Optoma UHL55 4K UHD Home Entertainment LED Projector Review- Hardware Page 2

Posted on October 7, 2019 by Dave Duncan

Optoma UHL55 Home Entertainment LED Projector Review– Hardware 2:Control Panel, Remote Control, Menus

Control Panel

There is no full keypad or control panel on the UHL55. It is pretty minimal. You have the power/lens cover slider then a 4 button strip. Focus, then -/+ for adjustment and a bluetooth button. The bluetooth in the projector is another unique feature. Great on Optoma for having a bluetooth connected remote. It's great to be able to control the projector without having to point the remote right at it. Moving it around to find that sweet spot. It's always frustrating when there is one obscure IR sensor that gets blocked by cables, then you have to point the remote around the room hoping you can bounce theIR in there for reception. Optoma has solved all that with Bluetooth. The remote quickly pairs itself and works very well. I do want to note, in looking through the user guide, there is an IR option for the remote. I would stick with bluetooth given the choice.

Remote Control

The UHL55 has a small simple remote. Very similar to what you may find with your new Roku Stick, or Amazon Fire TV. I really enjoyed using it. Having a remote that uses bluetooth makes it so much easier on the user. I don’t have to hold the remote up and point it at the projector. We have all been in that spot where you are waving the remote around, trying to find the right angle to bounce that IR into the sensor. No worries here!

The Optoma UHL55 connects to the remote control quickly as you turn it on. Initially, you have to slide the power switch to the on position to open the lens cover. Once the lens is open the projector quickly pairs with the remote as it starts up. From that point on you can turn the projector on and off using just the remote. Which is important if you are looking to ceiling mount the UHL55.

The remote has 3 major groups of buttons. On top of the remote, you will find the usual controls. You have a power button on the left and a source/input button on the right. The next row is to navigate the Android Operating system. You have a home button, and a menu button and a return/back button. These are all on the top of the remote nicely grouped to navigate the menus.

The middle of the remote is where you find the usual circular X-pad. With left / right and up / down controls on the outer ring. Then in the inner ring, there is an enter button. They are all clearly labeled.

At the bottom of this remote, you will find the last 5 buttons that round out this simple remotes performance. You have a mute button, which you may need with the great sound provided by those 2 8W speakers. Then you have a scene button, which cycles through the color modes. You can also hold this button down to calibrate the auto-focus if you need to. The button on the far right of this row is an option button. Allowing you to choose what function you would like to give it. Lastly rounding out the bottom row it the good ole volume buttons. Allowing you to turn it up or down.

[sam_pro id=1_29 codes="true”]

The Menus

The Optoma UHL55 does an Excellent job of integrating the Android system with the projector Menus. So many projectors on the market treat them as separate menu systems usually with very different look and feel. The Menu is organized in an easy to use intuitive fashion. Upon boot up you are presented with the home screen.

Download Apps to the Optoma UHL55 from the Marketplace

Easily find your content in the integrated 4K media player menu

Tap cast to send all your mobile content straight to your UHL55

The Application section lets you customize your Optoma UHL55

❮ ❯

The Top-level of the Menus is broken down into three groups of settings. You have the start page that allows you to switch source, enter the projector settings menu and adjust the volume. The second page which is titled Application, allows you to access installed apps, enter the Smart Home configuration screen, the Optoma MarketPlace, Media Player and other options.

The third section is titled Settings. On the settings page, you can change the menu languages, update the firmware, access bluetooth settings, network settings and set your area and time. One of the best features of the Optoma UHL55 is the firmware will update over the network. You don’t have to go and download a file and place it on a USB stick. Then do some finger gymnastics to flash the projector. I did have to leave mine overnight a couple of times to get it to finish, but it did update over the network and that's the great part.

