The Premiere LPU9D is a flagship ultra-short throw projector that produces one of the better pictures available in this category. One of the main reasons for this projector's excellent picture quality is the RGB laser light source that Samsung uses to drive the projector. The LPU9D can produce 154% of the DCI-P3 color space and a large part of the BT.2020 color space. Additionally, it does it without any of the typical drawbacks of many triple laser projectors. Most notably, there is a complete lack of laser speckle and rainbow effect.
For those users who want to push the performance of this projector to the next level, and we suggest that you do so, Samsung includes a robust color management system that allows a professional calibrator to fine-tune the projector image with pinpoint accuracy. Another big reason this projector produces such a watchable picture, even in rooms with uncontrolled ambient light sources, is its Samsung-rated 3,450 ISO lumens of brightness, which translates to 3,140 ANSI lumens in my testing.
Samsung’s choice of a larger 0.66-inch DLP imager does not seem to have provided the expected bump in black levels I’ve come to expect from projectors using these bigger DLP chips. Blacks are, at best, slightly above average but far less than I expected from a flagship projector, which costs almost twice the price of a Hisense PX3-PRO and many other competitors. This projector's black floor is not on par with more expensive JVC and Sony LcOS or UST projectors from Hisense and Nexigo.
Unfortunately, the LPU9D maxes out at 60 Hz for all resolutions. The projector does not support 1440@120 Hz gaming or any refresh rate higher than 60 Hz, even at 1080p. The LPU9D has a noticeably slower performance even when compared to the previous generation of Hisense UST projectors. Still, I’m of two minds when criticizing Samsung’s gaming performance because they don’t advertise the LPU9D as a dedicated gaming projector.
Samsung does not claim to have dedicated gaming projector speeds; in fact, they stress that this projector is about console-free stream-based gaming. Unfortunately it comes down to expectations based on pricing. This projector costs almost twice as much as other flagship competitors, and for that price, I don’t think it’s unfair to expect at least competitive gaming performance from its competition.
The Premiere LPU9D uses Samsung’s very capable Tizen smart TV OS, providing users access to various streaming, gaming, and productivity apps. Tizen is not as robust as operating systems like Google TV. Tizen has far fewer applications, but it does support all the major streaming services and shares some advanced functionality with Google TV, like searching across installed applications. Google TV supports over 10,000 applications. The Samsung Tizen OS does not come close to that. Samsung says this makes the OS more focused and streamlined, but I did not notice that it took fewer steps to navigate the OS or adjust the projector's functions.
Regarding HDR performance, Samsung supports HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG but does not support the popular Dolby Vision HDR format.
The Premiere LPU9D does a fantastic job displaying SDR content, which is good because most content available today is still unavailable in HDR. In addition, it does an excellent job upscaling both standard-definition and high-definition content to display at 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160p) resolution.
Hisense PX3-PRO $3,499 MSRP
The Hisense PX3-PRO projector's out-of-the-box color performance is one of the best I've seen in the UST projectors released in 2024. The PX3-PRO’s new LPU's Trichroma laser light source and optics offer a level of alignment that I've never seen on any RGB laser light source projector. Only small amounts of color fringing are visible, and only when sitting very close to the screen. While Samsung's color capabilities are certainly in the ballpark with the Hisense, the PX3-PRO is the clear winner out of the box.
Both the PX3-PRO and the Samsung LPU9D offer High-dynamic-range (HDR) content support. However, since Samsung does not support Dolby Vision, but Hisense supports IMAX, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+, I recommend Hisense over Samsung.
Based on my recollection and the observations made by Phil Jones and myself when calibrating the PX3-PRO, the Samsung offers a lower black floor than the PX3-PRO. Still, the Hisense has a noticeable edge regarding dark area details, resulting in a more dynamic and immersive viewing experience.
The sound tuning on the PX3-PRO is very good, and the company collaborated with Harmon Kardon to develop its onboard sound system. The internal amplifiers have been boosted to 50 watts. While the Hisense onboard sound is better than any previous Hisense UST and most other USTs, it does not beat the Samsung onboard sound, which is the best I’ve heard in an ultra-short throw projector. Samsung offers high output with low distortion and great imaging, creating a very immersive simulated surround experience.
