Verdict
The Optoma UHZ55 is a bright and capable laser - powered DLP projector that delivers acutely fork up 4 honey oil figure and HDR with quite a little of punch . The movement is buttery fluent , and apart from the lack of 4K/120Hz livelihood this beamer is a nifty selection for gamers . It ’s even certify for WiSA Soundsend wireless audio , allowing you to easily add a good system for a ended setup .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The Optoma UHZ55 is the modish mid - range 4 K DLP laser projector from the brand , supersede the old UHZ50 and enjoying a few small pinch over the earlier mannequin , along with a trashy start cost .
The UHZ55 expend Optoma ’s ‘ DuraCore ’ optical maser light seed , with a claim output of 3,000 lumens and a lifespan of 30,000 hours . The beamer supports HDR in the form of HDR10 and HLG , and can treat frame rate at 4K/60Hz for consoles or 1080p at 240Hz for microcomputer gamers . There ’s also a built - in media actor , incorporate speakers , an Android operating system , and support for WiSA Soundsend wireless sound .
All of which get the Optoma UHZ55 a very interesting expectant screen beamer , but how does it evaluate up ?
Availability
The Optoma UHZ55 is available now and can presently be pick up for £ 1,699 in the UK , $ 2,459 in the US , and € 2,099 in Europe . All these prices are sensible for a 4 K HDR DLP projector with a number of film and gaming relate feature film , along with WiSA Soundsend certification .
If you ’re looking for alternatives , the BenQ X3100i is worth turn over . This LED - power 4 kelvin HDR DLP projector delivers 3,300 lumens , all-encompassing colour gamut , Android TV , and all-encompassing gaming features . It can be buy for £ 1,949 in the UK , $ 2,199 in the US , and € 2,599 in Europe .
Design
The Optoma UHZ55 does n’t depart from the brand ’s received design , with a boxy mat black credit card chassis , lens countervail to the right , connections at the derriere , and aviation vents on either side for chill . The build quality is reasonable , but overall it ’s a comparatively compact and light beamer .
On top there are buttons for installing , go down up and maneuver the projector . These may add up in handy if you mislay the remote , which is probable given how lowly and fiddly it is . While all the buttons you need are on the zapper , they ’re only identified by image , which are n’t always obvious .
There are manual zoom and focus controls for the crystalline lens , along with one for shifting the image up and down , although for left and right you ’ll need to physically move the projector . There are also reflexive mainstay and geometric correction features , along with a varying wall colour equilibrium setting . However , for good solvent I ’d recommend projecting onto a white wall or intimately still a dedicated CRT screen .
The connections are at the keister , and the UHZ55 has three HDMI 2.0 stimulant that all indorse 4K/60Hz and high dynamic grasp ( HDR10 and HLG ) . HDMI 1 alsosupports eARC(audio return TV channel ) , and HDMI 3 is the input you should use to savor Optoma ’s PureMotion with sports .
There are also three USB - A larboard , one of which provides power to a streaming stick , along with an analogue stereo 3.5 mm output mariner , and an ocular digital output . There ’s also an Ethernet port , a 12V trigger for use with a motorised filmdom , and an RS232 connector for serial control condition , along with a 3D emitter port for DLP ’s optional 3D Sync system .
Features
The Optoma UHZ55 supports resolutions up to Ultra HD ( 3840 x 2160 ) , although the DLP chipset is n’t native 4 KB but actually Full HD ( 1920 x 1080 ) . However , thanks to its 240Hz refresh rate the paradigm can be restate four times per a figure to construct up a mental picture that appears 4K.
The DuraCore laser visible light source delivers 3,000 lm , along with a claimed life-time of up to 30,000 hours . That basically means you’re able to use this projector to game or watch pic and sports broadcast for age without having to worry about the light-colored source observably dimming .
The UHZ55 supports high dynamic kitchen range in the form of HDR10 andHLG ( hybrid log - gamma ) , and Optoma includes effective timber mapping to render HDR painting where the shadows are spare of crush , the brighter highlight do n’t drop off particular due to snip , and the colours retain their depth .
One of the braggart advantages of DLP is its profligate reaction time of up to 240Hz . These impressive chassis pace are backed up by lightning fast latency measure , with exceedingly low lag time for a projector , give out as humble as 16ms for 4K/60Hz and all the way down to 4ms for 1080p/240Hz .
While you ’ll need to buy extra third party active shutter glasses , the UHZ55 affirm 3D. Due to the constitutional brightness of its optical maser unaccented source , along with DLP ’s super - fast response time , the 3D is fantabulous with punchy images that are free of any pesky cross talk or other artefacts .
The UHZ55 includes a Wi - Fi dongle that works with Optoma ’s Creative Control app , and there ’s a household pageboy with options for Optoma Connect , Creative Cast and File Manager , along with input selections and the background menu . There ’s also a built - in media player for consumption with the USB port .
The UHZ55 let in Optoma ’s Marketplace , allowing you to download VOD apps for the ilk ofNetflixandPrime Video , but implementation is clumsy and you ’re skilful off confiscate a streaming control stick like a Roku orFire TV . The choice and picture performance will both be significantly better .
