As we have mentioned in a few reviews this year, we have been very impressed by some television manufacturers who have released new projectors such as LG and Samsung. These television manufacturers are doing incredibly well incorporating the technologies found in their flat panel offerings into their projectors with outstanding results.
The AU810PB is one of these great new offerings and part of the LG CineBeam line-up of projectors. This series is designed to make projection more accessible and appealing to a broader range of consumers. We have reviewed a couple of other projectors in this line-up. Check out the HU85LA ultra-short-throw review here:
I have always been a fan of the LG projector line-up, but I was really hoping they would start offering more traditional home theater options. Well, they have come through with the AU810PB. This model has many features that you would expect in a more traditional home theater projector and is absolutely PACKED with a ton of new features!
For example, the AU810PB is the first projector that I have encountered that offers eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) and WiSA (Wireless Speaker and Audio) support.
The AU810PB is designed for conventional front projection applications, but it uses the same multi-channel laser light source as their award-winning HU85LA, which should deliver a bright, vibrant image and years of maintenance-free operation.
Like all of the projectors in LG’s CineBeam line-up, the LG AU810PB utilizes the same ThinQ AI webOS. This projector can be voice-controlled and offers a massive variety of apps.
LG AU810PB Specs
Price
$3999
Technology
DLP with XPR (0.47” DMD)
Native Resolution
1920x1080x4
Brightness (Manufacturer Claim)
2700
Contrast
2,000,000:1
Zoom Lens Ratio
1.6:1
Lens Shift
Yes
Lamp Life
20,000 hours
Weight
24.3. lbs
Warranty
2 year
One reason why the new 0.61-inch SXRD imager is more compact is due to the fact that its native resolution is now 3840 x 2160 while the older 0.74-inch SXRD imager’s native resolution was 4096 x 2160.
Most 4K consumer displays have a native resolution of 3840 x 2160 commonly referred to as 4K UHD with a 16:9 aspect ratio. However, the resolution of the previous Sony 4K SXRD was 4096 x 2160 (as mentioned above) which is cinematic 4K making their aspect ratio closer to 17:9. Since most consumer content is produced in 4K UHD, about 7% of the pixels of the older Sony SXRD imager we’re not utilized much of the time.
When using a 16:9 screen those extra pixels were just zoomed off the screen. Not only were you not using all the pixels on screen you were not using all the projector’s brightness.
The smaller 3-chip imaging system also reduces the size of the lenses which results in a more compact chassis. The XW7000ES is nearly 30% smaller and 20% lighter than the VW915ES while delivering 30% more brightness.
Overview
The LG AU810PB is a 4K DLP Laser Smart projector with a suggested retail price of $3999. This projector offers a great deal of performance and numerous advanced features for its price. The LG AU810PB has a rated brightness of 2700 Lumens, and its Laser-light source is rated to last up to 20,000 hours.
AU810PB is a 1920x1080x4 pixel shifter – using a DLP (0.47″ DMD) chip. DLP XPR technology leverages the immense speed of the DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) to process pixels faster than the rate of the video signal. The XPR chip tilts in 4 directions and operates fast enough for our eyes to see all the pixels and perceive the entire image all at once.
While the newest 0.47″ DMD chips only have about 2.1 million mirrors, they can deliver a perceived resolution of 8.3 million pixels. This system works so well that it would be difficult for any viewer to see a difference in resolution from a native 4K UHD (8.3 megapixels) imager.
Often when comparing projectors against flat-panel TVs, the projector can fall short in certain areas such as a lamp in a traditional projector dimming over time and needing to be changed after a few thousand hours. This not only adds to the cost of operation but can be inconvenient to the owner. Because the AU810PB uses a Laser-light source, this is no longer an issue when considering projection over a traditional TV and this type of illumination can provide years of maintenance-free operation.
The AU810PB's dual Laser-light engine uses both a red and blue Laser which increases the projector's color gamut and eliminates the need for a spinning phosphor wheel. This feature reduces the rainbow effect that is common on many DLP projectors.
The AU810PB is one of a small number of projectors that is capable of Dynamic HDR Tone Mapping when viewing your HDR10 content. What this feature does is automatically adjusts both the dark and bright levels to ensure the best picture and optimize the HDR performance.
The projector is one of the first projectors that supports several advanced HDMI 2.1 features including ALLM (auto low latency mode), eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel), and bandwidth up to 24Gbps.
LG also offers a less expensive model with similar performance called the HU810P ($2999 SRP). Stepping up to the AU810PB ($3999 SRP) adds WiSA, custom integration features, auto CalMan calibration capability, and a longer warranty.
Model
HU810P
AU810PB
Price
$2999
$3999
Light Source
Dual Channel Laser
Dual Channel Laser
Brightness
2700 ANSI Lumens
2700 ANSI Lumens
Contrast
2,000,000:1 (Dynamic)
2,000,000:1 (Dynamic)
WiSA
-
Yes (Optional Dongle)
Calman AutoCal
-
Yes
IP Control / RS232
-
Yes
12V Tigger
-
Yes
Chassis Color
White
Black
Warranty
1 Year Parts & Labor
2 Year Parts & Labor
The AU810PB offers a 1.6x zoom lens with horizontal and vertical lens shift, which is not commonly found on DLP projectors, especially at this price point. When this is combined with vertical keystone correction, it will reduce the image distortion and allow for precise alignment with the screen.
The AU810PB has LG's webOS, which is what is found in their latest flat-panel TVs. This feature makes the projector very smart so you have all the apps and capabilities also found in a Smart TV. It includes Google Assistant, which allows you to control not only the projector, but a wide variety of compatible smart home devices, like your lights, or blinds, using only your voice.
As I have mentioned throughout this review, the LG AU810PB combines all the Smart capabilities of flat-panel TVs but with the high-quality, maintenance-free Laser-light engine and 4K resolution to make it a true flat panel TV replacement.
HIGHLIGHTS
Price: $3999.95
Technology: Single-Chip DLP (0.47" DMD)
Light Source: Multi Channel Laser
Display Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Native Resolution: 1080x1920x4
Brightness (Manufacturer Claim): 2700 lumens
Light Source Lifespan: up to 20,000 Hours
Contrast: 2,000,000.1
HDR10 /HLG Compatible
Dynamic HDR Tone Mapping
WiSA (Wireless Speaker and Audio) Support
Wired and Wireless Networking
Two HDMI 2.0b inputs (up to 18Gbps)
One HDMI 2.1 input (up to 24Gbps)
ALLM and eARC Support
LG WebOS with Google Assistant
Auto Calibration (w/Calman)
Notable Features
LG AU810PB 4K CineBeam Projector Review - Special Features: Dual-Channel Laser Light Engine, Brightness Optimizer, HDR Pro, HDMI 2.1 Features, WiSA, Smart TV Features, Calman Auto Calibration
DUAL-CHANNEL LASER LIGHT ENGINE
LG rated the AU810PB's Laser-light engine at 2700 lumens for 20,000 hours, which means it offers several years of worry-free operation. The AU810PB uses a 2-channel Laser-light source with both red and blue lasers, and a static phosphor wheel is used to generate green. This laser light source is more sophisticated than the blue laser phosphor systems utilize in many home theater projectors that cost significantly more.
This system eliminates the need for a sequential color wheel, which can dramatically reduce the breakup of color or rainbow effect. It also delivers a wider color gamut. The AU810PB can reproduce 97% of the DCI-P3 color space without the need for a cinema filter.
There are three modes to adjust the brightness output of the laser light source. The lamp power adjustment is called ENERGY SAVING, and the other options are:
Minimum: Delivers full lamp power
Medium: Reduces lamp power by approximately 25%
Maximum: Reduces lamp power by approximately 50%
BRIGHTNESS OPTIMIZER
Adjustable Iris
To help maximize the AU810PB in different light conditions, the projector has an adjustable iris. The projector can adjust its light output by changing the size of the iris opening. In addition to the three preset levels (BRIGHTROOM, MEDIUM, DARKROOM), there is a USER mode which gives you the ability to manually adjust the iris size. The DARKROOM setting reduces the size of the iris opening to improve black levels in a darkened environment. In BRIGHTROOM mode the iris opens fully which allows the maximum amount to reach the screen.
Adaptive Contrast
LG AU810PB has a feature called Adaptive Contrast, which adjusts the Laser output to increase the dynamic contrast ratio and produce the best on the image. This feature makes bright scenes appear brighter, while dark scenes remain highly detailed with deep blacks and shade detail still visible. The ability to modulate the laser’s light output combined with an adjustable iris really improves the AU810PB’s black level performance in a darker environment.
HDR PRO
Dynamic Tone Mapping
Just like LG's 4K HDR TVs, the AU810PB is equipped with similar video processors. One of the biggest benefits of using such a powerful processor is that the AU810PB can dynamically tone map HDR content which offers a significant improvement in dynamic range as well as color. What it does is lets you see more detail in the darker images and shadows and in the bright areas it delivers more vibrant lifelike colors.
Due to their limited brightness, HDR projectors utilize tone mapping, which often compromises the bright highlight details as well as delivering full-screen brightness. There is metadata embedded in HDR content that this HDR projector utilizes to make tone mapping adjustments for the best picture.
Since the MaxFALL/MaxCLL metadata found in HDR10 content is static, it only provides information about the brightest frame's average brightness and brightest pixel in the movie. This results in many lower brightness scenes using the static metadata and then the image the looks way too dark.
Higher-end LCD and OLED TVs have been able to measure the HDR content frame-by-frame to generate accurate metadata dynamically for years. Again, like their flat panel TVs, the LG AU810PB can dynamically measure HDR metadata, which improves the projector's HDR performance and utilizes the AU810PB's brightness capabilities based on the content being shown for better results.
The images above show the difference when Dynamic Tone Mapping is switched ON and OFF. In order to maintain most of the highlight details and vibrant colors, the AU810PB chose to sacrifice some brightness when Dynamic Tonemapping is engaged. Overall, I still preferred viewing HDR with the setting switched ON.
HGiG (HDR Gaming Interest Group)
HGIG HDR for Gaming
LG is a member of the HGiG (HDR Gaming Interest Group) so the AU810PB includes HGiG which is designed to improve the HDR gaming experience.
Once the AU810PB identifies itself to an HGiG compatible game console or computer, the game system uses the information provided by the projector to look up unit in the database. The console then shares the exact values for the display or its assigned category with the game software.
The gaming console and the game software then use the projector's properties when rendering images to optimize the picture quality during HDR gameplay. In case the player wants to adjust their gaming experience, the game console offers a simple calibration process that overrides the information provided by the projector.
HDMI 2.1 Features
The AU810PB does not support 8K or 4K at 120 frame per second however, its HDMI inputs support several HDMI 2.1 features which will enhance the audio quality and the gaming experience.
HDMI eARC (AUDIO RETURN CHANNEL)
The AU810PB is one of the first projectors on the market equipped with eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel).
If you don't use ARC or eARC, the only other option would be to connect the optical audio output. Like most TVs/FPJs, the optical output is not able to pass the latest immersive surround formats to an external sound system. Ifyou use an optical output, all you are going to provide to your soundbar, or receiver is stereo or Dolby Pro Logic information.
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) supports multi-channel audio, which includes Dolby Atmos. Due to bandwidth limitations, it delivers a compressed audio signal, for example Dolby Digital Plus.
The latest version of HDMI audio return is eARC which can transfer a much higher bandwidth and also supports uncompressed audio surround formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio. This ensures the A/V receiver or soundbar receives the maximum quality audio signal from the projector's internal apps or any directly connected source.
ALLM
The AU810PS is also one of the first projectors with Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). When you play a game on a compatible gaming console or PC, this feature automatically switches into its "Game Mode" for smooth, lag-free game play. Most other projectors require you to do this manually by going through menus and/or settings to change to this mode. You would then have to switch back to the desired video mode if you wanted to watch a movie or broadcasted content.
ALLM doesn't just switch the AU180PB into Game mode every time you turn on your gaming system it is intelligent enough to tell if you are actually using the console to play a game, watch a streaming movie, or play a Blu-ray disc and switches to the most appropriate mode automatically to optimize your experience.
WiSA
The AU810PB is WiSA ready. If you plug an optional third-party WiSA transmitter into one of the projector's USB ports, the projector can wirelessly transmit 7.1-channel audio to a compatible set of speakers via the high-resolution WiSA. This is again a feature often found in LG's line-up of TVs and I am glad to see it added to this projector as well.
The WiSA (Wireless Speaker and Audio) is a hardware and software specification which allows wireless the transfer of up to eight (8) channels of uncompressed 24-bit, 96KHz audio. Extremely low 5.2ms of latency along with less than 1 microsecond of synchronization between speakers provides for a high-quality surround sound experience.
Also, removing the need for speaker wires eliminates one of the biggest hassels in installation hassles and can significantly reduce labor cost if you are having your system installed professionally. In this application as long as the speaker can be plugged into a wall outlet, you can place them anywhere in the room you like. This makes it much easier for anyone to setup a complete home entertainment solution without a tremendous amount of effort, whether it is simple stereo system or a robust 5.1, 7.1 surround. It also supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X systems.
