The Optoma UHL55 LED projector was already an intelligent choice for your home, now it’s got a lot smarter.

Thanks to a whole raft of apps to stream music, movies, TV shows and clips now available on the Optoma UHL55 LED projector, the Optoma UHL55 4K UHD is now a smarter choice.

The 4K home projector already boasted Alexa and Google Assistant voice control, but Optoma has now added much more.

Optoma UHL55 New Apps

The UHL55 now has access to YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Tidal, Deezer, SoundCloud, TED, Amazon Prime, MyCanal, Hulu and many more. Its InfoWall app can be scheduled to turn on at set times, display the weather, videos and social media feeds. Furthermore, TapCast allows wireless mirroring from a mobile device to share video and photos on your big screen.

Not everyone has space for a dedicated home cinema, but the UHL55 is small and light enough to move from room to room. The projector is also packing integrated speakers and a host of connection options such as WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI and MHL.

Bluetooth functionality means external speakers, headphones or a keyboard and mouse can be connected cable-free. It can even play content directly from a USB memory stick via its 4K UHD media player.

Optoma UHL55 Skills

Fitted with the latest LED tech, you get consistent brightness and colour performance. Also, the perceived brightness from LED can be twice that of an equivalent lamp-based projector, so no need for a totally blacked-out room. Additionally, the LED technology delivers 118% Rec.709 for accurate, true to life colour rendition – perfect for recreating the big-screen experience at home. Moreover, it also has a light source lifetime of up to 30,000 hours.

Set-up is simple with autofocus and auto keystone for fuss-free positioning and a host of connection options such as two HDMI 2.0 ports.

Naturally, the Optoma UHL55 boasts High Dynamic Range (HDR) compatibility, HDCP 2.2 support and PureMotion frame-interpolation technology to produce stand-out images.

Capable of decoding Dolby 5.1, it even supports pass-through via an S/PDIF out port for connection to an external surround sound system.

Price and availability

The Optoma UHL55 4K UHD projector is available now for £1,499.

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Optoma has announced the latest addition to its ultra-portable LED projector range; the ML1050ST+. The newest incarnation builds upon the successful ML1050ST combining all the benefits of its predecessor with the addition of autofocus for easy setup and higher brightness.

Thanks to a short throw lens, the projector can project an impressive 100-inch image from just over a metre away from a screen or wall. This reduces the hassles of cables trailing across the room or shadows when presenting.

The ML1050+’s casing is small and compact making it perfect for easy transport in a laptop case or the bundled carry bag. The auto-focus and instant power on/off offer immediate plug-and-play viewing. Additionally, the extraordinary life of its LEDs (30,000 hours) will ensure it stays clear and bright.

Further features include a native office viewer and integrated speaker. You also get an HDMI input, microSD card slot and USB connection.

Finally, presentations are a cinch thanks to being able to project Microsoft Office, Adobe PDFs, photos, videos and audio files. You have the option to do this either from the built-in memory or the earlier mentioned connections.

As the projector can be mounted in virtually any orientation and play video files directly from a microSD card as soon as the projector is switched on it is perfect for digital signage.

Opt-in for the additional WUSB wireless dongle and you can present from a laptop or mobile wire-free.

Kishan Mistry, Senior Product Manager at Optoma EMEA, told us:

The ML1050ST+ brings the ultimate convenience and easy set-up with its new auto-focus feature. Weighing in at just 450g, this 1000 LED brightness projector is perfect for individuals on the move.

Price and availability

You can buy the Optoma ML1050ST+ projector right now for £649.

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Big screen fans rejoice as Optoma has unveiled the HD31UST. The next evolution of the popular GT5000+ ultra short throw projector has arrived. The new projector can throw a 100-inch image from just 30cm away. The HD31UST is smaller and lighter than its predecessor but still manages to output 3,400-lumens and Full HD 1080p resolution.

Optoma HD31UST projector

The new model comes with vertical and horizontal keystone and four-corner geometric adjustment. Not only do these aid set-up if you have uneven walls but it also handy if you are unable to place the projector centrally.

Not only does its white finish help it blend into any living space, but the projector also has a built-in 16W speaker. Naturally, you can use the bundled cable to send the audio to external speakers.

