Optoma UHD51A Ultra HD DLP Projector Preview

See the complete review of the Optoma UHD51A Ultra HD DLP Projector

My parade of Ultra HD DLP projector reviews continues with Optoma’s UHD51A.

It delivers 2400 ANSI lumens courtesy of a .47-inch DLP chip that sports 3840×2160 resolution from a quad-shift. The color wheel has six segments in an RGBRGB array for better color brightness and accuracy. It also features HDR10, 3D, and vertical lens shift for easy setup. In a first for the category, you can control it with voice commands through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. A built-in media player streams content over Wi-Fi or through a USB port which supports thumb drives or external hard disks. It’s all wrapped in a compact chassis that’s easily installed on a coffee table for an impromptu movie night. And you can hear the movie through a pair of built-in five-watt speakers.

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After covering similar projectors from BenQ and ViewSonic, I’m anxious to see how Optoma’s offering stacks up. It’s the only one of the bunch to offer lens shift and its throw ratios are slightly different than the others. It also keeps 3D alive for fans of the genre. DLP projectors are always my favorite way to watch 3D content. Amazon Alexa users can control power, input, and volume by simply adding the projector to their device cloud. And Google fans can integrate the UHD51A into their smart homes as well.

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At just $1699, the UHD51A is in a price sweet spot where one could spend about the same or a little more money on a flat panel TV. Two-piece projection has a few environmental considerations but once you have it up and running, it’s hard deny the appeal of that jumbo screen experience. Ultra HD displays with HDR just make it even more special. I’m looking forward to testing and watching the Optoma UHD51A. Look here for my full review in a few weeks.

See the complete review of the Optoma UHD51A Ultra HD DLP Projector

Chris Eberle

Chris' passion for audio began when he took up playing the bassoon at age 12. During his third year at the New England Conservatory of Music, he won a position with the West Point Band where he served for 26 years as principal bassoonist. He retired from the Army in 2013 and is now writing full time and performing as a freelance musician in Central Florida. As an avid movie lover, Chris was unable to turn away the 50-inch Samsung DLP TV that arrived at his door one day, thus launching him irrevocably into an obsession with home theater. Dissatisfied with the image quality of his new acquisition, Chris trained with the Imaging Science Foundation in 2006 and became a professional display calibrator. His ultimate theater desires were realized when he completed construction of a dedicated cinema/listening room in his home. Chris is extremely fortunate that his need for quality audio and video is shared and supported by his wife of over 25 years. In his spare time he enjoys riding his recumbent trike at least 100 miles per week, trying out new restaurants, going to theme parks and spending as much time as possible watching movies and listening to music. Chris enjoys bringing his observations and discoveries about every kind of home theater product to as many curious and well-informed readers as possible. He is proud to be a part of the Team and hopes to help everyone enjoy their AV experiences to the fullest.