LG’s CineBeam HU85LA ultra-short-throw (UST) projector is an ingenious device that packs the projection system into a compact cabinet that sits on top of a shelf (or even on your floor!) and beams images at an upward angle. This design allows the projector to sit nearly right against the wall and deliver images that are much larger than what you can expect from a typical flat-panel TV. Combining a three-laser light engine with DLP 4K XPR projection technology, the HU85LA beams images that range in size from 90-120 inches with one of the shortest throw ratios on the market. And at $5,999 retail, the price is dramatically less than what you’ll pay for the largest high-end flat-panel LCD or OLED TVs.
The HU85LA is housed in an attractive white case complete with a fabric front that hides a built-in speaker system. A small glass opening for the image to project through is located on the cabinet’s top, along with a small door that conceals a focus adjustment. The back panel features two full-bandwidth HDMI 2.0b inputs, a digital TV antenna input, USB type-C and two USB type-B inputs, and an optical digital audio output. While I was surprised to see a TV tuner built into the projector, it certainly makes sense since the HU85LA can be used as a replacement for a flat-panel TV.