Optoma EH412ST vs ZH406ST: A Comparison for Business and Education Projector Needs

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Introduce​

Parameter	Optoma EH412ST​	Optoma ZH406ST​
Picture​	​	​
Price​	$1147.97​	$1320.99​
Recommended Uses​	Gaming​	Education, Business​
Highlight​	Portable Size: Less than 8 pounds Short Throw Lens: 120" image from 4.5 feet, throw ratio 0.5:1 Projection Technology: DLP (Digital Light Processing) Brightness: 4,000 lumens Connectivity Options: 2 x HDMI, VGA in/out, audio in/out, RS232, USB-A Lamp Life: Up to 15,000 hours​	Network Control: Manage up to 250 projectors; LAN and RS-232 compatibility with Extron, AMX, or Telnet Short Throw Lens: 120" image from 4'-4" away; suitable for small spaces Integrated Speakers: Two 10-watt speakers; sufficient for medium classrooms and meeting rooms Connectivity Options: Dual HDMI, composite, VGA, audio-in, RJ45, 3D Sync, RS-232, Mic-In, 12V Trigger, USB Power (1.5A), Micro USB (service) Manufacturer Warranty: 2-year limited parts and labor; 5-year or 12,000-hour light source warranty Portrait Mode and 360° Projection: Can rotate 90 degrees for portrait images; 360° horizontal projection capability​

Side-by-Side Comparison​

Display​

Parameter	Optoma EH412ST​	Optoma ZH406ST​
Screen Size​	36.2 Inches - 316 Inches​	1080 Hz - 1080 Inches​
Throw Distance​	1.3 Feet - 11.3 Feet​	0.5 Meters - 1 Meters​
Contrast Ratio​	50, 000: 1​	16:9​
Display Resolution​	480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, 480i, 525i, 525p, 625p, 625i, 576i, 576p​	1080 Hz​
Native Resolution​	1920 x 1080​	1920 x 1080​
Brightness​	4000 Lumen​	4200 Lumen​
Display Type​	LCD​	LCD​
Picture Quality Enhancement​	-​	DLP, HDR10, HLG, and Digital Noise Reduction​

Features​

Parameter	Optoma EH412ST​	Optoma ZH406ST​
Video Encoding​	-​	-​
Lamp Wattage​	125 Watts​	125 Watts​
Light Source Life​	15000 Hours​	30000 Hours​
Controller Type​	Button Control​	Button Control​
Control Method​	Touch​	Touch​
Mount Type​	Ceiling Mount​	Ceiling Mount​
Noteworthy Features​	Short Throw​	Short Throw​

Connectivity​

Parameter	Optoma EH412ST​	Optoma ZH406ST​
Connectivity Technology​	2 x HDMI, VGA in and out, audio-in and out, RS232, and USB-A​	HDMI​
Hardware Connectivity​	VGA, USB, HDMI​	HDMI​
Compatible Devices​	-​	Laptop, Television​

Measurements​

Parameter	Optoma EH412ST​	Optoma ZH406ST​
Dimensions L x W x H​	-​	13.27"L x 13.27"W x 4.82"H​
Item Weight​	7.7 Pounds​	10 Pounds​

Conclusion​

Product	PROS AND CONS​
Optoma EH412ST​	Pros: • Clear image quality • Good performance in outdoor settings • Easy setup • Sufficient brightness for use with lights on • High-quality picture when properly calibrated • Good value for the price Cons: • Lumens rating may be overstated, struggles in bright conditions • Occasional malfunction with HDMI inputs • Poor communication and delays during warranty service • Issues with deciphering serial numbers for support Overall Impression: This projector is a solid choice for both outdoor media use and specific applications like golf simulators. It delivers excellent image quality and brightness, making it a good investment. However, users may face challenges with support and occasional technical issues. If these concerns are addressed, it could easily be rated even higher.
Optoma ZH406ST​	Pros: • Easy Setup - Quick installation on existing mount • Brightness - Performs well in well-lit rooms • Menu Options - Minimal adjustments needed out of the box • Remote Control - User-friendly navigation • Picture Size / Range - Capable of projecting large images from a distance • Sound - Improved acoustic accuracy compared to older models Cons: • Brightness and Color Uniformity - Notable issues with color accuracy and hotspots • Deal Breaker for Gaming - Color and brightness problems detracted from the experience Overall Impression: The Optima projector offers easy setup and impressive brightness, making it suitable for various environments. However, significant issues with color uniformity and brightness hotspots may deter those seeking a high-quality image, particularly for gaming. While it may meet the needs of some users, it ultimately fell short for the reviewer.