Furthermore, the HD31UST boasts a range of connection options. Hook-ups include two HDMI and two VGA inputs for connection to any device. This projector also works with Optoma’s WHD200 which is designed to stream video content wirelessly.

Additionally, it can become a smart projector. Simply connect an HDMI dongle such as the Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire or Apple TV to play games, stream videos and share photos on the big screen at home.

The HD31UST can display true 3D content from almost any 3D source, including 3D Blu-ray players, 3D broadcasting and the latest generation games consoles. However, you will need the Optoma ZD302 glasses (sold separately) that uses DLP Link active shutter technology to automatically sync with the on-screen image.

Kishan Mistry, Senior Product Manager at Optoma EMEA, told us:The unrivalled set-up convenience of our high brightness, ultra-short throw HD31UST creates an exceptional 100-inch Full HD experience that can be placed directly in front of a wall or screen for permanent use, tidied away after occasional use or taken around to a friend’s house.”

Price and availability

UK pricing and release has not yet been confirmed.

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Optoma has launched a new battery-powered portable 1080p LED projector – the LH160. Perfect for both business and personal use, the slim projector is small and compact so fits easily into a bag or backpack.

The Optoma proves not only to be portable, but simple to use. Furthermore, its built-in rechargeable battery provides up to 2.5 hours of cable-free projection on a single charge. Additionally, it can also be used to charge a mobile device. The projector delivers an impressive 1500 LED brightness, optional wireless functionality and native Office Viewer for PC free viewing.

Optoma LH160 portable projector

The new LH160 projector may be wireless, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t hook it up with cables. The rear of the unit is home to a pair of HDMI inputs and a powered USB port. This gives you the option to present wirelessly or from an HDMI dongle like the Google Chromecast or Amazon Fire TV to play games or stream videos.

Content from an Android or iOS smartphone or tablet can be shared instantly by mirroring the screen using a USB cable. There’s also a mini jack for audio output. Bluetooth functionality allows external speakers or headphones to be connected cable-free.

With a light source lifetime of up to 30,000 hours, the high-quality LED technology delivers increased efficiency to maintain consistent brightness, superior colour performance. Moreover, there’s no waiting around as the projector boasts instant on/off.

The new model comes with the added benefit of vertical and horizontal keystone and four corner geometric adjustment. This gives quick and accurate set-up, ideal for uneven walls or where a projector placement is at an angle from the screen. Additionally, when the projector is not centred directly in front of the projection surface, the auto vertical keystone feature will detect and correct the distorted image with the touch of a button.

Words

Kishan Mistry, Senior Product Manager at Optoma EMEA, told GadgetyNews:

The new LH160 is one of the brightest battery-powered portable LED projector available. It’s a great all-rounder, combining easy set-up, instant on/off and integrated speakers in a small and compact chassis. Perfect for travelling.”

Price and availability

We are awaiting more details regarding price. However, a full specification sheet for the LH160 is available from www.optoma.co.uk

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Just in time for the World Cup (England are still in!) the new Optoma HZ40UST can project a 100-inch diagonal image from just 30cm away.

Thanks to ground-breaking laser technology and a super-bright 4000 lumens, this Full HD 1080p projector is ideal for use any time of day. Additionally, with low its latency, gamers will enjoy quick response times.

Optoma HZ40UST

Simple to set up and no need for loads of space, the HZ40UST can project imagery without any shadows or cables running across the room.

The HZ40UST’s sleek design and small chassis enables it to fit into any interior. It comes equipped with a built-in 10W speaker as well as an audio output connector for external speakers.

Connectivity

Connectivity is covered by two HDMI and two VGA inputs. So, games consoles, Blu-ray players or digital television set top boxes can stay connected.

Furthermore, make it a smart projector just by connecting an HDMI dongle like the Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire or Apple TV. This allows you to play games, stream videos and share photos on the big screen at home.

3D

The HZ40UST displays true 3D content from almost any 3D source. These include 3D Blu-ray players, 3D broadcasting and the latest generation games consoles.

For maximum contrast and brightness, it can be used with Optoma’s 100-inch ambient light rejecting ALR100 screen.

