Good points,
Picture quality- colors
Brightness - very bright
Scaler deinterlacer - excellent - passed the Galaxy Quest intro and Insurrection rooftops. Interlaced looked as good a progressive through the Denon 1600. This is the first time I had a PJ pass the GQ-intro.

Blacks and shadow detail are very good.
Screen Door is light, 1.85 viewing distance is ok.
Fan is very quiet.

EDIT: 04/30/04
For all original first series buyers in the USA of the H30, Optoma is making the lens mask available for free and you just have to cover the shipping. Call into the parts area and let them you you're a early USA buyer that wants the Lens Mask.

Also if you would like to add the Backlit Remote, they will also be available at a discount price of $59 plus shipping. Your current remote is fine but if you want to add a Backlit one go right ahead.
Place your order quickly.

Many pictures ahead, enjoy.

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30panic1.jpg

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30panic2.jpg

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30under1.jpg

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30under2.jpg

Some familiar stuff ---
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30fifth1.jpg

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30fifth2.jpg

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30lord1.jpg

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30lord2.jpg

If you saw Andrea's shootout thread re Opto H56 vs HT1000 you'll see the picture quality behaves very much like the bigger brother H56.

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30glad1.jpg

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30glad2.jpg

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30glad3.jpg

Last a horror shot in 4.3 :)
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30mummy1.jpg



So what do you think other than screenshots ain't worth diddly? hehe

Second set of screen shots:

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30gollum.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30frodoz.jpg

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30austin1.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30austin2.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30future1.jpg

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30vampire1.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30vampire2.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30vampire3.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30vampire4.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30vampire5.jpg

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30fifth5.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30oceans11.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30mumbabe.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30under4.jpg

Latest group ---
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30matrix1.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30matrix2.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30matrix3.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30matrix4.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30matrix5.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30matrix6.jpg

4.3 Screenshots, first two showing difference of 4.3 at 800X600 vs 4.3 in 16.9mode.

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h304.31.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h304.32.jpg

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h304.33.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h304.34.jpg


http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30lee14.3.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30lee24.3.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30lee34.3.jpg

That's it, all your favorite movies and how good the can look. :)

Here's some shots after doing a 6500k colorfacts calibration. You'll see a subtle difference, shows how good my OTB cal was.

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30cf1.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30cf2.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30cf3.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30cf4.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30cf5.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30cf6.jpg

Now some very tuff shots to render detail in the darks, but the H30 handles it with ease.
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30cavern1.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30cavern2.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30cavern3.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30cavern4.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30cavern5.jpg

Nov 4th 2005, pj gets better with age.
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30u571contour.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30u571blacks1.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30u571blacks2.jpg

Unbelieveably nice for low $'s, whether used as 16.9 or a 4.3 setup.
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30vertical1.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30vertical2.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30vertical3.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30vertical4.jpg


__________________





Some tuning tips for all displays that have advance RGB-adjustments for grayscale.

After making changes take a look at the Avia Needle Pulse pattern to see that there's no color tints in the Gray to White steps in the upper part of the pattern. The Pluge pattern also in Avia called Black Bars+ Log Steps. It's found under Video Test Patterns/Gray Scale & Levels/Black & White levels -

If it's not dead on grays to white make final changes with the user advanced adjustments.

Example - you see red/pink tint in the light gray/white.
R-contrast -2
G-contrast +2
B-contrast +2

If you see green in the dark grays/black
R-brightness +2
G-brightness -2
B-brightness +2

You see how it works, color in the light grays you use the RGB-contrasts

Color in the dark grays you use the RGB-brightness to fix.
enjoy and get good at it. :)

Late edit: H30 service menu, no thanks necessary :)

On the projector enter ---

Up + Enter (at the same time) hit it twice

Left + Enter, hit it twice

A screen should pop up.

Then

Up + Left + Down at the same time once.

What is the msrp of this pj? Also, does this pj have a short throw or long throw lense? Can you also tell me the distance of the pj and the size of the projected image? Btw, nice pics!

I'm curious- what does it mean to "pass the GQ- intro"? Have the DT-200 and your HT1000 failed because you saw some sort of distortion or breakup when you played that segment on those machines?

$1399, the lens is 13' back and at full zoom 92"wide 106"diagonal matt white screen. Id say a little longer than the average short throws that have been coming out.

Ooooh, nice numbers! Thanks for the info guitarman! Perhaps my x-1 needs a brother:)

Curse you Tom! Incredible pics. With screenshots, colours, and blacks like that.. it really makes me wonder how much better picture these guys spending 5x the price are getting..

Definitely makes me think twice about my 6100 sick-love affair but I'm sticking to my guns. As everyone who owns it seems to be just as pleased. Not to mention I dont have the xtra $$$ for the H30 anyways.

Either way.. looks like you got yourself a winner.. congrats!

GQ test is for the deinterlacer, so far the farouja chip could only handle it. But this projectors deinterlacer plays it smoothly with no jerking motion. So the on board 2.3 pulldown works very well.

Yes it's a nice little projector. I will miss my full sized 4.3 when using this PJ.

guitarman so i guess you are keeping this pj:D

How does the H30 compare to the DT200, other than it being 16x9 instead of 4x3. I have seen the DT200, but don't think anyone in my area will be carrying the H30 for demo purposes. I'd have to prepay for them to get one in. I'm not a fan of buying sight unseen, but may have too.

Its 16x9, not 4x3?

Both projectors have there good points. Bet you knew I was going to say that :) but yes they do. The main differences are the screendoor being lighter on the optoma, but you can and should slight focus out the pixel crosshairs with the DT200 then you're picture will look high res and smooth.

The optoma is the brightest projector I've had so far with still very good contrast. It's brighter than the HT1000 and thats in the econo mode. The opto's drawback it the setup, man it was a pain.

you got mail!

Tom, great review-thanks for picking this up and checking it out.

I downloaded the manual-this is the worst manual for a highly technical product I've ever read-no where do they tell you the offset (no table, no diagram, etc.). My Dad is about to be in the market for a PJ (he really liked my X1!) and the H30 would be perfect-good scaler/deinterlacer, better colors than the X1 I'd expect-and its 4:3. He's in an area with no HD cable and watches a lot of SD Baseball in the summer-so he needs a native 4:3 PJ with a good deinterlacer.

Can you provide any approximates with the offset?-if your screen is 92" wide let me know (approximately):

Distance from the ceiling to the center of the lens
Distance from the top of the projected picture in 4:3

There exists no where on the internet this tiny piece of information-usually you get it in the manual, but see above for what I found. Offset is a HUGE issue-reading all these posts from people with A10Xs and Dell 3200MPs tell the story of oddball offsets.

