Optoma HD25-LV – Competitors 2 Posted on July 10, 2013 By Art Feierman 1. Optoma HD25-LV Home Theater Projector Review - Optoma HD25-LV Projector Overview - Optoma HD25-LV Projector Highlights2. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Special Features - Optoma HD25-LV Projector Pricing - Gaming with the Optoma HD25-LV - Optoma HD25-LV 3D Performance - HD25-LV Lamp Life - 1.2:1 Zoom Lens - HD25-LV Dynamic Black3. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Physical Tour - Optoma HD25-LV Projector - Physical Tour - Optoma HD25-LV Projector - Appearance - HD25-LV Control Panel - HD25-LV Projector - Input/Output4. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Physical Tour 2 - HD25-LV Menus - Optoma HD25-LV Remote Control5. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Physical Tour 3 - Optoma HD25-LV Lens Throw - HD25-LV Projector - No Lens Shift - Anamorphic Lens - Wide Screen6. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Image Quality - Optoma HD25-LV Projector - Image Quality - Optoma HD25-LV Out of the Box Picture Quality - Optoma HD25-LV Projector - Flesh Tones7. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Image Quality 2 - Black Level and Shadow Detail Performance - Black Levels Comparison8. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Image Quality 3 - Shadow Detail Performance - Shadow Detail Comparison - Black Level and Shadow Detail Performance: HD25-LV Projector - Bottom Line9. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Image Quality 4 - Shadow Detail Performance - Black Level and Shadow Detail Performance: HD25-LV Projector - Bottom Line10. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Image Quality 4 - Optoma HD25-LV - Overall Color & Picture Quality - Optoma HD25-LV Projector: HDTV and Sports Viewing - Optoma HD25-LV Projector: Bottom Line on HDTV Sports11. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Performance - Optoma HD25-LV Brightness - Projector's Measurements - Color Temp over IRE Range (Bright mode) - Post Calibration: User "best" mode = 1497 lumens Bright "brightest" mode 1794 lumens - Effect of zoom on lumen output (Bright mode)12. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Performance 2 - HD25-LV Brilliant Color - Effect of Brilliant Color setting on lumen output (Bright mode) - HD25-LV Color Temp over IRE Range (Post calibration) - Comparing Image Modes13. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Performance 3 - Optoma HD25-LV Sharpness - Optoma HD25-LV: Bottom Line Sharpness - Light Leakage14. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Performance 4 - Image Noise15. Optoma HD25-LV Projector Calibration and Settings - Optoma HD25-LV Projector Calibration and Settings - Optoma HD25-LV Color Temperature - Color Temp over IRE Range (Bright mode) - Optoma HD25-LV Basic Settings - Lumen Output and Color Temp at 100 IRE (mid zoom) - Optoma HD25-LV Basic Settings - Settings for measurements (default values are in parenthesis) - Optoma HD25-LV Post Calibration Grayscale: User Mode16. Optoma HD25-LV Projector Calibration and Settings 2 - HD25-LV RGB Settings - HD25-LV Post Calibration settings17. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Advanced Calibration Information - Color Management Settings (CMS) - CMS Calibration Notes - Calibration Charts (Before and After)18. Optoma HD25-LV – Projector Screens - Optoma HD25-LV - Projector Screens - Optoma HD25-LV in a Dedicated theater - What type of High Contrast Grey Projector Screens 19. Optoma HD25-LV – Competitors - Optoma HD25-LV vs. Epson Home Cinema 3020 - Optoma HD25-LV vs. Optoma HD33 - HD25-LV vs. Panasonic PT-AR100U - Optoma HD25-LV vs. BenQ W1070, BenQ W1080ST20. Optoma HD25-LV – Competitors 2 - Optoma HD25-LV Competitors - Optoma HD25-LV vs. Epson HC8350 - Optoma HD25-LV vs. Acer H9500BD21. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Warranty22. Optoma HD25-LV – Review Summary - Optoma HD25-LV - Review Summary - Optoma HD25-LV Projector - The Bottom Line - HD25-LV Brightness - Optoma HD25-LV 3D Projector23. Optoma HD25-LV – Review Summary 2 - The Very Bottom Line on the HD25-LV projector - Optoma HD25-LV Projector: Pros and Cons - Optoma HD25-LV Projector: Pros - Optoma HD25-LV Projector: Cons24. Optoma HD25-LV Projector Specifications Optoma HD25-LV CompetitorsFrom a practical standpoint, the W1070 is the direct competition so there’s $300 difference to deal with, and that’s a chunk of change around this price point. Neither include 3D glasses. The BenQ runs DLP-link while the Optoma can run DLP-link 