Kishan Mistry, Senior Product Manager at Optoma EMEA, told us

High Definition coupled with laser technology delivers a truly spectacular big screen experience. With the unrivalled set-up convenience, the HZ40UST creates an exceptional 100-inch Full HD display that can be installed, tidied away after use or easily taken around to friends for a film night.”

A full specification sheet for the HZ40UST is available from www.optoma.co.uk

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Optoma has just announced its first 4K Full 3D projector, the UHD51.

Movie fans and gamers can now enjoy impressive 4K UHD cinema quality images in Full 3D thanks to Optoma’s stylish UHD51.

Furthermore, it is the first in Optoma’s 4K range that supports Full 3D.

Optoma UHD51

The UHD51 can display true 3D content from almost any 3D source, including 3D Blu-ray players, 3D broadcasting and the latest generation games consoles.

Additionally, there is advanced PureMotion frame-interpolation processing for the ultimate big screen experience. This advanced processing eliminates motion blur or image judder, even in high-speed action films or fast-paced sports.

Packed with the latest technology and features, the UHD51 boasts High Dynamic Range (HDR) compatibility, HDCP 2.2 support and includes a stereo speaker.

No fuss

A total bonus for home users, the vertical lens shift allows for fuss free positioning.

Furthermore, the host of connection options such as a pair of HDMI ports, allows for gaming as well as movies. Also, the compact UHD51 is lightweight and easy to move around.

Pin sharp

The projector will undoubtably produce bright, life-like big-screen entertainment with 2,400 lumens at the ready. This will prove valuable, especially in ambient light conditions.

With the full 8.3 million on-screen pixels, the new model meets the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) requirements for 4K UHD and complies with the CTA High Dynamic Range (HDR) compatible display standards. This guarantees razor sharp, vivid images capable of showing more details than standard HD giving the real cinema experience.

Finally, it is equipped with Optoma’s Amazing Colour technology. This includes an enhanced colour wheel and multiple modes and settings to choose from. Each mode has been fine-tuned by Optoma’s expert colour team to ensure superior colour performance. Reference mode reproduces accurate 100% Rec.709 HDTV broadcast spec colours.

Price and availability

The UHD51 retail at £1,499.99 and is available now.

A full specification sheet for the UHD51 is available from www.optoma.co.uk

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Sound and Vision – The Bristol Show is over for another year. But, over the three days (Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th February) there were plenty to see and hear. Furthermore, plenty of firsts.

The Bristol Show, how it has become affectionately known, is when the hi-fi and home cinema industry takes over the rooms (and power sockets) of the Marriott City Centre in Bristol. This year saw well over 200 brands showing their latest and greatest products to the public. Also, it is worth noting that that public not only comes from every corner of the country, but many fly in specially for this show.

So, for a solid two days (I had to fly to Barcelona on the Sunday to cover MWC. I know, you feel my pain) I climbed up and down the stairs in search of the things that make me go hmmm. Oh, thanks Leema for deciding to take three rooms on the tenth floor. I’m not getting any younger, you know!

The Dandy Dozen: Bristol 2018

There were plenty of favourites on show this year. I am always impressed by Ophidian and they brought out their big guns, the Prophet P2s (£3,200) for me to listen too. Remarkable sounding, as expected.

Also, there were some new and interesting devices on show, such as the Orpheus JTR 1 speakers from the same creator that brought you the MiniPod and Blueroom loudpspeakers.

I could easily write something about everything I saw over the Friday and Saturday but, instead, here are my top 12 device debuts at The Bristol Show. Just to add, for the pedants, I am classing it as a debut if it’s the first time I’ve seen it in the flesh.

Righty, let’s get in to it. I’ve decided alphabetical would be the most diplomatic order to put things in.

Amphion

First up is Amphion. I loved this room as it was set up realistically, just how most music consumers would. It was simple yet sounded great.

Having spent many years in single bedroom apartments in London, this rang particularly true to me. Here you had a Hegel Röst networked integrated amp (£2,200) and a pair of £700 Argon speakers with music provided from a tablet using AirPlay. Simple and effective.

Not only did this sound great, but it also looked good too. Amphion managed to get the ‘lifestyle’ system looking as fab as it sounded.

