X

Despite modest looks the Optoma UHZ50 packs in 4K, a laser and more

An compact, unassuming exterior hides some serious technology that can belt out huge, beautiful images.

Geoffrey Morrison
Geoffrey Morrison is a writer/photographer about tech and travel for CNET, The New York Times, and other web and print publications. He's also the Editor-at-Large for The Wirecutter. He has written for Sound&Vision magazine, Home Theater magazine, and was the Editor-in-Chief of Home Entertainment magazine. He is NIST and ISF trained, and has a degree in Television/Radio from Ithaca College. His bestselling novel, Undersea, and its sequel, Undersea Atrophia, are available in paperback and digitally on Amazon. He spends most of the year as a digital nomad, living and working while traveling around the world. You can follow his travels at BaldNomad.com and on his YouTube channel.
Geoffrey Morrison
optoma-uhz50-1-of-7
1 of 7 Geoff Morrison/CNET

Optoma UHZ50

The Optoma UHZ50 is a bright, 4K-resolution, HDR-compatible DLP projector lit by a laser light source. 

For more, check out our in-depth review of the UHZ50.   

optoma-uhz50-2-of-7
2 of 7 Geoff Morrison/CNET

Zoomin'

The zoom range is fairly average, at 1.3x. There is lens shift, a rarity among DLP projectors, but it doesn't adjust by a lot.

optoma-uhz50-3-of-7
3 of 7 Geoff Morrison/CNET

Controls

One of the benefits of using a laser for light is fast turn on and off.

optoma-uhz50-4-of-7
4 of 7 Geoff Morrison/CNET

Fans

The UHZ50 is quieter than most small projectors, though there is still some fan noise, especially at maximum brightness.

optoma-uhz50-5-of-7
5 of 7 Geoff Morrison/CNET

Inputs

Lots of inputs are on-board including three HDMI ports.

optoma-uhz50-6-of-7
6 of 7 Geoff Morrison/CNET

Feet

The bottom only has three adjustable feet while most projectors at this price have four.

optoma-uhz50-7-of-7
7 of 7 Geoff Morrison/CNET

Little, but not too little

The backlit remote is nicely small, but not so tiny that you'd always lose it.

For more, check out our in-depth review of the UHZ50 laser projector.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos