Optoma GT3500HDR vs NexiGo Aurora Pro: Which Ultra Short Throw Projector is Best for Your Home Cinema?

[Barend Ray]

Introduce​

Parameter	Optoma GT3500HDR​	NexiGo Aurora Pro​
Picture​	​	​
Price​	$1499​	$2699​
Recommended Uses​	Home Entertainment, Home Cinema, Gaming, Business​	Home Cinema​
Highlight​	Flexible Installation: Digital zoom, horizontal/vertical keystone correction, 4-corner adjustment Enhanced Gaming Mode: 8ms input lag @ 1080p 120Hz Versatile Connectivity: 2x HDMI 2.0, USB-A (power), 3.5mm audio out, RS232, RJ45 Airtight Optical Engine: Reliable for 24/7 operation Compact and Portable: 28% smaller than previous generations, lightweight design Ultra Short Throw: 100" screen from less than a foot away TV Replacement: Align the image, play in the same spot as the TV​	Black Level - ALPD 4.0 RGB+ technology, native contrast ratio 3000:1, dynamic laser dimming, black level reduction >60%, energy savings >30% Sound - Built-in 60W stereo speakers, 2x15W woofers, 2x15W tweeters, supports Active 3D, Dolby Atmos, eARC Dolby Vision - Supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, dynamic laser dimming, improved tone-mapping algorithm Lowest Latency - 120Hz MEMC, 4K@120Hz input support, lowest input lag 8ms among UST projectors​

Side-by-Side Comparison​

Display​

Parameter	Optoma GT3500HDR​	NexiGo Aurora Pro​
Screen Size​	90 Inches - 120 Inches​	75 Inches - 150 Inches​
Throw Distance​	0.66 Feet - 1.31 Feet​	0.33 Feet - 53.5 Feet​
Contrast Ratio​	500000:1​	at least 3000:1​
Display Resolution​	1920 x 1080 Pixels​	3840 x 2160 pixels​
Native Resolution​	1920 x 1080​	3840 x 2160​
Brightness​	3800 Lumen​	2400 Lumen​
Display Type​	Laser​	Laser​
Picture Quality Enhancement​	-​	ALPD 4.0 RGB+ technology​

Features​

Parameter	Optoma GT3500HDR​	NexiGo Aurora Pro​
Video Encoding​	HEVC Main 10​	H.265 (HEVC)​
Lamp Wattage​	54 Watts​	60 Watts​
Light Source Life​	30000 Hours​	20000 Hours​
Controller Type​	Remote Control​	Remote Control​
Control Method​	Remote​	Remote​
Mount Type​	Tabletop Mount​	Tabletop Mount​
Noteworthy Features​	4K HDR Input, DuraCore Laser Technology, Ultra Short Throw, Place and Play, Full HD 1080p​	①‎4K Tri-Color Laser Ultra-Short Throw②Out-of-the-box color accuracy③Dolby Vision & Atoms ④Active 3D ⑤Lowest input lag among all UST projectors⑥Cinematic Sound with 60W Speakers (2x15W Tweeters and 2x15W Woofers) ⑦107% Rec.2020 color gamut​

Connectivity​

Parameter	Optoma GT3500HDR​	NexiGo Aurora Pro​
Connectivity Technology​	USB, HDMI, 3.5mm Audio​	HDMI​
Hardware Connectivity​	USB, HDMI, 3.5mm Audio​	Bluetooth​
Compatible Devices​	PC, Gaming Console, Television, Tablet, Smartphone​	PC, Gaming Console​

Measurements​

Parameter	Optoma GT3500HDR​	NexiGo Aurora Pro​
Dimensions L x W x H​	-​	-​
Item Weight​	8.6 Pounds​	22 Pounds​

Conclusion​

Product	PROS AND CONS​
Optoma GT3500HDR​	Pros: • Good video quality in low light conditions • Low input lag, suitable for gaming • Customization options available • Reliable performance over extended use (3-5 hours) • Acceptable brightness for daytime viewing • No major issues after 6 months of use Cons: • Picture quality diminishes in bright light, especially for dark scenes • Requires a pro screen to avoid image distortion • Occasional bulb flashes in Eco mode • Built-in speaker is ineffective and unnecessary • Heat management concerns, especially near exhaust port • No air filter, necessitating manual cleaning after extended use
NexiGo Aurora Pro​	Pros • Provides a beautiful image, especially when paired with an ALR screen • Excellent performance in ambient light conditions • Easy to use with a high-quality remote • Good picture quality out of the box, with options for further tuning • Crisp and clean image even with some light in the room Cons • Sound quality is decent but not powerful enough for larger rooms • Setup can be slightly fiddly for image adjustment • Performance can be affected by direct bright lights in the room Overall Impression The Nexigo Aurora Pro is a highly recommended projector for those looking to create a cinematic experience at home. With its impressive image quality and adaptability to various lighting conditions, it excels in delivering a great viewing experience for movies, games, and shows. While the sound could be improved, pairing it with a quality sound system enhances the overall experience.