Formovie Theater, Leica Cine 1, and Epson LS 800 are all hot UST 4K projectors released in 2022. In this guide, we will compare the three projectors from different perspectives and help you to make a wise decision. As Leica Cine 1 has two versions (80” version and 100” version), we take Leica Cine 1 100” version to compare the three projectors in this post.
Formovie Theater vs Leica Cine 1 vs Epson LS800
In this section, we will compare the three projectors from different perspectives, including appearance, image, throw ratio, system, connectivity, and audio.
Formovie Theater vs Leica Cine 1 vs Epson LS800: Overview
From the side-by-side parameter comparison table below, we can see that Formovie Theater has the lowest pricing; Leica Cine 1 has the longest lamp life; Epson LS800 has the best image performance.
Formovie Theater vs Leica Cine 1 vs Epson LS800: Appearance
In terms of design, the three projectors have similar shapes, which are typical of UST laser projectors. Regarding color, Formovie Theater adopts Cosmos grey, and Leica Cine 1 is in silver grey color, while Epson LS 800 is black. As for dimensions and size, Formovie Theater has the smallest size and weight.
The three projectors all have their lens module in the long groove on the top panel, but only Leica Cine 1 has a slide cover to protect the lens module from dust. If the optical system is polluted by dust, then the projection image may have many spots.
What makes Leica Cine 1 different from the other two projectors is the perforated cover design, which is better in terms of heat dissipation and also lowers noise. Formovie Theater and Epson LS 800 are both decorated with fabric on the front panel. Leica Cine 1 has sleek lines and a fashionable appearance.
The overall styles of the three projectors are brief and elegant. Among the three projectors, Leica Cine 1 looks more futuristic; Formovie Theater and Epson LS 800 are more brief and elegant.
Formovie Theater vs Leica Cine 1 vs Epson LS800: Image
The three projectors have the same 4K resolution, but they are different in terms of brightness, display technology, and projection size.
Formovie Theater and Leica Cine 1 have the same DLP display technology while Epson LS800 has the renowned 3LCD technology. Compared with DLP technology, 3LCD is better in terms of color performance and not vulnerable to the rainbow effect.
| Models | Formovie Theater | Leica Cine 1 | Epson LS800 |
| Brightness | 2,800 ANSI lumens | 2,500 ANSI lumens | 4,000 Lumens |
| Resolution | 4K (3840×2160) | 4K (3840×2160) | 4K (3840×2160) |
| Projection Size | 80-150 inches | 80/100 inches | 80-150 inches |
Though the three projectors all adopt laser as the light source, they have different brightness. Epson LS800 features 4,000 lumens (in accordance with ISO 21118:2020), and Formovie Theater has 2,800 ANSI lumens, while Leica Cine 1 100” version has 2,500 ANSI lumens. You can use the ANSI to lumens converter to convert different lumens units.
In other words, Epson LS800 is brighter than the other two projectors. A projector with high brightness projects a bright and clear image during the daytime. If the projector is less bright, the projection image may be too dim to deliver a good viewing effect.
Regarding image size, Formovie Theater and Epson LS800 have a max screen size of 150 inches while Leica Cine 1 has a max image size of 100 inches.
Compared with the other two counterparts, Formovie Theater supports Dolby Vision, which enhances the viewing effect. Formovie claims that Formovie Theater is the world’s 1st Dolby Vision & Atmos UST projector.
Dolby Vision can improve the image contrast and image details and brings sharper and more lifelike images for users. Put simply, this technology can improve the dark details and brings clearer images compared to earlier images. You can see the differences after and before the Dolby Vision effect in the image below.
Formovie Theater vs Leica Cine 1 vs Epson LS800: Throw Ratio
As for throw ratio, Formovie Theater, Leica Cine 1, and Epson LS 800 have ultra-short throws, but Epson LS800 has the shortest throw followed by Formovie Theater’s 0.23:1. In other words, if the image size is fixed, it takes the shorted distance to project the image for Epson LS 800.
| Parameters | Formovie Theater | Leica Cine 1 | Epson LS800 |
| Throw Ratio | 0.23:1 | 0.25:1 | 0.16 – 0.40:1 |
The short throw helps you to save space and brings a big image within a short distance. You can just place the projector on a slim TV cabinet if your projector has an extremely short throw.
