Ultimea Thor T60 Triple Laser 4K Projector Review

Over the last couple of years, home entertainment has seen more people move towards ultra-short throw (UST) projectors, which are drawn by their ability to provide large screens without needing a lot of room. This shift is largely due to the simple setup and ease of use that UST projectors offer, making them an attractive option for those looking to enjoy movies and shows on a big screen without the bulk and complexity of traditional setups.

Consider the process of setting up an entertainment space at home. You're faced with two options: dealing with the hassle of mounting a large TV, say an 85-inch or even a 98-inch, on the wall, or choosing a UST projector that can give you a 120-inch image. The UST projector not only avoids the difficulties of installation but also works well in different lighting conditions, thanks to its high brightness and the use of a screen designed to reject ambient light. This makes the UST projector a more appealing choice for anyone wanting a bigger and more immersive viewing experience without the complications that usually come with large TVs.

Specifications

The Ultimea Thor T60 utilizes a 0.47-inch TI DMD display chip, delivering a native resolution of 3840 x 2160 and a color gamut of 120% BT.2020, alongside a brightness level rated at 4000 ANSI Lumens which is among the brightest UST laser projectors currently on the market. It features a throw ratio of 0.21:1, enabling it to project images up to 200 inches diagonally. This projector can create a 120-inch image from 9.8 inches away from the wall. If you're aiming for a more expansive 150-inch display, it only needs to be placed 15 inches from the wall.

The projector supports Dolby Vision and HDR10, though it lacks HDR10+ compatibility. It also features MEMC (Motion Estimation, Motion Compensation) for smoother motion in videos. Under the hood, it's powered by a built-in Android mini PC, equipped with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of onboard storage, and it runs on Android TV 11.

For connecting different devices, all the necessary ports are found on the back. This includes two USB ports, two HDMI ports (one for eARC), an Ethernet port, SPDIF, AUX, Coaxial, and even an RS232 port. There's a power button on the front that lights up blue when the projector is on but not being used. It also has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless connections. The projector itself is a decent size, weighing 26.5 pounds and measuring about 25.6-inches wide, 14.3-inches deep, and 5.3-inches tall.

Remote

Considering the projector's price, the remote control doesn't quite match up to the premium feel one might expect. It functions as needed and has all the essential features, but its build quality seems more aligned with what you'd find with a less expensive projector. The remote includes a focus button, alongside dedicated buttons for Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube.

There's also a volume control and a button for Google Assistant. However, it is missing a direct input switch button. To change inputs, you need to press the home button first and then navigate to the inputs option, which adds an extra step to the process.

Setup

Setting up this projector was simple. I paired it with a 120-inch ambient light-rejecting screen in my living room. It boots up in approximately 42 seconds, which is pretty fast for an ultra-short throw projector. To focus, I simply pressed the dedicated focus button. On the focus screen, the up and down buttons allowed for broad adjustments, whereas the left and right buttons enabled more precise fine-tuning of the focus. This system works well and I was able to achieve a nice sharp picture fairly quickly.

Performance

The projector requires a bit of tweaking out of the box, but once it’s been calibrated, it delivers an impressively sharp and bright image. In SDR, I managed to reach a brightness level of 2862 ANSI lumens, with a Rec. 709 color gamut coverage of 99.5%. While watching "Nightcrawler," the black levels were quite good for an ultra-short throw projector. Yet, what captured my attention was the detailed clarity of Jake Gyllenhaal's pores during close-up shots and the vibrant red of his Challenger.

In HDR mode, the projector performs exceptionally well, living up to the light output claims. I can confirm the manufacturer's brightness claim of 4000 ANSI Lumens, even surpassing it slightly in Sport mode with a peak of 4068 ANSI Lumens. Using the standard HDR10 setting, the projector achieved 104.68% BT2020 color gamut and 2845 ANSI lumens, producing a vibrant and bright image. This was especially noticeable while watching "Guardians of the Galaxy 2", in particular the scene where the Guardians first arrive on Ego's planet. This showcased the vivid colors and clarity that made the visuals stand out.

Throughout my testing, I also looked for any signs of visual banding, a common issue in some projectors, but found none. While projectors that use tri-laser light sources can sometimes show light speckle which is largely dependent on the laser quality and screen used, I only observed a slight amount of speckle. It was minor and didn’t detract from the overall viewing experience.

The Thor T60 projector aligns with the growing trend of offering Dolby Vision support, featuring three distinct modes: Dolby Vision Bright, Dolby Vision Dark, and Dolby Vision Vivid. Among these, the Bright setting was my preferred choice, delivering approximately 2840 ANSI Lumens, which provides a luminous viewing experience. Watching "True Lies" in Dolby Vision on this projector highlighted a contrast-rich picture with exceptional clarity. Despite a slight clay-like appearance on some faces due to the transfer and not the projector, the overall quality and detail presented in James Cameron's 4K transfer were impressive.

The motion handling on this projector is smooth. It's equipped with MEMC (Motion Estimation, Motion Compensation) technology, which works by inserting additional frames between the original ones to enhance fluidity in motion. Even on its lowest setting out of three, it effectively smooths out the picture.

When it comes to viewing with ambient light, the projector's brightness is sufficient to prevent any significant issues during daylight. While it truly excels in low-light conditions, its performance during the day is more than adequate for enjoyable viewing, even with some blinds open.

Sound Quality

Users who intend to rely on the projector's built-in sound system will likely be satisfied. Its performance can be compared to, or even slightly surpass, that of a budget soundbar. The projector offers a clean and powerful audio output, although it may fall a bit short in terms of bass.

For movie viewing, turning on the Surround feature helps broaden the soundstage, and makes the overall audio experience better. There’s also a dialogue enhancer that is very useful and keeps the voices clear and distinct for movies that make it difficult to hear the dialogue. “Tenet”, I’m looking at you!

Conclusion

The Ultimea Thor T60 projector finds its place among the higher-priced options in the market, with a price tag of $4,999. This cost reflects its positioning towards the premium end, a status it earns through delivering notable performance and impressive brightness levels. It matches up well with expectations for high-end home entertainment, providing clear and vibrant images that cater to those wanting a superior viewing experience.

While its advanced features like smooth motion handling with MEMC and support for various HDR formats, including Dolby Vision, add to its appeal, it's the combination of these qualities that validates its price. Given its performance and the overall quality it brings to home cinemas, makes it a worthy consideration for buyers ready to invest in a premium ultra-short throw projector.

FAQ

What is the difference between short-throw and ultra-short-throw projectors?

Standard throw projectors usually produce a 100-inch (16:9) image from a distance of around 10 feet. Short-throw projectors, however, can generate an image of the same size from less than half that distance, approximately 4 feet away. Ultra-short throw (UST) projectors take this a step further, creating the same sized image from just a few inches away.

Do ultra-short throw projectors need a special screen?

Although it's possible to use a UST projector to display an image on any surface, the quality of the image will notably decrease without a dedicated screen. To achieve the best 4K UHD movie experience, particularly in a brightly lit living room, it's essential to utilize a screen designed specifically for ultra-short throw projectors.

Where do I put an ultra-short throw projector?

Your ultra-short throw projector is engineered for mounting on a wall (using a wall mount) or for vertical placement on a table (with a table mount) to establish an interactive workspace on the table's surface. Alternatively, the projector can be set on any flat surface, like a desk or table, for a portable projection setup.

What is the life expectancy of the Ultimea Thor T60?

The life expectancy of the Ultimea Thor T60 is typically around 30,000 hours, although the actual lifespan can vary based on usage and maintenance.