Optoma HD72 DLP Projector Review

[gene]

<P class=MsoFooter style="TEXT-JUSTIFY: inter-ideograph; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; tab-stops: .5in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><FONT size=2><A href="http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/OptomaHD72p1.php"><IMG style="WIDTH: 125px; HEIGHT: 83px" alt=[hd72] hspace=10 src="http://www.audioholics.com/news/thumbs/hd72_th.jpg" align=left border=0></A>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.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>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.<?xml:namespace prefix = o /></FONT></SPAN></P>
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[cthomp]

Thanks for the review

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]

Maybe even a 106 with 7.5

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:

www.projectorreviews.com/Manufacturers/optoma/HD72/performance.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]

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?

 

[RLA]

Hi, any recommendations for a screen?

Hello Carada BW for room with some ambient light
Da-Lite HC Cinema Vision for total light control

One more thing just because you can accommodate a 120" screen doesn’t mean you should. In most cases and in most rooms 106-110" diag is big enough. Figure 1.5-1.8 x the screen width for viewing distance for 1280x720p machines.

 

[Ajbolit]

well, that is the biggest screen my wall can accomodate and I would like to buy it once and keep it - even with the future 1080p projector. I've seen posts of people using the same projector for even bigger screens. Mine look fabulous even while projecting on the textured wall at 135' diagonal.

 

[RLA]

Yep
And once you become a Videoholic and start noticing all the flaws in video content regardless of resolution, you will be kicking yourself. I did not indicate it could not be done just in most cases it shouldn’t. If your one of those types that likes sitting in the front row of the movie theater then by all means a huge screen is for you If you go this route choose your screen material wisely

 

[Ajbolit]

I don't know why - but I did listen to you and my installer - settled on 106". Tomorrow should be a day - will give it a try Final solution - Optoma HD72, Denon 2807, Buffalo Link Theater. Speakers - http://www.preference-audio.com/products.htm, subwoofer - SI12P - http://www.rbhsound.com/si12.shtml. Wish me luck!

 

[BMXTRIX]

I don't know why - but I did listen to you and my installer - settled on 106".

RLA and most installers aren't just speaking from experience. THX and ANSII has viewing standards which are used for commercial movie theaters. These standards are excellent baselines for doing home theater work as well and are excellent rules to follow. It includes how much light should fall on your screen, screen size for viewing distance, etc. Great information that comes from years of research and experience. You should be very - VERY happy with the final result and it should be pure excellence, not overwhelming.

Remember - you want to watch a movie, not a tennis match.

 

[Ajbolit]

Finally!!

In any way - picture is great!!! I still think that that baby could easily go to 120" but what do I know? They had finally finished installation - it looks and sounds awesome - what else do I need?

 

[El Cid]

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?

I recently viewed a Optoma HD72 DLP projector at a friend's house.
He has a fixed Stewart 120", 16x9 Firehawk screen and it simply looked stupendous!
We didn't notice light splattering, but did see the dreaded rainbow syndrome effect that occurred only once with a brand new 1080i HD transfer of The Last Samurai, which was playedback via a $500 HD-DVD Toshiba player.

He also has a 16 foot wide film screen (yep...he can do Super-8mm, 16mm, 35mm, and 70mm movies projection via a Norelco Todd-AO AAII 35/70mm projector with a 1000 watt xenon lamp house--and so am I ) with a flat (no gain), white surface which we used to compare the Optoma's image side by side (the film screen is motorized, so it was a simple matter of dropping it down to a certain level for easy comparisons).
It seems that the gray screen material benefits video projection to a good degree, but a white screen with some gain (1.3 for example) will work fine too in my opinion.

I became quite impressed with that little single chip DLP bugger, and I am quite jaded when it comes to video projectors!
Still can't believe the level of performance derived from this projector at the asked price, yet I can't help to wonder what Optoma could do with a REAL 1080p DLP chip...so long as they keep the price of admission within beer budget levels...

-THTS

 

[Jay001]

Optoma HD72

Hi all.

Couple of quick questions for those far more tech savvy than me!

Costco.ca has a great deal on the Optoma HD6800, ceiling mount, 92 inch screen and 5 meter DVI cable for $1824 plus taxes. This projector is the same as the HD72, but with 200 less lumens rating and a one year warranty instead of two years.

Anyway, on with the questions. I have read quite a bit on the lack of lens shift on this projector and the issues with low ceiling height. My ceiling is 7 feet 10 inches. With a 92 inch screen and mounting the projector as close as possible to the ceiling with a flush mount, my understanding is that the top of the screen will be about 12 inches below the level of the lens. Bottom line, do you think this will allow my screen to be at an okay height as far as looks go? Also, with the 92 inch screen.......Optoma says to have the projector 10.6 to 12.7 from the screen. Will I have an affect on the height of the image based on which end of this range I choose?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
Jay

 

[David Gaudreau]

So would i be able to use this projector in a room 17'wide 24' deep by 10' high? wanted a 120" screen 3 rows of seats main viewing seats at 15.5 feet from screen wall. Is this do-able?

 

[KevInCinci]

Hi all.

Anyway, on with the questions. I have read quite a bit on the lack of lens shift on this projector and the issues with low ceiling height. My ceiling is 7 feet 10 inches. With a 92 inch screen and mounting the projector as close as possible to the ceiling with a flush mount, my understanding is that the top of the screen will be about 12 inches below the level of the lens. Bottom line, do you think this will allow my screen to be at an okay height as far as looks go? Also, with the 92 inch screen.......Optoma says to have the projector 10.6 to 12.7 from the screen. Will I have an affect on the height of the image based on which end of this range I choose?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
Jay

Speaking from experience, the lack of lens shift on the HD72 sucks for those of us with low ceilings, but some planning and creativity (in my case, mounting it upsidedown inside a wall) can overcome that. Figure out where the BOTTOM of the image will be based on the projector distance (etc.), mark it on your wall (if you don't already have the screen in place), sit in your chair/couch, and see if you think that's comfortable or not. My screen ended up 2' from the floor, which seemed low in theory, but turned out to be just about perfect. My visiting friends have commented how it's nice not to be looking up to see the TV all the time (even better if you're reclined or laying down). I did have to put my center speaker above the screen, though.

And yes, the farther away you move the projector, the lower the image will be. If you can shoot for mounting it at or near the close end of your range, you'll be able to put the screen a bit higher and the image will be a tad brighter.

You have a higher ceiling and a smaller screen than mine (100" for me), so you shouldn't have any problems getting your screen at a good height.

Cheers,

Kevin