Optoma has just launched the first affordable 4K UHD projector on the market displaying the full 8.3M pixels. Please welcome to the stage, the UHD550X.

Ultra High Definition (UHD) is the thing for tellys. The prices of which are slowly coming down to the point that mere mortals can afford. Projectors, on the other hand, are still eye-wateringly expensive.

If you’re fancying a 4K projector for your home cinema or gaming needs then you’d better be budgting for around £3,000 and upwards.

Well, you *would* have had to. That is, until Optoma unveiled their new UHD550X.

Optoma UHD550X projector

Pixel packing

The UHD550X is significantly more compact than most 4K projectors currently on the market.

Unlike those that use just 1080p pixel chips, this one uses Texas Instruments’ XPR tech in order to deliver 8M pixels from a 4M pixel chip.

The inherent fast switching speed of the DLP chip and advanced image processing allows the projector to display the full 8.3M pixels to the screen.  This should mean razor sharp, vivid images capable of showing more details than standard HD – to give that cinema experience in the home.

Future-proofing

For a truly future-proofed home projector it fully supports HDCP 2.2, the latest evolution of copy protection. This opens up the fast-growing choice of 4K content to you.

The UHD550X meets the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) requirements for 4K UHD and complies with the CTA High Dynamic Range (HDR) compatible display standards.

Visuals

Equipped with Optoma’s Amazing Colour technology which includes an enhanced colour wheel and multiple modes to choose from. You have the freedom to select the best setting for the content.

Each mode has been fine-tuned by Optoma’s expert colour team to ensure superior colour performance.

Reference mode reproduces accurate Rec.709 HDTV broadcast spec colours, ensuring reproduction of cinematic colour exactly as the director intended.

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Bright

At 2,800 lumens, the UHD550X produces bright images for life-like big-screen entertainment even with the lights on. Its gloss-white finish makes for discrete integration into any living space.

Packed with the latest features, this new model is whisper quiet and comes complete with integrated speakers that provide 8W of audio output.

S/PDIF audio output is also included, enabling connection to external sound systems.

Getting started

Set-up is simple thanks to vertical lens shift and a host of connection options. These include a pair of HDMI ports and Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) for compatible phones and tablets.

In addition, the UHD550X can even be turned into a smart projector by connecting a HDMI dongle like the Google Chromecas or Amazon Fire TV.

Joe Ahmed, Head of Marketing at Optoma EMEA, said:

We are incredibly excited to launch our much anticipated first 4K UHD HDR compatible home entertainment projector. The advanced DLP single-chip design from Texas Instruments ensures absolute image integrity delivering over 8 million pixels to screen. Without doubt the 4K UHD experience requires the biggest of images, which the new projector delivers at an affordable price to home users.”

UHD550X key features

• Ultra HD 4K – 8.3 million pixel detail for greater realism
• Amazing colour – accurate Rec.709 colours, HDR compatible
• Lights on viewing – 2800 lumens and 500,000:1 contrast
• Digital connectivity – 2x HDMI, MHL and HDCP 2.2 support
• Easy set-up and operation – vertical lens shift, 1.6x manual zoom
• Integrated speaker for powerful sound
• USB power – to stream content via HDMI dongle
• Whisper quiet operation – 25dB (Eco mode)

Optoma UHD550X 4K projector price and availability

The UHD550X is available now (RRP £1,999.99).

Head over to the Optoma website for more details.