Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Performance 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 HD25-LV Brilliant ColorAs we consider this a home entertainment projector, we’re concerned about brightness, so for that and other reasons the HD25-LV was calibrated with Brilliant Color engaged at 10. Effect of Brilliant Color setting on lumen output (Bright mode) Brilliant Color seColumn Content 1794 lumens 5 1353 lumens 1 956 lumens Mike calibrated the User mode, and came up with the results below. HD25-LV Color Temp over IRE Range (Post calibration) User (Bright mode, before adjustments) 20 IRE 6546 30 IRE 6524 40 IRE 6581 50 IRE 6582 60 IRE 6593 70 IRE 6543 80 IRE 6514 90 IRE 6574 100 IRE 6485 Average Gamma = 2.19 From a grayscale standpoint, or at least from the numbers, that’s all real tight – all measurements within 110 degrees! Awesome! However, keep in mind to have a great, accurate picture, it’s not just the color temp measurement but how well R, G, and B are correctly in balance within that measurement. You can have near flawless color with a 6500K reading, or you could have horrible color with the same 6500K measurment if there is far, far too much green. That’s true even though Red and Blue – the two primary colors most involved in the Color Temp measurement, are almost in proper balance. Comparing Image ModesAs previously stated, most of the modes are very similar except for Photo. Since there are no User savable settings, and any adjustmment forces any mode to become the new User mode. So, for the most part, you can have two modes, User – whereever that came for – calibrated or not. And one other mode. But that only works if you never touch a single image control in another mode, because, adjust a color, brightness, Brilliant Color, etc., in that other mode, and your existing user mode is completely wiped out. There’s at least one piece of good news here. Optoma handles 3D separately from 2D. You can apparently make lots of adjustments to the 3D picture, and that will not affect 2D settings. Thank your lucky stars for that, because, while 3D color is ok, it too could use some real improvement possible from the color controls. The last night I worked with the HD25-LV, I finally worked up the never to try to eyeball some improvements in the 3D color, the whole time figuring I’d then probably have to re-input all my 2D settings. It was a relief that the 2D settings held! Any projector (there are a number of brands that have done this to end users) that can’t save a User mode, has only one User mode, and where changing a setting replaces the existing user mode, wins our derogatory “Rough around the edges” non-award. That has included projectors from brands like Acer, Optoma, and Viewsonic, although we’re pleased to see that Viewsonic’s newest projector, their PJD7820HD now has two savable User modes (congrats to them). Hopefully Viewsonic will continue to do so, and not regress. Optoma and Acer however, seem to not worry about the frustration it causes many projector owners. If I had to put together a “tech bill of rights” for home projectors, multiple, savable user areas would have to be one of the first items. Also on the list would have to be a lamp warranty that is at least 75% of the claimed full power rating. All considered Try Mike’s results (calibration page), you just might like the improvements. They came out looking good. But to get the most out of the HD25-LV in terms of color accuracy, you will definitely also have to adjust the CMS – the 6 individual primary and secondary colors: Red, Green, Blue, Cyan, Yellow, and Magenta. For the Optoma HD25-LV, Mike did the full calibration. Our Calibration page provides most of those settings for your convenience. For those not having their projector calibrated (most people), who are interested in getting the best results possible for the HD25-LV, we will post those settings as well but only for our subscribers. (We have to eat too!) That extra calibration information will be live in August, 2013. This Optoma HD25-LV’s CMS numbers will be one of the first added to the new subscriber area. 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 Projector – Performance Optoma HD25-LV Projector – Performance 3