My Optoma HD81-LV Problem Update

[AcuDefTechGuy]

A while back, I complained about how my projector was not compatible with my Denon receiver, Sony DVD player, Oppo SACD, Toshiba HD DVD, HTPC, etc.

As it turned out, my new projector was defective.

Thank goodness it has a 3 yr warranty.

So I paid $50 UPS to ship it back to Optoma and they replaced the "Main Board" - that's what they said.

Now it works like it is suppose to - compatible with everything via HDMI.

This was the FIRST time I have ever had to ship a component back for repair.

The picture contrast, brightness, and clarity of this projector is amazing. I have never seen any projector under $10K with this kind of brightness.

It just makes me wonder about the reliability issue.

A new EXPENSIVE projector needing repair so soon?

Is it just pure bad luck?

Has my luck finally caught up to me?

 

[adk highlander]

Well it does not give you that warm fuzzy feeling to have to have a new piece of gear fixed so soon but at least it was under warrenty and seems to be fixed.

You had that projector for a while how come it took so long to get it worked out?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Well it does not give you that warm fuzzy feeling to have to have a new piece of gear fixed so soon but at least it was under warrenty and seems to be fixed.

You had that projector for a while how come it took so long to get it worked out?

I just thought it was the famous HDMI "handshake" issue. Turns out it was NOT that at all.

I think the "first" time for everything is always the hardest. I've never ever had to send anything in the past for repair before. I don't know. It's this "fear" or something. Maybe it was DENIAL. How can my new projector be defective? It's not like it is a cheap projector. I refused to believe it was defective?

It has changed the way I view warranty!

I will ask the repair guy how much it would have cost otherwise!

EDIT: Okay, I just asked, and he said it would have cost me $500 if I did not have the warranty!

 

[BMXTRIX]

Awesome that it got worked out. I always hesitate with most warranties because they can be such a royal pain to use.

On the other hand, when my camcorder broke (Sears purchase) I had the extended warranty, and after multiple returns of the camera, I got a brand new one for free after having the other one for about two years.

You can have some real headaches, but sometimes you are the one who gets the most out of things.

 

[lsiberian]

I just thought it was the famous HDMI "handshake" issue. Turns out it was NOT that at all.

I think the "first" time for everything is always the hardest. I've never ever had to send anything in the past for repair before. I don't know. It's this "fear" or something. Maybe it was DENIAL. How can my new projector be defective? It's not like it is a cheap projector. I refused to believe it was defective?

It has changed the way I view warranty!

I will ask the repair guy how much it would have cost otherwise!

EDIT: Okay, I just asked, and he said it would have cost me $500 if I did not have the warranty!

Does that include labor? I have no problem opening my PJ and replacing something.

Yes my Optoma has great brightness at the sacrifice of some contrast, but in ambient light situations it really helps.

PQ seems to be more of a product of the source for me than the PJ

 

[Sherardp]

I had the lens shift gear in my JVC HD1 damaged during shipment. JVC had the PJ back in the mail to me the next day after receiving it, all repairs under warranty. I was very impressed with the turn around time of the GA facility. Reason why I'm sticking to their product line as long as they turn out good PJs.

Bottom line: it happens, enjoy that PJ. I heard Optoma PJs are very good, never owned one but good rep and reviews.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Does that include labor? I have no problem opening my PJ and replacing something.

Yes my Optoma has great brightness at the sacrifice of some contrast, but in ambient light situations it really helps.

PQ seems to be more of a product of the source for me than the PJ

I keep my Brightness setting at Zero, and just turn that Contrast up to 10.

I think the $500 was parts and labor.

Yeah, just like Sound Quality, Picture Quality is highly dependant on the Source.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I don't know about you guys, but I'm looking forward to that 4K (10 Million Pixel) Projector in about 5 years.

I better not have another problem with this Optoma projector. Otherwise, my next projector will be a 4K-JVC projector!

I think this Optoma HD81-LV is famous for that "light-cannon" capability - brightest projector for $10K and under.

But the real reason I got it was because a friend of mine could get it to me for around $3K, intead of the $6K.

Otherwise, I would have gotten a JVC.

 

[Matt34]

I would consider yourself pretty lucky for as much electronics you have bought.