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Optoma GT3900UHD Short Throw Projector vs Optoma ZH400 Laser Projector

Both are 4,000-lumen DuraCore laser DLP projectors rated for 30,000 hours, so brightness and lifespan are a wash. The GT3900UHD wins on image and placement: true 4K, a 0.49:1 short throw lens, 4.3ms game lag and a Golf mode. The ZH400 is a 1080p long-throw unit with a 1.1x zoom, HDR10 and 360-degree positioning, better suited to ceiling mounting in a meeting room or a large hall. Buy the GT3900UHD for a home theater, game room or golf sim; buy the ZH400 for a boardroom, classroom or install where the projector sits far from the screen.

  • Choose the Optoma GT3900UHD if you want a big 4K picture from a few feet away, low input lag for gaming, or a golf sim setup.
  • Choose the Optoma ZH400 if you need a 1080p workhorse mounted across the room or on the ceiling, with zoom to fit the screen.

Prices

  • Optoma GT3900UHD Short Throw Projector: $1,499.00 at Indoor Golf Essentials (last seen Nov 10)
  • Optoma ZH400 Laser Projector: $824.00 at BuyDirect & Save (last seen Nov 9)
  • Difference: the Optoma ZH400 Laser Projector is $675.00 cheaper than the Optoma GT3900UHD Short Throw Projector at the latest prices (Nov 9 and Nov 10)
Optoma
Optoma GT3900UHD 4K UHD Short Throw Laser Projector

Optoma GT3900UHD Short Throw Projector

Optoma GT3900UHD 4K UHD Short Throw Laser Projector

$1,499.00at Indoor Golf EssentialsChecked 14 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Indoor Golf Essentials
Pros
  • True 4K UHD detail at 4,000 lumens
  • Short throw fills a 100-150 inch screen from about 3.6 ft
  • 4.3ms input lag at 1080p/240Hz suits console and sim gaming
  • Dedicated Golf Sim mode
  • WiSA wireless audio support
Cons
  • No zoom listed, so screen size is set by distance
  • No HDR format listed
  • Short throw optics can show corner focus softness if not squared to the wall
Optoma
Optoma ZH400 Laser DLP Projector

Optoma ZH400 Laser Projector

Optoma ZH400 Laser DLP Projector

$824.00at BuyDirect & SaveChecked Nov 9
See all prices and details
Visit BuyDirect & Save
Pros
  • 1.1x zoom makes screen fitting easy
  • HDR10 and HLG support
  • 360-degree positioning for ceiling and portrait installs
  • Projects 20 to 322 inch images
  • Two HDMI inputs plus USB-A
Cons
  • 1080p only, no 4K
  • Long throw needs a lot of room depth for a big image
  • No gaming lag figure published

What separates them

Optoma GT3900UHD Short Throw ProjectorOptoma ZH400 Laser Projector
Native resolution3840 x 2160 (4K UHD)1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Throw ratio0.49:1 short throw, 100-150 inch image from about 3.6-5.4 ft1.48-1.62:1 long throw, needs several feet of distance
Input lagAs low as 4.3ms at 1080p/240HzNot specified for gaming; standard DLP lag
Zoom and lens shiftFixed short throw lens, no zoom listed1.1x zoom for fine screen fit
HDRNot listedHDR10 and Hybrid Log Gamma
Placement flexibilitySits close to the wall on a table or bed360-degree positioning, ceiling and portrait installs
Special modesGolf Sim mode plus game modeStandard picture modes, 3D support
Light sourceDuraCore laser, up to 30,000 hoursDuraCore laser phosphor, 30,000 hours

Price history

$1,499.00$999.00
Nov 2Nov 11
  • Optoma GT3900UHD Short Throw Projector: lowest $1,499.00 on Nov 2 at Indoor Golf Outlet; $1,499.00 on Nov 10.
  • Optoma ZH400 Laser Projector: lowest $999.00 on Nov 11 at Best Buy.

