Optoma HD72 DLP Projector Review

[gene]

The Optoma HD72 projector produced incredibly sharp, well-defined images. It also has some of the best colors and black levels we have seen in a projector under $3500.  The projector’s input flexibility, impressive feature set, and styling are things normally found on projectors at much higher price points. Optoma’s impressive two-year warranty and no dead pixel policy make this an easy recommendation. It simply blows our mind that the consumer can now purchase this level of performance for $2000.

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[cthomp]

Thanks for the great review Gene. I am torn between the HD72 and the Sony
HS51A. Tough choice in my book.

[RLA]

Hello
If you are not sensitive to RBE and your room can accommodate the HD-72's offset this is a relatively easy choice IMOHO

[jeffsg4mac]

Good job Ray, but damn that offset pisses me off. I will have to go with the panny because my ceilings are 7.9 ft and I want a 100in screen at least.

[RLA]

I will have to go with the panny because my ceilings are 7.9 ft and I want a 100in screen at least.

7.9 and a 100-inch diagonal may work if you play with the throw distances. If you can make the HD-72 work you will be laughing all the way to the bank
And your fellow 1280x720p LCD friends will be drooling over your install

[cthomp]

I think it would even be possible to do a 106 in a 7.5. The HD72 has a 6.52 degrees offset that requires it to be about 16.9" form center of lens to the top of the viewing surface. (Depending on throw distance). Using a low profile ceiling mount would put the center of lens at about 7". So 7 plus 16.9 puts the top of the viewing surface at about 24". Using a 106"d screen (52"H viewing surface) would leave you about 14" from the bottom of the screen to the floor. This puts the center of the screen at about 40" which is pretty close to eye level sitting in a chair or couch. I would agree that this is a little lower than I would prefer, but if the HD72 is as good as it sounds, I would be willing to give it a try!

PS: There is more on this topic at the following:

http://www.projectorreviews.com/Manu...erformance.asp

[jeffsg4mac]

That is just not going to work in my room at all. Room dimensions are H=7ft10in L=25 W=13.5. I have a acoustic panel on the ceiling that is 4in thick and is suspended about 3in from the ceiling. I need about 18 to 20in height for my center channel with its stand. I would really like a 106 to 110 in screen. Is this an issue with all DLP projectors or just this model?

Going by the link there, if I use a 100in screen, it would be something like this. 23in from ceiling to allow for offset and to clear my panel, and about 18in from off the floor. Center of screen about 44.5in up. Or am I thinking about this wrong? Do I need to worry about the hanging panal at all. Is the offset going to cause the projector to project past it even though the lens would be aiming almost even with it if I mounted 6in from the ceiling? I can post some pics later if you want to see how it is setup. I would really, really like this to get this projector. I saw it playing at CES this year and it was awesome.

[RLA]

Hello All

Jeff,
The Optoma has a rather extreme offset 106" screen with this PJ with standard ceiling height would be difficult because of where the screen would need to be placed for the center channel. Look at the Infocus IN 76 or 7210 PM,e-mail or call me before you proceed there may be other alternatives.

[jeffsg4mac]

Originally Posted by RLA

Hello All

Jeff,
The Optoma has a rather extreme offset 106" screen with this PJ with standard ceiling height would be difficult because of where the screen would need to be placed for the center channel. Look at the Infocus IN 76 or 7210 PM,e-mail or call me before you proceed there may be other alternatives.

Will do, thanks

[Ajbolit]

Hi, any recommendations for a screen? I can accomodate up to 120" diagonal in my basement. Any problems wiht "light splatter"? Should I get a "no gain" screen for that projector?