AWOL Vision is announcing the Aetherion Max and Aetherion Pro, a duo of triple-laser ultra-short-throw projectors designed squarely for speed, fidelity, and big-screen gaming. Both models project 4K images up to 200 inches and are among the first projectors compatible with Dolby Vision Gaming, representing a significant milestone that brings console-grade tone mapping and image quality to the projector category.
Both have an impressively long spec sheet: variable refresh rate, auto low-latency mode, a claimed 1ms-class response at up to 240Hz (usually at lower resolutions), and a native contrast ratio of 6,000:1.
AWOL’s patented PixelLock system addresses UST-specific artifacts—pixel drift and color separation—for a sharp fit with no fringing even at the largest screen sizes. Brightness is what differentiates the two: The Max is rated at up to 3,300 ISO lumens; the Pro targets 2,600 ISO lumens.
Why Dolby Vision Gaming Matters On Projectors
Dolby Vision Gaming integrates with a game’s development on the console and provides scene-by-scene brightness, which in turn eliminates inaccuracies of static HDR10 tone mapping.
It means more dependable highlight detail and shadow nuance on consoles like the Xbox Series X|S—where the format is supported through Dolby—without needing to manually fiddle with it. To date, projectors have been behind TVs in this department, with, at best, HDR10 or Dolby Vision for video apps alone. AWOL’s launch hopes to fill that gap for those gaming types with a preferred 120- to 150-inch canvas.
It’s a functional improvement, not simply a badge. Because projectors tend to be less bright than high-end TVs, accurate dynamic tone mapping is a must for preserving intent in content that may be meant to dazzle in HDR. AWOL also includes a Dolby Vision Gaming package with dynamic tone mapping as well as support for IMAX Enhanced, HDR10+, and Filmmaker Mode to fall in line with what studios and entities such as the UHD Alliance are pushing.
Hardware Designed for Speed, Streaming, and Stability
Internally, both models are powered by MediaTek’s MT9655, a flagship TV-class SoC developed for high-bandwidth video playback and advanced HDR processing. They are especially well provisioned for projectors, with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of eMMC storage, as well as Gigabit Ethernet (and Wi‑Fi 7) for fat-pipe streaming. Apps and voice control are powered by Google TV based on Android TV 14, with casting and mirroring coming from AirPlay 2, Chromecast, and Miracast.
It’s the response time that is particularly impressive, especially in a category where we often see input lag of 30 ms-plus at 4K60. Gaming-centric models from the likes of BenQ often trumpet mid-teens latency, so AWOL’s 1ms-class claim at 240Hz—if substantiated—would mark a huge leap forward for competitive play via projector. Variable refresh rate is also supposed to cut down on tearing and judder in fast action, again especially on 1080p or 1440p settings that many gamers choose for higher frame rates.
Optics and Image Fidelity for Crisp, Artifact-Free Visuals
UST projectors shoot light at a steep angle into a complex mirror path, and that complexity can lead to misalignment and color fringing as time passes. AWOL’s PixelLock is intended to constantly link and coordinate the RGB subpixels so edges stay crisp and text remains legible—a subtle but significant improvement for both gaming HUDs as well as desktop-style use. Triple-laser light engines eliminate the noxious color wheel, extending color volume and reducing the “rainbow” artifacts that single-chip DLP designs can suffer; AWOL also includes anti-RBE processing to tamp down those distractions even more.
Support for Filmmaker Mode keeps creative intent aspects in movies, while IMAX Enhanced certification aims at a higher bar of clarity and contrast for supported content. With HDR10+ and Dolby Vision’s dynamic metadata forms on its side, the Aetherion platform is effectively format-agnostic—a win when streaming services or discs can have very different standards and mastering behaviors.
Screen Size and Real-World Setup for UST Placement
They both are designed to throw images for 80- to 200-inch screens from inches away off the wall. They’re a living-room-friendly option that does not need ceiling mounting. At 3,300 ISO lumens, the Max should be more resistant to ambient light anyway, especially when used with an ambient-light-rejecting UST screen. The 2,600-lumen Pro will light up in light-controlled rooms and dedicated theaters where black levels are prized over daylight punch.
More than size, the allure is flexibility: when the game ends, the projector vanishes out of sight, unlike a gargantuan TV panel. That’s a tangible win for multipurpose spaces and families looking for cinema scale without having to install a permanent monolith on the wall.
Pricing and Availability for Aetherion Max and Pro
AWOL Vision has a crowdfunding launch coming soon that will feature Super Early Bird pricing of $2,199 for the Aetherion Max and $1,999 for the Aetherion Pro. After the campaign, retail will be $4,499 and $3,499 a set. As with all crowdfunded efforts, buyers will need to be mindful about timelines and delivery risk, though AWOL’s UST releases have previously gained a loyal following among home theater enthusiasts.
If the Aetherion series fulfills its promise of low-latency gaming that supports Dolby Vision Gaming, there’s a chance it could set new benchmarks for UST projectors as genuine all-in-one living room displays—able to deliver not just movie-night spectacle but also responsive, reference-grade gaming on a wall-filling scale.