SMART TV FEATURES
The AU810PB utilizes the same ThinQ AI webOS that is found in LG's current flat panel lineup. It's a Smart projector made by a Smart TV manufacturer. LG has been a leader in building Smart projectors as they have simply incorporated everything they have know from years of building Smart TVs into this projector.
The AU810PB uses LG's User Interface, which was developed over many years and has been market tested by the millions of LG TVs being used worldwide to ensure a seamless, easy-to-navigate, and well laid out system. The LG CineBeam lineup of projectors are some of the "Smartest" and most capable projectors on the market for voice control capabilities. It would take a dozen pages to cover all the Smart TV features found in the AU810PB. However, below are some of the more notable features that make the AU810PB an outstanding solution for a Smart TV replacement.
Voice Control
The AU810PB is one incredibly Smart projector, equipped with voice used to operate the Smart remote with its built-in microphone to control a wide variety of compatible Smart devices via Google Assistant. Just press and hold the mic button in the center of the remote control to activate Google Assistant and you are ready to operate the AU810PB. Some of the things you can use voice control for would be to ask the projector to "Play the Videos in USB" or "Change Mode to Vivid."
Google Assistant allows voice control for several 3rd party items like a set-top box, lights, door locks, curtains, etc. There are dozens of available commands and you can get more details of all the different commands by just holding down the AU810PB remote's microphone button.
For you amazon fans, don't worry, LG has you covered becausease the AU810PB also has Alexa Built-in
LG Content Store
LG has a long-established app store that is loaded with a massive amount of entertainment apps which can all be accessed directly from this projector. You can also access many of the other popular streaming services including Amazon Prime, HULU, and Disney+ to name a few. Since the AU810PB utilizes the same ThinQ Ai WebOS as LG's TV lineup, I expect the library of services and apps available will continue to grow.
Wireless Connectivity and Media Playback
The AU810PB allows for both wired and wireless networking. This is great for users who want to access the unit's internal apps and services easily. The AU810PB has both streaming services and built-in speakers, so if you want to take your entertainment with you for backyard movie night, for example, all you need is a power outlet and a wall or screen to project onto,
The projector also has a built-in media player, and that can access files via its USB inputs. The two USB 2.0 inputs can be used to playback many different types of media (Videos, MP3, Photos, etc.). You can also use the USB input on the LG projector to connect other tools such as a mouse, keyboard, or game controller.
You can also share content from Android and iOS devices using LG's TV Plus app and Miracast/WIDI, which is also supported.
CALMAN AUTO CALIBRATION
Calibrating a projector optimizes its performance for your screen and room; however, it can take a professional calibrator several hours. The AU801PB, just like LG high-end flat-panel TV, can communicate directly with the Calman calibration software to auto-calibrate itself. The software takes reading and adjusts the projector's menu settings to fine-tune the onscreen image quickly. This feature can be used to calibrate the projector for both SDR and HDR.
Using the CALMAN software along with my Klein K10 meter and Murideo Seven 7G test pattern generator, it took me less than an hour to do both an SDR and HDR calibration. All I had to do, is press start and wait. While you still need all the equipment, including the CALMAN software, a test pattern generator, and a meter, this feature dramatically reduces the time required to precisely calibrate the AU810PB.
While auto-calibration does reduce the time required to adjust RGB white balance, when calibrating HDR, like most projectors, it is still best to fine-tune brightness and highlight detail using your eyes.
Hardware
LG AU810PB 4K UST Business Projector Review - Hardware: Inputs and Connectors, Lens, Control Panel, Remote Control, Menus
The AU810PB is a midsized 4K UHD laser DLP measuring approximately 13 inches wide x 16" deep x 6" high and weighing just over 24 pounds. When facing the unit, the lens located is on the front left. The Zoom and Focus levers are located directly below the lens. On the left side of the chassis are the dials to adjust the horizontal and vertical lens shift.
There are two stereo speakers, one located on each side of the projector. The air intake vent is located on the projector's right side, while the outlet vent is located on the left side. All the inputs and connections are on the rear of the unit.
INPUTS AND CONNECTIONS
All of the inputs and connections are located on the rear of the AU810PB. There are three HDMI inputs. There are two 18Gbps HDMI 2.0b inputs and a single HDMI 2.1 input that supports up to 24Gbps which allow playback of 4K HDR content with 12bit color at up to 60FPS. This 24Gbps of bandwidth is more than enough to maximize the full capabilities of the projector.
HDMI#3 also supports eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) to send uncompressed multi-channel audio from the projector to a compatible sound system. The AU810PB can also control connected devices such as an A/V receiver via CEC. This is a very convenient feature because you can use a single remote instead of having to have several different remotes to control each connected device and risk losing or mixing up the remotes.
