Optoma UHD51ALV 4K UHD Smart Home Theater Projector, Works with Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant

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I ordered this projector a few weeks ago and dropped it into my system. I was excited because this was the first projector to come to market that checks all the boxes for under $2,000. RGBRGB color wheel for accurate color reproduction? Check. Support for HDMI 2.0 / HDCP 2.2? Check. Support for viewing 3D Blu-ray content? Check. Enough brightness to use outside of a bat cave? Check. So finally, 4K arrived in my home theater. The first thing I observed is that it does have a fairly short throw and only a small degree of lens shift, so you will either have to ceiling-mount or coffee table mount. Focus is manual. No motorized "lens memory" features for fans of 2.35:1 constant image height setups. Shelf mounting at the back of the room is not likely to work in most installations. This projector uses the 0.47" DLP chip with pixel-shifting. However, pixels do not appear to overlap when viewed up close - you can actually see the "screen door" effect if you put your face right up next to the screen. Unlike in the days of 720p projectors, no screen door effect is visible at normal viewing distances. Seeing the "screen door" up close is desirable - it means pixel-shifting DLP works and can reproduce a true 3840x2160 image, in which every pixel is individually distinguishable. It also means the optics of the lens are good enough to render high-resolution images. After using a Panasonic PT-3000AU 3LCD projector for the last decade, this projector was a big upgrade. It throws a brighter, more vibrant image on my 120" screen. While no lamp-based projector can fully reproduce HDR content, I can say that 4K HDR content is noticeably clearer with more vibrant colors. The expanded color space of 4K HDR also made for very smooth gradients, with considerably less "banding" artifacts compared to 1080p Blu-ray on my old projector. The UHD51A uses an RGBRGB color wheel, which is best for home theater applications as it renders colors most accurately. Competing models that have higher lumen ratings (high 2000s to mid 3000s) use an RGBW wheel, but that extra brightness is lost when the projector is calibrated for accurate color reproduction. The RGBW wheel gives extra white lumens that can cut through ambient light, but I found the UHD51As RGBRGB wheel to be bright enough to illuminate a 120" 1.1-gain screen in my living room, which is not totally light-controlled. HDR is not rendered as well as on an OLED TV, but those are prohibitively expensive if you want a picture size over 65". The visual impact of a 120" picture is considerable. Black levels are not state of the art, but they are good enough. Its comparable to what you would experience if you went to a movie theater with digital projection. Projector users are familiar with these compromises; that aspect has not changed in the last decade. Like all the 0.47" DLPs on the market, this projector does have a "light border" that extends past the picture area, and even past the black borders on my screen. If this bothers you, paint your screen wall a flat black to reduce this effect. I do wish TI would fix this in the 0.47" DLP light engine. A projector should not project light outside the borders of the image. But again, all 0.47" DLPs have this issue currently, so consider it when setting up your theater. I didnt set up the Amazon Alexa features so cant comment on those. Also havent tried 3D yet, but am looking forward to watching a 3D movie on a 120" screen. This review may seem negative, as I pointed out some caveats and limitations. Its important to take these issues into account, and this projector may not work in every room. I did have to re-arrange my room to get this projector into my system, but it was worth the trouble. No one else offers a 4K + 3D projector for well under $2,000. It has given my theater a considerable boost in picture quality, and I finally get to enjoy 4K content the way it was meant to be seen. If, like me, you want both 4K UHD and 3D, this is the best bargain going currently.

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A great projector for the price. 3D - works HDR - works 4K - works Picture quality - looks great to me... Downsides: - in a totally dark room, I wish the blacks were more, well, black. even with HRD. they are good, but I wish it was darker on the darks. brightness is amazing (I have a fully windowless room in the basement) - takes time to warmup - alexa connection is a hassle (optomas fault) their mobile app is terrible, but managed to get it done. Not very useful, since I have Harmony. - Fire TV Cube doesnt recognize it... - When switching between regular 4k and HDR 4k, it takes a couple of seconds - I think I bought the official mount for it, and was surprised it doesnt support up/down. sadly after I installed the screen already... I had to go through weird workarounds to add that half inch of a tilt down... (the angle button didnt get far enough) Other than that, very happy... but Im not a projector expert.

