Optoma HD8300 Projector - Performance
9/22/11 - Art Feierman
In this section we consider the brightness (including full measurements), sharpness, and image noise of Optoma's 3D capable HD8300 home projector. Also covered on this page,are the physical attributes of light leakage and audible noise of the HD8300.
|
|
Optoma HD8300 Brightness
I'll start off by pointing out that the Optoma HD8300 is very typical in brightness when compared to other projectors in its price range. On the other hand, the HD8300 claims a lot more lumens than some of those other companies claim. That is to say, the HD8300 measured less than 1000 lumens maximum by our usual method of measurement in any of its preset modes. Pushing the envelope (not very watchable), and with lens at wide angle, we came up with 1157, against a claim of 1500 lumens.
Let's focus on the actuals, and how that might work for you.
Lumen Output and Color Temp at 100 IRE:
Cinema = 843 @ 7002
Reference= 860 @ 7020
Photo= 833 @ 8108
Bright= 826 @ 8508 (Using Native color temp increases lumens to 992)
User= 753 @ 6960
Those numbers are all "right out of the box", without any adjustments.
Post Calibration: User "best" mode = 757 lumens
That's a good number. About 750 lumens gives you plenty of brightness on larger screens in a darkened environment. A 130 inch diagonal screen is very doable. For lights on, though, the projector doesn't offer a whole lot more. The brightest Mike measured, had a color temp over 10,000K, which means nary a red in sight, plus a strong green push.
It's not a pretty picture, but with 1150 lumens, that's a bit brighter than average in the class.
To get pretty respectable color out of the HD8300, you really will end up with just under 900 lumens. That simply means that when you need more brightness, you can take things up a notch, without sacrificing much in the way of color.
Placement of the HD8300 makes a significant difference in terms of brightness. If you mount or place your projector at the closest it can be mounted to fill your screen - almost 11 feet from a 100" screen, you get 50% more brightness then if placed at the other end, about 16 feet back. Keep this in mind, especially if you are planning to enjoy 3D, since brightness is more challenging for 3D.
Effect of zoom on lumen output (Bright mode):
Zoom out: 963 (Using Native color temp should increase lumens to 1157)
Mid-zoom: 826
Zoom in: 643
No surprises above. With a 1.2:1 zoom, we don't expect any significant difference in brightness between wide and tele, and as you can see, the variation is only about 5%.
Optoma HD8300 Pre-Calibration Color temp, Cinema Mode:
Color Temp over IRE Range, Best Mode (Pre calibration):
Cinema:
30 IRE – 6680
50 IRE – 6689
80 IRE – 6959
100 IRE – 7002
Mike calibrated the User mode, and came up with the results below.
HD8300 Color Temp over IRE Range - Post calibration: User Mode
20 IRE = 6411
30 IRE = 6435
40 IRE = 6528
50 IRE = 6516
60 IRE = 6473
70 IRE = 6514
80 IRE = 6518
90 IRE = 6461
100 IRE = 6421
Average gamma = 2.24
Mike's Notes: Grayscale is very good after calibration, as is gamma. A CMS is available, but not really necessary as Optoma has thoughtfully provided different color gamuts to choose from (see the enclosed CIE charts). So, you can get a fairly accurate Rec. 709 color gamut simply by choosing the HDTV color gamut. Even the default Native color gamut is not as oversaturated as some projectors. It’s one of the more accurate color gamuts I’ve seen from a DLP, particularly in this price range. More manufacturers should provide this option.
In 3D mode, you can use either the 3D picture mode or the User mode. I measured a white area on a 3D Blu-ray with both and got 657 lumens with User mode and 606 lumens with 3D mode.
Below, Relative brightness of each preset mode, and the calibrated User mode: You can identify which modes are which, by the highlighted yellow name in the corner menu.
Optoma HD8300 Sharpness
Top left: Optoma HD8300, Top Center - Viewsonic Pro8200, Top Right Top right - Runco LS-5.
2nd row left: Panasonic PT-AE4000, center: Epson Home Cinema 8350, Right: JVC DLA-HD250
Optoma HD8300: Bottom Line Sharpness
Bottom line: There's nothing like a good single chip DLP projector for sharpness. With no panel convergence issues to deal with, a good optical path design, and a good lens, should yield a sharp clear image that lets you appreciate all that good full HD resolution content.
The Optoma HD8300 produces clean sharp images. It's a step up in sharpness from most 3 panel projectors, and some other single chip DLP's such as the Sharp Z17000, which we liked, but whose optics are a bit softer in the corners. The Sharp is about the same MSRP as the HD8300.
Light Leakage
No light leakage issues. Neither through the lens, nor through the side venting.
Image Noise
Audible Noise
Fan noise isn't particularly loud - a touch quieter than most other DLP projectors, however, there is a whine to the variable speed fan. I really don't notice it when watching content, but when getting ready to, as the projector is syncing with the source, I usually heard it a bit. I think some folks that are more noise adverse than me may have a problem with that fairly soft whine.