LG CineBeam HU710PW: a minute review
LG’s CineBeam HU710PW projector won’t blow you away like more premium models, but it delivers a great 4K image with a maximum size of 300-inches for a fairly reasonable price.
For starters, it has all the ports you could possibly need and uses the excellent webOS smart TV platform – meaning it supports all your favorite streaming services.
But where this projector really shines is its image. As mentioned, you can get a 4K image in sizes up to 300 inches – or as small as 50 inches if you don’t have any wall space.
Once this projector is up and running, the bright 2000 lumens hybrid laser and LED projection method will dazzle you with bright colors that bring everything you watch to life. And thanks to this projector’s 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, even dark scenes will have a decent amount of detail, provided the lights in your home theater are turned off.
You don’t have to worry about dimming the lights either, because the remote control of the LG CineBeam HU710PW projector has illuminated buttons. Even in a pitch dark room you know exactly what you are pressing.
However, it is not perfect. For starters, the audio performance is mediocre – if you want a home theater that sounds as good as it looks, you need to invest in a decent soundbar. If you’re grabbing an external speaker, you’ll want one that’s Dolby Atmos compatible – the internal speakers can’t use it, but this projector supports the codec via passthrough.
And, as with most projectors, the more competitive gamers among you may want to avoid the LG CineBeam HU710PW. The slow response time and lack of 4K at 120Hz hinder your ability to make game-winning plays in multiplayer matches.
That said, considering it costs $2,500 / £2,500 (around AU$3,600) – a fairly reasonable price for a 4K projector like this – it’s no surprise that some compromises had to be made.
LG CineBeam HU710PW: price and availability
The LG CineBeam HU710PW projector costs $2,500 / £2,500 (about AU$3,600). While this is far from cheap, it’s a pretty reasonable price for what you get – it sits comfortably in the middle of the pack.
It costs more than the BenQ TK700STi 4K gaming projector, but you get better smart TV integration and better HDR and Dolby Atmos support. And it’s not as expensive as the Samsung Premiere LSP9T, although it’s not as bright and you miss out on the benefits of a short-throw projector.
LG CineBeam HU710PW: design
- Can be hung from the ceiling or placed on a surface
- Plenty of ports for everything in your home theater setup
- Remote control lights up
The LG CineBeam HU710PW looks like a fairly standard projector clad in white plastic. The design is nothing to write home about, but what it offers practically more than makes up for it.
At the top, a panel slides just above the projector lens to reveal two manual dials for zoom and focus, respectively. They offer a high degree of precision as you turn them, giving you the fine control you need to get a perfectly tuned image.
Under the projector you will find two extendable feet and holes with which you can attach it to a bracket so that you can hang it from the ceiling. By turning each foot, you can change the height of the front of the project and realign it to your setup.
Finally, the back of the projector houses a large number of ports. There are three HDMI 2.1 ports, one of which is an eARC input that is compatible with a wide range of soundbars. There’s also an optical digital audio output that gives you an alternative option for connecting a sound system, plus an Ethernet input to keep streaming platforms running as smoothly as possible. There are also two USB 2.0 ports.
The projector measures 10.2 x 15.4 x 4.8 inches (259 x 390 x 123 mm) and weighs 14.3 lbs (6.5 kg).
Perhaps the best part is the CineBeam’s remote control – this thing is awesome. The standout design feature is the Nintendo Wii-esque gesture controls – physically moving the remote moves a cursor on the screen allowing you to select different options on the screen.
Sure, it can get out of sync quite easily, but it was never a big deal, and the benefits far outweigh any annoyance.
In addition, we would also like to praise the remote’s choice of quick-access entertainment buttons. Too often we’re presented with a selection of apps, barely half of which are services we actually want to use, but LG’s remote instead gives a one-touch shortcut for Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video and HDMI. 1. Although these are the most minor of comforts, it was one that we could finally take full advantage of.
Best of all, the remote glows during use. Even if you’re using the LG CineBeam HU710PW in a pitch-dark room, you’ll be able to see which buttons you’re pressing as they all light up for you.