3D glasses or the VESA type, a plus (VESA) but one that further increases the pricing spread. Here’s a dilemma, that your room might just help with. Each projector has one significant image advantage over the other: The BenQ W1070 simply has the more accurate calibrated color, and also the better color “right out of the box”. But, the Optoma wins at black level performance. Obviously if your thing is sports, and maybe typical HDTV, you won’t worry about the difference in blacks, but a movie fanatic just might. But only if the room itself is pretty good. In a typical family room environment with modest ambient light, much of the Optoma’s black level advantage will disappear. Not so the BenQ’s better color. But if the room is right, the black levels make a real difference on darker scenes. As you all know, I’m a black level performance fanatic, but I’m torn between these two from a value standpoint. It’s going to be a tough call between these two. Although if the BenQ would not have the aggravating lack of savable settings, that the HD25-LV suffers from as well (which would drive someone who likes to regularly tweak settings a bit crazy), it would be an easier decision. Despite my preference for better black performance, I do believe I lean toward the BenQ, also because of the more accurate color and skin tones, and because it doesn’t have near as much image noise. Optoma HD25-LV vs. Epson HC8350The Home Cinema 8350 is Epson’s lowest cost 1080p projector. It’s also over 3 years old at this time. Now slightly less expensive than the HD25-LV, (the HC8350 used to sell for about $2000), Epson provides the Home Cinema 8350 with the longer, much better warranty and replacement program. Like the Panasonic discussed above, it is 2D only, and has drastically better placement flexibility (2.1:1 zoom vs. 1.2:1) plus lots of lens shift vs. none. Brightness wise, no match calibrated – it’s all Optoma, but slugging it out for maximum lumens, the Epson does better, but we “only” measured 1378 lumens at mid zoom, but thanks to the greater zoom range, the Epson HC8350 musters up almost 1700 lumens at wide angle, very close indeed to the HD25-LV. Black level performance is interesting. We thought the Epson excellent for the price, “well above entry level” when reviewed, but considering improvements, they are probably about a tie, with perhaps the Epson having a minor advantage. These are two very different projectors. 2D only vs. 2D and 3D. Consider the Epson, like the Panasonic to be a safe, more friendly alternative. Although not as bright at “brightest” (which it doesn’t really need since it’s not 3D), the Epson does offer the best calibrated color of the three. The Epson’s easy to enjoy, user friendly. The Optoma has perhaps higher performance, but definitely a bit limited and rough around the edges by comparison, especially the limitations due to the lack of any savable modes. The Optoma will have the slightly sharper image, but far, far, more image noise. Optoma HD25-LV vs. Acer H9500BDOK, got them both in the same place. These are our two over $1000 projectors that I am using to define: “Rough around the Edges,” for they share the same annoying issue. I’m talking about lack of user savable settings. Pick your mode that you like best, because with either of these, if you change to a different mode, and then adjust something, your favorite settings are, well….gone! Officially $400 is the price difference, with the Acer at $1699 officially. For that extra you first get one pair of 3D glasses, which is 1 pair more than comes standard with the Optoma HD25-LV. The Acer feels a bit more clunky in terms of build – lens controls including lens shift, as I recall were not smooth. That said, you get a number of extras with the Acer: CFI for smooth motion, and of course, really good placement flexibility, thanks to a 1.5:1 zoom and both vertical and horizontal lens shift. And you get superior black level performance. The Acer uses a dynamic iris, rather than the lamp dimming that Optoma relies on. But the Optoma easily wins the brightness contest which will definitely help on the 3D side of things. 1106 calibrated lumens for the Acer sure isn’t bad, but it’s also not 1497 lumens. In brightest modes again, about a 300+ lumen difference. The Acer H9500BD probably has the best blacks of any projector its price or less, although a projector like the BenQ W7000 (around $2000) can beat it, and not that much higher end projectors like the Epson HC5020UB are far superior. The Acer is definitely the performance oriented enthusiasts choice of the two, I would think, but then it’s priced a lot closer to projectors that can beat it out. Placement flexibility and black level performance vs. birghtness may be your deciding differences. Note, both have one year warranties. 