Listen to this post:
|
Optoma is back with a new series of new and updated projectors and I’ve spent some extended time with the current-gen UHZ55 4K Smart Laser DLP Projector, which is intended to be a full featured cinema/entertainment TV replacement that goes big at home, or anywhere else you can enjoy a big screen experience. The highlight, of course, being the implementation of laser technology that promises to deliver precision-like clarity, vibrant colors, and speedy refresh rates in a medium-throw chassis. In almost all areas this projector generally delivers.
via YouTubeDesign and Specifications
Aesthetically the UHZ55 looks almost identical to its predecessor, the UHZ50, only now with a matte black plastic body – not unlike most other projectors I’ve used. Expect the same adjustment controls such as a top control panel that provides basic power and menu/navigation buttons, along with the usual physical dials and ring that manually controls the 1.3x focus/zoom and vertical lens shift. The remote is also smaller and fairly basic, streamlined for the most necessary buttons and Smart TV functionality, but gets the job done.
What’s different this time around is the expanded selection (by projector standards) of connector ports on the back. The UHZ55 is equipped with three HDMI2.0/HDCP2.2 ports, the first optimized with eARC output and low latency mode capability and the third having PureMotion image blurring correction. Three USB ports are available, one providing power output while the other two support Wi-Fi dongles and media drives, an Ethernet/RJ-45 port, S/PDIF, 12V 0.5A trigger, 3.5mm audio out, RS-232 (for professional installations), and, surprisingly, a 3D Sync port for cinema setups utilizing external RF stereoscopic glasses.
The UHZ55 outputs a bright ANSI count of 3000 lumens which is plenty bright enough for both dark and daylit environments and has a dynamic contrast ratio of 2,500,000:1 for color depth and darker black levels.
Other immediate advantages is that illumination is twice as bright while using less power and dissipating much less heat (785BTU/hour), it’s also quieter at a audible maximum of 31dB (Optoma advertises 27dB minimum/29dB max) and much faster for the projector to turn on or off without needing to warm up. Sound quality from the two 10W speakers is adequate but not great, luckily Optoma knew this and gives you that aforementioned audio output for external speakers as a quick fix, or the flexibility to incorporate your own digital surround sound system via HDMI or optical S/PDIF.
What’s Great: Laser Technology
I want to touch on what makes the UHZ55 great first. The biggest change is the integration of laser technology, which means that instead of the traditional DLP lamp/bulb assembly the laser setup generally requires no major servicing other than periodically wiping off surface dust, and its source lifespan is estimated to be 30,000 hours or essentially up to 10-15 years (or 6 hours/daily). By the time the light source reduces to half-brightness you will most likely be shopping for a new projector anyway.
A laser/phosphor setup begins with a single “1DLP” laser that emits a primary blue beam, which is then split and energized into a separate yellow emission. The process continues as the main blue beam runs on its own after initial separation through the engine normally. Meanwhile, the yellow beam making its way to the same point but must be further divided into green and red. Finally, all the added beams return with the blue beam by converging at the color wheel, and then reflect off the prism lens onto the processing chip (DMD) that produces the beautiful projected image you see.
Thanks to Optoma moving onto laser technology this projector delivers excellent quality in terms of vibrant color, contrast, and is certainly one of the better choices regardless what time of day you choose to watch content. I usually have to fall back on optimized presets in order to dial in preferred overall hues, but I was able to skip that workaround entirely here.
Laser projectors also have the benefit of producing slightly deeper blacks and shadow detail, of course the UHZ55 is no exception here but they don’t show as true blacks but rather very dark gray if you’re putting this on a wall without a ALR screen. Fortunately, this projector has Wall Color settings where you can alter the image based on the color of your wall if you happen to have a canvas in light yellow, pink, grey, green, blue, or black.
What’s Good: High-Response Gaming and Cinematics
The UHZ55 provides some gaming enhancements for people who want a seamless and highly responsive experience. You get a respectable 16.7ms input lag when left at 4K/60Hz, but you can bump things up to 120Hz or 240Hz. This is mostly identical to other gaming DLP models from ViewSonic (X2-4K) or BenQ (TK710/TK710STi), and also shares the same options such as automatic 240Hz limited to 1080p at 4ms. If you don’t mind scaling back the resolution, sacrificing HDR10/HLG color modes, or resetting physical keystone adjustments then it’s hard to argue against the benefits of smoother performance with a PlayStation 5 or gaming PC.
On the cinematic side, features like 24p/24fps capability and PureMotion frame interpolation are available to enjoy films as closely as the directors intended. When watching Blu-ray these options are automatically enabled to minimize the effort of manually searching for them in the menu, except for PureMotion which is only available when connected to the HDMI3 source.
Stereoscopic 3D support is included and delivers Full HD 3D with a decent amount of visual pop. Options for side-by-side, top-bottom and sequential frame packing are also available, with the option to enable everything through the built-in DLP-Link (glasses not included) or a separate RF emitter setup. Of course, this also means that light output is reduced and the 3D effect may negatively affect people with eye sensitivity.
Not So Good: Poor Smart TV Integration
Now let’s get into what I don’t love about the UHZ55, which is its Smart TV functionality using a custom version of Android. Optoma has made it clear their implementation cuts off Google Play Services and that third-party apps are not guaranteed to work, meaning the UHZ55 has its own iteration of the App store (called Optoma Marketplace), Smart home voice integration and InfoWall assistant (working as a bridge for Alexa or Google Home) in conjunction with the Optoma Connect smartphone app, web browser, and onboard file management and media player via network or USB drive that is at least more streamlined than before.
But the biggest issue is that Optoma chose a walled garden approach despite the fact that it’s based off of vanilla Android TV. Besides Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Spotify the app selection is scarce and largely obscure but the biggest disappointment is that the Marketplace has the audacity to falsely advertise apps that aren’t available to download. I’ve seen YouTube, Hulu and BBC being featured on the front page but they’re nowhere to be found. Unless Optoma plans on including these apps at a later date I would suggest just getting an Apple TV instead. In Optoma’s defense, I have never found a great integrated smart TV solution in competing projector brands, so this isn’t a personal dealbreaker for me–or probably anybody else either.
Conclusion: The Future is Laser
There’s much to like with Optoma’s UHZ55 4K Smart Laser DLP when you focus on the core aspects of what makes a projector so appealing. If you’re after the biggest screen that DLP can offer but hate the idea of periodically changing lamps, the implementation of laser technology adds some convenience while pushing image quality and color reproduction to the next level. Another perk is how quiet and efficient it is compared to other flagship and traditional DLP projectors. Poor Smart TV integration aside, for home cinephiles and 1080p/240Hz gamers, the UHZ55 is a superb showcase for most content as far as midrange laser projectors are concerned.