Astell & Kern ACRO L1000

I had to go find this as I really love the design of the ACRO L1000. This is a very cool-looking desktop amplifier, headphone amp and DAC.

Astell & Kern has done everything right here, as far as I’m concerned. The volume wheel dominates the rest of the exquisite aluminium casework. It is such a tactile bit of audio hardware I just couldn’t help myself from groping it.

Priced at £799, the ACRO L1000 can play PCM files up to 32bit/384kHz and DSD11.2MHz, and offers 2.5mm, 3.5mm, 6.5mm and XLR audio outputs. Your office system *needs* this!

Chord Qutest

Having loved the Hugo 2 DAC from Chord I had a feeling I’d fall in love with this cut-down version. Named Qutest, I expected it to have confidence beyond its stature. However, it is well deserved.

The Chord Qutest (£1,195) is essentially a Hugo 2 without the headphone amp and rechargeable battery. This makes it perfect to slot into your hi-fi system.

Furthermore, it enjoys Chord’s typically extensive file support, with the USB-typeB input, for example, supporting 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512. I am crossing my fingers for an opportunity to review one.

DALI Callisto 6

I’d lost touch with DALI so it was great to catch-up and get reacquainted. It also seems timely as the Danish speaker company has teamed up with Lenbrook International aka Bluesound to create two wireless speakers – Callisto. These, naturally, use Lenbrook’s BluOS hi-res multi-room platform.

The speakers communicate with the DALI Sound Hub, via a 24 bit/96 kHz connection. A multitude of standard inputs – all with auto detect – ensures that any audio device can be connected; be it via Bluetooth, optical, analogue or coax.

The DALI Callisto 6 being being demoed at the Bristol Show are pre-production models. However, they sounded impressive.

Keep your eyes and ears open for these as they should be hitting stores in the next few months.

Elac Miracord 70

Spotted in the Elac room was the brand new Miracord 70 turntable. This, as you have already worked out, comes in just below the highly recommended Miracord 90.

The glossy black MDF plinth is typically understated. The belt drive is powered by a Premotec synchronous motor.

The platter is a 2.6Kg glass plate with a ceramic sphere as a central element on the shaft. This design achieves a smooth operation and a very high resilience to external influences.

The new arm guarantees a minimum tracking error and is fitted with an Audio-Technica AT95 cartridge.

It wasn’t in use when I visited so I just gawped at the Miracord 90 looking and sounding fabulous.

Although, I did like the look of the little box of tricks known as the Discovery DS-S101-G Music Server (£950). This nifty device uses a lite version of Roon and will play nice with 192kHz 24-Bit Audio Formats: WAV, AIFF, FLAC, ALAC. It will sniff out all the audio you have stored on your network and then push it out through your system. I am really interested in this.

Fyne Audio

It is always special to see something beautifully crafted coming out of the UK. This time it was the gorgeousness that is the F1-10 from new Scottish speaker brand, Fyne Audio.

Fyne Audio had some rather fine (sorry) speakers on display on the ground floor, but upstairs is where the main event was.

Their flagship loudspeakers, the F1-10 looked and sound awesome. They were being simply fed by Rega Apollo CD transport and Osiris amp.

Imposing, until someone mentioned “Minions” to me, the £18k Tannoy meets Sonus Faber design nevertheless left most with slack jaws. Oh, there is an ex-Tannoy link from what I gather.

The sound was amazingly balanced even though they appeared to be too large for the room.

But, it is that deep and lustrous finish that makes you want to stroke them.

iFi Pro iDSD

iFi’s new flagship DAC isn’t being officially launched until next month, but that didn’t stop this gang of rebels from showing it off in Bristol.

The Pro iDSD (£2500) supports PCM files up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512 with DSD1024 upsampling. Additionally, it has a selectable tube and solid state analogue stage, and works over the LinkPlay hi-res Wi-Fi platform.

It certainly looks and sounds the part. The full rig is more than eye-candy, but it never hurts to look good, does it?

iFi was also teasing visitors with a pre-production version of the xDSD, the latest addition to its mobile headphone amp/DAC range. This should be available in April and slips in above the extremely impressive nano iDSD Black Label. The xDSD also boasts full PCM and DSD support. Furthermore is will have six to eight hours battery life and aptX Bluetooth streaming.