Formovie Theater vs Leica Cine 1 vs EpsonLS800: System
The three projectors are equipped with smart systems, Formovie Theater and Epson LS 800 have built-in Android TV while Leica Cine 1 is powered by VIDAA 6.0 (a system based on Android). However, Leica Cine 1 has a built-in TV tuner so that the projector can access more broadcast content.
| Parameters | Formovie Theater | Leica Cine 1 | EpsonLS800 |
| System | Android TV 11.0 | VIDAA 6.0 | Android TV |
If you prefer Google-related services, then you can choose Formovie Theater or Epson LS 800. If you prefer TV shows, then you can choose Leica Cine 1.
It is worth noting that Formovie Theater has a built-in memory of 2G+32G, but the other two projectors don’t disclose the memory information. A large memory helps to achieve quick responses and large storage.
Formovie Theater vs Leica Cine 1 vs Epson LS800: Connectivity
Formovie Theater, Leica Cine 1, and Epson LS 800 all support Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, but they have minor differences in terms of interfaces. Formovie Theater and Leica Cine 1 have audio output interfaces while Epson doesn’t.
| Models | Formovie Theater | Leica Cine 1 | Epson LS800 |
| Interfaces | 1 x LAN 3 x HDMI 2.1 2 x USB Audio Out: Mini Jack | 3 x HDMI (HDMI 2.1, eARC) 1 x USB2.0 1 x USB 3.0 1 x Ethernet RJ45 1 x 3.5 mm Earphones 1 x S/PDIF out | 3 x USB 2.0-A USB 2.0 Type B (Service Only) Jack Plug out HDMI ARC 3 x HDMI 2.0(HDCP 2.3) |
In terms of HDMI interface, Formovie Theater and Leica Cine 1 are equipped with HDMI 2.1 while Epson LS800 is equipped with HDMI 2.0. Compared with HDMI 2.1, HDMI 2.1 performs better in terms of bandwidth and compatibility.
Formovie Theater vs Leica Cine 1 vs Epson LS800: Audio
Formovie Theater has dual 15W speakers built by Bowers & Wilkins; Leica Cine 1 is equipped with dual 20W speakers; Epson LS has 20W built-in speakers built by YAMAHA.
In terms of audio, Leica Cine 1 is more powerful and sonorous in terms of sound compared with the other two projectors.
Formovie Theater and Leica Cine 1 both support Dolby Atmos while Epson LS800 doesn’t. Dolby Atmos is a tech that helps to build roof-filling and immersive audio effects.
| Models | Formovie Theater | Leica Cine 1 | Epson LS800 |
| Audio | 15W x 2 Bowers & Wilkins | 20W x 2 speakers Dolby Atmos speakers | 20W stereo speaker YAMAHA |
Pros and Cons
Formovie Theater
Pros
- Elegant Design
- Lower Cost
- Giant Screen
- Dolby Vision
- 2+32G Memory
- Android TV
Cons
- No 3D
Leica Cine 1
Pros
- Delicate Design
- Powerful Speakers
- Long Lamp Life
- TV Tuner
- Dolby Atmos
Cons
- Higher Price
- Fixed Image Size
Epson LS800
Pros
- High Brightness
- Shorter Throw
- 3LCD
- Android TV
- High Dynamic Contrast
Cons
- No HDMI 2.1
- No Dynamic Tone Mapping
Conclusion
Among the three projectors, Epson LS800 has the best overall performance in view of its high brightness and 3LCD technology. Formovie Theater is better in terms of trendy audio and visual tech, for example, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Leica Cine 1 is eye-catching and impressive in terms of outer design, and it has a better TV system.
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