LG CineBeam PU700R 4K Smart LED Projector Review

The LG CineBeam measures 6.4" x 12" x 5.7" (W x H x D) and weighs 6.8 lbs. (3.08 Kg). Because this is a relatively compact projector, the PU700R can be easily transported to and from multiple locations in the home or out and about. This allows this powerful 4K projector to function as a 4K home entertainment projector and an on-the-go entertainment, communication, and multimedia device, making it one of the most flexible projectors I've reviewed recently.

The LG PU700R can easily be taken on the road, in an RV, or dormitory if there is a place to plug it in. The PU700R can also serve a more traditional role for a homeowner who values owning a high-quality 4K projector that is easy to transport from the living room to the bedroom or out back for an outdoor movie night.

The pivoting design of the LG PU700R makes it look like a high-end motorized stage light. The front of the PU700R contains the projector's lens, camera, and geometric sensors for automatically focusing and vertical keystone correction.

On the top center of the projector is a single button-like joystick. This one control manages Power On/Off, Volume Up/Down, Menu, and Navigation functions all in one.

The PU700R has one HDMI 2.1 connection with ARC functionality and a USB Type-C connection that supports data and media transfer. In addition, the USB Type-C port also supports PD (Power Delivery) and DP (DisplayPort) ALTERNATE mode. The projector also features a USB Type-A connection next to the HDMI port.

LG has built-in compatibility for various commonly available USB video cameras that, when plugged into the PU700R, allow users to use multiple video conferencing websites via the included web browser.

Per the LG user manual, the manufacturer's recommended projection range for the PU700R is from 60 inches up to 200 inches.

It is important to note that the distance from the projector lens to the projection surface, video format, and zoom setting can all affect the projected image quality and size. I found the projector bright enough to produce a quality image at 100 inches, even when I partially allowed some ambient light into the room.

The PU700R offers an extensive but easy-to-use menu system with the same menu structure used in their smart, flat-panel TV lineup, which is well-organized. It also has two menus: one for making picture adjustments and the other for accessing content, apps, and services.

The Home button, which looks like a house, allows you to access apps and other entertainment services. Once in the projector app menu, you can select a specific input, a streaming app, a web browser, a media player, or explore LG's Content Store.
The Quick Settings button looks like a gear, 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 menu images in this section represent only a fraction of the available sub-menus.

LG uses AI sensing technology that automatically adjusts the projected image when the projection angle does not align with the screen for an optimized viewing experience. With LG ASA, users can enjoy their favorite content without having the projector aligned at the perfect angle.

My experience with this feature could have been better. When ASA works, it is amazing, and when it doesn't the feature ends of misaligning the projector. I found the range of error correction that ASA comes with to be limited. The good new is that users can just turn it off and square the projector manually. LG has made the setup of this projector remarkably easy, providing a range of easy to use geometric adjustment tools to help users get the best image possible especially when the "Auto" correction tools don't always work.

The P700R includes seven colorful Mood Lighting options to enhance the ambiance of whatever space it's placed in. LG created the MOOD LIGHTING mode to enhance the user's theater experience by letting users choose from seven vibrant colors to set the scene and create their ideal vibe. The reality is that LG put LED lighting in the base of the projector. User can select from a range of colors for the projector to cycle through from the top of the projectors base or display a single color while using the projector.

The kids will probably love this feature. I quickly shut it off as the LED lights offered no functional value, and I found them distracting.

I would love to see LG integrate the lighting into the projector operation. They could use the lights and colors to indicate features that are on or off or even alert users to potential projector issues. LG could have the LED lights change colors with the dominant color on the screen like many aftermarket LED systems or even have the LEDs flash in time with music being played through the projector.

Maybe the next generation?

The LG PU700RP LED light engine provides up to 30,000 hours of maintenance-free operation. Plenty of lamp-based projectors are in the PU700R price range, but they can't deliver picture quality equal to this projector.

The PU700R projector delivers a good picture whether you're watching HD, 4K, or HDR content. When I first used it, the picture quality looked just as good, if not better, than most other projectors I've seen.

Considering how the projector will be used when evaluating the picture quality is important. The PU700R may not have the best black levels, but that's not a big problem if used in a room with some light. It's more suitable for smaller den or living room screens than large home theaters.

I was impressed with how good SDR content looked on my 120" screen. For HDR content, I prefer more brightness on a large screen, but the PU700R's 1,000 lumens is more than enough for smaller screens up to 90 inches and even in rooms with some uncontrolled ambient light sources.