Other available inputs include two USB ports, gigabit Ethernet, and optical-digital output along with a 12volt trigger for a screen and RS232 control connection.
Inputs/Outputs
Amount
HDMI 2.1 (24Gbps) Inputs
1
HDMI 2.0b (18Gbps) Inputs
2
USB 2.0 Input
2
Toslink Optical Audio Out
1
RJ45 - LAN port for Network
1
RS232 Port
1
12 Volt Trigger
1
LENS
The LG AU810PB has a manual lens with outer rings on it to control both focus and zoom. With a zoom range of 1.6x and a throw ratio of 1.3:1 to 2.1:1. The throw distances can quickly be calculated based on the width of the screen. For example, on a 100" wide image, the throw distance would be between 113" and 210".
Since screen sizes are often listed as diagonal and to eliminate the need to do algebra, we have provided this chart for easy reference.
Throw Distance for a 16:9 Screen
Screen Size (Diagonal)
Min Screen Distance (in)
Max Screen Distance (in)
80”
90.5 (2300 mm)
146.4 (3720 mm)
100”
113.3 (2880 mm)
183 (4650 mm)
120”
136.2 (3460 mm)
218.1 (5540 mm)
140”
159 (4040 mm)
256.6 (6520 mm)
160”
182 (4625 mm)
293.7 (7460 mm)
The AU810PB also offers both horizontal and vertical optical lens shift. This allows placement of the projector at the top or bottom edge of the screen or up to 24% of the width off center. Of course, like all projectors with H&V shift, moving the image in one direction will limit the amount of shift available in the opposite direction.
Maximum shift in one direction comes when the other is perfectly centered. As an example, if you place the projector at the top of the image it would be ideal to center the unit on the width of the screen.
Lens Shift (Horizontal +/- 24%, Vertical +/- 60%)
The horizontal and vertical lens position adjustments are made using two concentric dials on the right side of the cabinet. The image moves as you turn the wheel accordingly until you reach the limits of adjustment. If you hear clicking noises when you turn the dial, that indicates that the dial is slipping and should not be turned further. This will help avoid the damage which could occur from turning a lens adjustment too far.
This ability to move the image location via optical lens shift provides the best image quality as compared to digital geometry adjustments. For a little more adjustability, the AU810PB also includes vertical keystone correction.
LENS
LG has been utilizing a versions of a Magic Remote on their TV's and their FPJ models for several years and the remote LG uses is is a gyro type device. While the AU810PB remote is packed with buttons, most adjustments are done with just the flick of your wrist utilizing the gyro mouse technology. The internal gyro creates a faster, more precise remote-control system than a traditional remote that relies on arrow keys or a joystick for navigation. The LG Magic remote can control your set top box, blu-ray player, or other connected device, including powering it on and off. While you may still need to grab the set top box or video player factory remote to access a 3rd party unit's setup menu, the Magic Remote has all the buttons needed for most everyday operations including power, channel, and playback control.
While I am not going to cover each button on the remote in detail, I do want to point out a few unique and notable options included on it. First, in the middle of the remote is a Microphone button which is used for voice control of the projector as well as compatible 3rd party Internet of Things (IoT) devices via the LG ThinQ and/or Google Assistant.
In between the four navigation buttons is a scrolling wheel which makes it easier and quikcker to navigate the menu. To make a selection, it also acts as the Enter button when pressed down. Another convenient button is the Streaming Service button which takes you directly to the AU810PB library of streaming services.
MENUS
The AU810PB is a very Smart projector so it has a pretty complex menu system. LG utilizes this same menu structure in their lineup of smart flat-panel TVs so it is well organized and easy to navigate. It also has two different menus: one for making picture adjustments and the other for accessing content, apps, and services.
The button that looks like a gear is the Quick Setting button which takes you directly to the basic settings menu. Pressing and holding this button will take you directly to the projector's advanced picture settings.
The Home button, which looks like a house, will allow you to access apps and other entertaining services. Once you are in the projector app menu, you can select a specific input, a streaming app, the web browser, media player, or explore LG's Content Store.
Again, with the AU810PB being a Smart projector, there are dozens and dozens of menu/entertainment options available. The images of the menu shown in this section represents only a fraction of the sub-menus available. I tried to demonstrate the more notable sections found in the most used sub-menus (app store, image adjustments, networking, etc.) within this review.
