AWOL Vision LTV-3500 ultra short throw projector - Blu-ray Forum

a5uperman · 07-19-2023, 12:35 AM

Not much talk going on in here, thought I'd try to get some going.

I bought this AWOL projector a few months ago, and while it's very expensive, it's as good as theater 3D, better than some theaters even.

This projector is a light cannon, and can actually put out too much light that even active glasses can't stop some high contrast adjacent double image problems, but that only happens if you crank everything out of wack beyond the defaults.

One thing that's sort of a pain right now is it doesn't automatically pick up frame packed 3D, and you have to turn it on when playing a file.

One GREAT thing is you can turn on pseudo HDR and get a really nice almost HDR 3D presentation with high color volume. They are coming out with a Dolby vision update, that you may also be able to turn on in 3D, we shall see..

If you've been looking for the ultimate home 3D experience, this is it. AWOL seems very responsive, as they had 1 update that wrecked the 3D a little, but they came out with a fix for it pretty quickly, more than I can say for Samsung, who told me the last update for my TV they did knowningly messed up 3D, and they said they will never fix it, as they are no longer doing updates to it.

keb33509 · 07-19-2023, 04:40 AM

It is a good projector. I tried it before settling on my 7050i. I actually like the 3D a bit better on the BenQ, perhaps because I experienced some additional crosstalk from the added brightness, but I agree projection is the way to go. Can’t really go wrong with how bright these USTs are. Prices are getting more reasonable, too.

BLMN · 07-20-2023, 02:45 AM

which one you guys got (or tested) the 2500 or the 3500 ?

i was playing around with the pre set settings on my 3500 and did not see any crosstalk (tested on both commercial discs and home brews) when using the "super" bright mode, mine is not running through an AVR, still havent tested with one in the chain. i do know you're not supposed to go into custom settings and tweak brightness through there in 3D mode, it will cause what OP was describing, that was well documented on AWOL's AVS forums thread.

Tim n Tempe · 07-21-2023, 10:50 PM

Does this projector have a 2D to 3D conversion in the 3D features?

a5uperman · 07-22-2023, 03:53 PM

No, it will only play 3d in 2d, or 3d in 3d. There is no 2d to 3d conversion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim n Tempe

Does this projector have a 2D to 3D conversion in the 3D features?

8traxrule · 07-31-2023, 02:26 AM

So you're saying it automatically plays everything in 2D, and you then have to manually turn on the 3D if you know that's what you're playing? That sounds like a pain. What does it do if a 3D disc also has 2D material on it?

I've been worried about projectors not being bright enough, I saw one short-throw projector at a local store and while the quality was decent and there didn't appear to be any geometry problems despite the way it projects, the picture just looked too dark especially since they had a flat-panel TV right next to it though it was playing something else. The AWOL has been at the top of my list though if my LG gives out, but I hope any annoyances have been straightened out by then.

a5uperman · 08-01-2023, 03:02 PM

Yes, turning on 3d is a pain.

But this projector is a light cannon. It has the best 3D playback of any screen type 3D I've ever seen. LG passive, Samsung active, other projectors.

The only thing that gives you a better picture would be an OLED VR headset like the old Samsung VR OLED headset. But those are not the greatest way to watch a movie with a heavy device on your face.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8traxrule

So you're saying it automatically plays everything in 2D, and you then have to manually turn on the 3D if you know that's what you're playing? That sounds like a pain. What does it do if a 3D disc also has 2D material on it?

I've been worried about projectors not being bright enough, I saw one short-throw projector at a local store and while the quality was decent and there didn't appear to be any geometry problems despite the way it projects, the picture just looked too dark especially since they had a flat-panel TV right next to it though it was playing something else. The AWOL has been at the top of my list though if my LG gives out, but I hope any annoyances have been straightened out by then.

8traxrule · 08-01-2023, 05:06 PM

Crap, that might be a dealbreaker for me. What happens if you activate 3D when you first turn it on- will it stay in 2D mode until the 3D content starts? What happens after it ends and 2D content then plays? I tried looking up the user manual for this but it doesn’t mention 3D use.

FingolfinFinwe · 09-21-2023, 06:15 AM

Welp, I just picked up the 3500 Pro. First venture into projectors, now that my Panasonic 3D screen just died (cry). Hope it satisfies, because it was $$$.

