Optoma CinemaX P2B Home Projector: Is Ultra-Short Throw Worth the Hype for Your Home Theater Experience?

[EchoJoelle]

Is the Optoma CinemaX P2B the ultimate answer to home theater enthusiasts who crave cinematic experiences without the hassle of traditional setups? This projector combines impressive 4K UHD resolution, HDR10 technology, and a laser light source, but does it really deliver on the promise of transforming your living room into a movie theater?

With features like a six-segment color wheel and ultra-short throw capability, it claims to offer vibrant colors and a massive screen experience in tight spaces. But let’s dig deeper. Is the convenience worth the investment, or does this projector fall short of the high expectations it sets? In a world where home entertainment options are abundant, let's explore whether the CinemaX P2B is truly a game-changer or just another piece of tech that promises more than it delivers.

Spec​

Parameter	Optoma CinemaX P2B Home Projector​
Picture​	​
Reference Price​	​
Recommended Uses​	Home​
Built-In Media​	CinemaX P2 Black projector, distance cards, quick start user manual, Bluetooth smart home remote with Airmouse (rechargeable), power cable​
Highlight​	4K UHD plus HDR10: Enjoy a high-quality, cinematic home theater experience with 4K Ultra HD, HDR10 technology and an incredible 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio 6-SEGMENT COLOR WHEEL: Experience richer colors and enhanced brightness with the six-segment color wheel; The RGBRGB color wheel brings accurate cinematic color to your home, reproducing movies, TV and games as the director envisioned BRIGHT, RELIABLE LASER: Laser technology delivers outstanding brightness up to 30,000 hours of light source life that maintains stunning image quality throughout its lifespan; 3,000 lumens of brightness enable lights-on viewing in a variety of rooms, any time of day ULTRA-SHORT THROW: The CinemaX P2’s space-saving, ultra-short throw design provides convenient placement for a huge screen experience – up to 120" image from only inches away AWARD-WINNING DESIGN: Based on the stylish CinemaX series award-winning design, the new black CinemaX P2 blends well into home theaters and living rooms; also available in white
Screen Size​	85 Inches - 120 Inches​
Throw Distance​	8 Feet - 16.5 Feet​
Contrast Ratio​	2,000,000:1 (Dynamic Black enabled)​
Maximum Resolution​	4096 x 2160 Pixels​
Native Resolution​	3840 x 2160​
Brightness​	3,000 Lumen​
Display Type​	DLP​
Video Encoding​	H.264 or H.265​
LightSource Life​	30000 Hours​
Controller Type​	vera, Voice Control​
Control Method​	Voice​
Lamp Wattage​	190 Watts​
Wattage​	360 watts​
Connectivity Technology​	USB, HDMI​
Hardware Connectivity​	USB​
Compatible Devices​	Television, Laptop, Smartphone, Tablet​
Other Features​	Laser TV, Ultra Short Throw, Speakers, True 4K UHD, Short Throw​
Item Weight​	24.25 Pounds​

System Experience​

When I first got the projector, I was excited but also a bit apprehensive about the setup process. It took some time to get everything right, especially with the heights and distances involved. The projector needs to be positioned just right to fill the screen properly, and that required some trial and error. I spent a good amount of time moving furniture around and adjusting the projector itself. I found the app for adjusting the screen size to be rather clunky and not very user-friendly, which added to the frustration. However, once I got the settings dialed in after some patience, it felt rewarding to see everything come together.

Viewing Experience​

The picture quality is where this projector truly shines. I was blown away by how vibrant and detailed the image is, especially when watching 4K content. The colors pop, and the blacks are deep, which makes movie nights a real treat. I’ve compared it to my previous Samsung HDTV, and this projector outperforms it significantly, particularly in terms of black levels. However, I did notice some focus issues at the corners, which can be a bit distracting if you're looking for perfection. Overall, though, the clarity and sharpness are impressive, especially in a dark room.

Other Experience​

My overall experience has been a mixed bag. The initial setup was challenging, and I did encounter some issues with the user interface that felt outdated and cumbersome. Navigating through the menus was not intuitive, and I often found myself scratching my head trying to figure out how to adjust settings efficiently. On the plus side, the sound quality from the built-in speakers pleasantly surprised me. They are better than I expected for a projector, though I still prefer using my surround sound system for an immersive experience.

Conclusion​

Pros:
The standout features for me include the stunning picture quality and the depth of colors, especially when watching HDR content. The brightness is also impressive, performing well even with some ambient light in the room. I appreciate the ultra-short throw design, which means I can enjoy a large screen without needing a massive space to set it up. The built-in speakers are a nice bonus, providing decent audio without the need for immediate external speakers.

Cons:
There are definitely some drawbacks. The setup process is not as smooth as I would have liked, and the user interface leaves much to be desired. I often find the app support to be lacking, making it necessary to rely on external streaming devices like the Roku or Firestick for a better experience. Additionally, there are some minor connectivity issues, especially with HDMI inputs, that can be frustrating. I also wish there were more available HDMI ports, as I often find myself needing to switch between multiple devices.

Overall Evaluation:
In conclusion, I’m pleased with my decision to invest in this projector. While there were some bumps along the way, the picture quality and overall performance make it worth it for me. The challenges with setup and the user interface are manageable, especially considering the stunning visuals it delivers. I can see this becoming a central piece of my home entertainment system for years to come, and I’m excited to continue exploring its capabilities. Ultimately, I would recommend it to anyone looking for a high-quality projection experience, just with the caveat that they might need to navigate some initial hurdles.

 

[yodathekid]

So, my trusty Optoma projector finally bit the dust after over 11 years of good times. It really served me well! I was on the hunt for a new ultra-short throw (UST) projector because I wanted to hook up a wired Atmos speaker to keep that sound quality top-notch—no more Bluetooth lag for me! The Optoma Cinemax turned out to be the perfect match. It's got everything I need: UST, solid-state laser, HDR10 support, 3D capability, a built-in soundbar, eARC support, and it's super bright! But, I gotta say, one bummer is that the front legs are fixed and can't be taken off. Not a dealbreaker, but still a bit annoying!

 

[horizon936]

So, here’s the deal: this projector is pretty solid for the price, but if you’re thinking about using it for serious gaming, you might wanna look elsewhere.

I ran into some annoying audio sync issues, especially with HDMI devices. My Chromecast with Google TV just wouldn’t stay in sync no matter what I tried, even after updating to the latest firmware (c13, I think?). I messed around with the delay settings too, but no luck.

Honestly, the sync problem was a dealbreaker for me, so I ended up sending it back. Maybe they'll sort it out down the line, but I’m not holding my breath.

 

[jcwillia1]

The picture and sound are awesome! But honestly, it’s not the best for gaming because there's a bit of lag. Plus, the remote's dead and won't charge, and there are no buttons on the projector itself. So I’m kinda stuck here since I can’t do anything without that remote!