Explain the 16:9 masking now that you have seen it. Is it like the "window shift" of the NEC PJs where you can move the 16:9 image around in the 4:3 window? Is it stuck top or bottom? Is the light spill any worse/better than your HT1000 or an X1 when in 16:9?

Can you explain the problem with HDTV a bit better? Seems like it would be in the same spot as a 16:9 movie. Very weird. Is the whole image bigger or does only one edge move up/down.

Finally, I've read countless of your posts over in the +3.5K forum and have noticed that you are a big fan of the 4:3 PJ + Anamorphic lens. From the specs as given, it would seem that this would be a great candidate for a panamorph. For $2200 or so you'have 600 lines of horizontal res (yes I know you're losing something vertically) which is more than a matterhorn-total cost would be just above an LT240K (RGBW wheel@2X) after its rebate-plus, a panamorph seems to hold its value better than any PJ if you went native 16:9 2-3 years down the road. Sound like I'm trying to talk myself into a panamorph for my X1-and I am. But this looks like the best of both worlds (real HT wheel, brighter than any X1).

Let us know how you like it after comparing it to your other PJs.

"-and its 4:3."

Nope it's stuck with the 16.9 window at one end of the chip. This is why you have a strong light spill from the unused part of the chip. If you table mount the spill will be above, if you reverse and ceiling mount the spill will be below and there's no moving the image.

It's deffinetly a struggle to setup. The lens is exactly 13' back from a 92" wide screen. The mount is a cheif mount and the PJ 's lens is just 6" down from the ceiling. I had to tilt up and use keystone. My 16.9 screens top end is 12" down from the ceiling. I got it to work but it wasn't easy like the HT1000 and DT200.

I don't know whats up with the HDTV problem the pictures a couple of inches taller and projects a little onto the screen casing. Wierd!

If I set to fill with HDTV then a 1.85 DVD will come up short by about one inch. Very annoying. I suppose I could tick up my pulldown screen a click for 1.85 dvds.

wait im confused its a 4:3 projector that is forced to 16:9 ? so your just wasting the res? or am i misunderstanding the situation.

Right, you can only get the widescreen aspect of the chip. No giant 4.3 view, which works out the same for anyone using a 4.3 projector on a 16.9 screen. The little advantge you get is that it's a good amount brighter. I assume since part of the outer area of the 4.3 chip is blocked. But you do have the spill at the other end of the chip. The spill isn't noticable with it ceiling mounted becuase things are dark below the screen with my setup.

When I had it table mounted the white wall above the screen showed the spill very clearly.

how fast is the color wheel? Do you have an HDTV screenshots?

4x

Will be interesting to see a comparison to the new 4805

OK, so the top of the image on 4:3 is the same as the top of the image in 16:9. All the lightspill is on the bottom-might make masking for it easier?

It sound like the offset is similar to the X1-I measured the X1 at 15.5 inches of offset from the middle of the lens to the the top of the projected image (16:9 aspect mode, 84 wide screen). I think in 4:3 it was something like 9 inches?Sounds like this might even be more.

Keep us informed about what tech support says about the HDTV thing. Betcha they blame the receiver!

WAIT!!! Thsi thing has an 800 X 600 chip and there is no way to turn on all the pixels? so 4:3 mode is black bars on the sides? Plus the giant black bar at the bottom?

This makes no sense based on the specs that are all over the internet-its listed as 800X600 native-but I noted in the manual that its got two 4:3 modes (4:3, 4:3 native) and two 16:9 modes (16:9, 16:9 native) Can you cycle thru these modes using a 4:3 source and tell us what the differences are?

If this is true, the 4805 will eat its lunch if they are priced comparably. The 4805 has slightly more resolution and DVI/HDCP input.

well that seems like a shame. Why would they post the native res as 800x600? I would have taken the bait and gone for this projector if it wasnt for that one thing =( i mean you cant even use a panamorph! Do you feel its worth the sacrafice?

So is the image area really 800x480? Is it actually 1.78:1, or the 1.67:1 implied by the resolution? Are they cropping the sides of the screen or compressing it horizontally? I'm pretty bummed out by this projector. I can't see any reason to buy it over the 4805, other than the small size. No DVI, no DCDi, possible wierd aspect ratio, and the same price. If it was 4:3, at least it would have had some merit for occasional computer and video game use. The pseudo-widescreen thing is not cool.

i could give you one reason.
One is out and one is not.

I dont know for a little bit of extra money you could go the benq 6200 route and get a nice upgrade in res or for less go the benq 6100 route. It doenst have a 4x speed wheel but it is 3x.

When you view 4.3 you'll just have bars on the sides with you 16.9 screen. The 4805 is about the same idea. Who knows what light spill it will have?

Between the two it will come down to image quality. For a newcomer Optoma sure has a super quality to the pictures it makes. You can get an idea from the screenshots, but it does look even better in person.

The Benqs may or may not have a 3x wheel, but they are still RGBW. I'm sure they are a reasonable option.

The 4805 is really 16:9 and not cropping the picture. That's really the bummer. If the H30 was a 4:3 projector, it would have something to distinguish itself. The 4805 didn't appear to have any light spill at CES.

Oh well, I think I'm just going to save up and get an HD2 anyway. Hopefully someone selling their Benq 8700 to get the HD2+...

Tom,
Does it even approach your ht1000 for 16:9 material?

Mark

Yes, I like the picture allot. I can keep it sharp and not be bothered with the lower resolution SD. The brightness and natural colors are a big plus for this machine. Not to mention the deinterlacer.

I just got off the phone with Opto Tech. He says the throw ratio is 1.75min 2.12max and also said I should first align the DirectTV HDTV image, then the other aspects 1.85 & 2.35 of DVD will get placed correctly. I told him about the screen light spill and he said other users bought a lens adapter at camera shops made for 35mm camera's. It will block out the light spill and he said it won't hurt the projector. I'll look into it even though I can't see the spill with the PJ ceiling mounted.

I'm confused. Is this thing a 4x3 like the X1? Thanks.

Its a 4:3 chip that is masked for 16:9 so that it doesn't use the whole 800x600 for 4:3...kinda weird. The pics looked good though.

I was seeing light spill above the screen on the Underworld pic 1, Lord of the Rings pic 2, and Gladiator pic 1, is this because you had projector table mounted then Tom? I didn't see any light below screen on other pics and I have my screen blacked out above and below so it looks like the light spill won't bother me.

Contrast is rated at 2000:1 on the H30 and is rated at 3000:1 on the NEC Ht1000, did contrast seem 1/3 better on the HT100 over the H30? Also I am most concerned with seeing pixellation and you say at 1.85 times back you won't see it, is that with picture sharply focussed or is that counting using a slight defocus?

How does HD look compared to a XGA projector as far as resolution?

