Description

LG CineBeam HU85LA Projector Review

A lot has changed in the world of projectors over the past few years and that applies to all aspects, the design, setup and installation as well as the image quality and the smart features they all seem to pack these days. The “older” projectors came in all sizes but overall, they were big and bulky and had to be placed at the back of the room or mounted on the ceiling in order to conveniently adjust the image size. These days you can argue that is obsolete technology. Compact and lightweight models such as the LG CineBeam HU85LA projector that you can put it just a few inches off the screen or literally just underneath it are the way to go. This is achieved thanks to Ultra-Short Throw (UST) Laser Light Technology, which projects large images on the screen or wall at a very short distance. UST projectors usually look sleek, are easy to install, take up little to no space and deliver outstanding image quality.

The LG CineBeam HU85LA projector delivers high-quality images using the latest tech in the market. With stunning 4K UltraHD resolution, extended color accuracy, and HDR support along with the easy to use LG’s SmartTV interface and Magic Remote, there is no doubt that you will enjoy watching movies or playing games to your heart’s content. To make things even better, you won’t have to worry about getting unnatural colors because it uses an upgraded RGB accuracy engine, which is a major image upgrade, thanks to LG’s laser light engine. With the LG CineBeam HU85LA projector, you get convenience and quality, all in one package, that you will enjoy for years to come.

Overview

The LG CineBeam HU85LA projector is the 2nd laser 4K UHD Digital Light Processing (DLP) projector from LG after the HU80KA. Its all-white design looks clean and classy which can easily blend with any room’s style or design. You can just simply place it on top of a table below the screen or mount it on the wall, your choice. We suggest pairing the LG CineBeam HU85LA projector with a motorized Ambient Light Rejecting (ALR) 4K Ultra projecting screen as it can adjust perfectly to ambient light and changing brightness levels. The ALR screen will render high-quality images while at the same providing a minimalist effect on the room when turned off or put away.

The LG CineBeam HU85LA projector will work with a screen size ranges of 90 to 120 inches, which is fantastic for an ultra-short-throw-type device and large enough to suit most if not everyone’s needs. Unlike most UST machines that target both the professional and educational market, the HU85LA projector works best for personal use at home or in a home cinema environment.  

Key Specifications

• AI ThinQ operating system
• Digital Light Processing display system
• Laser Phosphor light source
• 20,000 hours lamp life
• Up to 4K UHD 3840 x 2160 on-screen resolution via Pixel-Shift Technology
• 2,700 lumens maximum brightness
• 16:9 aspect ratio
• 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio
• 2.2 – 7.2 inches throw distance
• 90 – 120 inches projection size
• 26 – 30 dB fan noise
• 100 – 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz AC input power
• 26.8 x 5 x 13.7 inches dimensions
• 12.2 kg of weight
• Built-in Wi-Fi & speakers
• 10-watt speaker power
• HDMI & RF input, USB 2.0, TOSLINK & mini audio output, and Ethernet
• 2-year limited warranty

Design

As one of the premium projectors in the market today, the LG CineBeam HU85LA projector has a lot of things to live up to. Measuring at 26.8 x 5 x 13.7 inches, the projector is undeniably light and compact, easy to carry around from one room to another if need be. There are other 4K projectors in the market that are smaller but they are not an ultra-short-throw type so in that regard you know you are getting your hands on something special. The rectangular shape of the LG CineBeam HU85LA projector with a sleek white and gray color combination looks modern and stylish. At the front end, you will see a beautiful fabric which hides the built-in speakers and light indicators, while the focus adjustment control is located at the top for easy access. At the back, you’ll find all the I/O ports which include two HDMI inputs, USB & USB-C, and power delivery.

One great addition to the LG CineBeam HU85LA projector is the LG Magic Remote. If you are familiar with any LG SmartTV then you must know that it offers a quick selection just by pointing the remote into the projector. The remote consists of different buttons for channels, volume, and playback along with designated buttons for Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Now, you don’t have to open the settings option before getting to digital streaming services. With just a simple click, you can start watching videos online and it works like a charm so it is great to see how well implemented it is. Also, in the middle of the directional pad, there is a wheel for scrolling up and down, which also serves as a selector button. We can confirm from experience that LG has made everything simpler, easier, and faster, for the best watching and gaming experience.

Setup

To set up the LG CineBeam HU85LA projector, you need to make sure that you position it precisely 2.2 to 7.2 inches away (5.6 – 18.3 cm) from the wall. Accuracy is the key because small distances and adjustments can be the difference between getting sharp and crisp images for 90 to 120 inches screen size or struggle with focus and poor image quality. When you’re done, just plug in the projector and power it on, then adjust the focus, if necessary. What’s exciting about this projector is that it uses LG’s WebOS, similar to the latest LG Smart TV models, which delivers amazing content whenever you want it, hassle-free. News, sports, entertainment, etc, all at your fingertips and ready to stream.

