Optoma’s new smart 4K laser projector offers streaming apps and wireless sound for total convenience
Optoma has unveiled its latest projector, the UHZ55 – a 4K laser-based model. The UHZ55 retails for $2,499 / £1,999 / about AU$3,800 and is available now from online retailers.
The successor to the Optoma UHZ50 released in 2021, the UHZ55 aims to deliver a total home entertainment hub experience, with smart capabilities, gaming features and plenty of connectivity options.
Using a DuraCore laser light source that Optoma says will provide 30,000 hours of maintenance-free life in Eco mode, the UHZ55 produces 4K images with 3,000 ANSI lumens brightness and a 2,500,000:1 contrast ratio. The UHZ55 also supports the HDR10 and HLG HDR formats and can project images up to 300 inches.
For PC gaming, the UHZ55 supports a 240Hz refresh rate at 1080p and 4K 60Hz gaming with a 16.8ms response time, putting it in line with some of the best gaming TVs. There’s also VRR support, but it’s worth noting that there are no HDMI 2.1 ports for gaming.
The UHZ55 offers wireless solutions for both video and audio. With built-in Wi-Fi, the UHZ55 supports wireless streaming from Netflix and YouTube. Optoma’s projector is also WiSA certified, meaning it can send and receive wireless audio from other WiSA-certified devices, allowing more freedom in installation.
Connections on the UHZ55 include three HDMI 2.0 ports, one of which is eARC compatible for connecting to a soundbar, three USB-A 2.0 ports for flash drives, and an S/PDIF audio output.
Analysis: A new home entertainment hub?
The Optoma UHZ55 was on display at the Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2024 which I recently attended. When I saw it in action, the images were crisp and sharp, with plenty of HDR punch. Watch the trailer for Furiosathe UHZ55 demonstrated incredible textures and vibrant colors that showed what it is capable of.
I couldn’t hear the built-in audio, but like most projectors you’ll need to connect it to one of the best soundbars, or more likely a full surround sound system, to get the full effect.
I didn’t see the game features in action either, but it’s nice that some are included. The UHZ55 won’t beat many of the best 120Hz gaming TVs, but VRR and 4K 60Hz support still give gamers some options.
Optoma’s projector faces some stiff competition from some of the best 4K projectors like the Samsung Premiere LS9T and Epson Cinema Pro LS12000, although it is significantly cheaper than both models. Some ultra-short throw projectors, like the Hisense PX-2 Pro, offer features that the UHZ55 doesn’t, like Dolby Vision and HDMI 2.1 ports, but the PX-2 Pro has a price tag $500 higher than the UHZ55 and is limited to a maximum screen size of 130 inches.
While I haven’t spent much time with the Optoma UHZ55, the picture is certainly impressive, and the smart features will make life easy for some home theater fans. We’re hoping to get our hands on the UHZ55 for testing, as it could be a real contender in the 4K projector market.