Optoma UHZ68LV review: 5000-lumen laser projection!

The Optoma UHZ68LV projector promises a dynamic and immersive home theater 4K experience thanks to its 5,000-lumen dual laser, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ compatibility, and low input lag ideal for gaming. Its flexible installation and numerous settings make it a versatile projector, suitable for discerning movie lovers and gamers alike. Priced at €3,990, does this Optoma model live up to all its promises, and can it compete with the Epson LS11000 and BenQ W5800?

Included accessories

The Optoma UHZ68LV projector comes with a compact backlit remote control (batteries included), power cable and quick-start guide.

Introducing the Optoma UHZ68LV projector

The Optoma UHZ68LV home theater projector is an evolution of the Optoma UHZ65LV, from which it takes its chassis, with a finish that changes from white to black. The manufacturer has kept the lens and the 0.65″ DLP DMD chip, and equips this new projector with a dual laser (5,000 lumens) to extend colorimetric coverage. What’s more, the Optoma UHZ68LV is now compatible with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ dynamic HDR formats, integrating a Dynamic Tone Mapping function to optimize contrast and brightness in real time, scene by scene. Support for 3D content is still standard on this model.

The new projector also features a horizontal lens shift in addition to the vertical one, more advanced PureEngine Ultra image processing and a higher dynamic contrast ratio (3,200,000:1 vs. 2,000,000:1).

Last but not least, its connectivity has been enhanced, with three HDMI ports (compared with two previously), including eARC functionality. All these improvements mean the price has been increased, with the UHZ68LV priced at €3,990, compared with €3,390 for the UHZ65LV.

Designed for home theater and gaming

The Optoma UHZ68LV projector is ideal for a living room or private home theater, to project a 4K UHD image measuring from 78cm (30.6″) to 7.65m (300″) diagonally, with a projection distance of between 1 and 10 meters. To obtain a 100″ (2.5m) image, it can be installed at a distance of 2.65 to 4.25 meters from the screen by adjusting the power of the optical zoom. The zoom is manually adjustable, as are the lens shift and focus, with horizontal and vertical keystone correction (+/-30°).

This projector also boasts a low input lag (8.5 ms at Full HD 240Hz) and is ALLM-compatible to detect the latest-generation video game consoles and automatically switch to low-latency mode. Its HDMI 2.1 port accepts 120Hz 4K signals projected in 60Hz 4K or 120Hz/240Hz 1080p. It also accepts native Full HD 1080p 120Hz signals (console or PC), which are then projected at the same frame rate to guarantee perfect fluidity.

In terms of connectivity, the Optoma UHZ68LV projector is equipped with three HDMI inputs (2.1 and 2.0), one of which is eARC-compatible, enabling Dolby Atmos sound to be played on an external audio system. It also features three USB-A ports for powering accessories, a mini-jack audio output, an S/PDIF optical output and a 3D Sync port. Remote control is possible via the RJ45 port, the RS232 port and the two 12V triggers.

Last but not least, this projector from Optoma includes a 2 x 5 watt stereo audio system to reproduce the sound of projected films and games, in the absence of a separate stereo or home theater system.

Key specifications

• Brightness: 5,000 lumens
• Dual laser (30,000 hours)
• Optical zoom and lens shift
• HDMI x 3 (eARC)
• 3D compatible

Installing the Optoma UHZ68LV

We tested this Optoma projector in the home theater area of the Son-Vidéo.com store in Nantes, France, projecting onto a 100″ (2.5m) Lumene screen with the projector placed at a distance of around 3.5m. For the purposes of this review, we connected it to the Panasonic DMP-UB820 UHD Blu-ray player and to a PlayStation 5, using a NorStone Jura HDMI Optic cable. Thanks to the zoom and lens shift, both of which can be adjusted manually, we were able to quickly bring the edges of the image into line with those of the screen.

During installation, you need to take into account the rather significant offset of this projector, and its very limited downward lens shift. When the Optoma UHZ68LV rests on its feet, the bottom of the image is higher than the plane of the lens. The offset is about ¼ of the height of the projected image, which is approximately 35cm for a picture of 100″.

