4K projector Optoma Photon Life PK31 now costs less than 9 thousand. It has never been this cheap

A large image on the living room wall sounds appealing until you encounter the price tags of 4K projectors. However, the Optoma Photon Life PK31 has now dropped to its lowest price ever. At Alza, at the time of writing, you can buy it for 8,590 CZK instead of 17,190 CZK, which is half price. However, it makes sense to buy it mainly if you already have a console, computer, or streaming box at home.

Quick summary:
✅ Makes sense for gamers with a console or gaming PC and anyone who wants to project movies in the evening in a darkened room.
⚠️ Consider that it needs a darkened room, has no apps or Wi-Fi, and offers only a single HDMI input.
💡 For 8,590 CZK, it is 2,584 CZK cheaper than it was for most of the summer.

4K image up to 150 inches, best in the dark

Optoma states 4K UHD resolution (3840 × 2160 pixels). Like most 4K DLP projectors in this price range, it achieves this by rapidly shifting pixels from a lower-resolution chip (XPR technology). It supports HDR10 and HLG, and the RGB LED light source is said by the manufacturer to last up to 30,000 hours in eco mode. So, you don’t have to worry about replacing the lamp.

The brightness is 900 ISO lumens. This is not enough for daylight; the PK31 belongs in an evening living room or a darkened room. Reviewers at ProjectorReviews recommend a screen size of around 90 inches for regular content, and rather 75 to 80 inches for HDR. While you can extend the image up to 150 inches, it will be noticeably darker at 900 lumens. Furthermore, testers found the black to appear more like dark gray.

In Full HD and 240 Hz, it has a delay of only 4.6 ms

A strong point of the projector is gaming. Optoma states an input lag of 4.6 ms at 1080p and 240 Hz, and 16 ms at 4K and 60 Hz. The lowest response time is therefore achieved with a gaming PC in Full HD; for a console in 4K, expect 16 ms. One caveat: keystone correction is disabled in gaming mode, so the projector must be placed directly opposite the screen.

For a 100-inch image, place it 3.3 to 3.7 meters from the wall

Both 1.1× zoom and focus are adjusted manually on the lens, so you primarily change the image size by distance. The full range of 60 to 150 inches covers a distance from 2.1 to 5.2 meters. Therefore, you won’t conjure up a larger diagonal in a smaller room.

You can digitally correct keystone up to 40 degrees horizontally and vertically, but manually. Although Alza mentions automatic correction in its listing, Optoma only states it for its siblings PH31 and PK32, and according to the ProjectorReviews test, the PK31 does not have it. The 3D support that Alza lists is not mentioned by Optoma in its technical sheet, and ProjectorReviews states that the projector does not have it.

According to the manufacturer, noise ranges from 26 dB in eco mode to 32 dB in bright mode. The built-in 5W mono speaker lacks bass, so for movies, it’s worth connecting a soundbar via the 3.5mm output.

You can’t watch a movie without a box or console

This is a crucial limitation. The PK31 has no smart system, apps, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth. You cannot launch Netflix or YouTube on it directly; another device must send the image via the single HDMI input. Anyone who wants to connect both a console and a streaming box simultaneously must purchase an HDMI switch or re-plug cables.

According to ProjectorReviews, the USB-A port can power a streaming stick like a Fire TV Stick, so you don’t need an extra power outlet for the stick. A classic box, such as the Xiaomi TV Box S 3rd Gen, will also add smart features. Anyone who wants to have apps directly on the projector must opt for a smart model.

It suits gamers and movie enthusiasts, but requires darkness

For 8,590 CZK, the PK31 makes sense primarily for owners of a PlayStation, Xbox, or gaming PC who want a large image with low response time. It will also please movie fans who already have an Apple TV or another box and project in a darkened room in the evening. It is not suitable for rooms with ambient light or for people who just want to turn on the projector and watch a series without another device. They will be happier with a smart model.

Would you rather project movies and games onto a wall, or stick with a TV?