Looks like a great little projector but with a few quirks.

Thanks,
Mike

I know screenshots don't tell the whole story , but after seeing the underworld shots and comparing them to my l300u the contrast looks much higher. Is there really that much difference in contrast between lcd and dlp? If so I may have to check out a few dlp's because those screenshots look way better than my projector.

Optoma claims this projector's native resolution is 800x600. if this is not the case, then Optoma is going to have a lot of angry customers.

(I certainly won't be ordering one until this is straightened out.)

http://www.optomahometheater.com/content/H30.asp

~ Kiran <entropy@io.com>

H30 native resolution IS 800x600.

I had a pre-H30 in the beginnig of December at my home.

Tapani

Infocus claims that every projector of theirs is carefully calbrated to the D65 color standard. Does Optoma mention a similar "guarantee" anywhere about the color reproduction on their models?

So Tapani-

Could you use the entire 800 X 600 panel in 4:3:? Based on guitarman's findings, the chip is masked internally and you cannot use the entire panel-the users manual, in its list of features indicates "masked 480p" panel.

I think most of us are incredulous that Optoma would do this-I mean, usually if there is lightspill, the flipside is that you can use the entire 4:3 panel for gaming, etc. Here we seem to have lightspill with no way to use that part of the panel. I just can't figure out what someone was thinking. I mean, if you're gonna mask, then at least do an awesome job of masking-i.e., NO lightspill.

Robert

This has been done before. Just look at the Toshiba MT500 - a 1024x576 projector which was really an XGA with part of the panel permanently turned off - not masked.

Mike, The picture has more snap than the HT1000 because of the higher bright level, contrast is high and images are opened up more is the best way to describe it.

You don't hv to defocus the screen with this one. 1.85 back and you're fine. The area around the pixel is light and thin. Not so pronounced like the HT1000 or SharpDT200.

Originally posted by rlundy
So Tapani-

Could you use the entire 800 X 600 panel in 4:3:? Based on guitarman's findings, the chip is masked internally and you cannot use the entire panel-the users manual, in its list of features indicates "masked 480p" panel.



Yes, I got pixel perfect 800x600 using a HTPC.

Tapani

Originally posted by guitarman
You don't hv to defocus the screen with this one. 1.85 back and you're fine. The area around the pixel is light and thin. Not so pronounced like the HT1000 or SharpDT200.

Yes Tom, I made the same observations with my pre-H30.

Tapani

from what i learned from taiwan's forum. with firmware update, it will open the native 800X600. However, still waiting confirmation from those guys. post it if i got latest news about this.

I never used HTPC. I just tried s-video grasping and things are the same. The only time I saw what may have been the full panel was with OTA or HDTV. But if you use the full panel for HDTV widescreen ofcourse it's streched up. If you use the full panel for OTA fully cropped material it also is stretched up out of shape. Man this is quirky, no wonder optoma took so long to get these out. It's still a work in progress. :)

If you use the projector as recommended you hook a a DVD player with a component to VGA cable and use a 16.9 screen. I run my Sony HD100 with a switch box also going through the same VGA cable. With this setup the only aspects that work are the plain 16.9 or 4.3 not the native, native expands the picture a little and you lose information on the sides. This also is conflicting as optoma's original manual stated 16.9 or 4.3 native displays with zero overscan.

The tech guy yesterday knew the projector is meant for just 16.9 and that the unused portion of the chip shows light spill.

well if you can use the full panel for OTA or HDTV, I dont see why a firmware update wouldnt fix the problem. If i knew a fix was coming down the line i would would be all over this projector.

"Tom! Incredible pics. With screenshots,"

Thx, I acquired a nack for getting screenshots right, good subjects and just the right freeze. :)

But it has to be a great procjector and the H30 sure is one. I'd like to get a look at the H56 now. Mabye someday when they come down under $2k. I'm finished buying projectors up near $5k. You're right in your comment on how good does it have to get. I've had some pretty lousy TV's from the past, things are sure looking great now.

My wife and I watched the OC last night and it looked super. Allot better than the DT-200. The colors were much more interesting and not so over done. And the OC is down resed digital. Very nice I'm going to keep this one up for a while.

A good test was the new Raiders of the lost Ark DVD. Which looked very dark and murky on the HT1000. Not so with the Optoma, it's luminance opens up all the dark movies. I'm seeing tons more stuff.

A good test was the new Raiders of the lost Ark DVD. Which looked very dark and murky on the HT1000. Not so with the Optoma, it's luminance opens up all the dark movies. I'm seeing tons more stuff.

Pretty powerfull statement. Im impressed =)

guitarman-
Found this review on PC

The picture quality is good with this projector, until you get to true red/blue/green. All of the mixed colors look great, but if any of the three (especially red & blue) are projected as the primary color, I am getting quite a bit of pixelation and color spray. For some reason it looks like red and blue are bleeding all over the other colors in a vertical line of pixels. This is really irritating on colorful DVDs such as Dune, Amelie, SW: AOTC, etc.

Do you find the same true on your setup?

No but I remember a statment like this and took a close look at the DT200. In text it did have a slight halo of red color on one side of the lettering. It didn't bother me. I'll take a closer look at the H30.

"from what i learned from taiwan's forum. with firmware update, it will open the native 800X600. However, still waiting confirmation from those guys. post it if i got latest news about this."

Great, keep us informed. Since there's no RS232 on the PJ I'd guess a dvd or CD burn of it would work. I'd give it a shot.

How do I get to the Taiwan site?

Originally posted by guitarman
"from what i learned from taiwan's forum. with firmware update, it will open the native 800X600. However, still waiting confirmation from those guys. post it if i got latest news about this."

Great, keep us informed. Since there's no RS232 on the PJ I'd guess a dvd or CD burn of it would work. I'd give it a shot.

How do I get to the Taiwan site?

still waiting for their confirmation.
btw, here is the page that a guy called there is a firmware updatepls check here (http://www.myav.com.tw/vbb221/upload/showthread.php?s=&threadid=93211&perpage=12&pagenumber=9)

Thanks, heres a great update. I just got off the phone with the top tech at Optoma USA. He will have the update firmware when he gets back from Taiwan next month. For me I would hv to take the PJ over to Milpitas which is right near me and they would do the firmware for me. He said they have a certain cable connection that has to be used.

He also said that soon after the firmware is complete that future units would already have it installed.

One other thing the HTPC can open 800X600. He said when connecting straight with RGB/RGB the 800X600 is enabled. It just component to RGB that's not setup to work and will go into masked mode. Aren't there some DVD players with the VGA out? I think the Skyworth maybe.

