wandererarkhamknight
New member
Catalogs Hide
The Optoma UHL55 4K LED Smart Projector claims to deliver a home theater experience that rivals traditional setups, all while being portable enough to take anywhere. But in a market flooded with projectors promising the same, can it really deliver on that promise? With features like true 4K Ultra HD, HDR compatibility, and voice assistant integration, it’s hard not to get intrigued. Yet, the real question is: does this projector truly stand out, or is it just another device in the crowded projection landscape? In this review, we’ll dive deep into its performance, usability, and whether or not the UHL55 can genuinely enhance your viewing experience or if it falls short of its lofty claims. Let’s unpack the reality behind the specs and see if this projector lives up to the hype—or if it’s just another gadget destined for the “meh” pile.
The UHL55 excels in its picture quality and vibrant colors, especially for the price point. I love how it handles 4K content—it's truly impressive. The projector is quiet during operation, which makes it perfect for movie nights without distraction. I also appreciate the long lamp life of LED technology compared to traditional bulb projectors. Plus, the ability to sideload apps through the TapCast app opened up more options than I initially thought, which is a definite win.
Cons:
Despite the great picture quality, there are a few drawbacks. The brightness could be a bit better for daytime viewing; I often find myself pulling the curtains to get a decent image. The lack of a proper app ecosystem is also a letdown, and I spent quite a bit of time figuring out how to sideload apps, which shouldn't be necessary for a smart projector. Additionally, the autofocus feature is somewhat unreliable—the optimal distance for it to work is rather limited, so I often have to adjust manually.
Overall Evaluation:
Overall, I’m really pleased with the Optoma UHL55, especially for the price I paid. It’s a fantastic entry into the world of 4K projection, with stunning image quality that enhances my movie-watching experience. While the smart features need work, and it’s not the brightest option for daytime use, it still represents great value in the 4K projector market. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a portable projector that can deliver in a darkened room.
Spec
| Parameter | Optoma UHL55 Smart Projector |
|---|---|
Picture |  |
Reference Price | |
Recommended Uses | Gaming |
Built-In Media | UHL55 projector, power adapter with cable, HDMI cable, Bluetooth remote, quick start guide and warranty card |
Highlight | Ultimate room-to-room projector: The UHL55's portable size makes it easy to carry anywhere; a removable handle and Backpack are included with purchase for safe, easy transport True 4K Ultra HD: experience high-quality home cinema feel with 4K Ultra HD with 8. 3 million distinct addressable on-screen pixels, enabled by the Texas Instruments 4K UHD DLP chipset Voice assistant compatible: Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility enable intuitive voice control for powering on and off, changing volume, changing input source and controlling the USB media player.Noise Level:28 dB Hdr compatible: HDR10 technology with dci-p3 wide color gamut support displays everything in the rec. 2020 colors to match Television and Film quality; also Providing brighter whites, deeper blacks, and greater color depth Variety of inputs: connect with most media players, gaming consoles, PCs, Macs, and mobile devices with input options such as HDMI 2. 0 inputs with HDCP 2. 2 support, HDMI 4K, USB, VGA, and more |
Screen Size | 30 Inches - 200 Inches |
Throw Distance | 2.6 Feet - 17.4 Feet |
Contrast Ratio | 250000:1 |
Native Resolution | 3840 x 2160 |
Brightness | 1500 Lumen |
Display Type | LCD |
Picture Enhancement | XPR UHD, HDR10, PureColor, PureMotion, DLP |
Video Encoding | H.265 |
LightSource Life | 15000 Hours |
Controller Type | google_assistant, amazon_alexa |
Control Method | Voice |
Lamp Wattage | 125 Watts |
Wattage | 8 |
Connectivity Technology | USB |
Hardware Connectivity | VGA, USB |
Compatible Devices | Smartphone, Tablet |
Other Features | Auto focus and auto keystone for easy place and play, Compact voice-assistant compatible projection |
Item Weight | 8.7 Pounds |
System Experience
Setting up the Optoma UHL55 was surprisingly straightforward, which I really appreciated. I was a bit apprehensive about the initial configuration, but after a quick glance through the menus, I found everything intuitive. I love how it comes with a carrying strap, making it easy to transport, but I do wish they had included a dedicated carrying case right out of the box. The projector's weight is manageable, and it fits nicely in my living room without taking up too much space. However, I did find that getting the placement just right to avoid any keystone issues took a bit of effort since there’s no optical zoom or lens shift.Viewing Experience
The picture quality blew me away! Coming from a lesser 1080p projector, the leap to 4K was like going from a black-and-white movie to vibrant technicolor. The colors are rich and the clarity is just stunning, particularly when watching HDR content. I also noticed that even in a dimly lit room, the image holds up well; it’s crisp and clear, which enhances my viewing experience immensely. However, I did find it less impressive during the day with ambient light—definitely not ideal for bright rooms.Other Experience
I had high hopes for the smart features, but I have to say they fell short of my expectations. The limited app selection and the clunky interface were frustrating at times. I mainly use my Roku for streaming, so it wasn’t a dealbreaker for me, but it would have been nice to have better functionality out of the box. On the positive side, the Bluetooth remote is a game-changer—it’s responsive although it does disconnect occasionally, which can be annoying. The sound quality surprised me too; it’s decent enough for casual watching, and I even used it as a Bluetooth speaker for music.Conclusion
Pros:The UHL55 excels in its picture quality and vibrant colors, especially for the price point. I love how it handles 4K content—it's truly impressive. The projector is quiet during operation, which makes it perfect for movie nights without distraction. I also appreciate the long lamp life of LED technology compared to traditional bulb projectors. Plus, the ability to sideload apps through the TapCast app opened up more options than I initially thought, which is a definite win.
Cons:
Despite the great picture quality, there are a few drawbacks. The brightness could be a bit better for daytime viewing; I often find myself pulling the curtains to get a decent image. The lack of a proper app ecosystem is also a letdown, and I spent quite a bit of time figuring out how to sideload apps, which shouldn't be necessary for a smart projector. Additionally, the autofocus feature is somewhat unreliable—the optimal distance for it to work is rather limited, so I often have to adjust manually.
Overall Evaluation:
Overall, I’m really pleased with the Optoma UHL55, especially for the price I paid. It’s a fantastic entry into the world of 4K projection, with stunning image quality that enhances my movie-watching experience. While the smart features need work, and it’s not the brightest option for daytime use, it still represents great value in the 4K projector market. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a portable projector that can deliver in a darkened room.
