Optoma UHZ55

The UHZ55 is the latest mid-range 4K laser projector from Optoma, and replaces the previous UHZ50. The new model has a slightly cheaper starting price, and enjoys a few minor tweaks: there’s the addition of a more competitive gaming mode, and support for WiSA Soundsend.

The UHZ55 uses Optoma’s ‘DuraCore’ laser light source, with a claimed output of 3,000 lumens and a 30,000 hours lifespan. The brand claims a dynamic contrast ratio of 2,500,000:1 - but since this is a DLP projector, the native contrast will probably only be a small fraction of that number.

The beamer supports HDR in the form of HDR10 and HLG, and can handle game-play at 4K/60Hz or 1080p at 240Hz for PC gamers. There’s also a built-in media player and an integrated speaker - and 3D fans will be delighted to discover this is available if you buy the optional 3D sync system.

This is the kind of projector that’s primarily aimed at casual users rather than the dedicated home cinema nut, and as such it’s designed to be light, flexible and easy to set up. It should also have sufficient brightness to remain punchy in rooms with lighter coloured walls or ambient lighting.

The UHZ55 might be a compact DLP beamer designed for movie and gaming sessions, but I still expect a certain level of big-screen performance even at what is a decidedly un-big price. So, let’s put the Optoma through its paces and see how it measures up against the competition.

Picture quality

The Optoma UHZ55 displays all the usual strengths and weaknesses of a single-chip DLP projector - so before I get into the nitty-gritty, let’s deal with these first.

The main benefit of a single chipset is there’s no need to align multiple chips, and thus the image is pin-sharp. This is despite the UHZ55 not technically being a native 4K projector - it uses Texas Instruments’ clever pixel-flashing tech to display an image at a resolution of 4K.

Smooth motion-handling is another feather in DLP’s cap, with its 240Hz refresh rate not only making the UHZ55 a great choice for gaming and 3D but also ensuring cinematic movement is delivered without any judder or other artefacts. The results are suitably filmic - although if you want to experiment with Optoma’s PureMotion processing, you’ll need to use the HDMI 3 input.

One of the major downsides of DLP is that some people occasionally perceive flashes of colour or ‘rainbows’ in the image - but the only way to find out if you suffer from this is to actually demo a DLP projector in person. Luckily, there are plenty of accommodating dealers happy to oblige.

The other big issue with DLP beamers is the contrast performance, because blacks won’t look black - they’re more a sort of dark grey. This is very obvious in a blacked-out testing environment such as mine, but in a normal living room reflected light will wash out the contrast anyway.

However, Optoma’s claim of a 2,500,000:1 contrast ratio is based solely on the dynamic mode, where the laser is literally turned off when measuring black. This is hardly reflective of real-world material, and I actually measure the native contrast at 1,000:1. This is pretty standard for DLP.

The UHZ55’s big selling point is its laser light source, which delivers an impressive claimed peak brightness of 3,000 lumens and a lifespan of up to 30,000 hours. This means the Optoma has sufficient output to handle lighter environments, and enough headroom to give HDR plenty of punch. It also means you can watch as many movies or football matches as you like, and indulge in marathon gaming sessions, without worrying about the laser needing to be replaced.

Of course, brightness is only one aspect of HDR, and the other often overlooked ingredient is colour. Here the UHZ55 slightly disappoints, because while it covers the majority of the colour gamut used for SDR it can’t quite reach the wider gamut employed when studios grade HDR. On the plus side, in terms of picture accuracy the Cinema mode matches the industry standards for SDR and HDR quite well, with natural colours. There are also calibration controls if required. 

However - and this is crucial - what really differentiates good HDR from bad is the tone mapping, and here the UHZ55 gives an excellent account of itself. Tone mapping is how a display adjusts or maps the HDR signal to match its capabilities, and as long as this is done correctly the results can look stunning. Done badly, it can result in crushed shadows and blown-out highlights.

The UHZ55 does an excellent job, delivering all the fine detail present in the 4K images of The Greatest Showman, while also rendering the HDR with skill and producing plenty of brightness without losing any detail. As Jenny Lind sings Never Enough the whites of the stage spotlights always remain clear and free of clipping, and the sparkling sequins in her dress dazzle the eyes.

At the other end of the dynamic range, the shadowy streets of Gotham City in The Batman don’t look quite as inky as on more capable (and expensive) beamers. But once again the tone mapping does a great job of revealing the details in those shadows, while also ensuring the specular highlights in the rain-slicked streets still pierce the darkness and pop with intensity.

Finally, the explosive action of Furiosa brings all this together, from the sharply detailed close-ups of people’s faces to the sun-bleached desert vistas - they never lose definition, even in the brightest parts. There are also the vibrant colours of this post-apocalyptic landscape that pop off the screen, while the chase scenes are rendered with the smoothness that only DLP can truly muster.