Ah, well, if it's capable of using the full panel, then I think the H30 is still a reasonable choice. That's definitely good news. Have you measured the widescreen mode? Is it actually 1.78:1, or is it 1.67:1 as implied by the resolution?

The tech said as of now with the masked setup if you choose 16.9 native you get 800X480 pixels.

Tom,

Thanks for all your answers about the H30.

He said when connecting straight with RGB/RGB the 800X600 is enabled. It just component to RGB that's not setup to work and will go into masked mode.

I have a DTC-100 HD Satellite receiver which uses VGA so will 4:3 SD channels be able to use the 800x600 then without stretching the picture out to 16:9? I don't want to have all of my 4:3 SD channels stretched to fit my 16:9 screen. Also, does the projector come with an adapter that plugs into VGA input on projector that has component plugs? and does it have 1 VGA in or 2?

I am probably going to give this projector a try after I hear back about the VGA not being stretched. I was going to get a Benq 8700 but I just can't spend that kind of money right now especially when DLP projectors keep getting better and cheaper. I think I will get the H30 now and save my money for a 1920 x 1080 DLP after they get in the $5k-$7k range. The H30 is going to replace a 50" HDTV in the bedroom anyway.

Thanks again for all of your time Tom,
Mike

"DTC 100 VGA so will 4:3 SD channels be able to use the 800x600. I assume so. Not sure but I think my Sony HD100 has a VGA out, I'll run a test.

The projector has one VGA in and one VGA out for a monitor.

Good to know that the 4:3 res issue seems to be coming out in my favor. It will be interesting to compare it to my DT-200 once it gets here. The lens shift of the DT-200 will make it pretty hard to beat, but one never knows...

Later,
Bill

guitarman-
Well that sounds like great news, however how do i find a place near me that would update the firmware? Is that stuff covered under waranty or do you have to pay a dealer or local shop to do it?

Im really tempted to go with this projector, i would get it in a couple of weeks and i dont mind taking it somewhere to update the firmware if i can find a place in advanced. Thanks for all your coments. Now im just waiting to hear back from you on those bright colored dvds. =)

Originally posted by guitarman
Thanks, heres a great update. I just got off the phone with the top tech at Optoma USA. He will have the update firmware when he gets back from Taiwan next month. For me I would hv to take the PJ over to Milpitas which is right near me and they would do the firmware for me. He said they have a certain cable connection that has to be used.

He also said that soon after the firmware is complete that future units would already have it installed.

One other thing the HTPC can open 800X600. He said when connecting straight with RGB/RGB the 800X600 is enabled. It just component to RGB that's not setup to work and will go into masked mode. Aren't there some DVD players with the VGA out? I think the Skyworth maybe.

Tom,
thx a lot for your info. The guys in taiwan's forum still haven't any response. But it seems that u got the answer already. It's really great.
I just get some other questions that need your help.

The guys in taiwan's forum are very interested in the H30 but cool down a lot as they find some problems with it. Can u confirm with it?
1. the pj is overheat in the part of airflow. some even claim the parts is melted
2. some said that when viewing DVD in progressive mode, the output will become a little darker
3. there is no back-light in the remote

Besides, I still figure out which pj to buy. Z2/AE500/low end DLP.
do u think H30 can display beautifully will HDTV (or other hi-res source input) in the future. (i'm living in Hong kong and no HDTV in the near future)

Hi, :)
No melt down

Not darker with anything

Yes, no backlight but easy remembered buttons

VP, if you would want the firmwave you would hv to send it to Optoma here in Cal. They wouldn't charge. There are probalby people who would prefer the projector as it is now.

So if the firmware update or using the VGA input can enable 800x600 mode, I take it the masking is electrical (part of the DMD turned off) vs. physical (a physical mask over the DMD)?

-cjs

If the resolution is 800x480 it won't fit a 16:9 screen. Why on earth not do cropped 800x450 like the X1?

Or does it work well to have some of the image spill out on the masking over and under the screen, Tom?

The mask idea is just having the 16.9 area at the bottom of the chip.

Also when you choose 16.9 aspect not 16.9 native you get 800X450.

Guitarman -
It uses the bottom of the chip when table mounted and ceiling mounted? Im guessing it does since the light spill seems to be on the top both ways.

A Viewsonic N4 might be a way of feeding the H30 RGB@800x600...it has S-video input...The N5 & 6 models have component in also I believe...

So is there physical masking of the DMD chip in some modes or not? Even if there is, it doesn't sound like it works all that well at eliminating the light spill. Or am I getting the wrong impression?

I sure would like to find a Optoma H50 but they are no where to be found. The reviews for this PJ are excellent. If someone knows where to find a Optoma H50 that's $1500.00 or lower then let me know. My budget will be $1500 max.

The masking is just the bottom half of the chip and the light spill is always at the top ceiling or table mounted.

" physical masking of the DMD chip" Just the lower part so you only have to mask the wall above the screen. Not above and below. :)

The viewsonic Idea is a good one and I hv one handy. Will give it a try as running my Sony STB over was to difficult to test last night.

Well, I ordered the H30 and it should be here next week. I hope this projector will work great in my bedroom as it will be replacing a 50" Toshiba HDTV. I also have a Marantz VPS1 HD1 DLP projector so I will be able to see how it stacks up against a 720p DLP projector. The contrast on the H30 is about double that of my Marantz so the H30 will definitely have the edge there.

Thanks again to Tom for all his judgements\opinions on this projector.

Mike

Mike, think bright! :)

Wait till you see all the adjustments available. There's tons

You'll see snap pop all that and an interesting lack of screen door.
Enjoy your new toy.

guitarman
how do you think this compares to the beloved sharp xv z90?
which i currently enjoy a choice helped by your fantastic reviews

Guitarman,

I know you are not very sensitive to them, but did you see more rainbows on the H30 than on the DT-200?

I have seen a Z90, and did not see rainbows. In fact, on a well calibrated Goo 0.5 (modded X1) I did not see rainbows.

My only rainbow issue was with a NEC LT240. I am figuring the brightness exaggerated the effect. I was very bad that time. I am afraid the H30s brightness might do the same.

Hard to pick between the benq and the H30...resolution or wheel speed. I am slowly drifting away from LCD. Nice screen shots!

Goodmorning,
The DT-200 is a great machine but the H30 is better, it's brighter/way brighter and in econo mode, more natural and most important the SD is hidden better, also the scaler/deinterlacer is incredible for a budget machine. It passed the Galaxy Quest intro and only the Farouja chip could do this. This deinterlacer means all your other video will be artifact free. Direct TV looks smooth. The new Silicon Image chip is arrived and Farouja better watch out. :)

Whoops there it is again, I just replayed the GQ intro several times with the player set to interlaced. Smooth as glass and this clip wreaked havoc on my JVC players and Bravo in progressive. Very impressive

As far as rainbows, I haven't seen one rainbow yet and I've tried. I have seen very fast and small rainbows occasionally with the Sharp. Maybe it has to do with how intensely your viewing the film and then break away.

guitarman- wow you are on top of this thread! Good morning. Have you tried watching a black and white movie? Also any new input on really colorful movies and color bleed?

