Best Digital Projectors for Image Quality (2024)

1

Epson Pro Cinema LS12000

Score: 9/10

Epson Pro Cinema LS12000

The Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 delivers stunning 4K HDR image quality with excellent color accuracy and contrast. It performs well in bright conditions but lacks dynamic tone mapping for HDR10.

Image Quality

9/10

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Linus Tech Tips

The Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 could be the best pro cinema projector Epson has ever created, utilizing a laser source and a brand new pixel-shifting mechanism.

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Linus Tech Tips

The LS 12000 is capable of higher contrast and slightly more brightness with its 2700 ANSI Lumen rating.

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Linus Tech Tips

The HDR performance of these projectors is great. They produce nice shadow detail with pretty good black levels.

Ease Of Use

8/10

The projector is easy to set up with motorized lens adjustments and a flexible menu system. However, it lacks a smart TV interface and requires manual setup.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Linus Tech Tips

Motorized lens shift, motorized focus, and lens memory mean you can not only install the projector off-center from the screen, but you also don't have to mount it upside down on the ceiling.

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Linus Tech Tips

The included remote is essentially the same one we've seen for a few years now. Although it is somewhat big and bulky, it is at least backlit and has nearly every button you could ask for on a projector remote.

Connectivity

7/10

The projector offers robust connectivity with HDMI 2.1 ports and supports various audio signals. However, it lacks 3D support and built-in speakers.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Linus Tech Tips

It has a full-size USB port, a service port, a 12-volt trigger, an Ethernet jack, another USB port labeled Optical HDMI, which can be used for HDMI cables that need additional power, two HDMI 2.1 ports that support up to 4K at 120 hertz, as well as an RS-232 port.

Build Quality

8/10

The projector boasts a solid build with motorized components and a sleek design. It is well-built but large and hefty, which may not be ideal for frequent movement.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Linus Tech Tips

The LS 12000 also comes with a ceiling mount, as well as anamorphic lens modes, which make it a better fit for dedicated home theaters.

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Linus Tech Tips

The lack of Auto Iris and dynamic tone mapping are not deal breakers for me, as I was perfectly fine with manually adjusting the HDR setting when necessary.

Noise Level

8/10

The projector operates quietly, even at high brightness levels, but fan noise can increase with higher laser brightness settings.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Linus Tech Tips

I found the LS 11000 to actually be quieter than my 5050 UB. Considering it uses less power and produces less heat, this kind of makes sense.

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Linus Tech Tips

When you increase the laser brightness to 100 or use some of the brighter picture modes, you can definitely hear the fan spin up.

2

JVC DLA-NZ800

Score: 9/10

JVC DLA-NZ800

The JVC DLA-NZ800 delivers outstanding image quality with native 4K resolution, excellent HDR performance, and advanced technologies like e-shift X for enhanced sharpness. It covers the full DCI-P3 color gamut, though brightness may reduce with the color filter.

Image Quality

9/10

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Audio Advice

The NZ 800 and NZ 900 have both been updated with the new third-generation D-ILA devices, where JBC has improved the alignment control of liquid crystals and enhanced the flatness of image pixels.

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Audio Advice

The new models will both feature the third-generation native 4K D devices and a Gen 2 8K Shift X that can project an 8192 by 4320 image.

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Audio Advice

The 900 is superior in picture quality because it has the deepest contrast ratio we've ever offered.

Ease Of Use

8/10

The projector is user-friendly with features like a home theater optimizer and flexible installation options. However, its large size and weight may require careful setup and support.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Audio Advice

The home theater Optimizer and DML will come activated out of the box.

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Audio Advice

We currently offer free calibration software for our previous Precision line series.

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Audio Advice

If you're trying to really dial in the FOC Focus as soon as you turn the projector on, you may encounter some conflicting results because of that.

Connectivity

7/10

The projector offers robust connectivity with HDMI 2.1 support for high bandwidth connections, but is limited to two HDMI ports and a USB port for firmware updates only.