Regarding smart capabilities, both projectors offer smart OS solutions. Samsung uses its in-house Tizen OS, and Hisense runs the latest Google TV OS. Regarding core streaming applications, the Samsung and Hisense projectors are well-matched. However, I discovered that the Tizen AppleTV+ application allows users to access and purchase content from the Apple store directly from the application, a feature that I have not seen outside of Apple devices and is not available on Google TV’s version. That aside, Google TV offers users access to 10,000 applications from the Google Play store, which gives Hisense customers a far more robust app experience.
The Hisense is also smaller in all dimensions and lighter than the Samsung. The biggest advantage of the Hisense is that it has a $3,499 MSRP and a more modern feature set featuring HDMI 2.1, IMAX, and Dolby Vision support. It also offers superior high-speed gaming with a low input lag of 18 ms at 4K/60Hz and support for 1080p 120 Hz gaming compared to Samsung's $5,999 MSRP.
AWOL VISION LTV-3500
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro, with its 4K resolution, laser light source, and 3,500 ANSI lumens brightness, is a formidable contender in the home theater projector market. At a current selling price of $5,499, it caters to a higher-end audience that prioritizes high-quality visuals and advanced features. The LTV-3500 Pro and The Premiere LPU9D share some flagship features but there are key differences.
AWOL Vision uses some of the industry's best suppliers for the projector's laser light engine components. The LTV-3500 Pro has a Texas Instruments 0.47 Digital Micromirror Device (DMD), a NICHA RGB laser diode light source, and a state-of-the-art Ricoh all-glass lens. Premium components, combined with great picture tuning, have resulted in performance that rivals any major projector manufacturer. According to Texas Instruments, Samsung uses a 0.66 DLP, which can produce better contrast, improved dark and highlight area details, and brightness compared to the equivalent 0.47 DMD.
AWOL Vision has always chosen the best components and tried incorporating the latest technologies, including Tri-Laser light sources, better optics, and features like Dolby Vision and HDR 10+. Samsung supports HDR10+ but does not support Dolby Vision content.
Regarding smart capabilities, only Samsung has an integrated smart OS solution with its Tizen OS. AWOL VISION has an onboard OS for controlling the projector's hardware, but all media applications run through an included Amazon Firestick 4K. The Firestick means that users must work on two different operating systems when using AWOL Vision, while Samsung offers a lean, fully integrated OS experience. Regarding the number of applications available, Amazon Firestick offers a larger library of applications than Samsung. Regarding premium streaming applications, the Samsung and AWOL VISION via the Amazon Firestick are well-matched.
The LTV-3500 Pro is designed to work seamlessly with various home installation control systems. PJ Link IP Control Protocol ensures integration with the most popular Smart Home systems like Control 4, Savant, URC, and Creston. The Samsung LPU9D also supports Control 4, Savant, URC, and Creston, but the level of control offered by each system varies significantly. Some systems provide basic power control and input switching, while others may offer more advanced features like source selection, picture adjustments, and even automated routines.
The Samsung Premiere LPU9D ultra-short throw projector aims to bring a cinematic feel to your living room. Its vibrant 4K picture and impressive brightness, combined with the ultra-short throw design, make it a compelling option for those wanting a big screen without the usual projector hassles. It handles moderately lit rooms well, which is great for casual viewing. The built-in speakers are a pleasant surprise, delivering decent audio, and the smart features make streaming a breeze.
However, the high price tag doesn't translate to a top-tier ultra-short throw experience. The contrast and black levels aren't quite where they should be for the cost. Samsung markets this as a casual gaming projector focused on cloud gaming, but even with that, it doesn't necessarily outperform other laser TVs in gaming performance.
While HDR10+ is a plus, the lack of Dolby Vision support is a significant oversight, considering how widely available Dolby Vision content is. The absence of a built-in ATSC tuner and 3D support, which are common in competing projectors, further limits its ability to replace a traditional television fully.
The Premiere offers excellent build quality, Samsung solid operation and reliability. In short, the Premiere LPU9D offers a convenient big-screen solution, but the price, average contrast, and missing features compared to competitors like Hisense, AWOL Vision, and Nexigo—which offer similar or even better performance and features for significantly less—make it a tougher sell. You need to weigh the Samsung brand's convenience against its competitors' better value proposition.