Overall, I was very happy with the picture quality of the PU700R. It produced a decently bright and vibrant picture that made movies, TV shows, and live sports look great in my room. Pairing it with a good ALR screen helps with this projector's typical DLP black levels. Where this projector really shines is in its color performance and its portability.

The images below are from movies and TV shows, but remember that there might be some color shifting in the pictures. They don't fully represent how good the LG PU700R looks in person.

When it comes to achieving accurate skin tones on the PU700R, the EXPERT modes, both bright and dark, really stood out. These modes delivered the most faithful representation of skin tones, crucial for an immersive viewing experience.

Switching over to brighter picture modes such as VIVID, STANDARD, or SPORTS resulted in a pleasant warming of the image and a boost in color saturation, which can help when dealing with unwanted ambient light sources. These brighter modes might still be worth considering to cut through the luminance and maintain a vibrant image effectively. These modes display more color than the brightest picture mode, BRIGHTEST.

The LG CineBeam PU700R is a home entertainment projector with an impressive 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) (3,840 x 2,160) picture. For $1,699, this smart projector brings high-quality visuals to your living space. It utilizes advanced technology, featuring a single Texas Instruments 0.47-inch Digital Light Processing (DLP) Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) to display stunning images on your screen.

One of the standout features of the PU700R is its use of an RGB LED light source. This light source enables the projector to deliver up to 1,000 ANSI lumens of brightness. With up to 20,000 hours of light source life, you can enjoy many hours of entertainment without worrying about frequent bulb replacements. This extended lifespan adds to the projector's overall value and ensures long-term usage. More importantly, the PU700R does a lot with the light provided by the RGB LED light source.

Colors are rich without the typical oversaturation often found on DLP projectors. Skin tones are excellent, and other than the projector's brightest preset mode; the overall hue looked natural without the blueish-green hue I've noticed on other LED projectors by LG.

HDR performance on the projector was decent, with HDR10 content benefiting from increased dark and bright area detail in projected images. The benefits of HDR were not as noticeable as on some brighter LG projectors, but I could see an overall improvement with HDR-encoded content.

The PU700R offers direct access to streaming services like Disney+, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video. These streaming services are excellent; however, the company's webOS store offers fewer video streaming applications than many competitors. Netflix is not available, nor are apps like Paramount Plus and HBO Max.

There are far fewer apps for everything, including general applications and games. The good news is that a range of affordable streaming devices is available for as little as $19.99, up to $149 for premium devices like Apple TV 4K.

Regarding video picture quality, the projector performed well. Although it wasn't flawless, the color accuracy overall was impressive, delivering natural-looking skin tones and good image contrast. The projector is most effective in environments with minimal ambient light, but it can still produce a decent image, even with a lamp in the corner or when the blinds are drawn on a window. While it may not be my top pick for a dedicated home theater projector, its versatility and range of features compensate for the slightly dimmer image.

My biggest issue is with the projector's focus uniformity. The image can be focused razer sharp in the middle of the screen but gets soft quickly, well before the extreme corners of the screen. The result is an image that should be sharper than it is.

Samsung Freestyle $699 MSRP

The Samsung Freestyle shares a similar look to the LG PU700R, so much so that if you don't see them in person, you may be tempted to this that these two projectors are direct competitors, but they are not however I think it's worth briefly covering why. Both projectors share a similar pivoting design allowing them to project a square image on various surfaces, including irregular ones. Both are smart-enabled and meant to be transportable although the Samsung does have an optional battery that it can use.

The LG is a 4K UHD projector compared to the Samsungs much lower Full HD resolution which is why there is such a big price difference between the two products.

It really comes down to the use case. If you are looking for a truly portable projector that can be used anywhere if the optional battery is charged, then the Samsung Freestyle is the better choice. If you want a 4K UHD projector with higher brightness and contrast that offers a compelling home entertainment experience, then the LG PU700R is the projector you want.

JMGO N1 Ultra $2099 MSRP

The JMGO N1 Ultra is a smart, 4K, triple laser projector selling for an MSRP of $2,099; JMGO says it’s the world’s first 4K laser projector that works like a gimbal allowing it to be set up and easily adjusted. From a design perspective, the N1 Ultra and the PU700R have much in common. Regarding performance and price, they are similarly capable, with the  JMGO offering around 2500 ANSI lumens of brightness and an RGB triple laser light source. 

The N1 Ultra is more of a home theater projector that can be transportable than the LG, which is more of a home entertainment projector. As a transportable projector, you get a lot more bang for your buck with the LG selling for $400 less than the JMGO. However, the JMGO offers more than double the brightness and contrast of the LG and features a powerhouse onboard sound system and an RGB laser light source for only a few hundred dollars more.