There are two utterer , each with 5W of elaboration , but to complement the big screen visuals you really need to partner the UHZ55 with an outboard sound system or take advantage of the WiSA Soundsend credential and link the beamer to compatible wireless speakers .
The want ofHDMI 2.1inputs is n’t surprising for a projector at this price , but means no musical accompaniment for 4K/120Hz or HDR10 + and the benefit of dynamic metadata . The manual lens mastery do n’t allow for lens memories either , so bear that in nous if you ’re using a wider facial expression ratio CRT screen .
Performance
The Optoma UHZ55 benefit from a exclusive chipset , and as a result the image is oarlock sharp . This is despite the UHZ55 not technically being a aboriginal 4 K projector , and rather using Texas Instruments ’ clever picture element flash tech to display an image at a result of 4K.
The smooth motion handling is another DLP force , and the UHZ55 ’s 240Hz refresh makes it a great alternative for gambling and 3D. profligate movement is fork over without any judder or other artefacts , which is expert news for motion-picture show fans , although if you need to try out with Optoma ’s PureMotion processing with sport verify you use HDMI 3 .
One of the major downsides of DLP is that some citizenry occasionally see colour fringing or ‘ rainbow ’ in the prototype , and although the usance of a optical maser light source should reduce the problem , the only way to guarantee you do n’t suffer from this proceeds is to actually present a DLP projector in soul .
The other big issue with DLP beamers is the direct contrast performance , because blacks do n’t really look bootleg , more a sorting of dark grey . This is very obvious in a blacked out examination environment such as mine , but in a normal living room reflected luminance would wash out the contrast anyway .
However , Optoma ’s claims of a 2,500,000:1 direct contrast ratio are found solely on the dynamic mode where the optical maser is literally become off when value total darkness . This is just meditative of real world textile , and I really quantify the native contrast at 1,000:1 , which is pretty standard for DLP projector .
The UHZ55 ’s laser light author has sufficient yield to handle lighter environments , and enough headroom to give HDR good deal of punch . It also means you may check as many movies or football game matches as you like , and indulge in marathon gaming sessions without worrying about the laser dimming or needing to be replaced .
Of course brightness level is only one aspect of HDR , and the other often overlooked element is color . Here the UHZ55 slightly disappoints because while it plow the majority of the colour gamut used for SDR , it ca n’t quite reach the wider gamut employed when studios grade HDR . On the plus side the Cinema modality matches the diligence measure for SDR and HDR quite well , with natural colours and an accurate Vasco da Gamma and greyscale .
In term of HDR what is most important is the quality mapping , and here the UHZ55 provides an excellent chronicle of itself . quality mapping is how a display adjusts or maps the HDR signaling to match its capacity – done aright the results can face arresting but done badly and you end up with humiliated shadows and blown - out highlight .
The UHZ55 does an splendid job , deliver all the fine detail present in the 4 M images of The Revenant , while also rendering the HDR with acquirement and producing plenty of brightness without losing any item . The snow-clad landscape painting offer dazzle white vistas , while the colour are extravagantly nuanced and pleasingly instinctive in appearance .
At the other close of the dynamical range the nighttime military action in The Crow does n’t look as inky as more capable and expensive beamers . But once again the tone mapping does a great line of disclose the detail in those apparition while also assure the mirrorlike highlights in the rainwater - sleek streets still pierce the dark and down with intensity .
Since the UHZ55 is primarily aimed at gamers this is where it really redeem with brilliant movement handling that result in fluid gameplay at 4K/60Hz , and even smooth action if you have a PC rig capable of 1080p Full HD at 240Hz . The termination is a hugely enjoyable gaming experience with big sieve images that are sharp , detailed , and colorful , while the very capable flavour - function ensures precise HDR with vivacious pictures that are certain to please .
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Should you buy it?
The Optoma UHZ55 ’s sharply rendered 4 KB image , super brilliant HDR , tranquil motion , low input stave , and long lifetime optical maser igniter reservoir make this projector a great choice for need gamers .
The Optoma UHZ55 ’s rickety blacks and modified colours are n’t ideal for movies , and while the ikon look good with brighter scene , there are better choices for film fans .
Final Thoughts
The Optoma UHZ55 is a capable and affordable 4 K projector that should appeal to anyone who fancies some liberal screen action . The overall picture performance is impressive with bright and detailed images , punchy and vivacious HDR and fantastically smooth gesture .
Gamers looking for greater immersion will also enjoy the low-toned input stave and world-wide reactivity . The smart organization is better suited to the council chamber than the living room , the Joseph Black could be better and it ’s a bit noisy at times , but overall this beamer deliver a compelling carrying out .
Trusted Score
How we test
We test every projector we review thoroughly over an extended period of time . We usePortrait Displays Calman colour standardisation softwareand industriousness standards to compare features properly . We ’ll always severalize you what we find . We never , ever , live with money to review a mathematical product .
Find out more about how we test in ourethics insurance .
FAQs
At 1080p resolution with a refresh rate of 240Hz , the UHZ55 can hit 4ms .