Thanks for all your input on this projector you've certainly sold me on it (you sure you don't work for them? just kidding =) ).

Guitarman,

Do you kmow if the optoma h30 is compatible with PAL (625/576i/p)
Thanx for your assistance

velvetpoet,
lol, when something strikes me as very good I have to say it. You should hv read my thoughts on the Z9000. It lasted only a week at my house. I had a good list of projectors and once I started trying the DDR chip models things changed for the better. Like the Z90, HT1000, H30 are all great machines. My earlier LT150z, Seleco HT200, Sharp Z9000, AE100 were not so good compared to these others.

Black and white movies look great because the out of box grayscale is right on. Still haven't seen any color problems either.

Re PAL, I assume so since these were first available overseas, plus they come with a Scart adaptor for European use. Check out the Optoma Manual it's on their world wide website.

Nice pictures and info Tom. :)

I didn't see this mentioned elsewhere in the thread (maybe I missed it), but what make and model 92" wide screen are you using and what's the gain?

This thing takes component 480i through the VGA port, correct? Are all the picture adjustments available this way?

Hey Tom: I am thinking of upgrading from my trusty LT150. What would be the main differences I should expect if you can cast your mind back to the dim past? The main thing I am concerned about is the reduced resolution - anything noticeable when it comes to DVDs or HDTV? Any other issues?

Thanks
Peter

Originally posted by guitarman
the scaler/deinterlacer is incredible for a budget machine.

Have you tested the projector with television sources? My PowerBook G4 produces horribly jagged edges with DVDs of TV shows. It's most obvious in the Star Trek: TNG disks, but it also affects EVERYTHING else I've watched, with the possible exception of Firefly. It doesn't appear at all in movies.

I don't know whether this would also affect composite video from TV sources such as TiVo, but I'm concerned. This is annoying on tiny screens; it would be a nightmare if it turned up on big screens.

~ Kiran <entropy@io.com>

Dalite Matt white screen.

All the picture adjustments are availble with VGA. Full picture control - C,B,S,CL,H etc & 3 color temp, 5 gammas, RGB/RGB brightness & contrast, pre-set features for Film,video, graphics.

Re the LT150, yes you'll enjoy the picture more with the H30. Contrast, fan sound, colors, res will be fine for DVD & HDTV looks great also. The scaler helps that out.

Re TV, it's very smooth and artifact free. Again the scaler/deinterlacer.

Hehe, didn't you guys get this thing yet? Shop around see if you can get 10% off or better maybe.

Thanks Tom. What DVD player are you using? Are you just running 480i into the H30?

Peter

Originally posted by guitarman
Hehe, didn't you guys get this thing yet? Shop around see if you can get 10% off or better maybe.

Hah. We're all waiting for the firmware bug to be fixed.

(Seriously, if the projector actually did 800x600 for all inputs, I'd probably have ordered at least one by now. I sure hope Optoma is reading this thread. :D )

~ Kiran <entropy@io.com>

I picked up a Denon 1600 for $250 so I use it in progressive, kind of a waste because it looks as good in interlaced. :)

Kiran, they're listening, I directed a couple of their Tech people over to this thread. I explained how I have allot a 4.3 Music DVD's and need to play my Star Wars Trilogy with the Laser Disc player. These are Non-Anamorphic so I need a Normal Aspect ratio otherwise they're compressed like all other NA-DVD's. I could watch the Music material compressed in the 16.9 screen but got use to the giant image of lets say Jeff Beck playing his Stratocaster. :)

Guitarman - Jeff Beck rocks. The playing of non anamorphic video is the only down fall i can see from this machine. But i have confidence the fix will be released. I found one for way under the 10 percent but they are out of stock so im waiting =) I also found ordering out of state helps alot that will cut the cost 10 percent in itself.

Hi Tom, the DT200 is the equivalent of the Z90-91?

DT200 is the same as Z90 except it has a short throw lens

Yes same machine, Z90 is a long throw and DT200 short.

Re Jeff Beck, I can watch it with bars one the sides since is native 4.3. (JB & Jennifer Batten Japan Tour). Right non anamorphic stuff like the original Star wars on laser disc is where it hurts.

Hey Velvetpoet: Care to PM me with your good price? I have to wait awhile anyway.

Thanks
Peter

anyone compare this with those new lcd pjs? (AE500, Z2)
I wonder the lack of DVI input and lower res will hurt it in displaying hi-res. besides, the use of a vga adapter is no good in my view

The vertical banding on LCDs like the AE500 makes the picture intolerable for me. Even if it was a 1080p LCD I couldn't stand vertical banding. The contrast and black level of DLP is so much better than LCD that having a little lower res is a better tradeoff for me. For people who have LCDs and don't have vertical banding and think the contrast is good enough for them then LCD might be better for you.

Mike

http://www.ippinkan.co.jp/pj_test/H30/page_1.htm

Check that site out for a shootout with the Sanyo Z2.

Thanks Guitarman. A bit hard to read but comparing the pictures. i perfer the h30.

Paste the site here -

http://world.altavista.com/

so the rainbow effect you have not seen one rain bow as of yet, but isn,t it only a 4x speed because i would be using this pj just for dvd's and the player will be be the the panny xp30 and the throw is 12.5 feet and vewing didtance will be 10 to 11 ? would that work for me

thats what im doing =) Chinese? It leaves alot of symbols not converted so i can pick up fragments but not the whole review

only a 4x speed? for the price i dont think you can find a faster wheel.

only a 4x speed? for the price i don't think you can find a faster wheel.


no i know for the price it is good but i was saying with the 4x wheel and 5 or 6 segment rate would that be fast enough to get read of most of the rainbows

well it really depends on you. Some people wont see them at that speed others will. Compared to a 2x wheel your odds are much better and usually if you do see them they are thiner. only way to find out is to test it.

velvetpoet yep that sounds about right i will be testing the h30 and epson home 10

cool, gives us your impressions when you do the testing =)

yes i will let every body know how the testing goes . hopefully some time this week .but to be honest this h30 looks like it will be hard to beat . ;)

Japanese to English.

