Katarzyna Petru
Among the huge televisions showcased at CES 2026, it is easy to forget that achieving a truly large image in the living room does not necessarily require a massive LCD or OLED screen. Projectors remain an alternative – increasingly smaller, brighter, and more technologically advanced. This year's exhibition highlighted new models from Xgimi and AWOL Vision, which target the premium segment of ultra short throw projectors.
Xgimi Titan Noir Max – cinematic ambitions
Xgimi has unveiled a new model, the Titan Noir Max, described by the manufacturer as the most "cinematic and accessible" pro-class projector in its offering. The Chinese brand, which started with simple portable projectors, has clearly shifted towards the high-end segment in recent years. In 2025, models such as the Titan and Horizon 20 Max debuted, with the new model set to fill the gap between them.
The Titan Noir Max is a 4K projector equipped with the most advanced dynamic IRIS aperture system in Xgimi’s history. The manufacturer claims a native contrast ratio of 10,000:1 and new optics intended to provide better control of lights and shadows and more precise colour reproduction. However, Xgimi has not provided information on brightness or gaming capabilities – a significant omission in this class of equipment. It is known, however, that the model will be priced between the Titan (around £3,499) and the Horizon 20 Max (around £2,599).
This means direct competition with, among others, the Leica Cine Play 1 Plus, which offers 3,500 CVIA lumens, 110% coverage of BT.2020, and costs around £2,950, as well as the JMGO O2S Ultra with a brightness of 3,600 ISO lumens, a contrast of 4,000:1, and a price of around £2,799.
ChooseTV Vision joins the elite of UST projectors
Even more interesting is the debut of ChooseTV Vision, a company previously known mainly as the owner of the Valerion brand. At CES 2026, the manufacturer presented two new ultra-short throw projectors – Aetherion Max and Aetherion Pro – which are set to be the world's first models capable of displaying a 4K image with a diagonal of up to 200 inches. Both projectors offer a latency of less than 1 ms, making them exceptionally attractive for gamers. The difference between the models mainly comes down to brightness:
Aetherion Max – 2,600 lumens ISO
Aetherion Pro – 3,000 lumens ISO
The other specifications are identical: native contrast 6,000:1, refresh rate up to 240 Hz, support for VRR and ALLM, and a new PixelLock system.
PixelLock – uncompromising sharpness technology
PixelLock is a proprietary technology of AWOL Vision, designed to eliminate common problems of UST projectors, such as pixel drift and colour separation. The system integrates optical, digital, and mechanical elements, compensating for lens tolerances, thermal expansion, and DLP sequencing artefacts.
The projectors use sapphire glass lenses, rare earth element coatings that reduce chromatic aberration to nearly zero, a special optical film, and a motorised lens cover that protects against dust. It also features the MT9655 chipset with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage, a seven-stage IRIS system, and a claimed dynamic contrast ratio of up to 60,000:1.
Prices and Competition
AWOL Vision has not yet revealed prices in the UK, but in the USA, the Aetherion Max and Pro are expected to cost $3,499 and $4,499 respectively, translating to approximately £2,581 and £3,320. Sales will commence with a campaign on Kickstarter, with early bird offers planned for March.
The new models from Xgimi and AWOL Vision will also have to contend with the Hisense PX4-PRO – a UST projector showcased at CES, although announced before the holidays. The PX4-PRO features a new IRIS system, 3,500 ANSI lumens brightness, IMAX Enhanced certification, and a contrast ratio of 6,000:1. The price has not yet been disclosed, but the specifications suggest that it will be one of the strongest players in the UST projector segment in 2026.
