4K ultra short throw projector Awol Vision LTV-3500 Pro in practical test: Brilliant image meets simple features
Weighing just under 11 kg, 60 cm wide, and with a hefty price tag to boot: the LTV-3500 Pro from Awol Vision immediately shows that you can expect a lot from it. Instead of the typical eShifting or pixel shifting, which means that the much-awaited 4K resolution can only be seen in the technical data, the full details are available here. This also explains the massive and heavy construction.
The lens optics also contribute to this. With a wall distance of 50 cm, the maximum recommended size of 150 inches (almost 4 m) is achieved diagonally. This eliminates the need for ceiling suspension and allows installation in rooms that do not have to be 6 or 8 m long. However, a special screen for short-throw projectors is then highly recommended in order to achieve the best possible picture quality.
The LTV-3500 Pro costs approximately 5,000 euros directly from the manufacturer. It is also sold on Amazon for the same price. The following test will show for whom this might be worthwhile and when a smaller alternative might suffice.
Technical data at a glance
| Awol Vision LTV-3500 Pro | |
|---|---|
| Image chip | T1 0.47 inch 4K ECD DMD |
| Light source | Tri-Color Pure Laser |
| max. brightness | 3,500 ANSI lumens |
| Image size | 80 to 150 inches |
| Screen distance | 30 to 50 cm |
| native resolution | 3,840 x 2,160 pixels (4K) |
| Frame rate | 4K@60 Hz, 1080p@120 Hz |
| Contrast | 2,500:1 |
| Audio power | 36 W |
| Operating noise | 30 dB |
| Connections | 3 HDMI, 2 USB 2.0, AV-in, S/PDIF, LAN, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth |
| Power consumption | 320 W |
| Size | 60 x 35 x 15 cm |
| Weight | 11 kg |
| Warranty period | 2 years |
Scope of delivery and equipment
The scope of delivery is anything but lavish. Apart from the mains plug, the remote control with batteries, a small description, a cleaning cloth, and an AV-to-RCA adapter, there is only the securely packaged and very large projector.
A Fire TV stick for 4K from Amazon is also included in the original box in a perfectly sized recess in the padding. This stick fits perfectly into the compartment on the back of the projector. The corresponding USB-A to micro USB power cable is also already plugged in.
Unfortunately, the connectivity is a little tight. Because of the external solution for the Smart TV, HDMI and USB are already blocked. Only two additional HDMI inputs remain, which are immediately occupied by a receiver and the games console, for example. There is also a USB port at the back and one at the side. They only offer the standard USB 2.0, which is still sufficient for playing pictures and videos.
The analog input for picture and sound and the corresponding adapter are positive features. This makes it easy to connect a few old videos from a video recorder or an old games console. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 5 are also available, but the TV stick naturally comes with its own wireless connections. This only plays a role for DLNA and when accessing network storage. This also applies to the LAN connection, which cannot be used for streaming services.
Installation and brightness
Commissioning is actually unproblematic. The LTV-3500 should be placed on a leveled and well-aligned surface. It can be perfectly leveled using the four feet with screw thread and an additional locking mechanism. This is also familiar from other projectors.
The projection surface is more of a problem. Because the light falls at an angle, any unevenness is not distorted. Woodchip wallpaper can be completely ruled out, but even a smooth white surface must not have any curvature. The final adjustment to the screen is carried out in a complicated menu and must be done manually. The image sharpness can also only be adjusted manually, but this worked well in several situations.
However, it was never possible to achieve perfect sharpness across the entire screen as on the TV, although this was only noticeable with our test images and from a very short distance.
The problem with the oblique light remains. A special screen for ultra-short-throw projectors is recommended in order to achieve a picture suitable for living rooms during the day. Its coating ensures forward reflection and a brighter, higher-contrast image. However, this is not cheap. Depending on the size, you will need to budget for just under 1,000 euros(frame screen from UST on Amazon) up to 3,000 euros(motorized screen from Awol Vision on Amazon) or more.
But then the picture can easily keep up with a television. Even a slight darkening is enough to produce a good picture with sufficient contrast at all times with a 3-meter diagonal (120 inches). This also applies when artificial light is switched on in the room. With opaque blinds in the right darkness, the radiance is excellent. Not on a par with OLED or mini-LED, but visibly better than a typical LED TV.
Picture quality
It is a 4K projector, which is basically the biggest difference from most "4K" projectors on the market. So was the XGIMI Horizon Pro, which we already tested and is an example of pixel shifting, whereby one and the same pixel of a Full HD resolution is merely quadrupled. This looks pretty good but has as much to do with 4K resolution as frozen pizza has to do with the Italian original from a stone oven.
The Awol Vision LTV-3500 Pro, on the other hand, really does throw 8 million pixels onto the wall, as can also be clearly seen below in the comparison image of the two projectors. In the first image, individual pixels are recognizable, the font is legible and the fine rasterization is clearly visible. The XGIMI projector with a false 4K resolution is completely different, as it clearly reproduces a Full HD image. The test image can be found below and can be viewed and loaded in full resolution via the link (the text is at the bottom left of the image).