Jamo Studio 8

Celebrating its 50th birthday this year, Jamo is back in the UK and armed with the latest generation of its long-standing Studio series speakers.

The comprehensive (ten-strong) Studio 8 series comprises three floorstanders (S 809, S 807 and S 805), two standmounting designs (S 803 and S 801), two centre speakers (S 83 CEN and S 81 CEN), two subwoofers (S 810 SUB and S 808 SUB) and, finally, one Dolby Atmos-certified upward-firing design (the S 8 ATM).

The floorstanding Jamo S 805 speakers (£349 per pair) were on show for the first time at the Bristol Show.

The Studio 8 range employs soft dome tweeters with WaveGuide technology, as well as aluminium/polyfibre woofers plus reflex ports. And all models are available in your choice of white (with grey grilles), black or walnut (with darker grey grilles) matte vinyl finishes with wood-grain accents.

Some models also benefit from Atmos speaker integration features too.

Optoma UHZ65

I have already covered the launch of this rather competitively-priced 4K UHD home cinema projector in more detail here.

However, as a quick overview, the flagship UHZ65 is based on Optoma’s Award-winning lamp-sourced UHD65. Furthermore, at just coins under £5000, it is still considerably more affordable most other similarly equipped projectors.

Whilst in this room, I also learned to appreciate 4K projector screens a lot more thanks to the guys from Grandview.

Ophidian

Ophidian never cease to amaze me. What they can get out of their diminutive Minimos and Mojos is tantamount to witchcraft.

However, I was lucky enough for them to bring out the big guns, the Prophet P2 (£3,200).

The Prophet P2 is a 2.5-way floorstander featuring dual 180mm aluminium midbass drivers and a 27mm Sonolex coated fabric tweeter.

These speakers still mange to sound bigger than they really are and produce and effortless, lifelike sound and exceptional dynamics.

Quad Artera Solus

This all-in-one system was at the very heart of Quad’s award-winning demo room this weekend. The fresh-faced Quad Artera Solus (£1500) is a CD transport, DAC, preamp and power amp combo.

Also, it just happens to be the first Artera product to offer Bluetooth connectivity using the aptX codec. This promises ‘CD-like’ 16-bit/44.1kHz audio. Furthermore, its 32-bit, eight-channel DAC (capable of playing PCM files up to a 32-bit/384kHz) feeds five digital inputs. Tasty.

Technics SP-10R

The SP-10R was doing its thing in Bristol ahead of its official summer launch. This was definitely a must see.

A couple of times the doors were shut due to timed listening slots but I was actually recognised and allowed in at one point. Now, I am not saying who they must’ve thought I was, as that doesn’t really matter, does it?

The SP-10R has no pressure, other than being described as the brand’s “most premium turntable ever.”

Also, there’s the fact that it will likely have a $10,000 starting price, it had better have the chops.

That said, it does seem to have most bases covered. The new deck features a newly-developed ‘noise reduction circuit’, and a coreless direct-drive motor that Technics claims has enough force to rotate the platter with very low-speed irregularities.

Additionally, those looking for the complete system variant should check out the Technics SL-1000R, which adds the triple-layered base and S-shaped tonearm.

Oh, you will need even deeper pockets for that one too.

Von Gaylord

OK, stop giggling at the back. Seriously!

Everything in this room was chunky. The neatly laid cables running from the Nirvana monoblocs up to the Legend speakers had plenty of girth… really?

Schoolboy humour aside, Von Gaylord are an outfit out of West Sacramento, California and the build some impressive kit.

The trapezoidal standmounted Return of the Legend loudspeakers ($9,995.00) were bi-wired and connected to the Nirvana tube monos ($8,495.00).

This was a really enjoyable system. I actually loved the fact that it didn’t have that somewhat bloomy warmth that lovers of tube amps seem to dig. Instead, this was more assured, detailed and dynamic.

The bass was surprisingly taut and deep and vocals were presented with subtlety and expression. Great stuff and definitely ones to check out.

