Optoma HD25-LV Projector - Physical Tour

Posted on July 10, 2013 by Art Feierman

Optoma HD25-LV Projector - Physical Tour

This Optoma HD25-LV shares a physical appearance, and overall exterior design, that is similar to other lower cost Optoma home, business, and education projectors. Let's take a look. For example, not surprisingly, physically it looks just like the HD23 we reviewed a few months ago.

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Optoma HD25-LV Projector - Appearance

The Optoma HD25-LV projector is one of the smaller home theater projectors out there. It's finished in a shiny white case. Although generally rectangular looking, it does have some style, with curved corners and a sloping front. I'd say it has some flair. Naturally though, what almost all of us care about is how it looks with the "lights off, and the image on." Still small and sort of cute may have a mitigating affect relating to the "spouse factor." (I've been advised that "wife factor" is no longer Politically Correct?) The zoom lens is offset to the right side (looking from the front). Control Panel is on the top, As is the zoom ring for the lens. All the Inputs and connectors are located in the back. That lens is a 1.2:1 manual zoom.

That's typical minimal placement flexibility for low cost DLP projectors, but far less than competing, but a bit more expensive 3LCD projectors which typically have lenses sporting anywhere from 1.5:1, to as much as 2:1 which is truly great placement flexibility. The main exhaust vent is located on the front - left side. It blows hot air forward to the right. You probably don't want to be sitting 2 feet forward of the projector and 2 feet to the right. It will get toasty right there.

HD25-LV Control Panel

The control panel is on top towards the back.

From the left: Source and Menu buttons, then the navigation area with four arrow keys in a circle, and the Enter button in the center. On the right is the power switch (one for On, two for Off).

HD25-LV Projector - Input/Output

Click to Enlarge. So Close.

The HD25-LV has what you expect for an entry level or near entry level 1080p projector, and then some. The HD25-LV shows it's "cross-over" tendencies with extra inputs that are more typical of business or education projectors. No matter, at the end of the day, it's got more interfacing than most projectors it competes with.

Click Image to Enlarge

Starting at the left, there's a mouse or service port of the USB variety, followed by two HDMI 1.4a inputs (1.4a needed for Blu-ray 3D). Next comes a composit input, and two computer inputs (which can be component videos. There's also a monitor out, and a serial port for command and control. There are also two sets of audio inputs, as well as a stereo audio out. Finally there's the VESA port for RF 3D. A RF transmitter (optional) plugs in there.