Main screen when starting your Optoma UHL55

Optoma UHL55 Input Selection

Image Settings, Optoma UHL55

Display Mode Settings, Optoma UHL55

Color Modes, Optoma UHL55

Settings, Optoma UHL55

Optoma UHL55, Image Settings

Gamma and brightness adjustments, Optoma UHL55

Audio Adjustments, Optoma UHL55

❮ ❯

The other section of menus are accessed by entering the Projector Settings. I found the menu’s to be quite useful. I liked the vertical organization. The menu stayed on the right side of the screen so if you do make any changes to the image, you could see it displayed and continue to make adjustments.

The projector has all the adjustments you could ask for. You have all the basic settings like adjusting your color settings and contrast, but there are also more advanced settings. Here is a summary below.
Image settings - In this section you can adjust between the 8 different color modes, and even enable ISF Day/Night modes for custom adjustments.

Gamma Settings - You can adjust between Film, Video, graphics or 1.8 to 2.4.
Color Space - The choice of Auto, or you have full RGB, YUV controls as well as Red, Green, Color Matching - Full Red, Green, Blue, Cyan, Yello, Magenta, White. You can also adjust Hue / Red, Saturation / Green Gain, and Blue Gain.

[sam_pro id=1_20 codes="true”]

The UHL55 also has features to adjust the audio settings, you can change the speaker effect between Movie or Music. You can also choose to turn off the internal speaker, so you can use your own surround sound.
For power settings you can access direct power on, which allows you to use a power switch to turn the projector on and off. There are also timers for sleep modes and auto power off if there is no source.
While the Optoma UHL55 is a home entertainment projector. As they are known for quality products they did not leave you wanting for any adjustments in the UHL55.

From Test patterns and ISF day / night to simple red green and blue. The UHL55 has lots of configuration possibilities. Also, a good Reset feature in case you find yourself in a situation where you have just played with to many settings and need to start over.

As I mentioned Optoma did a great job making the android system a part of the projector. The remote will get you everywhere. You can adjust the colors in the projector settings or pop over and browse the apps in the Optoma Marketplace. It's nice that the projector worked as one whole system.

[sam_pro id=1_19 codes="true”]

Optoma UHL55 Home Entertainment LED Projector Review– Hardware 2:Control Panel, Remote Control, Menus

Control Panel

There is no full keypad or control panel on the UHL55. It is pretty minimal. You have the power/lens cover slider then a 4 button strip. Focus, then -/+ for adjustment and a bluetooth button. The bluetooth in the projector is another unique feature. Great on Optoma for having a bluetooth connected remote. It's great to be able to control the projector without having to point the remote right at it. Moving it around to find that sweet spot. It's always frustrating when there is one obscure IR sensor that gets blocked by cables, then you have to point the remote around the room hoping you can bounce theIR in there for reception. Optoma has solved all that with Bluetooth. The remote quickly pairs itself and works very well. I do want to note, in looking through the user guide, there is an IR option for the remote. I would stick with bluetooth given the choice.

Remote Control

The UHL55 has a small simple remote. Very similar to what you may find with your new Roku Stick, or Amazon Fire TV. I really enjoyed using it. Having a remote that uses bluetooth makes it so much easier on the user. I don’t have to hold the remote up and point it at the projector. We have all been in that spot where you are waving the remote around, trying to find the right angle to bounce that IR into the sensor. No worries here!

The Optoma UHL55 connects to the remote control quickly as you turn it on. Initially, you have to slide the power switch to the on position to open the lens cover. Once the lens is open the projector quickly pairs with the remote as it starts up. From that point on you can turn the projector on and off using just the remote. Which is important if you are looking to ceiling mount the UHL55.

The remote has 3 major groups of buttons. On top of the remote, you will find the usual controls. You have a power button on the left and a source/input button on the right. The next row is to navigate the Android Operating system. You have a home button, and a menu button and a return/back button. These are all on the top of the remote nicely grouped to navigate the menus.

The middle of the remote is where you find the usual circular X-pad. With left / right and up / down controls on the outer ring. Then in the inner ring, there is an enter button. They are all clearly labeled.