Honorable mentions

Of course, there were many others out there. For instance, AVM launched their AVM 30 range – always tasty kit. Same can be said of Melco and Leema, too. But, it wasn’t only the new stuff that I enjoyed. TAD, Iota, Goldnote, Prism, and Musical Fidelity never let me down.

Til next year, then, Bristol!

Bristol Show 2018 gallery

Click image to enlarge

Acoustic Energy – Chord

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Clear Audio – Funk Firm

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Fyne Audio – IsoAcoustics

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Klipsch – Michell

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Mission – Origin Live

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Orpheus – Ruark

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Sennheiser – XTZ

[Modula id=’10’]

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Optoma is a renowned and well respected maker of projectors. In fact, it is the number one 4K UHD brand in EMEA. I was at their presentation of its new flagship 4K UHD laser projector, the UHZ65 at Sound and Vision – The Bristol Show.

Optoma was one of my first presentations in a long line and packed diary this year. Fortunately, Penny and the team already knows my requirements for caffeine and pastries.

Up on the fourth floor of the Marriott Bristol City, sat one of my highlights of the weekend. The brand new projector was announced back in October (if memory serves), but on Friday February 23rd, I was one of the first to see it in action.

Optoma UHZ65 4K projector

The new UHZ65 harnesses ground-breaking laser technology along with the same high-end specifications as its UHD65. So, you already know that it comes from a great lineage as the UHD65 garnered awards for Best Projector last year.

The UHZ65 is equipped with high-quality laser illumination that provides increased efficiency to maintain consistent brightness. Furthermore, this produces superior colour performance, instant on/off and an extraordinary life span of up to 20,000 hours.

Grandview screen

The projector’s 3000 lumens-worth of brightness needs to be experienced in order to get the full idea. At the show, Optoma were using a Grandview Fixed Frame 4K screen to project on to. This screen is fitted with the latest material technology certified for 4K by ISF. Noteworthy at this point is that the image above is not from The Bristol Show

The screen fabric is coated in 1 micron diamond optical microgrooves capable of reproducing pure 4K resolution. This coating along with the white base layer reflects the original image from the projector with the utmost detail and accuracy.

Also, the black frame around the screen is remarkably small at just 29mm wide.

Additionally, Grandview are one of the few companies to have 4K certified acoustically transparent screens. Great if you are matching your 4K projector with decent speakers hidden behind the screen.

Optoma UHZ65 tech

Thanks to the fast switching speed of the DLP chip with XPR technology coupled with advanced image processing, 8.3 million pixels are squirted onto the screen without any alignment issues. Furthermore, those 8.3 million on-screen pixels also means that this projector meets the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) requirements for 4K UHD. Moreover, it complies with the CTA High Dynamic Range (HDR) compatible display standards.

Looking at the impressively sharp images in a room not exactly fit for such purposes, the vivid colours and detail are staggering.

Naturally, the UHZ65 fully supports HDCP 2.2, the latest evolution of copy protection so users can enjoy the fast-growing choice of 4K content.

Also, when put into Reference mode, the projector is able to reproduce true to life 80% DCI-P3 colour reproduction. This means that you get cinematic-levels of colour, exactly as the director intended.

Finally, the UHZ65 also boasts sophisticated PureMotion frame-interpolation technology. This advanced processing eliminates motion blur or image judder, even in high-speed action films or fast-paced sports.

Easy set-up

Installation is simple with vertical lens shift and 1.6x zoom. Also, there’s a host of connection options such as two HDMI ports and Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) for compatible phones and tablets.

Additionally, the UHZ65 can be turned into a smart projector by connecting a HDMI dongle like the Google Chromecast or Amazon Fire TV. This way you get access popular media services and streaming boxsets and films.

Optoma UHZ65 first impressions

Firstly, the projected images were outstanding. This is even more impressive given that this was taking place in an average hotel room, not a purpose-built home cinema environment.

I also think that some credit has to be given to Grandview. I knew that projector screens had to be pretty decent, but the level of research and development that has gone into the fixed frame number being used at the show actually boggled my mind a little. Good work!

The projector was incredibly quiet in use too. The in-built 8W speakers were OK for the room but, if you were investing in this projector and fabulous screen, why skimp on audio?

