AWOL VISION LTV-2500 4K UHD Ultra Short Throw Triple Laser Projector with Dolby Vision & Atmos, Active 3D, 150", HDR10+, UST Laser TV Projector (Fire TV Stick 4K Max included)

After way too much research time, I decided upon this UST 4K 3-D ready projector. With Amazon's relatively generous return policy, I don't feel that I'm making a mistake since I have a good amount of time to check it out thoroughly, before deciding on keeping it forever. It's a big ticket item for me, I never planned on spending 2,000 plus on a projector, but I've enjoyed my Epson 3700 FHD long throw projector so much over the last 6 years or so, that I found the motivation to upgrade the experience to a longer lasting and potentially much improved image while enjoying all the streaming offered today as well as my growing collection on 3-D FHD movies. I just wish that content creators made 4K 3-D movies, but as I have found out the max resolution for 3-D is still the full hi-definition blu-ray format. This is easily the best viewing experience I've seen for 3-D, so it does seen like a real boost in resolution. I could be even better I can imagine with one of AWOL's brighter projectors, since brightness is lessened when watching in 3-D. It doesn't dim as much as my Epson 3700 however, so it is a real improvement. I have found that there is some stuttering in moving scenes however, but I'm forgiving at heart when the overall experience is so richly rewarding as a nicely made 3-D movie like Avatar "Way of Water" can be, for example.Back to the AWOL 2500....I have found the menu system to be satisfyingly thorough and consequently it takes some time to feel like you've semi-mastered the many nooks and crannies that comprise the relatively complex menu structure. Like other reviewers have noted one of the peskiest things is the lack of integration of a 3-D button which could have been placed on the remote, and some kind of 3-D recognition ability so that when a 3-D disc is inserted and "played" the system would recognize it and make settings that jive with the native format of the disc. The 3-D menu part of the remote is full of details I've not been used to, and still don't fully comprehend, but trial and error leads to a good result with a minimum of fussiness it turns out. Don't forget to close out 3-D using the menu or else your next disc will be affected in its output in a negative way, like creating unwanted red black bars and some kind of super-highlighted sharpening which isn't appealing at all. All was well when I checked the menu while trying to watch a Ultra HD blu-ray and discovered the 3-D was not in the "off" position in the menu tree. I understand that AWOL gave the 3-D ability to the projector in an update, so that says something about the less than stellar integration of the format in its menu system. It should have automatically "offed" the 3-D functionality when a different type of disc was started......in my opinion. I have found that in controlled lighting environment which is my setup in a decent basement-based 127 inch screening room with a 5.2 s.sound configuration where I imaged the AWOL to about a 120" 16:9 size.......that the black levels could be adjusted in pretty well in my opinon, at least as good as my long throw Epson could manage and possible somewhat better. I'm not a "nit" nerd and cannot objectify the technical details of the projector's performance, but I can notice what looks very good compared to what looks 'unsatisfyingly' washed out, for example. I'm a retired photographer so I am very sensitive to fine details in images generally speaking, and a 4-K Ultra disc like Wonder Woman looks satisfyingly vibrant and dark scenes show pretty darned "inky" black to my eyeballs. Overall, in the low ambient light environment on my hand-made white screen produces a highly respectable image quality in all respects. I'm about to move homes and am a little perplexed by the much-stated hype over screen quality that suggests I won't be able to fully appreciate the image quality unless I get into a fresnel screen product, or at the very least an ALR screen with CLR ability as well. This screen resolves very nicely the 4K native image of a Ultra 4K blu-ray movie, with pixels very detailed upon close inspection of the screen. I like the relatively simply adjustment features of the AWOL like focusing and the image correction mechanism, but feel like other projectors with much faster and competent auto-adjusting features for these details make that set-up chore much easier to get through. So, all in all, I'm pleased with the 2500 and don't feel that I'm lacking in brightness, but then again I'm not using a light-absorptive screen like those ALR screens are by their very nature, and my white screen material seems to be making an excellent image. I would hate to put out all those benjamins only to find that my white screen in my controlled lighting room was superior in the end of it all. What to do....what to do??!!

First of all, holy feel in the blanks, this is an amazing projector. Secondly, it's whisper quiet and was fairly easy to fit to our fixed 100" screen. Incredibly impressed with Awol. I'm a gamer and it's truly amazing playing on a 100-inch screen. Movie nights are like we are at the cinema. It's really a treat for the senses. The sound quality is phenomenal. I know, I know, the price is a little outrageous, but I bought several projectors before this one and it was like going from a box Technicolor TV to an LCD TV. Seriously, it's that big of a jump. The picture is just so dang clear and the colors are so vibrant. If you have the money, don't hesitate and get this short-throw projector.

UPDATE - 5-9-2024After reaching out to AWOL support, and sending out a few emails about the issue with pictures and the amazon order number they shipped out a replacement right way with a return label, I do appreciate there customer service and I hope these one works longer without any issues.UPDATE - 4-29-24less than a year and this awol UST is already starting to show issues with dead pixel I mean I like the projector and all but come on, less than a YEAR, and the chip is failing. Mind you my UST is out in the open with nothing blocking the air vents or fans. Sorry but I have to change my rating review on this now. Only time will tell when it completely fails and at this rate it could be with in the 1-year mark.purchased 8-28-23No projector is perfect, but this one comes very close with minimal comprises. RBE is minimal if your too easily distracted then go with the LS800. Not the brightest but I do not have 100% ambient lightening control but its very watchable during the day, @ night its just wow bright. Color accuracy is very good, with a little of red in the picture but I don't mind it because I don't want colors to look washed out or dull. TV broadcast look great, Movies are awesome and video games are crisp. I tried the built in speakers and it was loud and tested the DLNA and it worked great for most movies but some 4k encoded did not play nice when fast forwarding. I watching via USB external hard drive it worked pretty good. I don't have the perfect setup but @ 110in ALR with 5.2.4 Yamaha A2080 and 14k watts of power for my subwoofers I think the awol 2500 pairs nicely with my home theater living room setup. I will update this review as needed, til then cheers...