The user interface is very easy to navigate and you can choose from a wide variety of digital streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, and more with just a click of a button. Moreover, it also features Google Assistant for navigating and controlling the projector using voice commands. Just press the microphone button on your remote then hold while giving commands, easy as that. We had a lot of fun with it as it works really well and we were amazed at the accuracy and speed. Super cool feature.

Features

4K UHD Picture Quality

Experience the amazing dream home cinema with 8.3 million pixel and Extreme Pattern Recognition (XPR) technology. This Texas Instrument’s technology uses pixel shifting to help the CineBeam HU85LA achieve a true 4K UHD resolution. Also, the new LG Ultra-Show Laser projector has the ability to display images in full detail and accurate colors. With a projection screen size up to 120 inches, your room can be transformed into a true home theater or a gaming station for you, your friends, and your family. The images are sharp, crisp and warm and you get a plethora of adjustment controls through the remote. You might even forget that you are watching a projector as images can look just as bright and punchy than a large 4K TV.

3-Channel Laser Technology

By using three-channel technology, a red laser light source is added to the blue laser to support a wider range of colors and guarantee the ultimate color accuracy. Unlike other conventional DLP, Laser, and Dual Laser projectors, a 3-Channel Laser uses the RGB colors in separate channels and projects stunningly vibrant colors without the need of a color wheel. The problem with the color wheel is that it can shatter inside the projector which results in a humming noise and unnatural colors. This technology ensures that your projector will always render amazing images.

HDR10 with Dynamic Tone Mapping and TruMotion

Supporting HDR10 with Dynamic Tone Mapping means that you can expect really good quality images. Each frame is generated between existing frames through TruMotion technology in order to make animations look and feel more fluid. This technology was developed by LG to enhance the visual experience so you won’t experience blurriness or ghosting, especially while playing video games. And with 2,700 lumens, you don’t have to use dark or blackout curtains just to make the images bright and clear because the LG CineBeam HU85LA projector gives you enough brightness oomph to deal with that extra ambient light.

LG webOS and AI ThinQ

Integrating efficiently the SmartTV’s user-friendly interface with the Magic remote control in the LG CineBeam HU85LA projector is a really smart move by LG. With the growing popularity of digital streaming services such as Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, etc, gaining access to your favorite streaming platform is just one click away. And if you’re too lazy pushing those buttons, well, you can always take advantage of the Google Assistant and Alexa feature to give voice commands. The implementation is great and it works really well. And by connecting the device to a Wi-Fi network, you can easily navigate the menu without using your hands, how cool is that????

Miracast Wi-Fi Display

Many devices nowadays come with a Miracast Wi-Fi display to project content from mobile devices, laptops, or tablets into the projector screen. Miracast Wi-Fi technology enables the seamless display of media content between Miracast devices. Miracast allows you to wirelessly share any kind of multimedia, including high-resolution pictures and HD video content between Wi-Fi devices, even if a Wi-Fi connection is not available.

It supports any content with no restrictions in terms of applications or file formats. Though you have to make sure that the dongle is close enough to the Wi-Fi router to get a good signal as distance can affect performance. But if you want to share photos, videos, and music through your device, Miracast Wi-Fi does an incredible job. 

Performance

Projectors usually offer different viewing modes for SDR and HDR to deliver different viewing experiences. SDR contents are less brighter than HDR ones but the images still look great, crisp, and vivid with fine detail. While in HDR, of course, the content is better with beautiful and colorful images. Overall, the LG CineBeam HU85LA projector did pretty well in all modes, even with medium light. But if we were to choose one that we feel it displays the brightest and most vivid, we would recommend the Standard to watch live TV and the Cinema mode for everything else. Most projectors struggle with a room’s ambient light or daylight, but the LG CineBeam HU85LA projector is the exception to the rule.

Moving on to the sound quality, we would advise matching this projector with a high-quality speaker system or a soundbar. Although the sound out of the projector is fine, it will never match the quality that you get from an audio dedicated system. This is especially noticeable when watching action movies or listening to music as the sound from a high-quality speaker system or a soundbar will envelop you in a way the sound from a projector will never do. Projectors are image devices, they are designed to project images so do not expect them to give you a mind-blowing audio experience, they just won’t. Not now, not tomorrow, not ever.

The fan noise is very minimal which is good as you can hardly hear it, if at all. We did not hear it using a standard size living room. LG has made a projector that is distraction-free, and it is safe to say that with the HU85LA they have done a great job in creating a high-tech ultra-short-throw projector that delivers stunning images.

Conclusion

Although the LG CineBeam HU85LA projector is designed as a lifestyle product, it also serves as a great home theatre display. It offers accurate SDR and HDR content with excellent picture quality and great sound. And with a well-implemented SmartTV interface, controlling and navigating its menus is easy. Streaming your favorite shows and movies is done with just a touch of a button or through voice commands, which is awesome, thanks to its Google Assistant and Alexa. Even though it is a little pricier, the image quality and features justify that price, especially compared to what the competition offers and at what cost. Rest assured that this Ultra-Short-Throw projector gives you an amazing cinema experience at home. In fact, we would highly recommend it to viewers who want the TV’s smart features in a large screen display. 

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