PERFORMANCE
LG AU810PB 4K UST Business Projector Review – Picture Quality: Color Reproduction, Video Quality, Text and Presentation Quality
COLOR REPRODUCTION
The AU810PB's color reproduction is good but not as accurate as I would have liked. The LG AU810PB has a total of ten preset picture modes for standard or dynamic range content.
The above images give you a general idea of the color accuracy for each of the picture modes. However, when viewed in person, the colors will look much better than how the photos appear on the screen of the device you are using to read this review.
VIVID:This is one of the brightest, but it is not very accurate . This mode would be most appropriate for content in a room with a large amount of ambient light.
STANDARD:This mode provides a balance between brightness and accuracy with nominal video settings.
CINEMA:This setting is designed for viewing movies in a darkened room. Designed to accurately display cinema content
SPORTS: Optimizes the projector to enhance fast action
GAME: This mode optimizes the settings to minimize lag for gameplay.
HDR EFFECT:Creates a more dynamic-looking picture by enhancing the light and dark areas of the image.
FILMMAKER: Certified by the UHD Alliance to accurately reproduce cinema content. When it mode if a "flag" is detected in a piece of compatible content, the projector will automatically turn off frame interpolation and video enhancements to accurately display cinema content
BRIGHTEST: The brightest picture mode but the least accurate
EXPERT (BRIGHT ROOM): This preset disables all video enhancements. It is designed for viewing content in a brighter room.
EXPERT (DARK ROOM): This preset disables all video enhancements. It is designed for viewing content in a darker environment. The most accurate picture mode, but brightness is limited.
The STANDARD mode, which is the default picture preset, was cooler with slightly boosted contrast. The BRIGHTNESS mode and VIVID modes are the brightest and they are designed to be used in areas with high ambient light. The EXPERT (BRIGHT ROOM) mode delivered the best balance of brightness and color reproduction.
There are also seven picture modes available for HDR content. The CINEMA and FILMMAKER modes delivered the most accurate color reproduction.
Below is a variety of screenshots showing color reproduction.
The picture modes that are the most accurate out-of-the-box were EXPERT (DARK ROOM) and FILMMAKER which were the closest to the D65 rec709 standard. Prior to calibration, to achieve the best SDR picture, I choose FILMMAKER Mode with the Color Temperature set to WARM. While this mode delivered the most accurate colors, it was also the least bright of all the modes. The overall color balance is out of the box was very good.
BRIGHTNESS
The LG AU810PB Laser TV has a rated brightness of 2,700 ANSI lumens. So, how close did the AU810PB come to hitting its target of 2,700 ANSI lumens? I set the projector to BRIGHTEST Mode, which is the brightest picture mode available, and then I set the ENERGY SAVINGS to Minimum (brightest lamp setting). I then took 3-4 readings about 15-20% out from the center of the screen.
LG AU810PB Brightness (Vivid Mode, Maximum Light Level): 2,683 lumens
The AU810PB was close to its brightness claim. The projector's more accurate picture modes did reduce the projector light output but there was still more than enough brightness for viewing both SDR and HDR content on a 100" screen in a room with some ambient light.
Brightness by SDR Picture Mode
Color Mode
Lumens
Color Temperature
Vivid
2211
10346K
Standard
2079
10380K
Cinema
780
7430K
Sports
2116
10383K
Game
2014
10546K
HDR Effect
1289
9457K
Filmmaker Mode
1103
7402K
Brightness
2683
8106K
Expert (Bright Room)
1550
6942K
Expert (Dark Room)
1074
7292K
As mentioned, BRIGHTEST and VIVID modes are the least accurate and should only be used as a last resort to overcome a significant amount of ambient light. The EXPERT (BRIGHT ROOM) mode delivered the best balance of brightness and color accuracy. The FILMMAKER and EXPERT (DARK ROOM) modes were the most accurate picture modes out of the box. They are noticeable dimmer, but they still produced enough brightness to deliver a quality SDR or HDR image in a dark room.
While several picture modes delivered a good picture right out of the box, the AU810PB would benefit from calibration like any other projector. What is cool is that the AU810PB's Auto-Calibration feature let can quickly fine-tune using the Calman software with the press of a button.
While l I have experimented with Calman Auto Calibration on LG and Sony flat-panel televisions, this is the first time I had the opportunity to try out this feature on a projector. I set up my Klein K10 meter, plugged in my Murideo Seven G test pattern generator, and fired up my Calman software. Once the software identified the meter, pattern generator, and projector, I answered a few questions and pressed a button.
