When Brian Gluck from www.projectorscreen.com asked if I would like to host this year‘s ultra-short throw Projector showdown, I leaped at the opportunity. While the Projector Reviews team evaluates several ultra-short throw projectors yearly, it is hard to understand the differences solely based on measurements and memory.

Ultra-short throw (UST) projectors have emerged as a popular option for home entertainment enthusiasts seeking a massive, high-quality image without the cumbersome installation of traditional projectors. To help enthusiasts make informed decisions, ProjectorReviews.com and ProjectorScreen.com worked together to host the 2024 Ultra-Short Throw Projector Showdown. This event brought together some of the best UST projectors in the market for a head-to-head comparison under controlled conditions.

Since I was hosting the event along with Brian, we both opted not to participate in the judging. However, I want to share my impression of the event, so this article provides an in-depth look at the event setup, judging criteria, performance evaluations, and impressions of the standout projectors.

The 2024 UST Showdown was designed to address a recurring challenge - accurately comparing the performance of multiple projectors. While specifications like brightness and contrast ratios can provide some insight, they rarely reflect real-world usage. Memory and measurements alone don’t capture nuanced differences between projectors. By setting them up side-by-side in identical conditions, judges could directly assess each projector's strengths and weaknesses.

Brian’s team set up eight identical screens so the judges would have the rare and unique opportunity to compare several leading ultra-short throw projectors side-by-side. To ensure a level playing field, the room was outfitted with eight Spectra Projection Vantage 0.5 gain ambient light rejecting screens, all 100 inches in size.

These screens were chosen for their proven performance and affordability, making them a practical pairing for UST projectors. The screens were mounted on specialized carts, and light uniformity was achieved using dimmable bulbs and white drop ceiling tiles to emulate a common living room. The lighting environment alternated between high ambient light and complete darkness to test projector adaptability​​.

Key supporting equipment included Kaleidescape media server, AVPro’s video distribution hardware, and Panasonic Blu-ray players. Projectors were connected via identical bullet train optical cables to ensure uniform signal quality. To prevent cross-screen interference, one-foot blinders were installed between projectors​​.

The ability to perform in daytime viewing conditions was a separate consideration. Judges tested how well each projector's image withstood ambient light, ensuring the picture remained clear and engaging even in less-than-ideal lighting conditions.

There are three elements when it comes to good HDR tone mapping. The first is the ability to deliver deep blacks while still maintaining shadow detail. The second element is the ability to deliver good onscreen brightness and the third is the ability to do all of this without blowing out bright highlight detail when viewing challenging HDR scenes. During the event, some projectors struggled with very dark HDR screens while others struggled with bright material.

Lastly, the presence of visual artifacts was meticulously examined. Judges identified any distracting issues, such as DLP rainbows, laser speckle, chromatic aberration (color fringing), banding, or digital noise. These artifacts can significantly impact the viewing experience, particularly for those sensitive to such imperfections. By applying these rigorous criteria, the judging panel ensured that the evaluation covered various factors relevant to home entertainment enthusiasts. This approach provided a balanced assessment of each projector's strengths and weaknesses, offering valuable insights to potential buyers.

After the event, to determine ranking of each projector, the sum of the points in each category (SDR & HDR) were tabulated. To calculate a projector's "Total Point Score", the sum of  the SDR and HDR categories tabulated to determine "Total Point Rank".

To select an "Overall Judges Pick," the judges were also asked to pick their top 3 overall choices, taking everything about the projector into account, including picture quality, design, and user interface. Using ranked choice voting, 3 points were awarded for a #1 pick, 2 points for a #2 pick, and 1 point for a #3 pick. The projector tabulation of points was used to determine its ranked choice.

Before the event, I compiled a list of challenging SDR and HDR clips which were played back using the Kaleidescape Strato system. The evaluations featured a curated list of movie scenes and test patterns.

Movies used during testing included:

• Motion Tests: Baby Driver’s "Harlem Shuffle" opening credits.
• Color Reproduction: Scenes from Samsara, Lawerence of Arabia and the Great Wall
• Black Levels: Dark sequences from The Batman, Blade Runner 2049 and Gravity.
• HDR Performance: Aquaman, Mad Max: Fury Road, Lucy and The Meg​.

The HDR tests used HDR10 content since all the projectors supported that format. Towards the end of the event, we utilized a Kaleidescape Strato V to feed Dolby Vision encoded versions of several clips to the compatible projector to see if there was a noticeable improvement in picture quality,

Its HDR tone mapping was particularly effective, and the vibrant, oversaturated SDR colors appealed to judges, especially in well-lit environments. However, some judges found the oversaturation less desirable for accuracy-focused applications. Even so, the Theater Premium consistently ranked as one of the top models, proving its continued dominance in the UST market.

XGMI Aura 2

While every other projector was equipped with a single or RGB laser light source, The Aura 2 utilizes a hybrid dual-laser and LED light engine. The judges were impressed with its outstanding SDR color accuracy, noting its lifelike skin tones and cinematic presentation. The projector’s ease of setup and auto-calibration features also earned praise.

However, the projector struggled with some HDR10 content, especially in high-brightness scenes where detail loss and blown highlights were evident. Fortunately, when viewing Dolby Vision content, the projector performed excellently, making it a viable option for users who prioritize SDR accuracy and rely on Dolby Vision for HDR streaming. Priced at approximately $2,699, it appeals to those looking for precise color reproduction at an affordable price.

The Aura 2’s support for Dolby Vision mitigated this issue, delivering excellent results for compatible content. This model is particularly appealing to users who prioritize SDR accuracy and stream Dolby Vision HDR material, though it may not satisfy those with more demanding HDR requirements.

NexiGo Aurora Pro

The Aurora Pro earned high marks for its ability to reveal fine shadow details in dark HDR scenes. This capability made it particularly suitable for movies and shows with dimly lit scenes, such as The Batman or Game of Thrones. While the projector performed well in brightness and color reproduction tests, its user interface and smart features lagged behind its competitors.

Additionally, the inability to fully disable motion compensation was noted as a drawback. Nevertheless, the Nexigo Aurora Pro proved to be a solid choice, especially for viewers who value exceptional shadow detail in their viewing experience. While it didn’t outperform all competitors in usability, its stellar shadow detail and strong overall performance made it a favorite among several judges.