Entertainment
Optoma UHL55 Review: Smart Portable 4K Projector
The Optoma UHL55 is a smart 4K projector that you can easily move from room to room and set up quickly thanks to autofocus and keystone. It’s a $1,399 projector that packs a lot of features into a small package.
The Optoma UHL55 is a great portable 4K projector with smart features.
This 4K projector supports HDR10, offers 1,500 Lumens of brightness and delivers a 4K resolution at 60hz. This projector can deliver a 30-200-inch picture and it supports both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for controls. The UHL55 features 2 HDMI ports, 1 USB 2.0 port 1 USB 3.0 port, Ethernet 3.5mm and Optical audio out as and Bluetooth in and out.
There are integrated speakers and you can even use it as a Bluetooth speaker It also runs Android 6.0 with smart apps to let you stream directly from the projector.
While it is portable, this is more for around the home or around the yard portability since it is fairly large and weighs in at about eight pounds. If you need something to take with you to meetings, check out the Optoma LH150. If you’re looking for something more in the home theater market the Optopma UHD51A is a good choice.
Is the Optoma UHL55 a Good Projector?
Good image quality, voice control with Alexa and Google Assistant and portability help this projecto stand out from the crowd.
Yes, this is a great projector for the intended use. It’s not on the same level as a full home cinema projector, but it excels at what it is supposed to — being an untethered impromptu upgrade to any party or moment.
The Optoma UHL55 is the perfect projector for moving from a game room to the living room and even to the backyard for a movie night under the stars. With a built-in speaker and WiFi, all you need to bring is power and you are ready to go.
The ability to control some of the features with Alexa or Google Assistant makes it easier for everyone in the house to use it without finding the right remote.
Whether you are playing Xbox or streaming a movie the UHL55 delivers a great value.
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Optoma UHL55 Image Quality and Use
Setup is simple and easy. I mounted the UHL55 to the ceiling in a basement game room with an Elite Screen and also placed it on a table and pointed it at a wall. Getting up and running with an in-focus image is very easy.
The UHL55 performs best in very low light, but you can use it with a little bit of ambient light in the room. The projector delivers great image clarity and a lot of detail thanks to the 4K resolution. It uses pixel shifting technology to achieve 4K. Whether I was projecting onto a home theater grade screen or onto a wall, the quality was good. Ideally, you want a very dark setting, but in a pinch, it works with some light coming in. Moving the projector closer to the screen or wall helps in brighter rooms. This means a smaller screen, but it helps if you can’t block out the light. Standard 1080P content also looks good with upscaling, but 4K is where this projector really shines.
Image quality is very good in a dark room.
Gaming is enjoyable on the UHL55. While there is some input lag is it is on par with many TVs and it wasn’t an issue during my time playing games as a casual gamer.
Pairing the projector with Alexa takes a little more time, but once it is up and running you are able to turn the projector on and off, change the volume, inputs and even control playback from the USB media player. The voice control is a handy option and one that adds a lot of value.
The built-in speakers are great at filling the role of a portable projector, and you can connect to a dedicated sound system or Bluetooth speakers for upgraded sound. I found the internal speakers handy and good enough for quick setup situations. I also like that you can use the UHL55 as a Bluetooth speaker to give your phone’s audio a boost. The fan is audible when it is at full speed, but it’s not too loud to break the experience.
Murder Mystery streaming on Netflix.
This projector runs a skinned version of Android with support for some apps like Netflix and YouTube. It’s nice to have these built-in, but you can’t just jump to the Play Store to get more apps. It would be great to see Android TV and ChromeCast support so that you can cast to this TV.
Optoma UHL55 Design & Connectivity
The Optoma UHL 5 is a boxy projector with a pretty unique look. While most projectors are rectangular slabs, this is more of a square. This makes it easier to set up on a small stool or end table if you are moving something into the center of the room for a quick movie or gaming session.
No shortage of connectivity on the Optoma UHL55.
On the back is a full complement of ports including a USB port that can play 4K content you load up on it. The UHL55 uses a LED bulb, which is rated to last 20,000 to 30,000 hours, compared to the standard 4-10,000 hours for most projector bulbs.
Between the built-in streaming options and ports, you’re pretty well equipped right out of the box. That said, most buyers will want to invest in a Fire TV stick or Roku for a portable way to easily get Hulu, Amazon Video, HBO and many other apps.