Prices at every store

Optoma GT3900UHD Short Throw Projector

  • ProjectorScreen.comNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $1,499.00Checked 14 h ago
    Visit ProjectorScreen.com
  • Indoor Golf EssentialsNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $1,499.00Checked 14 h ago
    Visit Indoor Golf Essentials
  • Indoor Golf OutletNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $1,499.00Checked 14 h ago
    Visit Indoor Golf Outlet
  • Elite Sim GolfNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $1,499.00Checked 14 h ago
    Visit Elite Sim Golf

Also available at

  • Indoor Golf EssentialsCheck price at Indoor Golf Essentials
  • Indoor Golf OutletCheck price at Indoor Golf Outlet
  • Elite Sim GolfCheck price at Elite Sim Golf
All 15 stores and price history →

Optoma ZH400 Laser Projector

  • BuyDirect & SaveNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $824.00Checked Nov 9
    Visit BuyDirect & Save
  • Best BuyNew

    In stock

    $999.00Free shippingChecked 7 h ago
    Visit Best Buy
  • AVI-SPLNew

    In stock

    $999.00Free shippingChecked 7 h ago
    Visit AVI-SPL
  • AdoramaNew

    In stock

    $999.00Free shippingChecked 7 h ago
    Visit Adorama
All 14 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecOptoma GT3900UHD Short Throw ProjectorOptoma ZH400 Laser Projector
Native Resolution3840 x 21601920 x 1080
Brightness4,000 lumen4000 lumens
Light SourceLaserLaser Phosphor
Display TypeDLP—
ConnectivityHDMI, USB—
Short ThrowYes—
colorBlack—
Screen Resolution3840x2160 (4K Ultra HD)—
Brightness (ANSI)4000—
Light source life—30,000 hours
Throw ratio—1.48 to 1.62:1
Display system—DLP
Show all 17 specsShow fewer specs
SpecOptoma GT3900UHD Short Throw ProjectorOptoma ZH400 Laser Projector
HDR support—HDR10/Hybrid Log Gamma
Zoom—1.1x
Audio/Video I/O—3.5 mm / HDMI
Aspect ratio—16:9
3D support—3D

What reviewers say

Optoma ZH400 Laser Projector

Owner feedback on the ZH400 is limited, but laser Optoma models in this class are generally praised for brightness and set-and-forget reliability. Complaints tend to center on the modest zoom and the 1080p ceiling rather than the light engine.

What people mention
  • BrightnessPraisedOwners say 4,000 lumens is enough for lit rooms and large screens.
  • Laser lifePraisedThe 30,000-hour light source is seen as the main reason to buy over lamp models.
  • ZoomCriticisedThe 1.1x zoom gives little room to adjust image size without moving the projector.
  • ResolutionMixed1080p is fine for presentations but shows its limits on very large screens.

Questions and answers

Which is better for a golf simulator?
The GT3900UHD. It has a dedicated Golf Sim mode, true 4K resolution and a short throw lens that keeps the projector out of your swing area. The ZH400 has no sim mode and needs far more distance from the screen.
Which is better for gaming?
The GT3900UHD, by a wide margin. It reaches 4.3ms input lag at 1080p/240Hz and adds 4K for slower titles. The ZH400 is a presentation projector with no published low-lag mode.
Do both last the same?
Yes on paper. Both use Optoma's DuraCore laser rated at up to 30,000 hours, so light source life is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Is the GT3900UHD worth stepping up to over the ZH400?
If the screen is for movies, games or a sim, yes. You get 4K, short throw placement and low lag. If it is for slides in a lit room at long distance, the ZH400's zoom and HDR do the job.
Can I ceiling mount either one?
The ZH400 supports 360-degree positioning, so ceiling and even portrait mounting are straightforward. The GT3900UHD is built for close placement on a table or low shelf in front of the wall.
Which handles a bright room better?
They are equal at 4,000 lumens. The GT3900UHD's short throw concentrates light over a shorter path, but neither is a substitute for controlling ambient light on a large screen.

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More comparisons

  • Optoma GT3900UHD 4K UHD Short Throw Laser Projector vs Optoma Technology HZ40HDR 4000-Lumen Full HD Laser DLP Home Theater and Gaming Projector
  • Optoma ZH400 Laser DLP Projector vs Optoma Technology HZ40HDR 4000-Lumen Full HD Laser DLP Home Theater and Gaming Projector

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