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I have been observing carefully the 4k projector progression for years, hoping to have: 1) reasonable price (below $2,000); an enhancement of the 2K quality of 3D 1080Px2 by regards to its increased pixel projection; and 3) enhancement of the irritating 1/2 decrease in illumination of 3D versus a 2D projection. With the Optoma UHD51ALV 4K unit I received and set up yesterday, Im delighted to say Ive gotten all of that (plus of course 4K flat projection as a viewing option for UHD blu rays). 3D from this unit (projecting and viewing several different 3D discs) was absolutely stunning: (compared to my prior faithful workhorse, BenQ W1070 1080P 3D Home Theater Projector) the 1080P is more detailed, the colors more vibrant, and the picture brighter, up to a normal viewing level (versus the dusky 3D of the Benq that ones eyes would have to adjust down to). My faithul (now retired) BenQ was 2,000 lumens and this unit is 3,000 lumens, giving me a very significant increase in brightness without washing out any colors (as happens if one just tries to brighten up an image on its own). I directly compared 4K to 3D on this unit using the picture "India" thats provided as both 4K and 3D in the same offering. 4K on this unit is spectacular, with amazing crispness and detail in the smallest features. The 2K of the 3D rendering is a bit less crisp and detailed in the small features compared to the 4K, but still superior to what Ive previously viewed from 1080P discs. What with the increased (to normal viewing levels) brightness while maintaining vibrant colors, the 3D from this projector is nothing less than stunning. For instance in the India documentary versus the spectacular 4K details, the 3D surrounds you and pulls you into the depths of the picture, as close to looking through a magic window at the real thing as you can get (versus seeing a flat, wonderful rendering of reality in 4K). So my point is that though this is rightly touted as an excellent 4K projector, its ALSO a fabulous 3D projector for those of us with two working eyeballs that savor such renderings. Also please note that you need not freak out (as I almost did) when initially exploring the settings I found the 3D options missing or grayed and unresponsive. After my long search and laying down nearly $2,000 to buy this thing I had the terrible thought that Id been sent the wrong model, one that only did 4K not 3D. But, fortunately, I decided to slap in a 3D disc and was delighted when the projector recognized the format and lit up the 3D settings for usage. Whew! Anywho, the only thing that would make this unit better is if it could render (nonexistant) 4K 3D as 8K. Actually, thats not so fantastic as I read 8K TVs are right around the corner, making it quite feasible to view a 4Kx2 3D disc! Hey, you tech geniuses, dont forget us 3D nuts! And thanks to Optoma for not leaving us behind, but giving us an even better experience as the world moves to 4K. Well done!

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I bought this projector to upgrade from my Epson Home Cinema 2045. I was between the Optoma UHD51a and the Benq HT 2550. I went with the optoma because of some youtube reviews I really liked. The first thing I noticed after installing it is that it was whisper quite, even when I put to UHD51a in bright mode, I could hardly hear the fan. They did a very good job keeping it quite. Next I set up Alexa, it was a lot of steps but was pretty simple to setup. I was able to turn the projector off with my voice command once. After that it never worked again. Alexa would always say "living room not responding." This wasnt that big of a deal since I probably wouldnt use that feature too much. However, they are charging you for it so it should work. The image was amazing, even with ambient light on in the room, there was great contrast, colors didnt get washed out. I was very impressed. I watch some Youtube 4K videos. Everything looked great until I started to watch movies. Enter the rainbow: I first noticed it on subtitles, reading subtitles then looking up at the picture I noticed rainbows. Especially with dark screens. Coming from a 3lcd protector I never saw a rainbow effect, so I thought is was just some strange artifacts happening with subtitles. Then I watched an episode of Gunpowder on HBO and there were rainbows everywhere. I threw in a bluray of Life of Pi and more rainbows. Reluctantly, I packed up the UHD51a and started my refund on Amazon. Ill be dropping it off tomorrow. Im pretty disappointed. I really liked everything about this projector. If you dont mind or see the rainbow effect then the image is beautiful, bright, and it is very quite. The Benq HT 2550, supposedly has a faster color wheel and from what I have read there is no rainbow effect. I do not believe that only 5% of people see the rainbow effect. My girlfriend said she couldnt see it but it was very prevalent to me.