At the bottom of this remote, you will find the last 5 buttons that round out this simple remotes performance. You have a mute button, which you may need with the great sound provided by those 2 8W speakers. Then you have a scene button, which cycles through the color modes. You can also hold this button down to calibrate the auto-focus if you need to. The button on the far right of this row is an option button. Allowing you to choose what function you would like to give it. Lastly rounding out the bottom row it the good ole volume buttons. Allowing you to turn it up or down.

[sam_pro id=1_29 codes="true”]

The Menus

The Optoma UHL55 does an Excellent job of integrating the Android system with the projector Menus. So many projectors on the market treat them as separate menu systems usually with very different look and feel. The Menu is organized in an easy to use intuitive fashion. Upon boot up you are presented with the home screen.

Download Apps to the Optoma UHL55 from the Marketplace

Easily find your content in the integrated 4K media player menu

Tap cast to send all your mobile content straight to your UHL55

The Application section lets you customize your Optoma UHL55

❮ ❯

The Top-level of the Menus is broken down into three groups of settings. You have the start page that allows you to switch source, enter the projector settings menu and adjust the volume. The second page which is titled Application, allows you to access installed apps, enter the Smart Home configuration screen, the Optoma MarketPlace, Media Player and other options.

The third section is titled Settings. On the settings page, you can change the menu languages, update the firmware, access bluetooth settings, network settings and set your area and time. One of the best features of the Optoma UHL55 is the firmware will update over the network. You don’t have to go and download a file and place it on a USB stick. Then do some finger gymnastics to flash the projector. I did have to leave mine overnight a couple of times to get it to finish, but it did update over the network and that's the great part.

Main screen when starting your Optoma UHL55

Optoma UHL55 Input Selection

Image Settings, Optoma UHL55

Display Mode Settings, Optoma UHL55

Color Modes, Optoma UHL55

Settings, Optoma UHL55

Optoma UHL55, Image Settings

Gamma and brightness adjustments, Optoma UHL55

Audio Adjustments, Optoma UHL55

❮ ❯

The other section of menus are accessed by entering the Projector Settings. I found the menu’s to be quite useful. I liked the vertical organization. The menu stayed on the right side of the screen so if you do make any changes to the image, you could see it displayed and continue to make adjustments.

The projector has all the adjustments you could ask for. You have all the basic settings like adjusting your color settings and contrast, but there are also more advanced settings. Here is a summary below.
Image settings - In this section you can adjust between the 8 different color modes, and even enable ISF Day/Night modes for custom adjustments.

Gamma Settings - You can adjust between Film, Video, graphics or 1.8 to 2.4.
Color Space - The choice of Auto, or you have full RGB, YUV controls as well as Red, Green, Color Matching - Full Red, Green, Blue, Cyan, Yello, Magenta, White. You can also adjust Hue / Red, Saturation / Green Gain, and Blue Gain.

[sam_pro id=1_20 codes="true”]

The UHL55 also has features to adjust the audio settings, you can change the speaker effect between Movie or Music. You can also choose to turn off the internal speaker, so you can use your own surround sound.
For power settings you can access direct power on, which allows you to use a power switch to turn the projector on and off. There are also timers for sleep modes and auto power off if there is no source.
While the Optoma UHL55 is a home entertainment projector. As they are known for quality products they did not leave you wanting for any adjustments in the UHL55.

From Test patterns and ISF day / night to simple red green and blue. The UHL55 has lots of configuration possibilities. Also, a good Reset feature in case you find yourself in a situation where you have just played with to many settings and need to start over.

As I mentioned Optoma did a great job making the android system a part of the projector. The remote will get you everywhere. You can adjust the colors in the projector settings or pop over and browse the apps in the Optoma Marketplace. It's nice that the projector worked as one whole system.

[sam_pro id=1_19 codes="true”]