Optoma HD33 Projector - Image Quality

Posted on July 11, 2013 by Art Feierman

A lot of processing goes on from the start of a photo shoot until you are viewing the Optoma HD33 images on your computer screen. As a result, these images are decent indications, but not accurate enough for comparing color, saturation and other aspects. Note: Selected images relating to shadow detail, and especially black level performance can be very effective at demonstrating how the HD33 positions itself compared to other home projectors. Different computers, browsers, displays, graphics cards, and software affect how the image looks on your screen. For all of that, I believe that the HD33 images came out particularly well, in terms of representing the color the Optoma HD33 projector is capable of. I've always said, that all home theater projectors, including the Optoma HD33 definitely look should look better live, than in even the best looking images here might suggest. And that's why we love projectors!

Optoma HD33 Out of the Box Picture Quality

Cinema mode looks overall the best, with Reference not far behind. Photo has punch, and Bright is often too bright in the mid brightness range. Overall, Cinema is a touch thin on red, but skin tones still look very respectable.

Click Image to Enlarge

Optoma HD33 Projector - Flesh Tones

Using the HDMI inputs, there's no access to the color or tint controls. With that the case, skin tones sometimes seem to have a bit too red, due to color saturation, with no ability to conveniently reduce them. For a family room projector, picture quality, notably skin tones are very pleasing. I've found the HD33 to rather forgiving when viewed.

Above and below, our usual suspects - Gandalf and Arwen, from Lord of the Rings, on Blu-ray.

Below are our three James Bond images from Casino Royale. Each has a different lighting scenario, the first - full sunlight, the second image; indoor fluorescent, and finally, filtered sunlight in the third image. And as one would expect, that causes each image of James Bond - Daniel Patrick - to have different looking skin tones. All look pretty good!

More images we like for considering skin tones:

The image immediately above with Willis and Morgan Freeman is a good example of a scene where the reds can be a bit strong in the skin tones. It won't happen in bright scenes, but darker ones.