1. Optoma HD25-LV Home Theater Projector Review - Optoma HD25-LV Projector Overview - Optoma HD25-LV Projector Highlights2. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Special Features - Optoma HD25-LV Projector Pricing - Gaming with the Optoma HD25-LV - Optoma HD25-LV 3D Performance - HD25-LV Lamp Life - 1.2:1 Zoom Lens - HD25-LV Dynamic Black3. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Physical Tour - Optoma HD25-LV Projector - Physical Tour - Optoma HD25-LV Projector - Appearance - HD25-LV Control Panel - HD25-LV Projector - Input/Output4. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Physical Tour 2 - HD25-LV Menus - Optoma HD25-LV Remote Control5. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Physical Tour 3 - Optoma HD25-LV Lens Throw - HD25-LV Projector - No Lens Shift - Anamorphic Lens - Wide Screen6. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Image Quality - Optoma HD25-LV Projector - Image Quality - Optoma HD25-LV Out of the Box Picture Quality - Optoma HD25-LV Projector - Flesh Tones7. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Image Quality 2 - Black Level and Shadow Detail Performance - Black Levels Comparison8. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Image Quality 3 - Shadow Detail Performance - Shadow Detail Comparison - Black Level and Shadow Detail Performance: HD25-LV Projector - Bottom Line9. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Image Quality 4 - Shadow Detail Performance - Black Level and Shadow Detail Performance: HD25-LV Projector - Bottom Line10. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Image Quality 4 - Optoma HD25-LV - Overall Color & Picture Quality - Optoma HD25-LV Projector: HDTV and Sports Viewing - Optoma HD25-LV Projector: Bottom Line on HDTV Sports11. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Performance - Optoma HD25-LV Brightness - Projector's Measurements - Color Temp over IRE Range (Bright mode) - Post Calibration: User "best" mode = 1497 lumens Bright "brightest" mode 1794 lumens - Effect of zoom on lumen output (Bright mode)12. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Performance 2 - HD25-LV Brilliant Color - Effect of Brilliant Color setting on lumen output (Bright mode) - HD25-LV Color Temp over IRE Range (Post calibration) - Comparing Image Modes13. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Performance 3 - Optoma HD25-LV Sharpness - Optoma HD25-LV: Bottom Line Sharpness - Light Leakage14. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Performance 4 - Image Noise15. Optoma HD25-LV Projector Calibration and Settings - Optoma HD25-LV Projector Calibration and Settings - Optoma HD25-LV Color Temperature - Color Temp over IRE Range (Bright mode) - Optoma HD25-LV Basic Settings - Lumen Output and Color Temp at 100 IRE (mid zoom) - Optoma HD25-LV Basic Settings - Settings for measurements (default values are in parenthesis) - Optoma HD25-LV Post Calibration Grayscale: User Mode16. Optoma HD25-LV Projector Calibration and Settings 2 - HD25-LV RGB Settings - HD25-LV Post Calibration settings17. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Advanced Calibration Information - Color Management Settings (CMS) - CMS Calibration Notes - Calibration Charts (Before and After)18. Optoma HD25-LV – Projector Screens - Optoma HD25-LV - Projector Screens - Optoma HD25-LV in a Dedicated theater - What type of High Contrast Grey Projector Screens 19. Optoma HD25-LV – Competitors - Optoma HD25-LV vs. Epson Home Cinema 3020 - Optoma HD25-LV vs. Optoma HD33 - HD25-LV vs. Panasonic PT-AR100U - Optoma HD25-LV vs. BenQ W1070, BenQ W1080ST20. Optoma HD25-LV – Competitors 2 - Optoma HD25-LV Competitors - Optoma HD25-LV vs. Epson HC8350 - Optoma HD25-LV vs. Acer H9500BD21. Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Warranty22. Optoma HD25-LV – Review Summary - Optoma HD25-LV - Review Summary - Optoma HD25-LV Projector - The Bottom Line - HD25-LV Brightness - Optoma HD25-LV 3D Projector23. Optoma HD25-LV – Review Summary 2 - The Very Bottom Line on the HD25-LV projector - Optoma HD25-LV Projector: Pros and Cons - Optoma HD25-LV Projector: Pros - Optoma HD25-LV Projector: Cons24. Optoma HD25-LV Projector Specifications Optoma HD25-LV – Competitors Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Warranty