OPTOMA UHZ65

Optoma introduces its first 4K UHD projector with a laser light source for bigger and bolder colours

You might never go to the cinema again with Optoma’s epic, affordable 4K HDR laser projector

Hot on the heels of the first 4K UHD DLP home cinema projectors comes Optoma’s debut Laser phosphor model. Replacing the traditional projector lamp with a laser introduces a string of benefits including near-instant on, 20,000hour longevity and wide colour support.

Set-up is astonishingly simple. Manual zoom and lens shift controls are hidden under a hinged lid. While we recommend a dedicated (ideally light reflecting) screen, like a Draper ReAct, you can get away with a white wall. It’s possible to cast a 120-inch image from just 3.7m.

Picture clarity is outstanding. The projector employs an XPR (eXpanded Pixel Resolution) 0.67-inch DMD device, which uses hyper-fast switching to create a 4K (8 million pixel) image from 4.15 million mirrors. It’s not exactly native 4K, but it’s as near as dammit. We certainly haven’t seen our Ultra HD Blu-rays look any more noticeably sharper.

There are minor niggles here. Operating noise is a constant 29dB, so the UHZ65 is best located away from your couch and masked with the inclusion of a kick-ass sound system. We also noted DLP’s trademark rainbow fringing on scenes with high contrast - but for most viewing this wasn’t a problem.

However a shift to laser light brings improved contrast (2,000,000:1), and the colour range is spectacular. HDR-compatible, the projector is also refreshingly bright at 3,000 lumens.

Sharper, brighter better - the UHZ65 is the most exciting home theatre projector we’ve seen all year. For the money, it’s also the best value 4K laser projector there is right now. You may never go to the cinema again.