In practice, if you place this projector on a coffee table 30cm from the floor, the bottom of the image is approximately 65cm from the floor, which means that a person sitting on a sofa would be looking at the bottom third of the image. It can be raised by approximately 20cm using the Lens Shift feature. In the case of a ceiling installation with a mount that positions the projector 15cm lower than the ceiling, the top of the image will be approximately 50cm from the ceiling, with the lens shift allowing it to be shifted downwards by 20cm.

When installed at the back of a room, this projector will have to be mounted upside down on the ceiling, and will not be able to stand on a shelf, unlike certain Epson, JVC and Sony models, which have a smaller offset and are equipped with a greater downward horizontal lens shift.

Our impressions: design

The Optoma UHZ68LV is in keeping with the idea we have of a projector installed at the back of the room, namely one that projects a large image at a considerable distance from the screen. Its chassis, which is rather bulky compared to more recent compact projectors (a characteristic shared by historical brands) does, however, allow it to adopt an efficient and quiet ventilation system. Its very discreet operation, whatever the light intensity chosen, is therefore to its credit. However, it is still smaller than the Epson EH-LS11000W and BenQ W5800.

The only real design criticism concerns the top cover, which houses the adjustment controls (lens shift, zoom and navigation buttons). The plastic is slightly too flexible, making it seem fragile.

We also regret the absence of lens motorization, which makes the installation of the projector less user-friendly. The aforementioned low amplitude of the downward vertical lens shift means that the lens is not always easy to position. It can be compensated for with the horizontal and vertical keystone adjustment, but this leads to a degradation in image quality.

And, last but not least, we have to mention the simplified, highly intuitive, backlit remote control!

Numerous settings

The settings menus on the Optoma projector are extremely comprehensive, particularly when it comes to image adjustments. Users can select from multiple preset picture modes adapted to SDR and HDR content. Brightness, contrast, sharpness and gamma can also be modified. In addition, the manufacturer allows the power of the laser diodes to be adjusted from 50% to 100%, and the dynamic contrast has three different settings (Brightness Mode menu).

The PureEngine Ultra menu features five proprietary video settings designed to optimize contrast, brightness, color, smoothness and detail. Each option has three levels and can be disabled.

Finally, the color settings menu features numerous options for professional calibration (gray scale, CMS, RGB Gain/Bias…) and provides access to the BrilliantColor option.

Our impressions: picture

With the test patterns and video content of the Spears & Munsil Ultra HD Benchmark Blu-ray, the Optoma UHZ68LV reveals an accurate, detailed 4K picture. Without reaching the precision of a Sony SXRD chip or the image sharpness of the Leica Cine Play 1, the Optoma nevertheless proves convincing, with well-defined contours on flower petals.

Contrast is also satisfactory, with the image of a yellow rose on a black background, as well as the aerial night views over a city. Furthermore, the skin tones of the various models were nuanced and realistic.

On Dune: Part Two, Ford v Ferrari and Alien in 4K HDR Blu-ray, the realistic rendering of the costumes, skin texture sand hair of the various protagonists are impressive. Close-ups of Feyd-Rautha during the arena fight are beautifully rendered in black and white, with subtle gray gradations.

As far as colors are concerned, the projector respects the director’s intentions, as long as the BrilliantColor option, which tends to push the sliders too far, isn’t selected.

Dynamic tone mapping proves effective in Dolby Vision, with beautiful contrast and natural hues. Ideal for dark rooms, the Dolby Vision Dark mode offers a superb picture with the movie Uncharted.

The very bright scenes of HDR10+ are a little less convincing: highlights sometimes appear over exposed, and colors lose their intensity. This was the case during certain high-contrast scenes in Alien and Dune, for example.

The picture fluidity offered by the Optoma UHZ68LV can be improved: there is some judder during the fastest action scenes, despite the activation of the PureMotion function, which isn’t as efficient as the competing MEMC technology.

