The LG HU810PW has lasers. Two of them! Lasers are superior and I will not hear anybody say in any other case. In this case the 2 lasers, aided by a inexperienced phosphor, let the 810P create some remarkably lifelike colours and a brilliantly sharp picture because of its 4K DLP chip. Unfortunately, that DLP chip additionally creates a mediocre distinction ratio that lets down the 810P in comparison with the perfect residence theater projectors I’ve reviewed.
LikeLasers create very good colorExceedingly brightSuper-sharp 4K element
Don’t LikeCostlyContrast ratio is terribleConfusing settingsLip-sync points
What the 810P does proper, it actually does proper. UltraHD 4K decision is all the time welcome in a projector, letting each little bit of element within the video impress the eyes. This projector can also be very vivid, producing roughly 1,500 lumens. It’s the colours that steal the present, nevertheless, with deep vibrant reds, blues, greens and extra, all at impressively excessive ranges of brightness.The draw back is that with darkish scenes the 810P seems to be fairly mediocre, saddled by grayish black ranges and lack of general punch. At $3,000 it is also far more costly than 4K projectors with higher distinction, just like the Optoma UHD30. Given the flawed distinction I can not suggest the LG HU810PW to everybody on this value vary, however for those who crave brightness, shade and element, it is robust to beat.
4K, 2 lasers, no lamp Native decision: 3,840×2,160 pixelsHDR-compatible: Yes4K-compatible: Yes3D-compatible: NoLumens spec: 2,700Zoom: Manual (1.6x)Lens shift: Manual (horizontal and vertical)Lamp life (Normal mode): <20,000 hoursThe HU810P is each 4K and HDR, and does a greater job with HDR than most “HDR” projectors I’ve reviewed lately. That stated, it is necessary to bear in mind no projector can actually do HDR. As befitting a higher-end projector, the 810P has each horizontal and vertical lens shift. The zoom is respectable as properly, at 1.6x. The case is about twice the scale of lower-end projectors, and considerably heavier. I used to be shocked one thing that is largely empty area for bouncing gentle round weighs over 24 kilos. Lasers! Instead of a UHP lamp, like most projectors, the 810P has two lasers, one blue and one crimson. The blue laser, along with creating all of the blue gentle, will get cut up and sends a few of its gentle to a inexperienced phosphor. So not solely are the lasers creating all the sunshine you are seeing, however they’re additionally creating the colour. Traditionally, DLP-based projectors separate these two issues, with the lamp creating white gentle, after which shade filters permitting a few of that gentle to go by way of to the display, when wanted. Color wheels are inherently inefficient, which is without doubt one of the the reason why lasers are nice in projectors.
Another profit is that lasers final rather a lot longer than UHP lamps. The gentle supply within the 810P is rated for as much as 20,000 hours, or about 14 years for those who run it 4 hours an evening. It additionally activates and off far sooner than most UHP-based projectors, which is a pleasant bonus.If you had been considering lasers wanted much less cooling, and subsequently fewer followers, you would be mistaken. Generally the 810P is quieter than the small, low-priced DLP projectors. It additionally has a extra ignorable decrease pitch to its fan noise. It is just not, nevertheless, silent. Overall I minded the noise lower than on every other residence theater projector I’ve reviewed within the final yr, but it surely’s additionally louder than I anticipated for $3,000.
Geoffrey Morrison/CNET
Connections for daysHDMI inputs: 3 (2x 2.1, 1x 2.0)PC enter: NoUSB port: 2 (0.5A energy)Digital audio output: 1 (Optical)Internet/LAN: Wi-FI and LAN12v set off: NoRS-232 distant port: NoMHL: No Remote: BacklitI’m typically of the opinion that almost all projectors solely want one HDMI enter, since it is simpler to run one lengthy HDMI cable and change the sources someplace else. The three HDMI and two USB inputs on the LG actually do not damage, nevertheless, and two of them are HDMI 2.1 with ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) and eARC.The USB inputs are solely rated for 0.5 amp, which could trigger issues with some streaming sticks. Yes, the 810P has some built-in streaming apps itself, however for some motive lacks Netflix and HBO. In any case I count on folks spending $3,000 on a projector will more than likely join an exterior streaming machine this projector, probably by way of a soundbar or AV receiver, which eliminates these points. The 810P has one of many strangest remotes I’ve used with a projector. It’s just like LG’s TVs in {that a} motion-sensitive cursor seems on display on the slightest of touches. It finally ends up being sooner to make use of the standard joypad and clicking by way of the menus. And you are going to be clicking by way of a variety of menus. The 810P has what may conservatively known as a metric butt-ton of settings. Submenus upon submenus, infinite settings to regulate each facet of efficiency, a lot of them complicated. For instance, Adaptive Contrast and Dynamic Contrast are in two completely different submenus, separate from the common distinction setting. Feel free to hitch me down the rabbit gap within the Measurement Notes part on the finish of the evaluate. One very unusual drawback you may’t repair with any settings is essentially the most egregious lip-sync delay I’ve seen on a show in a really very long time. You can regulate the audio timing within the menu, however this solely addresses the projector’s personal inner audio system. If you are utilizing an exterior speaker system like a soundbar or receiver (and let me be clear you need to with any projector) it completely should have lip sync adjustment. Otherwise something you watch will seem cheaply dubbed, with the voices not matching the lips on display in any respect.
