Optoma’s new UHZ65 home theater projector sits at the top of their UHx6x lineup, featuring Texas Instruments’ first consumer 4K UHD chip and designed for home use. We previously reviewed the entry-level UHD65 (you can find that review HERE), which costs $2,000 less than the UHZ65. The biggest difference? The UHD65 uses a traditional lamp, while the UHZ65 uses a laser light source.
Whether you’re into the “FauxK vs true 4K” debate or not, one thing’s clear: the UHZ65 delivers a sharper image than any 1080p projector we’ve tested, even those with pixel-shifting technology, and it costs $4,499.
The UHZ65’s 4K/UHD compatibility, crisp image quality, and long-lasting laser light are its standout features.
Update (January 7, 2018): This review has been updated to include more details. The UHZ65 isn’t just great for home theaters — it’s also well suited for business and education settings. This update expands on its performance and capabilities in both home and commercial environments.
| Optoma UHZ65 Specs | |
|---|---|
| Price | $4500 |
| Technology | DLP |
| Native Resolution | 2716x1528x2 |
| Brightness (Manufacturer Claim) | 3000 |
| Contrast | 2000000:1 |
| Zoom Lens Ratio | 1.6:1 |
| Lens Shift | Yes |
| Lamp Life | 20,000 hours |
| Weight | 20.5 pounds |
| Warranty | 3 year |
Overview
In our view, the Optoma UHZ65 faces competition from a few different options. Around this price, you’ll find 1080p projectors with pixel-shifting technology. For about $500 more, Sony offers an entry-level native 4K projector (the VPL-VW285es, reviewed HERE). Other DLP brands like Acer are also stepping in with projectors using the same Texas Instruments 4K chip and laser light source—like the Acer VL7860.
When it comes to Ultra HD (UHD), there are three main improvements: higher resolution, High Dynamic Range (HDR), and Wide Color Gamut (WCG). The Optoma UHZ65 handles resolution well—even though it’s not true native 4K.
HDR is supported, like with most 4K DLP projectors, though there are some limitations. However, earlier lamp-based DLP models haven’t supported WCG, which delivers deeper, more vibrant colors than the standard REC.709 we’ve seen with HDTV and Blu-ray.
It’s worth noting that most 4K UHD Blu-ray movies support all three enhancements—4K resolution, HDR, and the expanded color space (BT.2020 or the more achievable DCI-P3, used in commercial theaters).
Scene from Lucy – with HDR
Optoma says the UHZ65 delivers “striking, life-like colors” thanks to its wide color gamut support, including REC.2020 and DCI-P3 coverage. We’ll dive into how well it actually performs with WCG (Wide Color Gamut) a bit later in the review.
UHZ65 Highlights:
3,000 lumens of brightness – great for both dark and moderately lit rooms
$6,999 list price
4K UHD resolution (3840 x 2160) – sharp and detailed picture
DLP tech with an RGBY 4-segment color wheel
Laser light engine – lasts up to 20,000 hours (no lamps to replace!)
2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio with Dynamic Black
HDR support – brings out more detail in dark and bright scenes
Projects images from 26” to 302” diagonally
1.6x zoom lens for flexible placement
Built-in stereo speakers (2 × 4 watts)
PC 3D ready
Frame interpolation for smoother motion
Network control for easy integration in smart setups