When it comes to gaming performance, this projector proves very convincing once the Game and Low Latency modes are activated. When playing on the PS5 in 120Hz Full HD, gameplay is fluid and responsive, images are smooth and game actions initiated on the controller are immediately reproduced on the screen.

Optoma UHZ68LV compared to the Epson EH-LS11000W

The Optoma UHZ68LV stands out for its brightness of 5,000 lumens, twice that of the Epson EH-LS11000W. The former is therefore suitable for bright environments as well as a dedicated room, while the latter is better suited to dark rooms with controlled brightness. The Optoma projector also boasts HDR10+ and Dolby Vision compatibility, while the Epson model omits the latter HDR format. Finally, the Optoma’s light source is claimed to last 30,000 hours, compared to around 20,000 hours for the Epson.

The Optoma projector uses a DLP-DMD chip for superior image precision and contrast, as well as more vivid colors. However, it’s not free of the rainbow effects to which some people are sensitive, a phenomenon that’s absent with Epson’s 3LCD projection technology.

For gamers, the Optoma UHZ68LV projector offers an input lag of just 8.5 ms in 240Hz Full HD, but its maximum frequency in 4K is limited to 60Hz. For its part, the Epson displays 4K up to 120Hz, but is a little less responsive in gaming mode, with an input lag of around 20 ms.

Finally, in terms of installation flexibility, the Optoma falls short of the Epson: it makes do with manual lens settings with a weaker zoom and more limited lens shift, while the Epson’s more comprehensive motorized adjustments ensure greater flexibility and simplify installation. The Optoma model makes up for this with its smaller size and lighter weight.

Optoma UHZ68LV compared to the BenQ W5800

Thanks to its dual laser, the Optoma UHZ68LV offers superior brightness and better dynamic contrast. As a result, it can project a larger image, measuring up to 300 inches diagonally, compared to 200 inches for the BenQ.

The Optoma UHZ68LV’s HDR compatibility is also more extensive, with support for Dolby Vision, in addition to the HDR10+ managed by both projectors. However, the BenQ W5800 stands out for better color accuracy and precision, thanks to its factory calibration.

The BenQ projector also regains the advantage in terms of ease of installation, thanks to its motorized zoom, focus and lens-shift functions, with greater amplitude on the horizontal image shift.

It’s mainly this lens motorization that justifies the higher price of the BenQ W5800 (€4,990), which focuses on color accuracy and a high-end cinema experience in carefully controlled conditions. The Optoma UHZ68LV relies more on its high brightness, versatility and lack of real competition at this price, to appeal to users.

Who is the Optoma UHZ68LV 4K projector designed for?

This Optoma UHZ68LV projector is designed for home theater and gaming enthusiasts looking for a bright, high-contrast, responsive image. Its installation flexibility and numerous adjustment options make it a versatile choice for private home theaters, multimedia spaces and living rooms.

Our verdict

The Optoma UHZ68LV projector won us over with its high brightness, convincing HDR rendering in Dolby Vision and excellent gaming responsiveness. Its silent operation, horizontal and vertical lens shift and numerous adjustment options make it even more attractive and versatile for home theater and gaming.

However, its manual lens and limited offset amplitude reduce its installation flexibility compared to some competitors, and its image sharpness, although satisfactory, remains inferior to certain market references. HDR10+ management could also have been better, in order to avoid over-exposed highlights in certain high-contrast scenes.

With no real competitor in this price range, the Optoma UHZ68LV stands out for its brightness and dynamic HDR picture, but the more affordable Epson EH-LS11000W offers greater installation flexibility and 120Hz 4K display. The BenQ W5800, meanwhile, boasts more precise colors and a motorized lens, but is €1,000 more expensive. At €3,990, the Optoma remains an excellent compromise for anyone looking for a powerful, versatile projector, that will be equally at home in a home theater or gaming installation.

We liked

• The cinematographic Dolby Vision picture
• The realistic colors
• The zoom and lens shift
• The silent operation
• The many possible settings

We would have liked

• Better image sharpness
• A motorized lens
• Better HDR10+ management