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Optoma H31 Projector Review

Name: H31 DLP Projector
Brand: Optoma
SKU: not available
Rating: 4.0 (1 reviews)

by Clint DeBoer — April 19, 2005

Optoma H31 DLP Projector

Product Name: H31 DLP Projector
Manufacturer: Optoma
Performance Rating:
Value Rating:
Review Date: April 19, 2005 20:00
MSRP: $ 1299

Specifications

Display Technology: Single 0.54-inch 12-degree DarkChip2 DLP Technology from Texas Instruments
Brightness: 850 lumens (typical)
Resolution: 480p (854 x 480) native (SXGA (1280 x 1024) compressed
Contrast Ratio: 3000:1 (full on/off)
I/O connectors: DVI-I with HDCP, RCA component (YPbPr), S-video, Composite video (RCA), two IR receivers, AC power input, RS-232
Displayable Colors: 16.7 million, 256 shades of gray
Noise Level (typical): 30 dB standard
Lamp Type & Life: 200W P-VIP lamp; 2,000 hours Brightmode / 3,000 hours STD
Image Size: 28 to 304 inch (0.7 to 7.7 meters) diagonal
Computer Compatibility: SXGA, XGA, SVGA, VGA Compression, VESA standards, PC & compatibles, Macintosh
Video Compatibility: NTSC, PAL, SECAM, HDTV (720p, 1080i)
Video Scaling: Pixelworks PW16

Deinterlacing: Pixelworks PW1231
Projection Lens: f = 19.7 - 23.6 mm. F/2.4 - 2.7, manual focus & zoom
Keystone Correction: +/- 16 degrees
Throw Ratio: 1.65 to 2.0 (distance/width)
Horizontal Scan Rate: 15-70 kHz
Vertical Refresh rate: 43 to 85 Hz
Power Supply: 100-240 volts, 50-60Hz
Power Consumption: 270 watts (maximum), 5 watts (standby mode)
Operating Temperature: 50 - 104 degrees F (10 - 40 degrees C); 80% humidity
Projection Method: Front/rear/ceiling mount/table-top
Uniformity: 90%
Standard Accessories: AC power cord, RS232 cable, S-Video cable, composite video cable, backlit wireless remote control, batteries for remote, lens cap (hanging), user's guide.
Optional Accessories: DVI to HDMI adapter, DVI to HD15 (D-Sub) adapter, SCART RGB/s-video adapter (European market)
Dimensions: 10.7 x 3.4 x 8.3 in (272 x 86 x 211 mm)
Weight: 5 lbs (2.2 kg)

Pros

* Good contrast
Deep black levels
Eye-popping color saturation
Versatile inputs (including DVI-HDCP)
5 presets available per input
Inexpensive unit with high overall performance

Cons

Lower resolution means a longer seat-to-screen distance
No physical lens shift
May be awkward to use as a tabletop unit due to rather high projection angle
Manual focus

Introduction

We get asked fairly regularly to review more budget-minded products for our readers. In particular, everyone seems fascinated by the influx of lower-priced front projection systems that are competing for a large financial portion of the home theater display market. These front projection systems promise large viewing screens with an almost unbeatable price point. Compare, for example, a 92" front projection DLP system vs. a DLP-based rear projection unit and you are talking a potential savings of over 60-70%! It doesn't take a Nobel Lauriat to figure out where the bargain is. Sure there are trade-offs, mostly in terms of ambient light management and viewing distance, but if you can overcome these obstacles then you are looking at a tremendous opportunity.

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About the author:

Clint Deboer was terminated from Audioholics for misconduct on April 4th, 2014. He no longer represents Audioholics in any fashion.

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