Overall, this results in brilliant images even on a large diagonal and at a small distance of 2 m from the screen. High-resolution photos look very good and reveal more details simply due to their sheer size.
With little residual light in the room, the colors are also impressive. They appear vivid and powerful, even if an OLED display would be even crisper - but it is unlikely to be found in this size, let alone be affordable. If the light is switched on, this reduces the brilliance, but there is little change in terms of visibility. This means that live broadcasts in large groups are always easily recognizable.
For a movie night or a photo presentation, it should ideally be really dark. It is also noticeable that the difference between Full HD and 4K is barely perceptible from a distance of around 3 meters. With still images or photos, you have to be close and compare exactly. Soccer broadcasts could also benefit from the high resolution, provided the right subscription is purchased. In the test, it was basically impossible to distinguish reliably between Full HD and maximum resolution for movies.
Sound and cooling
The two stereo speakers have a combined output of 36 watts. This is very noticeable, as the maximum volume, which is achieved without audible distortion, can fill a large room. In the test, this was 100 m² with a ceiling height of 4 m.
The difference between stereo and simulated surround sound is audible but very subtle. It improves when the rooms are less expansive than in our test. Dolby Atmos is particularly useful in movies with several overlapping soundtracks. Bass is also present, but of course not comparable with a subwoofer. The Awol Vision LTV-3500 Pro simply lacks the volume for this.
The ventilation is audible and always remains at the same level, never turning up or becoming noticeably quieter. The 30 dB specified by the manufacturer is realistic. This also means that nothing can be heard from the fans even at low volumes. Only in completely quiet scenes can you hear the background noise.
Operating system and functions
The rudimentary operating system is a real weak point. However, the decision to hand over the software for the Smart TV to the tried-and-tested and widely used Fire TV stick is absolutely understandable and positive. This way, you can be sure that all the apps you want will work. If the stick is no longer up to date at some point, it can easily be replaced. However, the compartment in which the technology is hidden could have been more spacious.
Nevertheless, at least the absolute basic functions would have been desirable even without access to the TV stick. For example, there is a file browser from which images or videos cannot be accessed directly. You have to switch to a different menu to do this.
Although slideshows can be started directly, there are no customization options. Vary the time intervals, fade in transitions, or change the sequence: None of this can be adjusted. Also, half of the images formatted to portrait were shown rotated. In addition, the app for screen transmission does not inspire much confidence. Chromecast and AirPlay support should actually be expected at this price. Unfortunately this in not the case.
There were also minor problems with the Fire TV. For example, the info screen regularly appeared stating that the remote control was not recognized. However, it was still possible to control it. However, the projector's keyboard was always required for certain settings and, above all, the volume. This annoying circumstance can also be found in numerous reviews.
Pros
+ true 4K for maximum detail
+ bright and intense picture
+ minimum space requirement
Cons
- very expensive
- own operating system is very simple
- special screen is advisable
- 120 Hz only with Full HD
Verdict
The key points of the Awol Vision projector are impressive. It projects a detailed, high-contrast, and vivid image onto a suitable screen. This requires a maximum distance of 50 cm from the wall. It is therefore just as suitable for a small home cinema room as it is for a large one.
After all, the 3,500 lumens are sufficient to deliver excellent results on a 3 m diagonal, as in the test. However, it should ideally be a screen for ultra-short throw projectors in order to achieve the best possible picture. If you even plan with just 80 inches, the picture would be clearly recognizable even with light in the room. However, maximum brilliance is only possible in the dark.
Great picture, but weak software - still ideal for great movies at home.
The built-in speakers do not meet the highest demands, but clearly outperform a simple pair of stereo speakers. The volume and sound quality are fine, although an external solution is essential for a real cinema experience.
The built-in operating system is disappointing. At least a few more advanced core functions would have been desirable. For the Smart TV, you inevitably have to use the included Fire TV stick or another player.
Nevertheless, the proud price of almost 5,000 euros is justified, provided the content is right. A weekly photo presentation, sporting events in 4K, and the like are shown to their best advantage on the projector. However, with action-heavy films from a UHD Blu-ray and even more so with streamed material, it is difficult to see the advantage of real 4K. In gaming mode with 120 Hertz and minimal latency, it is also turned down to Full HD.
In such cases, the Casiris A6 projector, which only achieves 4K with pixel shifting but costs less than half as much, would be a good choice.
Price and availability
The Awol Vision LTV-3500 Pro costs 4,900 euros directly from the manufacturer. The ultra-short throw projector is also available from Amazon for the same price.
Transparency
The selection of devices to be reviewed is made by our editorial team. The test sample was given to the author by the manufacturer free of charge for the purposes of review. There was no third-party influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review. We never accept compensation or payment in return for our reviews. As an independent media company, Notebookcheck is not subjected to the authority of manufacturers, retailers or publishers.
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