The Optoma ZU920TST is an ultra-bright 8,200 ANSI lumen professional projector that sells for $12,999 MSRP. The ZU920TST has a manufacturer-rated DYNAMIC CONTRAST Ratio of 3,000,000:1 and a WUXGA (1,920×1,200 pixels) native resolution.
This projector is part of Optoma's ZU series and is the direct replacement for the ZU720TST. The ZU920TST features three (3) HDMI inputs, which can accept signals up to 4K @ 60 fps. An Optoma DuraCore laser diode powers the ZU920TST with an estimated light-source life of 30,000 hours in ECO mode.
The ZU920TST is a short-throw, fixed lens projector designed for digital signage, multi-projector edge-blending, and projection mapping. The ZU920TST is also excellent for simulation and immersive installations. The projector offers ideal placement and installation flexibility due in part to its motorized zoom and full motorized lens shift.
Let's take a close look at the 2022 Optoma ZU920TST.
| Optoma ZU920TST Specs | |
|---|---|
| Price | $12,999 |
| Technology | DLP |
| Native Resolution | 1920 x 1200 |
| Brightness (Manufacturer Claim) | 8200 |
| Contrast | 3,000,000:1 |
| Zoom Lens Ratio | 1.15x |
| Lens Shift | Yes |
| Lamp Life | 20,000 |
| Weight | 30.86 lbs |
| Warranty | 3 Years |
OVERVIEW
Optoma Technology is one of the world's leading designers and manufacturers of projection solutions for the pro market. Its products are ideal for education, corporate meeting spaces, houses of worship, digital signage, museums, rental and staging, outdoor venues, and home theaters.
I've reviewed several Optoma projectors here at Projector Reviews, most recently, the new Optoma UHD55. I also wrote an article about the launch of it and other new Optoma projectors announced earlier this year.
In their product announcement, Optoma wrote, "The ZU920T series offers the main features and benefits of its predecessor, including high brightness, color precision, and quiet operation." I also personally confirmed this with Optoma directly.
The ZU920TST is designed for professional markets, so Optoma has carried over all of the ZU720TST's placement features. These include Stacking, 360 Placement, Full Lens Shift, Electronic Zoom, and HDBaseT to reduce installation complexity. The projector's all-new fixed lens can display content in portrait orientation and project images from as far as 54 feet.
Optoma continues to offer advanced configuration features on the ZU920TST, such as Edge Blending, Warping, High brightness, color precision, and quiet operation for use in professional environments.
This projector uses Optoma's DuraCore laser/phosphor light source. It is IP5X-certified, thanks partly to its sealed light engine. This projector also uses a Texas Instruments DLP DMD imager and color wheel. Unfortunately, despite asking twice, Optoma refused to give me the size of the DLP chip or the type of color wheel they use.
The laser-light engine on the ZU920TST is capable of 30,000 hours of 24/7 operation in ECO mode and 20,000 in NORMAL mode. The projector's light output has been increased by 1,200 ANSI lumens from 7,000 to 8,200, making it bright enough for venues with uncontrolled ambient light sources. DYNAMIC CONTRAST has also improved from 1,000,000:1 to 3,000,000:1.
The ZU920TST comes with a new lens allowing the projector to be placed as close as 28 inches or as far as 54 feet from the screen. This long throw distance increases by 34 feet compared to the previous model. The recommended screen size range is the same at 50" - 300" diagonally.
The ZU920TST accepts 3D, HDR, and 4K video resolutions. The projector supports Optoma's OMS management system, AMX, Crestron, EXTRON, and RS232 control and monitoring protocols.
The ZU920TST supports Optoma's Color Management System (CMS), which is designed to display accurate colors to best match your viewing environment. The ZU920TST offers a ridiculous amount of presets for almost every aspect of the displayed image, including PICTURE, DYNAMIC RANGE, GAMMA, COLOR TEMP, COLOR SPACE, and COLOR MATCHING modes. Optoma has also included presets for WALL COLOR ADJUSTMENT if you are not using a screen, Picture-in-Picture (PIP), and Picture-by-Picture (PBP).
The ZU920TST can also save lens position presets, and projector setup presets.
There are two models in the ZU900 series, just as there were two in the ZU700 series, with the big difference being the type of lens used.
| ZU720T | ZU720TST | ZU920T | ZU920TST |
| 1.8x zoom | 1.26x zoom | 1.6x zoom | 1.15 zoom |
| 7,500 ANSI Lumens | 7,000 ANSI Lumens | 8,200 ANSI Lumens | 8,200 ANSI Lumens |
| 47.24" - 649.61" | 31.89" - 241.34" | 52.36" - 514.17" | 27.56" - 653.54" |
| Manual Zoom | Motorized Zoom | Motorized Zoom | Motorized Zoom |
| $4,999 MSRP | $6,299 MSRP | $10,999 MSRP | $12,999 MSRP |
HIGHLIGHTS
- 8,200 ANSI lumens
- $12,999 MSRP
- 1.15x motorized zoom
- WUXGA resolution (1920 x 1200 pixels)
- DLP technology
- DuraCore Laser offers up to 30,000 hours of life in ECO mode
- No need for filter replacement
- 3,000,000:1 DYNAMIC CONTRAST Ratio
- Motorized Lens Shift (Vertical: ±55%, Horizontal: ±25%)
- 4-Corner Geometric Correction
- 360-degree positioning
- PORTRAIT mode
- HDBaseT
- Simple and Advanced Stacking supported
- Color Management System (CMS)
- DYNAMIC CONTRAST and Extreme Black features
- 3D-capable
- 24/7 operation
- Quick Resume (Quick On/Off)
- RS232, AMX, Crestron RoomView, and Extron IPLink-compatible