Living with

The Optoma UHZ55 is the kind of projector that’s designed to be pulled out of a cupboard for casual movie sessions, rather than forming part of a dedicated home cinema. You can pop it on a coffee table and have it up and running in minutes, and it’s light and robust enough not to fall apart on you. It can also be mounted on the ceiling if you fancy something more permanent.

The installation options include manual zoom and focus controls for the lens, along with lens shift up and down (although for left and right you’ll need to physically move the projector). There are also automatic keystone and geometric correction features, along with a variable wall-colour balance setting. However, for best results I’d recommend projecting onto a white wall or screen.

The design is fairly standard for a projector at this price point, very functional and with little in the way of style. The lens is offset, with air vents on either side, and the cabinet is finished in black.

The connections are at the rear, and the UHZ55 is fairly well endowed in this department. There are three HDMI 2.0 inputs that all support 4K/60Hz and high dynamic range (HDR10 and HLG). HDMI 1 also supports eARC while, as previously mentioned, HDMI 3 is the input you should use if you want to take advantage of Optoma’s PureMotion with sports.

There are also three USB-A ports, one of which provides power to a streaming stick, along with an analogue stereo 3.5mm output jack and an optical digital output. There’s also an Ethernet port, a 12V trigger for use with a motorised screen, and an RS232 connector for serial control, along with a 3D emitter port for the optional 3D Sync system.

The UHZ55 comes with a wi-fi dongle, although wireless connectivity is primarily aimed at a working environment rather than home entertainment. The wi-fi works in conjunction with Optoma’s Creative Control app, and there’s a home page with options for Optoma Connect, Creative Cast and File Manager, along with input selections and the settings menu.

There’s also Optoma’s Marketplace, where you can download VOD apps for the likes of Netflix and Prime Video - but the implementation feels clunky, and you’re better off attaching a streaming stick like a Roku or Fire TV. The choice and picture performance will both be significantly better.

There are some basic controls on the top of the projector in case you misplace the supplied remote - it’s a possibility, because it’s a bit small and fiddly. All the buttons you need to operate the UHZ5 are there - but they are only identified by icons which aren’t always obvious.

The UHZ55 proves easy to control, and responsive in operation. However, while the laser light source is bright, there’s a trade-off in terms of fan noise as the projector tries to dissipate the extra heat. So, depending on how far away you’re sitting, you’ll probably hear this beamer in action.

There’s a built-in speaker, too. I hesitate to call it a sound system - with only 10W of amplification it’s not really capable of delivering anything remotely theatrical. It certainly can’t mask the fan noise, so you’ll either need to partner the UHZ55 with an outboard sound system or take advantage of the WiSA HT certification and connect the beamer to compatible wireless speakers.

As a gaming display, the UHZ55 boasts some solid credentials, with a game mode that delivers an input lag of 17ms with 4K/60Hz games and only 4ms for PC gamers playing at 240Hz (1080p). The overall gaming experience is enjoyably immersive thanks to detailed and punchy big screen images, super-smooth motion and a lightning-fast responsiveness that should keep even the most committed gamer happy.

Conclusion

The Optoma UHZ55 is a very capable and affordable 4K projector that should appeal to casual movie fans and anyone who fancies some big-screen sporting action. The smart system feels more applicable to the boardroom than the living room, but the overall picture performance is impressive - bright and detailed images, punchy and vibrant HDR, and fantastically smooth motion. Gamers looking for greater immersion will also enjoy the low input lags and general responsiveness. The blacks could be better and it’s a bit noisy at times, but overall this beamer delivers a compelling performance with a wide range of viewing material, and is well worth a demo.

Viewing Notes

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (4K Blu-ray)

This pedal-to-the-metal prequel might lack Mad Max himself but makes up for it with a number of bravura action set pieces that perfectly demonstrate the UHZ55’s superb motion prowess. It handles all the vehicular mayhem with a smoothness that’s free of judder or any other artefacts.

The Greatest Showman (4K Blu-ray)

This historically dubious musical is packed full of toe-tapping bangers and boasts an opulent disc transfer that perfectly showcases the UHZ55’s detailed 4K images and bright HDR visuals. But it’s the colour that impresses as it bursts off the screen in a captivating display of vibrant primaries.

The Batman (4K Blu-ray)

This new take on the Dark Knight is suitably… well, dark. The film largely takes place at night, in a rain-soaked Gotham City, and is a difficult film for any projector to handle. While the UHZ55’s blacks aren’t that deep, effective HDR tone mapping teases the bright highlights out of the gloom.

The Optoma UHZ55 is a bright and capable laser-powered 4K DLP projector that can be used in light rooms without suffering from reduced impact. Images are finely detailed, motion is buttery smooth, and HDR is crisply rendered, making this a great allrounder for movies, sport and games. Partner it with WiSA-certified wireless speakers and you’ve got an instant home cinema.