Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsAbsolutely stunning 3D
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2018
I have been observing carefully the 4k projector progression for years, hoping to have: 1) reasonable price (below $2,000); an enhancement of the 2K quality of 3D 1080Px2 by regards to its increased pixel projection; and 3) enhancement of the irritating 1/2 decrease in illumination of 3D versus a 2D projection. With the Optoma UHD51ALV 4K unit I received and set up yesterday, I'm delighted to say I've gotten all of that (plus of course 4K flat projection as a viewing option for UHD blu rays). 3D from this unit (projecting and viewing several different 3D discs) was absolutely stunning: (compared to my prior faithful workhorse, BenQ W1070 1080P 3D Home Theater Projector) the 1080P is more detailed, the colors more vibrant, and the picture brighter, up to a normal viewing level (versus the dusky 3D of the Benq that ones eyes would have to adjust down to). My faithul (now retired) BenQ was 2,000 lumens and this unit is 3,000 lumens, giving me a very significant increase in brightness without washing out any colors (as happens if one just tries to brighten up an image on its own). I directly compared 4K to 3D on this unit using the picture "India" that's provided as both 4K and 3D in the same offering. 4K on this unit is spectacular, with amazing crispness and detail in the smallest features. The 2K of the 3D rendering is a bit less crisp and detailed in the small features compared to the 4K, but still superior to what I've previously viewed from 1080P discs. What with the increased (to normal viewing levels) brightness while maintaining vibrant colors, the 3D from this projector is nothing less than stunning. For instance in the India documentary versus the spectacular 4K details, the 3D surrounds you and pulls you into the depths of the picture, as close to looking through a magic window at the real thing as you can get (versus seeing a flat, wonderful rendering of reality in 4K). So my point is that though this is rightly touted as an excellent 4K projector, it's ALSO a fabulous 3D projector for those of us with two working eyeballs that savor such renderings. Also please note that you need not freak out (as I almost did) when initially exploring the settings I found the 3D options missing or grayed and unresponsive. After my long search and laying down nearly $2,000 to buy this thing I had the terrible thought that I'd been sent the wrong model, one that only did 4K not 3D. But, fortunately, I decided to slap in a 3D disc and was delighted when the projector recognized the format and lit up the 3D settings for usage. Whew! Anywho, the only thing that would make this unit better is if it could render (nonexistant) 4K 3D as 8K. Actually, that's not so fantastic as I read 8K TV's are right around the corner, making it quite feasible to view a 4Kx2 3D disc! Hey, you tech geniuses, don't forget us 3D nuts! And thanks to Optoma for not leaving us behind, but giving us an even better experience as the world moves to 4K. Well done!