LG HU-80K UHD/HDR Laser projector

[Robert Zohn]

LG's HU80KA 2018 UHD/HDR laser projector will launch at Value Electronics at the end of May.

The only other Ultra attribute of this portable projector is the Ultra low price, $2,999.

I was attracted to this new laser projector at CES 2018 where LG set-up a dedicated area on the convention show floor. Video performance and brightness made this versatile portable projector catch my attention.

- 2500 peak luminance

- webOS 3.5 built-in

- UHD/HDR capable

- Up to 20,000 hrs of laser bulb life

- 3 table top/floor operational positions plus ceiling mountable

Check out our website page and .pdf spec sheet to learn more about this revolutionary break-through in technology and price.

[Robert Zohn]

Projector Central just gave LG's HU80KA 5 stars in every category and voted it the "Editor's Choice" award. Projector Central's review matches my findings of our review sample.

This is a 4K UHD/HDR laser projector that belongs in everyone home.

[roar]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

Projector Central just gave LG's HU80KA 5 stars in every category and voted it the "Editor's Choice" award. Projector Central's review matches my findings of our review sample.

This is a 4K UHD/HDR laser projector that belongs in everyone home.

With no lens shift and limited zoom I am challenged to see how this projector fits into an existing dedicated home theatre space that has been designed to have a more traditional ceiling/shelf mounted projector at the rear of the room... the specs on it are appealing and a laser light source at this price point bodes well for the future but I just can't get my head around having this tower sitting on the floor in middle (at the front of?) my theatre, I'd have to tear my room apart to run power and HDMI to it. Am I missing something altogether Robert?

[Robert Zohn]

Most good projector manufacturers have stopped the traditional lens shift function due to image distortion. The Horizontal and Vertical lens controls should take care of small to moderate tilts.

LGE tapped holes into the housing to get the standard 4 bolt 1/4 x 20 ceiling mounting so traditional retro upgrades from legacy projects can be easily done.

This projector is also great for several additional quick set-up applications. The piano hinged drop down lens cover/quality mirror can be used to reflect/redirect the projected image so the projector height can vary widely with putting the image at the height and location you need. So placement of the projector can be adapted for a quick living room, bedroom or outdoor for a movie/game night party.

[roar]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

Most good projector manufacturers have stopped the traditional lens shift function due to image dissertation. The Horizontal and Vertical lens controls should take care of small to moderate tilts.

LGE tapped holes into the housing to get the standard 4 bolt 1/4 x 20 ceiling mounting so traditional retro upgrades from legacy projects can be easily done.

This projector is also great for several additional quick set-up applications. The piano hinged drop down lens cover/quality mirror can be used to reflect/redirect the projected image so the projector height can vary widely with putting the image at the height and location you need. So placement of the projector can be adapted for a quick living room, bedroom or outdoor for a movie/game night party.

The quick set-up applications of this unit really is where it shines in my mind. Rather than generalise though I'll speak of my own setup and say that the LG won't work for me due to its limited zoom and lack of lens shift... the other projectors that I've always considered good (JVC and Sony) do continue to offer more flexible placement options through their zoom and lens shift capabilities. I'm not sure what the difference is between lens shift and lens control that you mention.

[Robert Zohn]

I understand it can't work in all fixed projector locations, but don't discount the HU80KA as an excellent choice for a dedicated theater install. The specs and actual picture performance makes this projector an excellent choice for many retro upgrades.

With all that said, JVC and Sony are excellent choices for anyone's next projector upgrade.

[punisher]

Let me know when you have it up and running..I'll bring the popcorn...

[Robert Zohn]

I've been holding out some important information on all of you. It's been killing me to keep this secret, but I was on a gag order and just got the moratorium lifted.

I have the HU80KA engineering production unit in our theater demo room for the past two weeks! I been watching 4K UHD/HDR Netflix, Amazon, Youtube and 4K UHD/HDR BDs. Here's the link to our dedicated HU80KA page.

Love the built-in webOS 3.5, the OTA and QAM tuners, Wi FI and Bluetooth wireless speaker links, love the 2,500fL laser light output for very pleasing HDR performance.

For now I'll just give my one word review "Awesome, amazing, spectacular, breathtaking, price/performance King of HDR projection" Sorry I could not help myself. It's easy to see how Projector Central gave this a 5 star review in every category and made it the "Editor's Choice"

Here's a few cell phone pics:







Next week I'll be taking CMS and luminance measurements.

[Robert Zohn]

Just got permission to show my HU80KA to visitors. Let me know if anyone is interested in an audition.

[HeavyHitter]

I've owned a number of JVCs and the left shifting is phenomenal. I've also owned the Epson LS10000 and can say the same.

Of course, in theory you always want to use as little shift as possible to get the image in the center of the lens (where there is less distortion possible), but from practice I found using shift fine. Pixel sharpness still very good.

[Robert Zohn]

Stand by for some technical specs. over the next few days.

We'll be testing and measuring Peak and minimum luminance levels, the HDMI port speed and a few other picture performance attributes.

[Robert Zohn]

At midnight tonight, I'll be announcing a Father's Day promotion that will kick-off the already successful soft launch of LG's HU80KA 4K HDR Laser projector.

[Robert Zohn]

LG's HU80KA is on sale for $2,699. This $300 instant rebate discount ends Saturday, July 7th.

[manutd123]

So when it says screen size up to 150” presumably it will go higher but you will lose optimum image?

[Robert Zohn]

Our store theater demo room has a 133" 16:9 screen so I have not tried making the image any larger. However, I would assume you are correct that you can go larger than 150".

[manutd123]

I’m in the UK but interested in buying this in USA and having my bro in law send this over on his next trip over the pond. Would this work with power converter? Any recommendations?

[Robert Zohn]

Just got shipping confirmation on our 1st allocation of HU80KAs!!

@manutd123, yes, I believe it would work fine with a power inverter, but no warranty out of the USA. If LG sells the HU80KA in the UK you would be best served buying it there.

[Robert Zohn]

LG was good to us again!

We just received our entire 1st allocation of HU80KAs and they are shipping to our clients today.

[Robert Zohn]

All of our customer's HU80KA orders shipped yesterday, (Friday) and they will be delivered this week. Many will arrive at our client's homes tomorrow!

To all of our HU80KA clients, when you go to sleep I wish you dreams of your favorite Hollywood movies and sports on ultra large 4K HDR screens!

[lamont360]

Would love to hear more about the performance on this projector. Specifically how well it would do projecting a 135" 2:40 from about 19 feet away.....