LG CineBeam HU85LA 4K DLP Projector Review Page 2

With the projector connected to your wireless or wired home network, LG offers a multitude of streaming applications, including standard ones like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, and YouTube. There's an app store with more options, along with a web browser, picture viewer, and even a game store. There's also a wide variety of streaming "LG Channels" offering a range of content that can be blended with any over-the-air broadcast channels you receive with the projector connected to a DTV antenna.

Calibration was straightforward. I used the Expert (Bright Room) for viewing HD/SDR content and Cinema User for Ultra HD/HDR. Each input on the HU85LA can use a different picture mode and settings, or you can copy over adjustments made in one mode so that other inputs use the same settings. I was delighted to see that LG offers a multi-point adjustment for grayscale calibration, a feature commonly found on flat-panel TVs that I find missing from even the most expensive front projectors. The HU85LA offers 2-, 10-, and 22-point options. Out of the box, the projector's grayscale/gamma accuracy wasn't too far off, though it definitely needed attention. Using the tools provided in the standard setup menus, I was able to dial in the grayscale/gamma to a respect- able peak delta-E of 1.2 with an average of 0.6 (a delta-E of 3 or less is considered imperceptible). While color point calibration options were more limited, my adjustments yielded a post- calibration maximum delta-E of 2.7 with an average of 1.5.

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Performance
I had the chance to watch a wide assortment of content from the HU85LA's built-in apps and from a Panasonic UB9000 Ultra HD Blu-ray player during my time with the projector. This allowed me to evaluate its performance using a multitude of formats including standard SD TV, HD streaming and discs, and the latest Ultra HD/ HDR movies on Blu-ray and via external streaming devices.

The parameter I was the most concerned with when measuring the LG was peak light output. That's because when a mirror system is used for projection, more output is sacrificed compared with the traditional approach of shooting light straight at a screen. Also, you can expect a degree of light loss when hitting a screen at the extreme angle used by UST projectors. The HU85LA's peak light output measured 20 foot-lamberts (ft-L), which is quite low for any type of living room environment, even one with good light control. Although the SI screen helped image quality by filtering out ambient light coming from other directions, darker images still had a washed-out look.

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As with other DLP-based projectors we've recently tested, contrast ratio was also limited, measuring 1,700:1— another factor that contributed to the projector's washed-out appearance with darker material. I watched a few episodes of the popular Netflix show, The Crown, which takes place in a seemingly always dreary London, as well as the action flick, Anna. In both cases, images tended toward the dark end of the spectrum, and the LG's modest contrast resulted in a flat appearance in anything but a totally darkened room. On the other hand, brighter content like sports, news, and animation looked consistently good. My wife was catching up on the latest season of The Great British Baking Show, and even in the middle of the day, the show looked quite good on the LG, with vibrant colors and impeccable detail.

When you have only 20 ft-L peak brightness to work with, HDR tone mapping becomes vitally important. LG's projector supports the HDR10 format and features "frame by frame" dynamic tone mapping, a first for projection technology. Frame by frame tone mapping provides the added benefit of adjusting the overall dynamic range of an image on the fly, resulting in darker content not looking quite as dark and mid-level highlights not being as truncated as they would be with the extra dynamic range padding used in a "static" tone map. This is especially impor-tant for projectors, which, due to having modest light output in comparison with flat-panel TVs, already have a limited amount of dynamic range to work with. One caveat with the LG is that there's no way to adjust dynamic tone mapping for a specific light output in the projector's setup menu. Given the range of different viewing environments that the HU85LA might be used in, tone mapping could be more effective if the projector's processor was provided with a maximum light output to map to.

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LG is no stranger when it comes to dynamic tone mapping as they use it in their OLED Ultra HDTVs as well. I viewed a multitude of HDR content during my evaluation of the projector and tone mapping artifacts were few and far between. What probably affected image quality more when it came to HDR viewing with the HU85LA was its limited light output and overall dynamic range (contrast performance). My new go-to disc for evaluating tone mapping performance is the 4K Ultra HD Benchmark Disc from Spears & Munsil. When viewing the disc's demonstration montage, The LG performed well throughout most of the segments, but clipping could be seen in some material and the projector's limited contrast made the more three-dimensional segments look flat. Watching the outdoor sequences on a difficult high-luminance disc like The Meg, I also noted occasional clipping in the clouds and even in skin tones, though the clipping was lessened when I selected my Panasonic UB9000 player's "basic luminance projector" HDR Optimizer setting, which also imparted a slightly punchier-looking HDR image.

One of the better-looking discs that I viewed was Disney's recent live-action adaption of Aladdin, a movie with a brighter overall image, along with fantastic detail and vibrant color. LG claims that the HU85LA can reach nearly 98 percent of the P3 color gamut, and my measurements confirmed performance was pretty close to that. Measurements in that gamut also showed that blue and red tracking weren't very linear, although this wasn't a factor in my subjective evaluation. I was glad to see that the LG's three-laser light engine delivered the wider gamut without using a dedicated color filter, so light output wasn't sacrificed for the wider gamut. This is an issue we frequently see with front projectors, even ones that use laser light engines.