LG CineBeam HU710PW: Smart TV
- webOS 6.0 like other LG devices
- Offers the best streaming services
- Easy to navigate
The LG CineBeam HU710PW projector uses webOS 6.0, one of the best smart platforms for TVs and projectors out there.
Like the version on LG’s stunning OLED TVs like the LG C2 and LG G2, this platform gives you the best streaming services (like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus and Apple TV Plus).
But what helps webOS stand out is its simplicity. The menus are easy to navigate and the intuitive home screen provides quick access to both your favorite services and content recommendations based on your viewing history.
In addition, this projector supports AirPlay. If you have an iPhone or iPad, you can stream content on your portable device to the LG CineBeam HU710PW at the touch of a button. You can even set up HomeKit to add this projector to your collection of smart devices that can be controlled via a single app.
LG CineBeam HU710PW: image quality
- Can take a 4K image up to 300 inches . produce
- 2,000 ANSI Lumen brightness and 2,000,000:1 . contrast ratio
- HDR10 and HLG but no Dolby Vision support
The 4K image of the LG CineBeam HU710PW was, in one word, excellent. Whether you’re looking at something at 40 inches or at 300 inches, you’re sure to be impressed with what this projector can achieve.
When testing projectors, we often turn to a movie like Spider-Man: Homecoming to try it out. In the first half of the film, this projector stunned us with its ability to reproduce our hero’s brightly colored spandex suit and the Chitauri’s purple glowing weapons.
In addition, the LG CineBeam HU710PW’s high contrast ensured that the film’s finale – which takes place at night – was not reduced to a dark mess of pixels as can happen with less capable projectors.
Watching in a darkroom, we could easily make out the details of the Vulture’s military suit, and we never struggled to determine what was happening on the screen, all thanks to the 2,000 ANSI Lumen brightness and 2,000 contrast ratio. 000:1.
This LG projector also features a range of picture settings, including TruMotion (which smooths out movement on the screen), built-in 4K upscaling, and dynamic contracts, just to name a few. We found that the best settings were the ones we customized to suit our preferences and settings, and thanks to the explanations in each setting’s menu, we were able to fine-tune everything in a matter of minutes. Plus, the LG CineBeam HU710PW remembers your custom settings even after you turn it off, so there’s no need to change them every time you start it up.
To test the gaming performance of this projector, we started up Elden Ring. Not only does this game offer a variety of environments – from bright gilded castles to dark and gloomy catacombs to re-test the projector’s brightness and contrast – but it’s a tough game to play. Enemies are relentless and reaction times are essential.
Here things will be a little disappointing for more competitive gamers with high-end setups.
Despite the HDMI 2.1 ports, this projector can only achieve 4K at 60 Hz, leaving you to choose between performance and image quality. In addition, the input lag may be a bit high even when the projector’s game mode is turned on. If you’re playing against Elden Ring’s strongest enemies and in competitive online matches in Halo Infinite or Fortnite, the projector can be a bit of a drag.
That said, it’s not the end of the world, and if you prefer a more casual gaming experience, this projector will do the trick.
LG CineBeam HU710PW: audio performance
- Not great audio performance
- Supports Dolby Audio pass-through
- Use of a soundbar recommended
Compared to the visuals, the audio performance of the LG CineBeam HU710PW leaves more than a little to be desired.
The two 5W speakers don’t provide the look to match the visuals, so we’d recommend grabbing a soundbar or using another sound system to amplify your home theatre.
Something like the wireless Sonos Arc will be perfect as you can place it in front of any surface you project on. This, in turn, solves the CineBeam’s other audio problem: because the sound doesn’t come out of the picture, it can sometimes feel a bit disorienting.
Whatever sound system solution you find, the Dolby Atmos pass-through capabilities of the CineBeam HU710PW ensure you get the best possible experience with a compatible setup.
If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve rounded up the best soundbars available right now so you can find the perfect speaker to pair with your new projector.
Buy it if…