Geoffrey Morrison/CNET
Picture high quality comparisons
Since the LG is larger in value than many of the projectors I’ve lately reviewed, discovering direct comparisons proved tough. I settled on two projectors that I believe can be utilized as a framing machine for the general story of the 810P whereas primarily specializing in how the LG seems to be. The Optoma is roughly a 3rd of the LG’s value, however is without doubt one of the higher 4K projectors in that vary. The Sony is an older, dearer mannequin, however one which I’m fairly aware of. Its strengths and weaknesses supplied a terrific counterpoint to the LG. I linked all three by way of a Monoprice 1×4 distribution amplifier, and seen them on a 102-inch 1.0-gain display.Let me get this out of the best way first: The LG’s distinction ratio is dangerous. Like, actually dangerous. Side by facet, the UHD30 at $2,000 much less has extra depth and appears much less washed out, and that projector’s distinction ratio may generously be known as “OK.” The first few days I had with the 810P I used to be consistently reaching for the distant, considering I’d set the brightness management too excessive. You simply cannot get respectable black ranges out of it with out dropping your entire gentle output of the projector, which does not truly assist the distinction ratio, simply makes dimmer. This comparability take a look at was the primary time shortly I’d watched the Sony, which makes use of three liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS, or SXRD in Sony parlance) chips, a expertise identified for its wonderful distinction. Here it wasn’t even a contest. The Sony was on one other planet in comparison with the LG. It was like a 100-meter sprint towards Usain Bolt besides he had a head begin and was racing me. I’m the primary one to let you know that distinction ratio is crucial issue of general image high quality. So you’d suppose the evaluate would finish right here. But the LG does nearly every thing else so properly that it will probably (nearly) overcome this critical deficit.
Geoffrey Morrison/CNET
Let’s discuss gentle output. We’re not on the level that projectors are “bright enough” for many houses. None can actually compete with ambient gentle, that is simply physics. But with the ability to watch a film with some lights on, not having to utterly black out a room, that is helpful. Having a vivid 100-inch+ picture is compelling, to say the least. The picture on the Sony is improbable, as you’d hope for one thing that, when new, price a number of occasions the LG. It is just not, nevertheless, what one would name “bright.” Even in its brightest mode, you want a very darkish room to benefit from the Sony. That’s not the case with the LG. Those two lasers, plus the phosphor, additionally let the LG create some impressively wealthy and vibrant colours. It delvers a large shade gamut in a manner that is extraordinarily tough for color-wheel-based projectors to do. The BenQ 3550i had wonderful shade, but it surely was tremendous dim, in comparison with its competitors. The LG does even higher than the 3550i, whereas being as vivid because the brightest projectors I’ve reviewed. That’s a formidable feat, and goes to point out how a lot lasers are the subsequent leap in projector expertise that we have been hoping for.Then there’s element. 4K on an enormous display is what larger resolutions are made for. DLP’s best energy is its capacity to create an ultra-sharp picture with no trace of movement blur. It’s truly the one present expertise that lacks movement blur (pour one out for plasma, pals). So each wrinkle, each hair, each blade of grass, it reveals all of the advantageous element promised with larger resolutions. The UHD30 just about matches it on this regard, however the LG appears a bit sharper general. That could be the lens, it could be processing, it could be each, neither of which had been nice on the Optoma. The Sony, regardless of being 4K, seems to be far softer. LCOS nonetheless has movement blur, and whereas black body insertion helps, that makes the picture even dimmer. A difficult trade-off.So general the LG HU810PW seems to be much better than you may count on, given its mediocre distinction ratio. Lastly, the LG has an odd artifact that I’ve seen in different laser-based projectors. I need to name it “sparkle” but it surely’s technically known as speckle. It’s like sure pixels are brighter than others. If you have ever performed with a laser pointer, you may need an concept what this seems to be like. However, at a traditional viewing distance of round 10 toes, it is laborious to note and after a day or so watching it, I ended noticing it. Even once I did discover it, it did not hassle me.