As you can from the image below, the results were outstanding. To test the projector's color accuracy we use Portrait Displays Calman color calibration software. The results before and after calibration are below.
Pre-calibration, the EXPERT (DARK ROOM) mode was pretty accurate, but there was too much blue energy. The Autocal feature took less than 2 minutes to produce excellent results with a delta error average below 1. It would have taken me 30 minutes to an hour to achieve the same results manually.
To utilize Calman AutoCal, you need some costly equipment and software, so this feature focuses on professionals because it speeds up the calibration process. However, it reinforces that AU810PB has one of the most advanced video processors available in a modern projector.
CONTRAST AND BLACK LEVEL
The dynamic contrast ratio of the AU810PB is listed at 2,000,000:1. The projector can modulate its light source from scene to scene, which is why its rated dynamic contrast ratio is so high.
The AU810PB is also equipped with an adjustable iris with three different levels (Bright Room, Medium, Dark Room) along with a customizable user setting so you can optimize the unit's black level performance based on the viewing environment. I set the level to Medium in my test space because it delivered the best balance of black level and brightness.
While the AU810PB still cannot match the black level and native contrast of an LCoS projector, its performance is better than most DLP-based home theater projectors I have reviewed.
VIDEO QUALITY
Below are images of a variety of videos and photos in 4K and HD resolution. Like all our photos, they remain unadjusted for color, so they do not look as good as what the projector produced. All the HD and 4K images were taken with the AU810PB set to either EXPERT (DARK ROOM) and EXPERT (BRIGHT ROOM) mode.
Since most TV shows and live broadcasted content will continue to be produced in HD for years to come,good 4K upscaling will continue to be important. This projector's upscaling is excellent whether I was watching 720P sports from ESPN or 1080p Blu-ray content, it all looked very good.
While most Blu-ray UHD content is available in HDR10, much of the 4K streaming material is still only 4K SDR. The AU810PB had no problems delivering sharp detailed 4K imagery.
Since a 4K DLP chip does not actually have 8.3 million mirrors, the AU810PB utilizes pixel (mirror) shifting to deliver the perceived sharpness of 4K resolution. This approach works very well. It is very difficult to see a difference in sharpness when comparing a 4K DLP projector like the AU810PB to a native 4K LCD/LCoS model from a normal viewing distance.
Out-of-the-box the 4K picture was good and after calibration the picture would be even better.
4K HDR
Even the brightest HDR projectors struggle to reproduce true HDR content. . The AU810PB can dynamically tone map HDR10 content, and this feature did a good job of maintaining highlight detail. However, tone mapping (whether it is dynamic or not) requires the projector to compromise something (highlights, brightness, contrast, color, or black level). In this case, the AU810PB when Dynamic Tone mapping was engaged, you will sacrifice some brightness. Overall, I still preferred viewing HDR with the setting switched ON.
The LG AU810PB also supports HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) which is the HDR standard developed for live broadcast. Lastly for hardcore gamers out there, since LG is a member of the HGiG (HDR Gaming Interest Group), the AU810PB works with other compatible gaming systems and software to optimize the gaming experience.
SOUND QUALITY
The AU810PB has dual 5-watt built-in speakers located on the back of the unit. Its speakers can provide an adequate sound in a pinch and even play loudly enough for use in an average-sized room. When you use the included remote to adjust the volume, the level is conveniently displayed onscreen. While the sound quality would be okay for narration, the placement of the speakers and the position of the projector in the room will often lead to the recommendation of a separate audio system to get the full audio.
Most people who are buying a home entertainment projector at this price point would likely have an external audio system connected to it anyway. The projector provides flexible audio connections, including the option for eARC over HDMI as well as WiSA wireless audio transmission to up to 8 powered speakers.
SOUND QUALITY
We do not measure audible noise, but the fan noise produced by the LG AU810PB was at 26dB, 27dB, or 29dB, depending on the Energy Saving mode you are using. The highest energy saving was the quietest. The AU810PB is a very quiet projector, even with the projector set to its highest Light level, I could barely hear the unit's fan from my sitting position during quiet scenes.
We do not measure audible noise, butthe fan noise produced by the LG AU810PB was at 26dB, 27dB, or 29dB, depending on the Energy Saving mode you are using. The highest energy saving was the quietest. The AU810PB is a very quiet projector, even with the projector set to its highest Light level, I could barely hear the unit's fan from my sitting position during quiet scenes.