Build Quality

8/10

The projector boasts a solid and durable build, with heavy-duty construction and effective heat management. Its weight may require assistance during installation.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Audio Advice

Just like their previous models, these new units are built like tanks.

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Audio Advice

Every single unit is quite heavy, around 50 lbs, so we highly recommend that you have a friend help you if you're going to hang your new JVC projector.

Noise Level

9/10

The projector operates quietly, thanks to the efficient blue essent laser and unobtrusive fan noise, making it suitable for home theater environments.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Audio Advice

The 800 and 900 models are actually even quieter.

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Audio Advice

The new blue Essent laser is more efficient and generates less heat, so the fan needs to work a little less hard.

3

Epson Pro EX11000 3LCD Full HD 1080p

Score: 9/10

Epson Pro EX11000 3LCD Full HD 1080p

The Epson Pro EX11000 delivers Full HD 1080p images up to 300 inches, providing vivid and immersive visuals. It offers sharp images with readable text and fine details, although the brightness specification may not be industry-accepted.

Image Quality

9/10

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Epson America

It offers a full HD 1080p picture up to 300 inches.

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Epson America

The Pro EX11000 uses native 1920 by 1080 pixel LCD chips, eliminating any need to scale 1080p images.

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Epson America

In our test, it delivered much sharper images, resulting in more readable text and fine details in graphics.

Ease Of Use

8/10

The projector is simple to use, allowing for impactful presentations even in well-lit environments. It is designed for ease of use, making it accessible for various users.

Connectivity

9/10

The projector offers dual HDMI ports and wireless projection from smartphones, providing a range of connectivity options. This makes it versatile for different devices and setups.

Build Quality

7/10

The projector has a compact form factor and includes a soft carrying case, making it suitable for business and education use. However, it is more apt for permanent installations.

Noise Level

5/10

No specific information on noise level was provided, indicating that it may not be a significant concern for users.
4

Dangbei DBOX02

Score: 9/10

Dangbei DBOX02

The Dangbei DBOX02 delivers stunning 4K image quality with vibrant colors and sharp details, even in bright rooms. It supports HDR content and excels in projecting animated media, though black levels could be deeper.

Ease Of Use

7/10

The projector is equipped with Google TV and Netflix, offering a user-friendly interface. AI-powered features simplify setup, but the remote control is basic and lacks a backlight.

Quotes from Reviewers

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All things tech

The world's first 4K laser projector with Google TV and Netflix built-in.

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All things tech

The remote control included is probably the worst aspect of this projector. The remote control isn't terrible; it's just a bit basic.

Connectivity

9/10

The projector offers extensive connectivity options, including HDMI 2.1, USB ports, and support for Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth. It also features officially licensed Netflix integration.

Quotes from Reviewers

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All things tech

On the back of the projector, there are two HDMI ports; one is HDMI 2.1.

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All things tech

There are also two USB ports, a headphone port, optical audio, a LAN port, and the power adapter input.

Build Quality

7/10

The projector has a modern design with durable components, but the glossy finish is prone to fingerprints. It includes a dust cloth to help manage smudges.

Quotes from Reviewers

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All things tech

I love the stealth-type design.

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All things tech

You do have to bear in mind that this is quite glossy and, therefore, will attract fingerprints and smudge marks, but it is provided with a dust cloth.

Noise Level

6/10

The projector operates quietly in most modes, but the fan noise is notably loud in high-performance mode.
5

BenQ LH730

Score: 8/10

BenQ LH730

The BenQ LH730 offers remarkable brightness and color accuracy, covering 98% of the Rec. 709 color gamut. It supports 4K content and HDR10, with multiple viewing modes for different content types. However, it is not a true 4K projector and falls short of its brightness claims in real-world conditions.

Image Quality

8/10

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Lon.TV

The BenQ LH 730 shines with its remarkable brightness and long-lasting LED technology.

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Lon.TV

Its impressive color accuracy adds a touch of brilliance to your presentations.

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Lon.TV

While it's not a 4K projector, BenQ includes three viewing modes to enhance clarity: infographic, presentation, and spreadsheet.