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Aside from one issue, the projector is pretty fantastic. The 4k image quality is incredible. 3D is amazing on a 120" screen! Note: 3D content quit working after one month. Optoma replaced the projector via their RMA process which took a little over a week. Optoma customer service was excellent. Amazon would not replace it after 30 days without a restocking fee.

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Update 2: after the second day this unit seems to be faulty. The picture is now blurry and grainy and there is often a line down the middle of the screen, with one half of the screen darker than the other. 4k material looks worse than 1080p now. Ive tried adjusting every setting and it still looks terrible. Amazon suggested I return it. Update: Im changing my review from 1 star to 4 after the projector suddenly decided to accept a 4k signal after no changes. The setup was a bit of a nightmare, but now its working on the second day. As far as the picture goes, its crisp and clear. I notice the rainbow effect only slightly and not very often. The sharpness could be better, but overall its a huge step up from my old 1080P projector. Alexa is still not working and I have given up on setting that up for now, but using a voice command to turn it on is that not that big a deal as using the remote is just as fast. My biggest complaint is the lack of ARC. Previous review: will not accept any 4k signals. Ive tried different cables, different devices, every possible setting and it still wont work. It starts to play a movie then says no signal. What a huge disappointment.

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This product has great picture quality. I put it in my basement so there is not much light pollution down there so I can’t comment on how it would work in a differernt light setting. My only complaint is that the motor/fan or whatever is kinda loud. I’m getting more used to it though. While music or noise is happening on screen I can’t hear it but at every pause during a scene or while I’m looking for a show to watch it can get annoying

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CAUTION: FOR SOME REASON MANY REVIEWS ARE FOR OTHER PROJECTORS!!! THE UHD51A CAME OUT MAY 2018 IN THE USA. CAREFUL OF THE REVIEWS AND QUESTIONS FOR THEY MAY NOT BE FOR THIS PROJECTOR! This is my first projector. I got this UHD51A when it first came out (May 2018) on Amazon at the $1699 price. I am using the Elite Screens Yard Master 2, 120-INCH 16:9 screen. Although marketed as an outdoor/indoor screen, I purchased as an indoor screen as it looked sturdier than a tripod screen. This projector/screen is a test project to see if I like it. And if I like it, I’ll turn my living room into a theater, different screen and ceiling hung projector, etc. Wow, do I like it. The 4K is stunning on a 10 foot screen. 3D is OK, my first 3D experience, but think I’ll stick mostly with the 2D picture. This is considered a home theater projector (used in a dark area) versus a living room projector where there is outside light. I really watch TV only at night so this is not an issue. My Firestick works great too. The only real thing I would have preferred is wi-fi being built in versus a usb wifi dongle. Regarding Alexa, Ill never use. In place of Alexa, I would like to have seen a Roku or Fire Stick built in.

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My first instinct on receiving this unit was to just have them send a replacement, after all I have a set of 3D glasses already on the way, excrement happens, and Im ready. But I decided to just return it remembering a few of the reviews here had defective units as well. My units problem was that it wouldnt recognize any hdmi source. I tried 3 as well as a couple of other cables. The funny thing was that my Xbox recognized it because when I plugged it back into my old projector, it had an info box asking me if I wanted to switch to 4k. What a buzzkill. A call to tech support was no help. I was told it was plug and play and that my hdmi board must be bad. May be time to look at the BenQ.

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Happy with my purchase!!!! Nice bright picture and clear. Definitely needs calibration to get the best out of the picture, and Ill review again after I can get that done. One complain is the pure motion appears to leave artifacts when the picture is panning, even on the low setting. This may be resolved with a software update but overall this is an excellent projector. 135 inch screen with brightness to spare.

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