Geoffrey Morrison/CNET
But lasers!What the 810P will get proper, it actually will get proper. That’s why, in spite of everything the problems talked about above, I nonetheless truly prefer it. When exhibiting content material that performs to its strengths it is able to a very attractive picture. Detail for days along with a number of the greatest shade I’ve seen in a projector at any value. It’s simply lovely. I used to be consistently reaching for the distant attempting to repair the black degree, nevertheless. The distinction ratio is flat out poor. LG has performed every thing they will to masks that reality, however there’s solely a lot they will do with the Texas Instruments’ DLP tech in comparison with one thing like SXRD. TI’s 4K chips appear to be even worse on this regard than their 1080p chips, and that is an issue since distinction ratio is by far crucial facet of general subjective picture high quality. With brighter scenes the 810P is able to actually attractive photographs. But when the darkish scenes arrive, as they all the time do, making the entire picture dimmer by dropping the sunshine output solely partially masks the issue. In the tip the HU810PW is sweet, however not nice, and at this value I need nice. Geek Box
Test
Result
Score
Black luminance (0%)
0.418
Poor
Peak white luminance (100%)
116.3
Average
Derived lumens
1498
Average
Avg. grayscale error (10-100%)
10.372
Poor
Dark grey error (20%)
6.416
Average
Bright grey error (70%)
11.213
Poor
Avg. shade error
4.934
Average
Red error
2.112
Good
Green error
0.651
Good
Blue error
4.134
Average
Cyan error
13.8
Poor
Magenta error
4.264
Average
Yellow error
4.642
Average
Avg. saturations error
5.97
Poor
Avg. shade checker error
5.6
Poor
Input lag (Game mode)
129.3
Good
Measurement notesI may spend pages upon pages attempting to elucidate what every setting means and that are the perfect, however this evaluate is lengthy sufficient already. Here’s the quick(ish) model. As talked about earlier, the labyrinthian menus have infinite settings. To assist, considerably, there are pop-up tooltips. Sadly these are sometimes much less useful than you’d hope. Many may confer with something. For occasion, the Black Level management reads “Correct contrast and brightness by adjusting black levels.” If this feels like what on most shows you’d would name the distinction and brightness controls, you’ll be appropriate. Except this has three settings and is totally separate from the precise distinction and brightness controls. Then there’s the Real Cinema setting, which reads: “Adjust the frame ratio in the same way with the movie and it provides the feeling of the movie theater.” The proprietor’s guide simply explains that it “Provides a cinema-like experience.” So my guess is it reveals 24p content material at a a number of of 24, which is nice! But it ought to simply say so. I do not imply to harp on this, however there are projectors that price a fraction of the 810P, from considerably smaller firms, which can be simpler to make use of and way more polished. For $3,000 I might hope for extra of each. I say this as somebody who critiques projectors professionally, have performed so for practically 20 years, have had a projector as my foremost show for practically that very same period of time and I discovered all of the settings right here nearly baffling at greatest, and irritating at worst. I hope anybody who buys this both loves spending hours on setup, or is keen to pay somebody who’s.One different noteworthy situation when trying to get an correct image, the colour temperature varies with the iris setting. At decrease brightness ranges it drifts noticeably blue.What follows are a number of the extra necessary settings, that will help you dial within the 810P with out too many hours invested. Energy Saving: “Minimum” is brightest, which is technically correct, however complicated. Brightness Optimizer>Iris Mode: The presets are simply steps you may regulate within the User setting, e.g., Bright Room=10Brightness Optimizer>Adaptive Contrast: Varies the laser energy relying on the brightness of the picture. Slightly helps with obvious distinction.Advanced Controls>Dynamic Contrast: Changes distinction and brightness settings based mostly on content material. I left it off. Didn’t appear to assist a lot.Picture Options>Real Cinema: 24fps content material displayed at a a number of of 24. On.Picture Options>TruMotion: Motion interpolation, aka cleaning soap opera impact. Off, in fact.Picture Options>Black Level: My guess this offers with 0-255/16-235 ranges. Leave on Auto until you will have an odd situation with some piece of substances.On the measurement entrance, the LG was all over. In the Warm shade temperature setting, the closest to correct, the picture lacked inexperienced with brighter photographs, and had an excessive amount of crimson with darker photographs. Generally the colour factors with HD content material had been correct, with solely cyan drifting blue and magenta drifting barely crimson.Brightness was actually not a problem. I measured 166 nits, or roughly 1,498 lumens, with HD content material. The distinction ratio averaged an abysmal 490:1 throughout a number of modes and settings. Even with the laser adjusting its brightness to the picture, the perfect dynamic distinction ratio I may get was 2,407:1.With HDR content material it was even brighter, maxing out at a large 290 nits, or 2,600 lumens within the Brightest image mode. However, this mode was visibly blue/inexperienced and wasn’t well worth the trade-off in general picture high quality. Still, 2,600 lumens! Impressive.