The Optoma UHZ35ST is a high-performance 4K DLP projector designed for home entertainment and gaming enthusiasts who demand excellent image quality, vibrant colors, and a compact form factor.
Optoma UHZ35ST
Design and Build Quality
The UHZ35ST features a sleek, modern design with a sturdy build. Its compact size and short-throw lens make it ideal for smaller rooms or setups where space is limited.
The projector has a matte black finish that helps reduce reflections and blends well into most home theater environments. The control buttons and ports are intuitively placed, making setup straightforward.
Image Quality
Resolution: The projector supports true 4K UHD resolution (3840×2160), delivering sharp and detailed images.
Brightness: With a brightness rating of around 3000 lumens, the UHZ35ST performs well in various lighting conditions, including rooms with some ambient light.
Contrast and Black Levels: Thanks to its DLP technology combined with a laser light source, the projector produces deep blacks and excellent contrast ratios, enhancing the overall viewing experience, especially for movies and gaming.
Color Accuracy: The UHZ35ST offers vibrant and accurate colors out of the box, supporting HDR10 and HLG formats for enhanced dynamic range. The laser light engine ensures consistent color performance over time.
Short Throw Capability: The short-throw lens allows the projector to produce a large image (up to 120 inches) from just a few feet away, making it perfect for compact spaces.
Laser Light Source
The use of a laser light engine provides several advantages:
Longer lifespan (up to 20,000 hours or more).
Instant on/off without warm-up or cool-down time.
Consistent brightness and color performance over time.
Reduced maintenance compared to traditional lamp projectors.
Gaming Performance
The UHZ35ST is optimized for gaming with a low input lag (around 16ms at 1080p 240Hz), which is excellent for fast-paced games.
It supports high refresh rates up to 240Hz at 1080p, making gameplay smooth and responsive. The projector also comes with enhanced motion handling to reduce blur and ghosting.
Connectivity
Multiple HDMI 2.0 ports for connecting gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, and streaming devices.
USB port for media playback and firmware updates.
Audio out for external sound systems Support for wireless streaming via optional accessories or external devices
Setup and Installation
The UHZ35ST is relatively easy to set up, especially with its short throw lens that reduces the need for complex mounting.
It offers vertical lens shift and keystone correction to help align the image perfectly without distortion. The projector also includes a remote control with backlit buttons for ease of use in dark environments.
Noise Levels and Cooling
The cooling system is efficient and the projector operates with relatively low fan noise, which is unlikely to be distracting during viewing sessions.
Price and Value
The Optoma UHZ35ST is positioned as a premium projector, and its price reflects its high-end features such as 4K resolution, laser light source, short throw capability, and gaming optimizations.
For users seeking top-tier performance in a compact design, it represents good value compared to competitors in the same category.
Pros
True 4K UHD resolution with excellent image sharpness.
Bright and vibrant picture with good HDR support.
Long-lasting and consistent laser light source.
Short throw lens ideal for small rooms.
Low input lag and high refresh rates for gaming.
Solid build quality and sleek design.
Cons
Premium price point may be high for casual users.
No built-in smart TV platform (requires external device for streaming).
Limited zoom range due to short throw lens.
Verdict
The Optoma UHZ35ST 4K DLP projector is an outstanding choice for home theater aficionados and gamers who want a compact, bright, and sharp projector capable of delivering immersive 4K content.
Its laser light source, short throw design, and gaming-friendly features make it a versatile and future-proof investment for high-quality entertainment experiences.
However, budget-conscious buyers or those looking for a built-in smart platform might need to consider additional accessories or alternative models.