Optoma GT720 Projector - Physical Tour

Posted on July 5, 2011 by Art Feierman

A compact design, and fixed short throw lens are key aspects of the intended portable nature of the GT720. It also allows the GT720 to double as a good portable business projector.

Optoma GT720 Projector - Appearance

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Black and shiny with some sculpting makes for a reasonably nice looking projector. A work of modern art, though, it's not. The fairly large convex lens protrudes from the GT720's front. Be careful. The lens cap, I should note, fits snuggly when you get it on but, it can be a touch challenging, to get it on. Since the lens is unprotected without it, and an easy target, be sure to put it on properly if moving the projector.

For those of you curious as to the red checkered tablecloth in the GT720 photos, I took those on July 3rd, and we had these tablecloths out for a small 4th of July party. Seemed appropriate at the time, but no blue.

This Optoma is a 6.5 pound projector. The front consists of the off-center mounted lens, an infra-red sensor for the GT720's remote control, and a large exhaust vent.

Below, there are adjustable feet. Unfortunately, I don't believe there is nearly enough adjustment range in the feet. The short throw lens combined with the amount of lens offset, had me sliding blu-ray movie cases under the rear feet to get enough tilt to get the image on my screen instead of partly above it, when using a table only a few inches shorter than the screen. If you are really moving this projector from location to location, you'll appreciate my complaint in some of those setups.

The top of the GT720 has the control panel, which is discussed below, in detail. All the inputs and other connectors are located on the back of the GT720.

GT720 Control Panel

Click to enlarge. SO close

The control panel consists of some buttons on that curvy bar, and a typical round navigation area. From the left, an AV Mute, and the Menu button. Then the Navigation, with a center Enter button. When not navigating, the up and down arrows handle keystone correction, while the left arrow does Source selection and the right arrow offers re-syncing for your PC signal, should it be needed.

On the right is the power switch - the usual press once for On, and twice for Off. Below it, three indicator lights for power, lamp, and temperature.

Click Image to Enlarge

GT720 Projector - Input/Output

Click to enlarge. SO close

The Optoma GT720 offers a pretty basic selection of inputs. There's a single HDMI (no, not HDMI 1.4a compatible), and a PC input - a standard HD15 connector, which can handle analog PC, or component video. There's also the usual S-video, composite video and a serial RS-232 for command and control. Stereo audio can come over the two RCA jacks, and HDMI also carries audio.

Finally, there is an Audio Out, which is a great thing for a gaming projector to have. While the GT720 has decent sound, there's nothing like big sound. The output is a stereo output, so you could feed a larger stereo, but, the real, best value, in having the stereo audio out, is that you can use it to drive a small powered sub-woofer. And that should make your gaming (and movies) rock a whole lot more! Some of those subs are small enough to carry around - weighing under 10 lbs. So, take it to a friend's. That way, you can get your friends in trouble with their neighbors, instead of upsetting your own.

Lastly, there are three indicator lamps below the power button, the usual mix - Lamp, Temp, and Power.