SUMMARY
LG AU810PB 4K UST Business Projector Review – Summary: Highlights, Pros and Cons
HIGHLIGHTS
The LG AU810PB is a 4K DLP projector that retails for $3999. It utilizes a single DLP (0.47" DMD) chip to reproduce a perceived 4K UHD resolution. Its multi-channel Laser-light engine is rated to deliver at 2,700 lumens for up to 20,000 hours, giving you several years of maintenance-free operation.
It offered accurate out-of-the-box color reproduction, and it is one of a few projectors with Dynamic HDR Tone mapping and HGiG. It is also one of the first projector equipped with the latest HDMI 2.1 features, including eARC and ALLM.
The AU810PB has horizontal/vertical lens shift and 12-point geometry correction combined to provide exceptional installation flexibility.
Since the AU810PB was built around the WebOS operating system, which is used in many of LG's flat-panel TVs, Smart features are incorporated seamlessly, and the menus are easy to navigate and well laid out. The AU810PB is loaded with many of the most popular streaming apps including Disney+, YouTube, and Fandango Now.
Since the AU810PB was designed to replace a flat panel TV, it has all the Smart features customers expect from a Smart TV. You can use the Smart remote for voice control with its built-in microphone to control basic projector features and control a wide variety of compatible Smart devices via Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
The AU810PB is also the first projector I have reviewed that is WiSA compatible so that it can broadcast sound to multiple wireless speakers. This eliminates the wires and the A/V receiver, so it is easier for anyone to set up a stereo or a full surround system.
The AU810PB delivered a great picture and is packed with firsts, which is why we are awarding it with a Projector Reviews Hot Product Award.
The AU810PB and its little brother, the HU810PW, are the first projectors equipped with HDMI 2.1 features like eARC and ALLM. No other projector in the AU810PB or HU810PW price points includes all the advanced features found on these models.
While Most laser DLP projectors below use a blue laser light source with a phosphor wheel. LG AU810PB utilizes the multi-channel laser system found in LG's higher-priced award-winning ultra-short-throw model, the HU85LS.
They are the first projectors I reviewed that support multi-channel wireless speakers via WiSA or HGiG, which enhances HDR gaming. When you consider both projectors also include vertical/horizontal lens shift and an adjustable iris, it is easy to see why these two models are in a class by themselves.
The AU810PB is black, and it is designed for the custom installation market. The HU810PW comes in white and will be able to consumers directly from LG. Since the LG HU810PW utilizes a lot of the same hardware, it delivers the same picture quality as the AU810PB for about $1000 less.
However, it lacks many notable features found on the AU80PB, including a 12v Trigger, WiSA, Auto Calibration (via Calman), and a 2-year warranty. The LGAU810PB is by far the most advanced and feature-packed model; on the market below $5000.
PROS
2,700 lumens
Dual-Channel Laser Light Engine
20,000 Hour Lamp Life (50% Power)
4K UHD Resolution
DLP chip delivers a sharp picture
One HDMI 2.1 (24 Gbps) and two HDMI 2.0b (18 Gbps) inputs for 4K@60p HDR playback
HDR10 and HLG Support
HGiG support to optimize HDR gaming picture quality
Dynamic HDR Tone Mapping
HDMI eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel)
ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
Adjustable Iris to optimize contrast in a variety of room environments
WiSA (Wireless Speaker and Audio) support
Smart Features
Google Assistant / Amazon Alexa Voice Control
Good 4K upscaling
Good Motion Performance
CONS
No Anamorphic Lens Support
No motorized lens
LG AU810PB – SPECIFICATIONS
LG AU810PB Specs
Projector Model
LG AU810PB
Technology
DLP with XPR (0.47” DMD)
Price
$3999
Brightness (Manufacturer Claim)
2700
Brightness Description
Laser (Multi-Channel)
Contrast Ratio
2,000,000,000:1, 2,000.000;1
Projection
24.3
Native Resolution
1920x1080x4
Displayed Resolution
3820 x 2,160
3D
No
Blue Ray
No
Ultra Short Throw
No
Native Aspect Ratio
18
Video Compatiblity
HDTV
720p, 1,080i, 1,080p, UHD, 4K
Lamp Life
20,000 hours
Noise Level (-db)
28dB (26dB Eco)
Audio
2 x 5 watts
DVI or HDMI
Yes
Power Zoom Focus
Yes
Lens Shift
Yes
LAN Networking
Yes
Zoom Lens Ratio
1.6:1
Optional Lens
No
Classroom
Yes
Speakers
Yes
Special Features
webOS, Google Assistant, Alexa Built-in ALLM, eARC, WiSA,