8traxrule · 10-03-2023, 10:03 PM

So can anyone answer my question? It seems you have to activate 3D manually for it to display 3D- what happens if you do that before starting a 3D disc? And what if the disc starts out with 2D content or goes to it after the 3D movie? Does the projector stay in 3D mode with the picture set accordingly, so you would need to keep your 3D glasses on, or does it go into 2D mode?

BLMN · 10-04-2023, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8traxrule

So can anyone answer my question? It seems you have to activate 3D manually for it to display 3D- what happens if you do that before starting a 3D disc? And what if the disc starts out with 2D content or goes to it after the 3D movie? Does the projector stay in 3D mode with the picture set accordingly, so you would need to keep your 3D glasses on, or does it go into 2D mode?

It will stay in 3D mode but depending on the source it requires a resync, it happens a lot with side by side/top Bottom sourced material, not really with frame packed blurays.

8traxrule · 10-04-2023, 03:08 PM

Top/bottom isn’t really a concern, I’m used to activating that manually. The Sharp TV I had before had a mode to auto-detect that but I had to disable it as it would go into 3D mode on movies with split-screen sequences.

Hoping my LG will last at least a few more years but seeing what my options are if I ever do have to buy a new display, any without 3D support is simply not even a possibility.

HDM_fan · 10-05-2023, 06:27 PM

3D on this projector is phenomenal... I've had many front- and short-throw projectors over the years (Epson, BenQ, Optoma, VAVA, etc.), but this ones provides the best home 3D experience I've ever seen. 3500 isn't cheap, but if you have a well light-controlled room, the 3000 should be almost as good.

8traxrule · 10-05-2023, 10:15 PM

If I get one I’m going for the best model. You get what you pay for, most of the time at least.

emailking · 10-06-2023, 01:11 AM

How does this thing do in the day time? That's the main thing holding me back from doing a projector. I need to be able to clearly watch movies in the daytime, and I have nowhere to project to unless I get rid of the TV.

BLMN · 10-09-2023, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emailking

How does this thing do in the day time? That's the main thing holding me back from doing a projector. I need to be able to clearly watch movies in the daytime, and I have nowhere to project to unless I get rid of the TV.

It does fine, you will need to rely on a really good ALR screen tho. I have blinds in my living room, i can leave them half open and still get a really good picture out of it.

FingolfinFinwe · 12-27-2023, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLMN

It does fine, you will need to rely on a really good ALR screen tho. I have blinds in my living room, i can leave them half open and still get a really good picture out of it.

100% this - make sure you get a good ALR screen and then it's great. I do watch mostly in the dark regardless, but frequently still have some lights on (when the kids are eating) and it just looks stunning regardless.

emailking · 12-29-2023, 12:06 AM

How far do you guys keep this projector from the screen? The geometry of the room I would have to use means I only have a few feet.

FingolfinFinwe · 12-29-2023, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emailking

How far do you guys keep this projector from the screen? The geometry of the room I would have to use means I only have a few feet.

I have mine set up only at 100", which means the unit is around 9.5" away from the screen.

emailking · 01-04-2024, 11:09 PM

Thanks. I want to pull the trigger. Just that cost is holding me back. I can afford it, but it's a lot to go down the drain if it doesn't work out.

07-19-2023, 12:35 AM	#1
a5uperman Member Member since:Feb 2016 Location:SE Michigan	AWOL Vision LTV-3500 ultra short throw projector Not much talk going on in here, thought I'd try to get some going. I bought this AWOL projector a few months ago, and while it's very expensive, it's as good as theater 3D, better than some theaters even. This projector is a light cannon, and can actually put out too much light that even active glasses can't stop some high contrast adjacent double image problems, but that only happens if you crank everything out of wack beyond the defaults. One thing that's sort of a pain right now is it doesn't automatically pick up frame packed 3D, and you have to turn it on when playing a file. One GREAT thing is you can turn on pseudo HDR and get a really nice almost HDR 3D presentation with high color volume. They are coming out with a Dolby vision update, that you may also be able to turn on in 3D, we shall see.. If you've been looking for the ultimate home 3D experience, this is it. AWOL seems very responsive, as they had 1 update that wrecked the 3D a little, but they came out with a fix for it pretty quickly, more than I can say for Samsung, who told me the last update for my TV they did knowningly messed up 3D, and they said they will never fix it, as they are no longer doing updates to it.

07-19-2023, 04:40 AM	#2
keb33509 Special Member Member since:Aug 2011 Blu-ray collection:442 Trading Score:75	It is a good projector. I tried it before settling on my 7050i. I actually like the 3D a bit better on the BenQ, perhaps because I experienced some additional crosstalk from the added brightness, but I agree projection is the way to go. Can’t really go wrong with how bright these USTs are. Prices are getting more reasonable, too.