This is not a rainbow prone machine. For my 92"wide screen I hv the PJ back 13.6', you will hv to use a little smaller screen. Use the min throw ratio times the foot distance you need to be back to get your maximum screen width. I think the next size down screen is 80"wide.

okay so guitarman for the setting i exlpained what would


i would be using this pj just for dvd's and the player will be be the the panny xp30 and the throw is 12.5 feet and vewing didtance will be 10 to 11 ? would that work for me



so that would be an okay setup :confused:

well this sounds like what guitarman was explaining but with the update that is available that should not be a problem .correct

This is a pretty good projector for the price. First, my setup is a 92" Firehawk Delux 16:9 screen at a 10' viewing distance. I only watch DVDs; no TV.

The picture quality is good with this projector, until you get to true red/blue/green. All of the mixed colors look great, but if any of the three (especially red & blue) are projected as the primary color, I am getting quite a bit of pixelation and color spray. For some reason it looks like red and blue are bleeding all over the other colors in a vertical line of pixels. This is really irritating on colorful DVDs such as Dune, Amelie, SW: AOTC, etc.

I have problems with the aspect ratio on this projector. Depending on the aspect ratio of the DVD, I can never get it set up correctly for all of my DVDs. There are 5 modes to choose from for the projector, but it still never works out for all DVDs. If I get one movie set up perfectly, the next will then be off the screen. I don't want to have to adjust the projector for every DVD I have. This was not a problem on the Demo unit I saw, so it is most likely a recent software change that caused the problem. Also, since it is a 4:3 native, I always have overspray above the screen. This may be obvious for most, but I wanted to put it in for those who may not know.

Other than those problems, the picture quality is good. The blacks are very inky, deep blacks. Depending on the viewer, there are very few to zero problems with rainbowing. The picture is very crisp, though it would be better if it were higher resolution.

Overall, it is a pretty good projector for $$$$. I personally cannot get over the problems I noted, so I will unfortunately be taking it back and upgrading. :confused:

Both of your problems are non exsitant on my machine. I just ran ATOC and three different aspect movies, 2.35 atoc, 4.3 mummy, 1.85 blade II. I see no deal breaker here.

With your 16.9 screen you should only choose 4.3 or 16.9 not the native ones. ATOC looked quite stunning by the way.

Edit, Oh I see you were quoting another persons review, the one at Projector Central.

Things are better from day 1, I cut down the use of keystone by lowerning my 16.9 screen and have no aspect problems with DVD of HDTV.

I'll take guitarmans word that atoc looked stunning over the posting from PC anyday. Looking at the pictures on the review (japanese translation cleaned it up thanks =) ) i liked the brighter picture shown on the gladiator shot. I could just see more going on in the picture seems to reflect guitarmans comments on the image detail opening up a bit. Even the last shot (Titan AE?) while i like the sky better on the far left you can clearly see more detail of the characters from the h30). Is it just me or does the z2 seemed to be adding a grean hue to some of the shots?

I heard the Z2 had a green push OTB. Adjusments to the gray scale are needed by using the white balances RGB-brightness and contrast. No need for any of that with the H30. :)

I'll take guitarmans word that atoc looked stunning over the posting from PC anyday. Looking at the pictures on the review (japanese translation cleaned it up thanks =) ) i liked the brighter picture shown on the gladiator shot. I could just see more going on in the picture seems to reflect guitarmans comments on the image detail opening up a bit. Even the last shot (Titan AE?) while i like the sky better on the far left you can clearly see more detail of the characters from the h30). Is it just me or does the z2 seemed to be adding a grean hue to some of the shots?


yes i do take his word for it for guitarman to say A good test was the new Raiders of the lost Ark DVD. Which looked very dark and murky on the HT1000. Not so with the Optoma, it's luminance opens up all the dark movies. I'm seeing tons more stuff.
and i know for a fact he loves his ht1000 :) and for him to say the pic has better detail .wow that is saying something

when i pick up my pj and set it up and sit down to watch my first movie and lite up a monte cristo #2 cigar and enjoy.

oh and i am not sure if some asked this but here are the specs on the optoma and tom with the upgrade will the pj fill 1:78 wide screen :confused:


SVGA resolution DLP product featuring a 6 segment 4x speed color wheel

this would be the least expensive home theater projector on the market to incorporate the highly desirable 6 segment, 4x color wheel architecture.

- Double Data Rate DLPTM technology

- The most affordable dedicated DLPTM home theater projector

- Unique widescreen aspect ratio

- Pixelworks deinterlacing and scaling technologies for excellent film reproduction and smooth onscreen images

- 2000:1 contrast ratio

- Vivid colors and impressive black levels for superior picture quality

- Unique economy mode extends lamp life to 3,000 hours while lowering the noise level to only 30 dB


Display
Single 0.55-inch 12-degree Double Data Rate DLPTM technology from Texas Instruments

Native Resolution
SVGA (800 x 600) native

Maximum Resolution
SXGA (1,280 x 1024) compressed

Brightness (Typical)
800 lumens

Contrast Ratio
(Full On/ Full Off)
2000:1

Weight
4.4 pounds (2.0 kg)

Dimensions (W x H x D)
10.7 x 3.4 x 8.3 inches (271 x 87 x 212 mm)

Operational Noise
32 dB standard (30 dB economy)

Lamp Life (typical)
2,000 hours (standard) 3,000 hours (economy)

Lamp Type
180-watt P-VIP lamp (uses 150 watts in economy mode)

Aspect Ratio
4:3 native at 800 x 600, 1.67:1 at 800 x 480, 16:9 compatible

Input / Output Connections
VGA input (analog RGB/component/HDTV), S-Video, composite video (RCA)

Computer Compatibility
SXGA, XGA, SVGA, VGA compression, VESA standards, PC & compatibles, Macintosh

Video Compatibility
NTSC (M, 3.58/4.43 MHz), PAL (B, D, G, H, I, M, N), SECAM (B, D, G, K, K1, L), HDTV (720p, 1080i), EDTV (480p), SDTV (480i), 576i/p

Throw Ratio
1.75:1 to 2.12:1

Keystone Correction
+/- 16 degrees

Screen Size (diagonal)
29 to 260 inches (0.7 to 6.6 meters)
Projection Distance
3.9 to 32.8 feet (1.2 to 10 meters)

Projection Lens
f = 19.7 - 23.6 mm, F/2.4 - 2.7, manual focus and zoom

Horizontal Scan Rate
15 to 70 kHz

Vertical Refresh Rate
43 to 85 Hz

Operation Temperature
50 - 104 F (10 - 40 C) (80% humidity)

Power Supply
100-240 volts, 50/60 Hz

Uniformity
95%

Warranty
Two-year warranty

Standard Accessories
AC power cord, composite video cable, VGA to component adapter, S-Video cable, remote control, two batteries, lens cap, user manual, warranty card

her you go guys :)

Tom,

Could you look at the lens closely for me? I'm wondering if a lens could be attached...there are several used 35mm anamorphic camera lenses out there for $200 or less, and with Zoomplayer and an HTPC it would be an easy way to increase resolution and maintain a constant height among aspect ratios.

where can i get one from...