Ease Of Use

7/10

The projector features a user-friendly interface with intuitive navigation and a quick setup process. It can be controlled remotely via Wi-Fi or BenQ's DMS software. However, it lacks some consumer-oriented features and requires a Wi-Fi dongle for wireless capabilities.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Lon.TV

Managing this projector is a breeze.

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Lon.TV

The setup process is a breeze. I had my laptop connected in under three minutes.

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Lon.TV

BenQ keeps things simple, making navigation a breeze.

Connectivity

8/10

The projector offers a solid selection of ports, including two HDMI ports and a network line. It supports Crestron, AMX, and PJ Link integration, with an optional Wi-Fi dongle for wireless casting. However, the Wi-Fi dongle is not included.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Lon.TV

The LH 730 offers a solid selection with two HDMI ports, a Wi-Fi dongle port, a network line, and 232 rupees.

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Lon.TV

Creston AMX and PJ Link integration are here to make your life easier.

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Lon.TV

The projector offers an optional Wi-Fi dongle, enabling wireless casting for mobile devices and PCs.

Build Quality

9/10

The projector features a sleek white casing with user-friendly controls and a compact form factor. Its recessed lens offers added protection, and it is designed for continuous operation.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Lon.TV

The BenQ LH 730 boasts a sleek white casing with user-friendly controls.

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Lon.TV

Despite its professional-grade performance, the LH 730 maintains a relatively compact form factor.

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Lon.TV

BenQ's decision to recess the lens adds a layer of protection.

Noise Level

6/10

The noise level of the projector is not specifically mentioned, but it is implied to be manageable. There are no significant complaints about noise.
6

Epson Home Cinema LS11000

Score: 8/10

Epson Home Cinema LS11000

The Epson Home Cinema LS11000 delivers excellent image quality with great black levels, color reproduction, and HDR support. However, it is slightly dimmer than previous models and lacks 3D support.

Image Quality

8/10

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Chris Majestic

Considering it has great black levels, excellent input lag sensitivity for gamers, as well as bright colors.

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Chris Majestic

The new ZX processor does a great job with upscaling, and lower resolution content still looks good even on my 135-inch screen.

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Chris Majestic

The color reproduction is also great, considering the equal color and white brightness.

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Chris Majestic

The HDR performance of these projectors is great.

Ease Of Use

7/10

The projector is easy to use with motorized lens adjustments and flexible installation options. However, it lacks a smart TV interface and is bulky.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Chris Majestic

The projector features motorized lens shift, motorized focus, and lens memory.

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Chris Majestic

You can mount it on a high shelf with the right side up if you prefer.

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Chris Majestic

The included remote is essentially the same one we've seen for a few years now.

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Chris Majestic

It has a great menu system with many options.

Connectivity

7/10

The projector offers robust connectivity with HDMI 2.1 ports and other useful ports, but lacks a smart TV interface and built-in speakers.

Quotes from Reviewers

Build Quality

8/10

The projector has a solid build with motorized lens features, but is bulky and lacks built-in speakers.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Chris Majestic

The LS 11000 is pretty much the same size, measuring just over 20 inches wide, nearly 18 inches deep, around seven inches tall, and weighing around 28 pounds.

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Chris Majestic

It still has the motorized lens in the front center, with vents on the front sides.

Noise Level

8/10

The projector operates quietly, especially compared to older models, but fan noise increases with higher laser brightness.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Chris Majestic

I found the LS 11000 to be quieter than my 5050 UB.

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Chris Majestic

When you increase the laser brightness to 100 or use some of the brighter picture modes, you can definitely hear the fan spin up.

7

Epson EF-12

Score: 8/10

Epson EF-12

The Epson EF-12 offers impressive image quality with natural colors and vivid details, comparable to some 4K projectors. It supports HDR content and handles motion well, though it requires blackout blinds for the best performance in bright rooms.

Image Quality

8/10

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All things tech

The picture quality of this is as good as that of some 4K projectors I've reviewed in the past.

