Optoma released its UHD51A projector today. It offers many of the things that you would expect in a modern projector like 4K and HDR, but what sets it apart is the integration with Amazon Alexa. Optoma proudly stated that this is world’s first projector to bake in the popular virtual assistant.
Optoma is an international company that was founded in 2002. They specialize in display technology ranging from digital signage to projectors. In the US they are probably best known for their projectors. The highly-rated HD142X is one its most popular, likely due to the high brightness levels and entry-level price point.
Since the company’s founding, it has not been afraid to push the envelope. In 2002 (the same year it was founded), Optoma shipped the world’s first 65-inch DLP projection TV and just 3 years later introduced the first all-in-one DVD projector. Bearing this in mind, it is no wonder that they are the first company to add Alexa to a projector.
The UHD51A displays 4K at 2,400-lumens of brightness. While this is not as bright as the 3,000-lumen HD142X mentioned ealier, it is on par with other 4K projectors and bright enough to do its job well. This is especially true if it is installed in a basement or a room with windows that sport blackout blinds.
“Optoma’s leadership in the consumer home theater space has largely been attributable to our ability to design and deliver projectors that leverage the latest innovations and technologies to deliver a great entertainment experience at an affordable price point,” said Brian Soto, head of product management at Optoma Technology.
When it comes to connectivity, the new projector offers two HDMI 2.0 ports, a USB port for an Alexa Wi-Fi adapter, a USB port for media playback, and one more USB port for wireless screen mirroring. If two HDMI ports are not enough, there are lots of HDMI switches on Amazon that support 4K and will give you additional ports that you need.
When it comes to controlling the projector via Alexa, users will be able to turn the projector on and off, change volume and input source, and control the media plugged into the USB port thanks to the SmartProjection for Smart Home skill.
Now that Alexa has over 30,000 skills, this projector allows users to do some neat things with other Alexa-enabled devices like adjust lighting, speaker levels, and more.
The Optoma UHD51A is available to pre-order today from retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H and will ship by the end of the month. It is priced at $1,699.
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