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

In conclusion, if I was considering a home cinema projector, this would be at the top of my list, along with that Grandview Fixed Frame screen.

UHZ65 key features

• Laser 4K UHD resolution and HDR compatible
• Amazing colour – True to life 80% DCI-P3 colour reproduction
• Lights on viewing – 3000 ANSI lumens and 2,000,000:1 contrast
• Fluid viewing – PureMotion frame interpolation processing
• Easy installation – vertical lens shift, 1.6x manual zoom
• Digital connectivity – 2x HDMI, MHL and HDCP 2.2 support
• USB power – to stream content via HDMI dongle

Optoma UHZ65 price and availability

You can treat yourself to the Optoma UHZ65 right now for £4,999.99.

For more details and where to buy, head on over to the Optoma UK website.

Specifications at a glance

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Ever wondered how it feels to fly a Spitfire? The Goodwood Aerodrome could be the place it happens in 2018.

Boultbee Flight Academy at Goodwood Aerodrome in Chichester has created the most true-to-life Spitfire flight simulator using a real Spitfire Mk IX fuselage. Furthermore, it is equipped with authentic gauges, controls and instruments.

All of this can be experienced within a 3.2m radius dome, thanks to Optoma short throw projectors and clever software.

Creating a Spitfire

In order to give pilots a realistic sensation of flying, Boultbee Flight Academy wanted to create a simulator with a realistic aerodynamic model of the Spitfire Mk IX.

Using a real Spitfire MkIX fuselage with authentic gauges, controls and instruments, it would also need high resolution imagery projected onto a spherical dome screen to simulate what a pilot would see and experience when flying this fighter plane.

Boultbee Flight Academy is the world’s first Spitfire training school since the iconic fighter plane was taken out of operational service in 1955. In addition to the school activities, the academy also offers the public real flying experiences in various old warbirds.

Optoma and more

The team, led by Boultbee Flight Academy, includes Airtech Simulation Ltd for overall simulator design, modifications of gauges, controls and instruments and preparation of the Spitfire fuselage and simulation software; Warpalizer Norway AS for the optical design of the projection systems including the Warpalizer warp and blend software; Fibresports Ltd for the spherical dome screen and Optoma for the projectors.

The simulator was installed in a 3.4 x 4 x 2.9m (WxDxH) room adjacent to the pilots’ briefing room.

The 3.2 m radius spherical dome screen needed to be manufactured in bespoke segments to allow installation.

Seven Optoma W505 projectors with short throw 0.8:1 lenses were positioned and oriented so the images covered the spherical screen completely. Also, very importantly, in a way that the Spitfire fuselage wouldn’t create any shadows on the screen.

Olav Sandnes, the CEO of Warpalizer Norway AS, said:

Despite the non-ideal positioning of the projectors, the Optoma W505 offered an acceptable focus across the screen and the 0.8:1 lens ensured sufficient overlapping of the images which provided excellent blending. The unique design gives an angular resolution of three arc minutes per pixel across the screen.”

To ensure a totally seamless experience, the super-efficient Warpalizer software was integrated with Prepar3D v4 simulation platform.

Further enhancement of visual quality was achieved by running the 5,000-lumen Optoma W505 projectors in Eco mode. This also extends the life time of the lamps.

The 3D scenery projected includes a geo-specific model of the Goodwood area and surroundings. This is a pretty neat way for the simulator training to resemble real flights as much as possible.

All of the controls, gauges and instruments are real but modified for realistic in-flight behaviour. The modifications include interfaces to the Prepar3D software.

The results

The new Spitfire simulator at Goodwood Aerodrome is the most true-to-life Spitfire flight simulator ever built.

The academy’s portfolio of flight training products has now been augmented by the simulator. Better still, it also offers the public a sensation of how it would feel to fly this majestic fighter plane.

The simulator offers a horizontal field of view of 225° and a vertical field of view from -55° and to 110° (20° beyond north).

This means that the projection system gives the pilot 100% coverage of the areas visible from their eye-point with the cockpit closed.

Matt Jones, MD & Chief Pilot at Boultbee Flight Academy, said:

It gives a good feeling to experience that the performance of the simulator is even better than we expected and we are confident that the simulator will be an invaluable tool during the training of future Spitfire pilots. It is also our intention to offer simulators flights to the public and to everybody that has an interest in preserving the finest British fighter plane every built.

