It’s easier than you might think to turn your living room into a home movie theater if you have the right projector. Almost any projector will throw images on the screen, but picture quality can dramatically vary. The size of the room also matters. Can you have the projector inches from the screen or do you need to place it several feet away?
There are two projectors, the Optoma P2 and the LG HU85LS that are designed for home use. Both are relatively easy to set up, have plenty of ports, and produce stunning picture quality. There are also differences, starting with price. The Optoma P2 does come with plenty of features and is priced lower than some of its competitors. >>> Check how much does it cost on Amazon
Optoma P2 vs LG HU85LS Specs:
| Optoma P2 | LG HU85LS | |
|---|---|---|
 |  |
|
| Resolution | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 |
| Contrast Ratio | 2,000,000:1 | 2,000,000:1 |
| Brightness (Lumens) | 3000 ANSI | 2700 ANSI |
| Throw Distance | 1.5' - 2.2' | 1’5” – 1’11” |
| Screen size | up to 120" | up to 120" |
| Input lag | 50-67ms | 50-55ms |
| Internal Speakers | 20 Watts × 2 | 5 Watts × 2 |
| Price | Bhphotovideo.com | ProjectorScreen.com |
These projectors do have similar features but there are differences as well. One of these differences could be the deciding factor in which projector you decide to use.
Ease of Use and Installation
You won’t have any problems setting either projector, both are ready-to-go out of the box. All that needs to be done is to connect it to your devices. The P2 and HU85LS are short-throw projectors so you don’t need a lot of space to show 120” images.
The Optoma P2 does make it a little easier to align images, thanks to the SmartFit app. You can use your smartphone to center the on-screen picture. Even though it is a little more difficult to align images on the HU85LS. It comes with manual adjustment, but you can lock the knob so you won’t have to worry about the thumbwheel moving after its set.
Easier installation: Optoma P2
Picture Quality
One aspect you want to pay attention to is picture quality. If images aren’t clear the projector may be a waste of money. Both short-throw projectors do produce bright, detailed images but there is a slight difference in quality.
The HU85LS from LG and the P2 comes with 4k UHD resolution compatibility. While the LG comes with a 3-channel laser and Dynamic Tone Mapping for realistic colors, the P2 comes out ahead with a 6-segmented color wheel. It also boasts a 3,000 lumens rating compared to the LG’s 2,700. Click here for the best laser projector guide
Better Picture Quality: Optoma P2
Connectivity
These projectors are evenly matched when it comes to connectivity, they both have plenty of ports to connect your devices. There are HDMI and USB ports, along with in and outputs for audio.
Both the P2 and HU85LS come with adequate built-in soundbars but if you want a true cinematic experience, complete with booming sound, you will want to add external speakers or soundbar. You will still be able to hear movies, shows, and games without additional components but the audio will be slightly distorted at higher volume levels.
Better Connectivity: Optoma P2 and LG HU85LS
Optoma P2
Pros
- SmartFit app for easy image alignment
- Gaming Mode
- Rich, bright accurate colors
- Voice-assistant compatible
- Long-lasting laser technology
Cons
- The built-in soundbar is not designed to give you a cinematic audio experience.
- You do have to purchase a compatible screen if you want to watch movies in 4K definition.
The P2 is a compact short-throw projector that only needs to be a few inches away from the screen to produce 120” images. The white casing and grey soundbar vent give the projector a classic appearance that doesn’t look out of place with your other components. >>> Check current price on Amazon
It comes with plenty of features that include Pure Motion technology for smooth colors frame-by-frame. Google Assistant and Alexa might it easy to operate the projector, and you’ll appreciate the SmartFit app when you’re centering images on the screen.
You won’t be complaining about image quality, even in ambient lighting. The 3,000 lumens lamp ensures that images are bright in rooms where a light is on. You won’t be able to use the projector in full daylight, without darkening the windows, but a little light won’t be a problem.
The Optoma P2 has a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio. Blacks are deep and rich, while whites are crisp and bright. It is HDR compatible and has 4K definition so you’ll see movies how the director imagined.
Gamers will also appreciate the P2’s input lag time. It comes with a gaming mode function and an input lag between 50 – 55ms. The SmartFit app does need to be turned off, but this won’t be a problem unless you need to center an image. There might be times when the True Motion technology also has to be disabled to improve lag time. You might notice a slight decrease in picture quality, but not enough to affect your game. Click here for a more detailed Optoma CinemaX P2 review.
LG HU85LS
Pros
- Vivid, realistic colors with dynamic tone mapping
- Short-throw ratio
- Adequate input lag
- Easy to install
- Comes with a wall mount
Cons
- The small manual thumbwheel can make it difficult to align images.
- It lacks HLG HDR compatibility.
There’s a lot to like about the HU85LS, including how easy it is to set up in small spaces. You can enjoy 120” images with the projector only 7 inches away from the screen. Aligning the images might take some time but it’s not difficult. The small thumbwheel allows you to center the picture manually. >>> Check current price on Amazon
You have plenty of ports to connect all your devices, including gaming consoles. If you’re using the projector for games, input lag is acceptable around 55ms. Some fast-paced games might show a bit of lag, but not enough to upset casual gamers. You will have to disable the Smooth Function mode when the gaming one is turned on or lag time will be around 75ms.
Images are crisp, bright, and clear. The LG HU85LS comes with tone mapping technology that optimizes each frame before appearing on the screen. Colors are bold, bright, and true-to-life. You also won’t have to completely darken the room to use the projector. It’s 2,700 lumens rating is more than enough to handle ambient light. Read our full review of the LG HU85LS here.
Conclusion
Both the Optoma P2 and the LG HU85LS are short-throw projectors that are ideal for use at home. You also won’t spend a lot of time setting the projectors up for movie or game night.
What sets the two apart is the technology they come with, and the P2 comes out ahead. Even though the lumens ratings are similar, the P2 still produces a better picture in ambient light. Its 6-segmented color wheel ensures bold, crisp, images. >>> Check how much does it cost on ProjectorScreen
The SmartFit app also makes aligning images on the P2 a breeze, compared to the thumbwheel on the HU85LS. Either projector will turn your living room into a home theater, but it’s up to you to decide which one best meets your needs.