Tom,

Is H30 much better than HT1000? Do you have any screenshots comparing these two projectors?

For so low price it sounds incredible machine and a cheap upgrade for HT1000 owners with lots of hours on the lamp. Why buy a new lamp when you can get a better pj almost for price of a new lamp.

Wait a minute is not better than the HT1000 but does have it's own vibe of quality.

A good XGA machine like the HT1000 and Optoma H56 can be very crisp with the extra resolution which you'd notice more for HDTV.

Here's a shot that shows the crispness on the HT1000.

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/elf.jpg

OK guys i just got back demoing the epson h10 and the optoma h30 and


this i my impressions on the two ( in plain English ) :D


epson home ten _calibrated and ceiling mounted 6ft from the screen (screen was hdtv aspect screen )

there was still a little ambient light but the h10 worked very well to my surprise and the color was great very natural and very film like and also the h10 had a lot adjustments that can be done for the tweakers we put in the sound and vision cd and all that i can tell you is everything was pretty dead on color brightness and saturation was great and the great thing was it had not and i do mean no vb at all the the screen door was minimal to none i went right up to the screen and it just looked like little dots very impressive and to be honest this is one hell of a pj for the price :confused: it was making the decision very difficult but when it came down to the final choice i choose the optoma h30 :D



the h30 he said is going to be the hot pj for the budget minded consumer and like tom said yes it is a form of a ht1000 clown but just for the budget minded person and the good news is the north american pj's will have the 800x600 full and i would like to thank tom for the great help here on this thread and i hope i could also be of some help here so tom can have sometime to enjoy his cigars :D but if i missed out something just let me know cheers every one here you guys are the best . :D

nice post, but you didnt really say why you chose the h30

velvetpoet to be honest like i said it was a hard choice but i am a ht100 fan and i like the pj but to be honest it is still pretty pricey here in t.o and the colors are of coarse deeper :) it is all preference and i would have bean very happy with the h10 to.

fair enough =) please update us with some more impresions once youve had time for some home viewing.

yes i will do that and the good thing the demo was done set up properly and it was in a home so i got a pretty good read on the pj's :)

Lack of punctuation gets the excitement across:D

Isn't the H10 just a loud Ae200? Or am I mistaken? If I remember correctly, it has same basic pannel resolution and contrast, but is much louder. I guess the lumens increase have to be paid for somehow...

Marco T no the (home 10) is not and the pj is very quite did not hear at all


guys believe me i was very surprised with the home 10

The Epson is LCD and shouldn't be able to compete with the DLP's 2000.1 contrast with dark scened movies like The Two Towers. Which I watched today on the H30 and was unbelievable for this price range.

Again the detail in the blacks. The scene where Gandalf falls down the Cavern was fully open. I could see detail in rocks of the dark walls all the way to the bottom. The bottom area was also lit up from the start of the scene. My other projectors couldn't do this.

guitarman i know that but for a lcd pj i was very impressed with the pic, but i did get the h30 and i am happy with the choice

What video was shown to demo each projector?

blade 2

titanic

the hulk

fifth element


and Underworld the h30 kicked a$$ with this

I think the main thing to realize with the H30 is its price!! At $1399 retail with a 4x speed 6-segment color wheel and 2000:1 contrast this is a break-through product with the Infocus 4805 to follow. For people who see rainbows on the slower speed DLP's either of these cheaper projectors should be great for an affordable home theater. Sure you can get a higher resolution LCD but I can't stand the vertical banding on some of those plus the lower contrast and lower black levels helped me decide to choose the H30.

I can't wait for it to get here this week for me to try out.

Mike

guitarman- there was also ambient light, so the contrast diference were probably not as apparent

Originally posted by mbw23air
I think the main thing to realize with the H30 is its price!! At $1399 retail with a 4x speed 6-segment color wheel and 2000:1 contrast this is a break-through product with the Infocus 4805 to follow.

Exactly why I refuse to spend alot of money for a projector right now. The technology is advancing at a phenomenal rate. 3 years ago the AE100 stole the show with its below $1500 priceline.. take a person who averages 20 hours a week of viewing.. and instead of replacing the bulb.. you could replaced the projector and upgrade to the H30.

Look 3 years ahead and I expect 720p or greater 16x9 native, 3000:1, 2000 lumen DLP machines available in the $1500 price range.

Exactly why I refuse to spend alot of money for a projector right now. The technology is advancing at a phenomenal rate. 3 years ago the AE100 stole the show with its below $1500 priceline.. take a person who averages 20 hours a week of viewing.. and instead of replacing the bulb.. you could replaced the projector and upgrade to the H30.


and that is exactly why i choose the h30 because in a couple of years i will pick up my pj that i want :) but now i can enjoy the h30 for a few years

Im saving money to get one so I have to wait no matter what. This product sounds great for the price but Ill be waiting on the Infocas 4805 reviews before making a purchase. I want a DVI input on the back for higher bandwidth transfer(digital to digital). 2004 will be the year for DVI dvd players. Patience is a virtue in this case. ;)

Good day all, I went out on a limb and ordered the H30 site unseen about two weeks ago along with a 4:3 screen since it was listed as a 4:3 native projector. After reading many of these posts I am now a bit concerned and in all honesty, very confused. Here is how I understood it. If you had a 4:3 native projector with a 4:3 screen and played 16:9 material, you would just get black bars on top and bottom. If you played 4:3 material, you would get the whole screen filled with picture, no black bars, 8x6 screen=8x6 picture. Now, after reading many posts here, I am confused. Is this “not” the case with the H30? So my 4:3 screen I ordered is useless? Also, what is “firmware”? Does this “firmware” allow one to fill the whole 4:3 screen with the picture without any “stretching” of the picture? Anyhow, sorry for all the questions, any additional info would be appreciated. Oh, and in case you didn’t notice, I am still on projector 101 so please reply in plain English. Thanks in advance for your help. Matt

The projector disables part of the chip and projects in 16:9 widescreen using the bottom part of the chip. If you hook up to the projector through a computer it will use the full chip 4:3. A firmware update is kind of like flashing the rom in your computer. In order to install youll have to send it into optoma free of charge. The firmware update is suposed to allow to use the full panel (4:3) when using sources other then your home computer.

Thank you for the reply. And so what about when using 16:9? Is it true that only one large black bar will be at the top? Don’t most projectors put a small bar on top and bottom? Won’t this look goofy on a 4:3 screen? Would the firmware update fix this as well?