I would also like to express a grateful thanks to everybody that have participated in this successful project, in particular the volunteers at the Tangmere Military & Aviation Museum Trust”.

Olav Sandnes from Warpalizer Norway AS, added:

We congratulate Boultbee Flight Academy on its new and novel Spitfire Mk IX Simulator and are proud that we were selected to be part of the team. To make the best simulator in the world is not a very big challenge, but to make a simulator that looks, feels and operates like a second to none simulator inside a 20% normal budget, is certainly an achievement. The success is based on an open and solution-oriented team with co-operation and willingness to challenge truths. Also thanks to Fibresports and Optoma for their willingness to think outside the box.

Being a former air force officer myself, I have taken personal pride in the project and I hope to be able to see Spitfire fighter planes in the air and listen to the legendary Rolls Royce Merlin engines for many years to come.”

Boultbee Flight Academy

The aim of Boultbee Flight Academy is to keep Spitfire’s in the air. Also, it opens the doors of the Spitfire world to the public.

The academy offers Spitfire experience flights and experience flights to non-pilots and Spitfire training to pilots. A flight in a Spitfire is an incredible experience for pilots and laypeople alike.

For more information check out boultbeeflightacademy.co.uk

The post Fancy flying a Spitfire? Optoma makes it happen appeared first on GadgetyNews.

Vivitek has announced its new, compact HK2288 UHD-4K HDR projector. The company states that it packs an immersive 4K picture punch at an ultra-lean price point.

Combining UHD-4K resolution with HDR, the HK2288 promises eye-popping big screen detail and contrast with low-latency processing for movie fans and gamers at an incredibly enticing price point.

It’s also pretty good looking.

Vivitek HK2288 4K projector

This new projector from Vivitek boasts a sophisticated blend of advanced optical and cost engineering.

Powering the HK2288 is TI’s recently developed and acclaimed 0.66-inch 4K DLP DMD chip. This generates UHD-4K’s requisite 8.3 million pixels complete with DLP DarkChip3 and BrilliantColor.

Those latter bits of tech are responsible for optimal black levels, and vibrantly cinematic on-screen images.

Optoma UHD550X sub £2K 4K projector

Clever 4K

The chip’s innovative eXpanded Pixel Resolution (XPR) technology uses 4.15 million (2716×1528) mirrors. Moreover, they are capable of switching over 9,000 times per second to deliver two discrete pixels for each mirror per frame. Those are then reformulated through powerful video processing to map and reproduce the native 4K image.

Consider my mind thoroughly boggled.

In tests this technology has been able to fully resolve a 4K 1-pixel line pattern and is, by expert consent, indistinguishable from native 4K projection. Unlike the usual pixel-shifting techniques employing standard 1080p chips.

According to Vivitek, the HK2288’s UHD-4K pixel resolution is enhanced by the finer shadow detail, textures and highlights of an outstanding 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio involving up to 2,000 ANSI lumens brightness.

More tech

These impressive metrics and support for High Dynamic Range (HDR10) content help the 2288 to deliver a quality of picture immersion usually associated with projectors costing at least twice as much.

The 2288’s advanced video processing offers smooth upscaling and motion. Additionally, it also produces a low latency input lag (around 50 milliseconds). This is especially critical to an immersive gaming experience.

Finally, to round things off, the comprehensive gamma and colour management adjustments are available to optimise a wide REC709 colour space from a six-segment RGB colour wheel.

Compact and connected

Super-compact when compared to the bulk of 4K giants. You also get a choice of white or black finishes.

The HK2288 is equipped with a usefully wide 1.39-2.09 throw, a 1.5x zoom, and vertical lens shift for trouble-free installation and set-up.

You also get three HDMI 2.0 inputs and dual infrared sensors positioned front and back.

Lamp life is rated up to 4,000 hours in Dynamic Economy Mode.

Price and availability

Vivitek HK2288 Home Cinema Projector will have a typical retail price of £2,499.00 (inc. VAT).

It will be available from December 2017.

The post Vivitek HK2288 4K projector appeared first on GadgetyNews.