Optoma Projectors

Multimedia and home theater projection

Optoma specializes in projection display systems, offering a wide range of DLP projectors for multimedia and home entertainment, HD displays and projection screens.

Currently, Optoma’s line of multimedia and data projectors includes 11 different models. They make an ultra portable model that weighs just over two pounds and have a few portable machines at around four and a half pounds, but even the larger models are fairly portable. Thanks to the relatively compact size of DLP technology compared to LCD projection, Optoma’s biggest projector weighs in at only 16.5, and that’s one of its home theater models.

The native resolution of Optoma’s multimedia projectors varies depending on the model, but they offer most of the usual options - XGA, a couple of SVGA models, one WXGA projector and one with native SXGA resolution. Contrast ratios are reasonably high but what you’d expect from DLP projectors, around 2000:1 to 3000:1. Brightness ranges from 1600 to 3500 ANSI lumens.

As for added features, Optoma makes one network capable model and several of their projectors come with password security. Some of the other cool extras you could end up with include remote mouse control with a laser pointer, a whisper quiet “Wind Tunnel” cooling system, picture mute and “Widescreen Maximizer” to optimize picture matching between your source signal and projector. Optoma’s projectors offer a good balance between size and brightness (and cost); they were the first to release a 2000 ANSI lumen projector under three pounds, and it was even affordable.

Optoma’s projector line includes several home entertainment projection systems as well. Most of Optoma’s home theater projectors offer a native resolution of 720p, although they still have a couple of 480p models. These machines offer higher contrast - contrast ratios fall anywhere from 3000:1 to 5000:1 - but less light output than the Optoma’s multimedia projectors. The highest output rating for any of the home theater projectors is 1300 ANSI lumens, and most fall at 1000 or less, making them ideal for darkened rooms with little or no ambient light. A couple of models offer four-way optical lens shift and a short throw lens, while another comes with power zoom and focus.

Optoma also makes a home entertainment system called MovieTime that comes with a built-in DVD player and speakers. Its resolution is at the low end of the scale (480p), but at 1000 ANSI lumens, it’s reasonably bright in terms of Optoma’s home theater offerings. The speakers are only five watts each, so Optoma included an Optical Audio Output feature for connecting the MovieTime to your surround sound system.