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All things tech

I felt that the Epson delivered very natural colors and represented what it was trying to show very well.

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All things tech

The projection quality is clear, bright, and detailed, even with the light on.

Ease Of Use

8/10

The projector is easy to set up with automatic keystone correction and autofocus. It features a user-friendly Android TV OS, though the remote control feels plasticky and it lacks an integrated battery.

Quotes from Reviewers

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All things tech

It has automatic motorized horizontal and vertical keystone correction, as well as motorized autofocus.

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All things tech

The remote control is simple enough, and I'll show you a little bit more about it later.

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All things tech

The Android TV OS is official, smooth, and fast in operation.

Connectivity

7/10

The projector offers good connectivity options with HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, and built-in Chromecast. However, it lacks some popular apps like Netflix, which need to be sideloaded.

Quotes from Reviewers

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All things tech

It has HDMI ARC, which is a nice touch, and there is also a version of Android TV built in.

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All things tech

You have a dedicated button on the remote control that allows you to change the source.

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All things tech

Netflix is not available at the moment, but I'm told that it is coming soon.

Build Quality

8/10

The projector is compact and robust with a retro design, featuring a textured feel and fabric mesh. However, the remote control's plasticky feel might not match the overall build quality.

Quotes from Reviewers

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All things tech

It does appear to be made from plastic, but it has quite a bit of weight to it, and it feels very robust and well-made.

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All things tech

The remote control feels a little plasticky, but it certainly makes up for it with its functions.

Noise Level

9/10

The projector operates very quietly, with noise levels ranging from 22 to 27 decibels, making it suitable for quiet environments.

Quotes from Reviewers

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All things tech

The noise level is very quiet, at just 22 to 27 decibels.

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All things tech

From a one-meter distance, you can expect around 36 decibels of fan noise, which is rather on the quieter side.

8

Hisense L9H

Score: 8/10

Hisense L9H

The Hisense L9H delivers a bright and vibrant 4K picture with excellent color accuracy and contrast, thanks to its triple laser technology. However, brightness adjustments can be jarring, and the fixed focal length limits flexibility.

Image Quality

8/10

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Tom’s Guide

This is a true triple laser, so you have an RGB system that is actually creating the colors.

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Tom’s Guide

That gets you 107% of the BT 2020 color space, which means over a billion colors.

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Tom’s Guide

In addition to that, we have Dolby Vision HDR 10 built-in.

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Tom’s Guide

It's a 3000-lumen projector, so when you pair it with this great ALR screen, you get a nice, bright picture.

Ease Of Use

9/10

The Hisense L9H is easy to set up and use, offering a complete solution with an ultra short throw projector and ALR screen. It includes Google TV for streaming, though Netflix support is limited.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Tom’s Guide

Essentially, it is a complete solution consisting of an ultra-short throw projector paired with an ALR screen.

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Tom’s Guide

We also have features like Google TV, including Netflix.

Connectivity

8/10

The Hisense L9H offers robust connectivity with three HDMI ports, Bluetooth, and Google TV for streaming. However, it lacks support for 3D content.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Tom’s Guide

Technically, it's a laser TV. It works with your aerial to give you access to live TV and all the digital channels.

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Tom’s Guide

We also have features like Google TV, including Netflix.

Build Quality

8/10

The Hisense L9H has a compact and durable design with a high-quality plastic shell and a long-lasting laser light source. However, the lens cover is non-moving, which may expose it to dust.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Tom’s Guide

This ambient light-rejecting screen is designed to counteract that, allowing you to watch at any time of the day in any room.

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Tom’s Guide

Dolby Atmos audio is built-in, so when you're sitting down to watch a film, it feels even more immersive.

Noise Level

9/10

The Hisense L9H operates quietly with minimal fan noise, even at high light levels, enhancing the viewing experience.
9

Optoma UHZ50

Score: 8/10

Optoma UHZ50

The Optoma UHZ50 delivers a bright and vibrant 4K UHD image with excellent contrast and color vibrancy. However, it may require some adjustments to achieve the best image quality, and there are some limitations in brightness uniformity and color accuracy.

