Projectors

Low latency and HDR compatibility make gaming on this 1080p Optoma a bright idea, says Steve May

Smart and compact, with a glossy white finish, this new 1080p DLP projector from Optoma is designed for living room rather than dark theatre use. So far, so typical, but what makes the HD29H particularly interesting is that while it's unequivocally a Full HD model, it's also HDR compatible. It'll read HDR10 metadata and attempt to produce a correctly balanced dynamic image.

Optoma unleashes bigscreen 3D The sub-£1,400 HD33 offers a tempting mix of dramatic 3D and sweet design. Home cinema frugalists have never had it so good, argues Steve May

Don’t be surprised if you’re told you’ll have to go on a waiting list to get an Optoma HD33. According to a little birdie in the trade, demand for this model is outstripping supply across Europe – and having now lived with one for a few weeks, I’m not surprised. Typically selling for less than £1,400, they represent ridiculously good value for bigscreen aficionados – particularly when you consider that a year ago you couldn’t get a Full HD 3D PJ for less than £3K.

Stuck in the middle Optoma's first 3D PJ offers Full HD at a very aggressive price point. But that’s not enough for John Archer

If you want to get a handle on what makes the Optoma HD83 one of the year’s most interesting projectors, all you have to do is take in its price: £2,400. This makes it comfortably more aff ordable than the likes of Panasonic’s AT5000 and Sony’s VPL-HW30ES.

Optoma's UHD51 projector not only delivers thrillingly crisp 4K visuals at a tempting price, it's part of a new generation to also offer 3D compatibility – and it turns out to be a grand reminder of just how much fun bigscreen 3D can be.

Optoma's conventional 4K projector might lack the allure of its UST siblings, but a laser engine, flexible setup and punchy performance mean it's still a bright buy, says Steve May

We've seen projectors adopt a variety of form factors of late, from UST models to Samsung's novel portable Freestyle. Optoma's UHZ50 is a more traditional beamer, but it's no less exciting.

Optoma's 4K ultra-short-throw PJ is a convincing TV replacement, suggests Steve May.

Able to cast a big image in a relatively small room, positioned just centimetres from a white wall, it's not difficult to see the appeal of an ultra-short-throw (UST) projector. There's no fear of walking in front of the beam either, causing oversized shadows on the action. The downside is that almost all UST projectors look like escapees from the office Christmas party.

Welcome to the extra dimension In striving to produce a good 3D projector, Panasonic has actually delivered a brilliant 2D one, reckons John Archer

From the moment I first saw Panasonic’s new PT-AT5000 3D projector running alongside its AE4000 predecessor at a swanky launch event in Los Angeles, I knew it was going to be something special. Though not necessarily because of its headlining 3D talents.