my points still stand. You need a very peculiar setup for the room - some of which you can't really do much about, which is ceiling height. You can't get a proper large picture with a sub 8' ceiling without major compromises, or having to basically put this thing on the floor in an awkward space like 3 feet from the wall. You also need specialized furniture. I don't know, for all the fuss you have to go through, I don't really understand the advantage of this over a traditional projector.

I appreciate that, thank you! In my other home theater videos I've returned the UST projector and went with a conventional one.

Thank you! And yeah, they make it sound like things always go perfectly, there's no inherent compromises, etc.

Alr screens are overpriced

Don't need ALR unless your room has a lot of light coming in from outside or you are a fan of watching content with all the lights on in your house (which I find strange personally). The very least you need is a cheap fixed frame projector screen (Alibaba @ something like 200-600 bucks depending on size - the higher value being maybe 150", which Formovie Theater can handle).

The mounting probably isn't too bad, it's making the outlets that are the fun part if you want a clean look...

Oh yeah with such tall ceilings and the AT screen you should have no issues. I still find it somewhat awkward/distracting to have this big projector be within line of sight, but maybe that's just me. I guess it mostly comes down to what the room has to offer space wise.

I have 7.3 ceiling and UST 120" works, depends how high from floor you set up your projector, mine is 7.5" off the floor. in a custom made cabinet which has a sliding shelf.

I did have issues. On occasion there's a defect from factory, but you really need more or less a perfectly flat surface to project on. What are you using for a screen?

@@Bootstrappin I use fixed screen on wall 120 inches. The top left corner is not getting perfect clarity

@Sundar Natarajan ok, fixed screen is ideal. Things to check are keystone corner correction, make sure the projector is perfectly orthogonal/perpendicular to the screen. I had to play a lot of games moving the projector up and down and forward back when trying to get a better picture. Also make sure that the leveling feet are set properly. You may consider using a level on your furniture to give yourself an idea how much you need to adjust the feet. It's best to start with the best image possible without adjustments first.

Hello! I’m looking at the Formovie theater and I’ve measure it out a few times because I really want to fit a 120” screen in my living area but where the screen has to go is just under an air conditioning unit that is about 2 feet from the ceiling mounted on the wall. Therefore I’m forced to mount the 120” screen just below the ac unit and am going to have to basically set my Formovie in the floor. And if I did all of that I would still be 2in shy of the recommended placement. I saw a website that said I need to put the projector 16.9 inches below a 120” screen. I can only place it 15in below. Ultimately, I’m asking if you would know if I could place it 2 inches too high but use the 2 front legs to adjust the picture to fit the 120” screen perfectly and make up for the incorrect placement. I can place the projector as far out into the room as needed pretty much. I just didn’t wanna have to do a whole lot of keystone correction like you mentioned.

This one is at 80": amzn.to/3gkNJVh

Yeah it's amazing how it only *looks* straight, but I'm looking forward to getting a regular projector in later this week. I already replaced the screen to a 16:9 120" diagonal and it's absolutely massive. Very excited. If I have the motivation I'll try to do a voice over video/guide on home theaters because it's a total doozy.

Not mine, no - but I have heard they have a wide variety of quality control issues, so I wouldn't be surprised. Either way, I wound up returning mine because I couldn't get a decent image for my setup. Got a regular projector instead - this BenQ: amzn.to/3gIagM1

Right lol, but a "demo" is exactly what turned out to happen for me when I ordered it from Amazon and wound up returning it.

I appreciate that! Yeah, it just really seems like you need a far more perfect and finicky setup to make UST work, for very little benefit. I've been very happy with my regular projector, and I feel like it provides just as high an image quality for half the price. I think the flak comes from the UST fan club, which I don't understand why they're coming here to watch at all. It's like they have a suspicion of flaw about their own setup, but don't want to hear it/admit it.

@@Bootstrappin 😁 Sounds about right. I'm just surprised that more people haven't pointed out that the cast angle of the UST will show uneven surfaces in the displayed image versus the forgiveness of a regular throw onto that same surface. I have a very nice 135" motorized screen from Da-Lite and now I know that a normal throw 4k projector is the right choice for me. If I ever change my setup, then at least now I know that a tensioned fixed screen is the only way to go with the UST's. If I ever decide to remove my motorized screen and my TV behind it, then I would go for the Formovie UST and a 120-150" fixed screen, alr preferably.

@@shannonjennings1454 yeah exactly, ALR seems to be the thing to do for UST's need for the flattest surface in the world, only it costs almost as much as a decent regular projector. But I mean hey, who knows. Maybe it really is as good as they say. I wish you could go see an in person side by side comparison to see what all the hubbub is about.

@@Bootstrappin yeah,that's very true and a great idea. Why not have a setup at Best Buy? From what I've seen, there are no better alr screens than Black Diamond. They are extremely impressive in full light but there's a huge price to pay for them so most people can't justify the expense and stick with TV's.

That's a great question, didn't even consider it. Based on my brief search, it seems that you can.

I dunno if I'm being gaslit, but I feel like as time goes on Roku adds more variety of fish into this screensaver lol

cant find a 100 inch oled below 2000,-

Did that, it turns the image into a trapezoid

@@Bootstrappin yeah. That keystone effect is difficult.

That could work! Just gotta have 8 foot ceilings or greater

I considered this, but my conclusion after mocking it up was that even with custom furniture, my ceiling was too low to make it work for the size screen I wanted.

Honestly, don't know. I've watched a lot of older 4:3 stuff on my regular 16:9 projector without much bother, you just have a lot of empty space.

Considered it, but wound up returning it and just got a regular projector instead. After seeing the picture quality of both, I'm not sure there's any inherent advantage for short throw projectors, unless you don't have to fuss with a ceiling mount.

@@Bootstrappin or unless u dont bother with buying lamps..

if u need lamps i can get it for cheap...

Not sure what that even means, as if "experienced" people (ie, happen to have the proper dimensions of room) are just collecting these en masse to flex on non-short throw users.

I hear you. It was always about screen size for me. I now have a BenQ at 120", it's awesome.

Ｏｂｖｉｏｕｓｌｙ！！！

Back in my day we had black and white 14" screens and that was a luxury! You kids and your cellular phones! Where'd 'd' go?

does these things have a lens?

"Just have low standards hahah, furniture in the middle of the room to accommodate a projector is totally worth it hahah"

@@Bootstrappin hahaha true but it s only to move it a tad more and it will be perfect haha

Indeed! Wound up going with a conventional projector and 120" diagonal screen, very happy with the outcome.

What makes you say that?

@@Bootstrappin Picture should not be wavy right out of the box. Check Amazon reviews and others. Send the unit back.

@@gmdesignservices gotcha, thank you. I wound up going for a regular projector in my next video anyhow

Ah, the classic 'do your research' line. Of course I did my research, and the reason I uploaded this was to share information that I did not encounter. Information such as: 1) You need tall ceilings, 8 feet or greater 2) If you don't, this thing will be on the floor (some may be OK with this compromise, but I'm not) 3) If you want 120" projection size, then despite the 'short throw' claim, it'll have to be 3-4 feet away from the wall - making a good layout/proper Feng Shui futile