07-20-2023, 02:45 AM	#3
BLMN Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Feb 2011 Location:Southern NH 4K collection:253 Blu-ray collection:736 DVD collection:36 Digital collection:7 Trading Score:8	which one you guys got (or tested) the 2500 or the 3500 ? i was playing around with the pre set settings on my 3500 and did not see any crosstalk (tested on both commercial discs and home brews) when using the "super" bright mode, mine is not running through an AVR, still havent tested with one in the chain. i do know you're not supposed to go into custom settings and tweak brightness through there in 3D mode, it will cause what OP was describing, that was well documented on AWOL's AVS forums thread.

07-21-2023, 10:50 PM	#4
Tim n Tempe Active Member Member since:Mar 2023	Does this projector have a 2D to 3D conversion in the 3D features?

07-31-2023, 02:26 AM	#6
8traxrule Power Member Member since:Jul 2009 Blu-ray collection:1	So you're saying it automatically plays everything in 2D, and you then have to manually turn on the 3D if you know that's what you're playing? That sounds like a pain. What does it do if a 3D disc also has 2D material on it? I've been worried about projectors not being bright enough, I saw one short-throw projector at a local store and while the quality was decent and there didn't appear to be any geometry problems despite the way it projects, the picture just looked too dark especially since they had a flat-panel TV right next to it though it was playing something else. The AWOL has been at the top of my list though if my LG gives out, but I hope any annoyances have been straightened out by then.

08-01-2023, 05:06 PM	#8
8traxrule Power Member Member since:Jul 2009 Blu-ray collection:1	Crap, that might be a dealbreaker for me. What happens if you activate 3D when you first turn it on- will it stay in 2D mode until the 3D content starts? What happens after it ends and 2D content then plays? I tried looking up the user manual for this but it doesn’t mention 3D use.

09-21-2023, 06:15 AM	#9
FingolfinFinwe Active Member Member since:Dec 2013	Welp, I just picked up the 3500 Pro. First venture into projectors, now that my Panasonic 3D screen just died (cry). Hope it satisfies, because it was $$$.

10-03-2023, 10:03 PM	#10
8traxrule Power Member Member since:Jul 2009 Blu-ray collection:1	So can anyone answer my question? It seems you have to activate 3D manually for it to display 3D- what happens if you do that before starting a 3D disc? And what if the disc starts out with 2D content or goes to it after the 3D movie? Does the projector stay in 3D mode with the picture set accordingly, so you would need to keep your 3D glasses on, or does it go into 2D mode?

10-04-2023, 03:08 PM	#12
8traxrule Power Member Member since:Jul 2009 Blu-ray collection:1	Top/bottom isn’t really a concern, I’m used to activating that manually. The Sharp TV I had before had a mode to auto-detect that but I had to disable it as it would go into 3D mode on movies with split-screen sequences. Hoping my LG will last at least a few more years but seeing what my options are if I ever do have to buy a new display, any without 3D support is simply not even a possibility.

10-05-2023, 06:27 PM	#13
HDM_fan Senior Member Member since:Mar 2008 Location:USA Blu-ray reviews:13	3D on this projector is phenomenal... I've had many front- and short-throw projectors over the years (Epson, BenQ, Optoma, VAVA, etc.), but this ones provides the best home 3D experience I've ever seen. 3500 isn't cheap, but if you have a well light-controlled room, the 3000 should be almost as good.

10-05-2023, 10:15 PM	#14
8traxrule Power Member Member since:Jul 2009 Blu-ray collection:1	If I get one I’m going for the best model. You get what you pay for, most of the time at least.

10-06-2023, 01:11 AM	#15
emailking Blu-ray Knight Member since:Aug 2015	How does this thing do in the day time? That's the main thing holding me back from doing a projector. I need to be able to clearly watch movies in the daytime, and I have nowhere to project to unless I get rid of the TV.

12-29-2023, 12:06 AM	#18
emailking Blu-ray Knight Member since:Aug 2015	How far do you guys keep this projector from the screen? The geometry of the room I would have to use means I only have a few feet.

01-04-2024, 11:09 PM	#20
emailking Blu-ray Knight Member since:Aug 2015	Thanks. I want to pull the trigger. Just that cost is holding me back. I can afford it, but it's a lot to go down the drain if it doesn't work out.

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