Optoma UHZ50: the best 4K gaming projector?

The Optoma UHZ50 Ultra HD 4K gaming projector is designed for both gaming sessions and movies. This 4K laser projector uses a Texas Instruments DLP chip and can project a rich and detailed ultra high definition picture. HDR10 and HLG compatible, it covers a wide color space and provides a very high brightness (3000 lumens). It is also possible to project during the day thanks to its powerful laser lamp. This UHD 4K projector also offers a very low input lag, ideal for video games. Sold for €2,590, will the Optoma UHZ50 projector satisfy the needs of home theater enthusiasts and gamers alike?

Optoma UHZ50: packaging & accessories

The Optoma UHZ50 4K gaming projector comes with a compact remote control with backlit buttons. A USB WiFi dongle, power cable (1.8m) and a quick start guide are also included.

Optoma UHZ50: presentation

The Optoma UHZ50 4K Ultra HD DLP laser projector is designed for both video games and home theater sessions. HDR10 and HLG compatible, it is very bright (3000 lumens) in order to project images during the day (even though it is recommended to project in a dark room). It also has a very low input lag (4ms in 1080p 240Hz, and 16.7ms in 4K 60Hz). It is therefore suitable for video games where response time is a critical factor.

The 4K gaming projector’s connectors include three HDMI 2.0 inputs to connect a 4K UHD Blu-ray player, a video game console and an Internet set top box, for example. Three USB multimedia ports are also present. It is possible to connect a USB stick containing movies, as well as the included WiFi USB dongle. The latter then allows you to enjoy the projector’s connected features: web browser, Netflix, TED, YouTube, Crunchyroll…

Optoma UHZ50: key specifications

• 4K Ultra HD
• Laser lamp (30,000 hours)
• Brightness: 3000 lumens
• HDR compatible
• HDMI 2.0, 4K 60Hz
• Low input lag for video games
• Netflix, YouTube, Spotify

Optoma UHZ50: configuration

We tested the Optoma UHZ50 projector in a dedicated home theater room. A Nvidia Shield TV network media player provided access to various streaming services including Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video. We used a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player to watch several 4K HDR UHD Blu-ray movies.

We used NorStone Jura HDMI cable to connect these sources to a Denon AVC-X3700H A/V receiver. A NorStone Jura HDMI-Optic cable handled the connection between the receiver’s HDMI output and the projector’s HDMI input. We projected onto a Lumene Movie Palace UHD 4K Ultra Slim 300C projection screen. The projector was placed at about 4.8 meters from the screen to obtain a 3m picture. We also tested this projector in a bright living room, with a PlayStation 5 and a Lumene Coliseum Acoustic UHD 4K (16/9) motorized projection screen.

Optoma UHZ50: impressions

The Optoma UHZ50 4K UHD projector delivered a vivid and very bright picture. In Cinema mode with HDR content, either on Netflix or with 4K UHD Blu-rays, it offered rich colors with great HDR management, especially in the highlights.

The picture was full of details and texture, and the colors were nicely saturated. We thoroughly enjoyed watching our movies, even though we would have liked deeper blacks.

This projector’s powerful laser lamp doesn’t require total darkness, so we were able to play several games on a PlayStation 5 in a room with white walls without closing the shutters. By activating the Experience advanced gaming mode (low input lag), the gameplay was particularly smooth. There was no judder or lag and the responsiveness was optimal.

Optoma UHZ50: compared to…

BenQ W5700 

Not as bright and not optimized for video games, the BenQ W5700 isn’t ideal for gaming during the day. However, it stands out when it comes to home theater. The picture calibration is better, the colors are more accurate and the HDR management is excellent. The projected image is more cinema-like than the Optoma model.

• Read our review of the BenQ W5700

Epson EH-TW9400

Equipped with a motorized zoom and lens shift, the Epson projector impresses with its easy installation. On the screen, it offers a soft, cinema-like picture that isn’t as detailed as that projected by the UHZ50. The Optoma model is also more vivid with more intense colors.

Optoma UHZ50: who is it for?

The Optoma UHZ50 projector will appeal to both 4K HDR home theater enthusiasts and gamers looking for a very bright laser lamp projector. It’s great at both, and is a convincing choice for enjoying 4K HDR content, whether it’s for streaming series or 4K Blu-ray movies. We can also recommend it to fans of very large screen gaming, who will appreciate its responsiveness and the ability to play games without sitting in a dark room.

Optoma UHZ50: conclusion

The Optoma UHZ50 projector delivers pictures with vivid colors and can handle HDR content very efficiently, with both movies and video games. Its low input lag and high brightness are considerable assets that enable you to play video games during the day. The blacks could have been deeper, which would have allowed the image to be more intense. That said, this Optoma projector is still one of the most versatile models available for gaming and home theater.

We liked

• The ability to use it in a light room
• The vivid colors
• The video game mode

We would have liked

• Deeper blacks