I have a high end but very pricey ultra short throw (UST) projector and wanted to get another smaller and less expensive one for the bedroom. The Optoma fulfills the requirement with its small form factor, very short minimum throw distance, maximum picture size, color and resolution. The sound quality, not unexpectedly, is somewhat tinny and requires a dedicated sound bar to pair up with the larger picture. The projector has no means to connect to a Bluetooth speaker so the optical fiber output is the only bet. It has only one HDMI port so you may want to reserve it for an additional device hookup.
Where it fell short of expectation is with the picture adjustment especially with the keystone correction as seen in the attached photos. While the lower edge is straight and I could get the circle in the center almost perfect with the four point adjustment, I could not get rid of the waviness in the top part of the picture no matter the picture size. Tried with the 100 inch size where the waviness was bad. Bringing the projector close to the wall for a 60 inch projection size didn’t help much. I even tried a different wall just in case the wall was the issue. Again didn’t help much as the waviness remained identical and pronounced.
The other area that fell short of expectation is the initially setup time and ease. I couldn’t get the default setup as part of Google Home and TV using my iPhone to work despite a large 1.25GB firmware download and install. I have other devices on my Google Home app that work just fine. I could get the setup to complete using the remote after a total of more than an hour and I am quite tech savvy.
The other aspects of the UST projector including the automatic focus, picture zoom in and out worked well, though it fails to remember the zoom setting once you turn off the projector. It is best to position the projector at the desired distance from the screen and not use the zoom function for a more permanent setting. However, the zoom feature can be very useful for portability where you need to setting it up temporarily.
Overall, it is great first attempt at an inexpensive, portable UST projector. But it does need a solution for better keystone correction.
| Brand | Optoma |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Optoma |
| Model | ML1080UST |
| Model year | 2025 |
| Part Number | ML1080UST |
| Special features | Portable, Ultra Short Throw, Gaming Mode |
| Mounting Hardware | 100W Power Adapter, USB-C Power Cable, Android TV Remote Control, 2x AA Batteries, Basic User Manual |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Image brightness | 650 |
| Image Contrast Ratio | 2,500,000:1 |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Display Resolution | 1920 x 1080 |
| Voltage | 110 Volts (AC) |
| Wattage | 85 watts |
| Batteries included | Yes |
| Batteries Required | Yes |
| Battery Cell Composition | Alkaline |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz |
| Connector Type | HDMI |
| Form Factor | Portable |
| Mounting type | Tabletop Mount |
| Includes rechargable battery | No |
| Manufacturer | Optoma |
| Item model number | ML1080UST |
| Product Dimensions | 25.2 x 6.5 x 15.7 cm; 1.72 kg |
| ASIN | B0DZK6PFRJ |