Image Quality

8/10

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The Hook Up

The UHZ50 offers 3,000 lumens of light output and a contrast ratio of 250,000:1.

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The Hook Up

The result is a clear win for the UHZ50. The colors appear much richer and brighter, while the whites seem about the same.

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The Hook Up

The dynamic black setting on the UHZ50 induces noticeable flicker, rendering it unusable.

Ease Of Use

7/10

The UHZ50 is easy to set up and use, with features like optical zoom and vertical lens shift. However, some manual adjustments are needed, and the remote control could be improved.

Quotes from Reviewers

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The Hook Up

The UHZ50 is still surprisingly easy to get working well and producing good results.

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The Hook Up

The vertical lens shift requires a bit of force to adjust it up and down.

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The Hook Up

The menu speed and responsiveness are much better on the UHZ50.

Connectivity

7/10

The UHZ50 offers versatile connectivity with three HDMI inputs and other ports, but lacks a built-in smart OS and has limited app selection.

Quotes from Reviewers

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The Hook Up

The UHZ50 is the first projector from Optoma to offer three HDMI inputs.

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The Hook Up

It offers ultra-low input lag, along with support for running ultra-high refresh rates of up to 240 hertz in 1080p.

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The Hook Up

The app selection is limited when compared to the full-featured Android TV.

Build Quality

8/10

The UHZ50 is compact and well-built, with a durable laser light source. However, the remote control and lens shift mechanism could be improved.

Quotes from Reviewers

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The Hook Up

The UHZ50 is compact and well-built, featuring a laser light source that powers down immediately.

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The Hook Up

The remote control is not as good as the previous models.

Noise Level

9/10

The UHZ50 operates quietly, with minimal cooling required due to its laser light source.
10

Epson Home Cinema 5050UB

Score: 8/10

Epson Home Cinema 5050UB

The Epson Home Cinema 5050UB offers deep blacks, high contrast, and excellent color brightness, making it great for movies and gaming. However, it is not native 4K and requires some tweaking for optimal settings.

Image Quality

8/10

C

Chris Majestic

The benefit of this Epson compared to my Sony is the deep blacks and the contrast.

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Chris Majestic

This has 2600 color lumens and a million to 1 contrast ratio.

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Chris Majestic

The brightness was there, and the black levels featured Ultra Black technology.

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Chris Majestic

The e-shift looks good. The only thing I notice is that there is a slight smoothness to it.

Ease Of Use

7/10

The projector is user-friendly with features like lens shift and a backlit remote, but its large size may make physical setup challenging. Some tweaking is needed for optimal picture settings.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Chris Majestic

It's called lens shift when I'm switching from content in a 16:9 aspect ratio to watching a movie filmed in a 21:9 aspect ratio.

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Chris Majestic

It's something that I or another member of my family can do very easily.

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Chris Majestic

The automatic lens allows you to move the lens left-right, up-down, focus, and also adjust the keystone if needed, so you can get it perfectly fit on your screen.

Connectivity

8/10

The projector offers a solid selection of inputs and supports HDR 4K 60Hz, but lacks audio output, assuming users have a separate audio setup.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Chris Majestic

This has a low latency of about 24 milliseconds, which is fantastic for a projector with HDR, 4K, and 60 Hertz.

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Chris Majestic

Fully featured full inputs, which are awesome.

Build Quality

7/10

The projector boasts a premium design with a solid build and motorized lens, but its large size may be cumbersome for some setups.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Chris Majestic

Looking nice is a huge priority, man.

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Chris Majestic

I love the lens as it opens up. It's just slick how it covers the lens when not in use. That's premium right there.

Noise Level

6/10

The projector's fan noise is manageable, especially in eco mode, but can be distracting on high lamp settings.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Chris Majestic

The fan noise is good; it's fine when kept at medium. However, if you switch to the high lamp setting, you might hear it.