For all my viewing, I used the projector's built-in speaker, which did an adequate job for casual viewing. While it wasn't home theater sound to rival a dedicated multi-channel setup, it was as impressive as any speakers I've heard on a flat-panel TV. A quasi "surround" mode did a good job of widening the soundstage, though I wouldn't go so far as to say I felt surrounded by sound. The LG does have both optical digital audio and HDMI-ARC outputs, so you can always forgo the built-in speakers and connect to an external audio system.

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Conclusion
LG's HU85LA has a substantial cool factor, especially when paired with SI's awesome backlit Zero Edge/Short Throw screen. I think just about everyone who came over while I had it in my house was blown away by the idea of getting such a big image from a small device positioned just below the screen and next to the wall. To say it was a conversation starter is an understatement. But even though I loved the bigger image the LG provided compared with a typical flat-panel, I found that it didn't deliver enough light output to make a bold statement in a typical family room environment.

Even though I'm a believer in using a front projection system in a full light-controlled room for the optimum home cinema experience, I also realize that not everyone can make that happen in their living space. Ultimately, an ultra-short-throw projector like LG's HU85LA can help guide more people to a bigger-screen experience, but it will need to offer substantially higher light output and increased contrast to provide consistently satisfying pictures in any situation other than a darkened room. The HU85LA is worth a look, but consider its limitations, and the environment where you're going to install it, before pulling out your wallet!

COMPANY INFO
LG Electronics
(800) 243-0000
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COMMENTS
Billy's picture

While this is a nice idea, I feel the era of the projector is almost over. I was at BB today, saw an LG 4K that was 75 inches and like 700 bucks. I am willing to bet the picture looked at least as good, if not better then this. I sure found it acceptable, and I had just seen an 85 inch 13K Sony 8K playing, and I still found the $700 LG more then acceptable. When the 100 and 120 inch flat panel 4Ks get under five grand, projection is dead unless you just gotta have a 200 inch screen to show off, and even then it is not going to be as bright or have the contrast. And that comes with a fella who has a dedicated theater with a 123 inch screen. I have thought about upgrading to 4K from my 1080P, but the more I think about it, I am going to wait a few years. My only problem is getting it downstairs into the theater. Maybe they will have roll up flat panels by then.

drny's picture

The modern 4k Laser UST projectors coming out now (LG, Optoma, Epson, VAVA, Xiaomi, others soon to join the crowd) are marketed as Large screen Laser TV.
They are not a true replacement for a TV, at least not yet. Day time viewing quality even with a great ALR screen is circa 2005 LCD TV.
However, when the lights are turned off and it's dark outside.
These 4k UST projectors are an excellent option for those who can not have a dedicated Home Theater set up with a ceiling mounted Far Field Projector.
The problem with the HU85LA it's the price tag. $6,000 for the projector and an additional $800-$4,000 + for an ALR screen (SI's ALR is great but they cost double their competition). makes the combination not viable for most folks.
The prove is in the pudding LG's HU85LA are not moving as expected, while the newly released Optoma X P1 (4k UST projector) at $3,200 is sold out and supplier have a back log of orders. The Optoma doesn't have the quality processing and three Laser technology of the LG, but it's significantly brighter. Additionally within six months the P1 will be 10-20% lower in price (based on Optoma's track record for trying to keep market share compared to Epson, the market leader). The upcoming Epson UST 4K projector will probably look better than the Optoma P1, but they are being marketed as a Projector and ALR screen combo and that will turn off some buyers. Also the Epson's throw distance is double the LG's and almost 1/3 more than the Optoma. For those looking at bottom dollar choices the Xiaomi Mijia UST 4k and VAVA projectors might be their better option ($2,000 & 2,600 respectively). However these two have substantial image quality downfalls.
So far it seems that Optoma P1 is the goldilocks choice for those seeking to purchase a 4k UST laser projector. I myself, will keep my current 65" 4k TV in my family room and my good old ceiling mounted Epson UB5040 in my Theater room. I am hoping that by 2021 model year I can afford to upgrade both, maybe even with a 4k UST projector.

Kevinh1's picture

This projector has not way for a third party to control the unit. There is no IR or RS-232 inputs, it does have Ethernet but there is no option for IP control. So as far as this projector being utilized in a home theater or an application where the end user would want to use an universal remote, it is not a good option.

JL's picture

According to LG, HU85LA supports IP control by Crestron, Savant and Control4.

Dino C's picture

After reading the review, I’m still a bit confused and if this is a good purchase or not. If the use is for a dedicated home theater where light can be controlled 100% in a dark room, would this be worth it? With the issues regarding contrast and black levels be negated then?

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