The projector disables part of the chip and projects in 16:9 wide screen using the bottom part of the chip. If you hook up to the projector through a computer it will use the full chip 4:3. A firmware update is kind of like flashing the rom in your computer. In order to install youll have to send it into optoma free of charge. The firmware update is suposed to allow to use the full panel (4:3) when using sources other then your home computer.


the north American release of the optoma h30 will have the full 800x600 panel for 4:3 .cheers

the firmware will update it. It wont be so good for 4:3 screen untill the firmware update. The top part will be disabled it wont project a black bar it will project nothing at all except for some light spill. I can see it really being bothersome on a 4:3 screen.

Yes it does look out of balance with a 4.3 screen. The firmware will fix this. The top tech person Wing will get back from Taiwan in a month with the firmware. Then you can use the full 4.3 screen for any TV or 4.3 dvd's.

This masked 480p system has another advantage though that you could take advantage of with your 4.3 screen in the meantime. Set the Aspect to 16.9native this gives you 800X480 resoluiton. To use this feature with a wide screen after messing around with different aspects we would need a custom shaped screen, one several inches taller than the standard 16.9 video screens.

Also users with a typical 16.9 screen can just use the scaling 4.3 and 16.9 aspects which will fit the screen perfectly. This is what I'm doing right now with the 92"X52" wide screen and I masked the upper wall with a short curtain. Which took care of the light spill and boosted the contrast/blacks.

Neat feature that 800X480 but things will be much easier with the firmware. Everything will square up, you could opt for a panamorph and take advantage of all the 800X600 pixels. 16.9 material will be centered and be 800X450. So that extra 30 vertical pixels it neat but a real headache to make use of.

yes you are right but the north american models will not have half of the chip blocked out it will be opened


4:3 800x600

16:9 800x 484 or 480 or 450

Ok guys,

I got my Optoma H30 today. I thought about waiting for the Infocus 4805 but I wanted a projector now. I am using it in a bedroom on a 45" h x 80" w 92" diagonal 16 x 9 1.3 gain screen. Right now projector is on a stand at back of room. Ceiling mount is on backorder..crap!!

I have a Denon 1600 DVD player on the way and so currently I am using an old Toshiba 6200 for DVDs......a JVC 30K DVHS player for HD...and a RCA DTC-100 for HD Satellite.

First the positives:

Contrast: Very nice!! A little better than my Marantz VPS1 DLP projector.

Screendoor: can hardly be seen as I am sitting 10 feet back from 80" wide screen and will be sitting 12 feet back after I have projector ceiling mounted. I thought it would be more noticeable but Tom(guitarman) was right, it's not a factor.

Black Level: is very good. Again, it is a little better than by Marantz VPS1 DLP projector.

Rainbows: I see rainbows on 2x speed DLPs and after 2-3 hours of viewing I have not seen 1 on this 4x speed DLP. So, no rainbows for me on this projector!!

Negatives:

Connections: My DTC-100 only has VGA out for HD which works fine for the projector but there is only 1 VGA in and I also have to use the VGA to component adapter for component inputs for DVD and my JVC30k DVHS machine on this input. I have a component switcher which has 3 separate component input devices I can switch from but it wont accept the component input from the RCA VGA to component adapter device I have which is the VHD2000(or something like that). This is my only beef with this projector. Either I have to unplug component adapter and hook in the VGA from my Satellite receiver or I have to buy a HD Satellite receiver with component outputs.

HD Detail: HD does look better and more detailed on a higher resolution projector but HD still looks a little better than DVD on this projector. There just isn't as big a difference between HD and DVD on this projector than there would be with Matterhorn or 720p DLP chips. So while it is a negative on this projector for the price it shouldn't really be considered a negative.

Here are the projectors I have owned so you know what I have seen DVD and HD on:

NEC 9PG+ CRT Projector
NEC XG110LC CRT Projector
NEC9PGXtra CRT Projector
Panasonic AE100 LCD Projector
Marantz VPS1 720p HD1 DLP projector..Still own

The Optoma H30 is a great projector for the money. I wanted a second projector for my bedroom that I could watch HD and DVD on but didn't want to spend alot. I will probably have to buy a Satellite receiver with component outs as once projector is ceiling mounted I won't want to have to reach up and unplug\plug cables. So I am very happy I bought this projector. Picture quality is better than I expected. If you can wait for 2-4 months then maybe the more inputs and DVI on the Infocus 4805 might be better if the connectivity on this projector isn't right for you. I only watched 16:9 source material so I wasn't concerned with the 4:3 component issue. Hopefully I will get to mess around with it some more tomorrow to see if it is an issue for me.

Again for $1399 retail and a 4x speed DLP color wheel and 2000:1 contrast this projector displays an awesome image. I am very happy that I didn't get a 720p LCD projector like the AE500 or Sony H20.

Mike

Mike:

Instead of upgrading your DTC100, why not try a VGA switcher? This would eliminate the RCA component dongle. And VGA switches are cheap.

Robert

rlundy that is correct i have one here and that it will be important for my set up


mbw23air my fellow h30 brother that is exactly what i saw and you know i think this little pj will do us real good for a while till the newer and cheaper pj's start surfacing and then we can jump all over them like fly's on sh**.


and what screen are you going to use are you going to use 1.3 gain or was there one that could be recommended .



and tom what screen are you using and what gain ? beacase i am thinking of going with the Carada screen

I use to have a DTC100 and used a Key Digital Transcoder. Other than Optoma techs check with the Transcoder companys techs. It should work.

Hey when you ran the VGA from the DTC100 did it open up a full 800X600 for 4.3? If so how did the aspects work for using your 16.9 screen with the chip opened at 800X600?


People just won't know how great this projector is until the get one home. Don't worry about it! :)

Gain isn't a problem, this PJ could light up a huge screen also. 1.gain matt white's looking good.

Starting to dable with the RGB-white balances, optoma calls it Advanced adjustments.

For component DVD try lowering all the RGB-brightness to minus 5 each
and push the Red-contrast up to plus 5, take the G-contrast down to
minus 1, blue-contrast leave at zero. I can get a better line on these when my buddy comes over with the colorfacts system I sold him.

Very nice, the projector will remember RGB settings for each signal, smart projector and a tweakers delight. With the DT-200 one RGB setting effected all the input signals.

thanks tom i will try that :D

Instead of upgrading your DTC100, why not try a VGA switcher? This would eliminate the RCA component dongle. And VGA switches are cheap.

Robert,

I thought about that but wouldn't I then have to transcode component from Denon 1600 DVD player and JVC 30k to VGA or can you just get an adapter for those 2 devices since the projector's VGA input utilizes both component and VGA with the same input?? If thats the case the you just saved me some money:)

Hey when you ran the VGA from the DTC100 did it open up a full 800X600 for 4.3? If so how did the aspects work for using your 16.9 screen with the chip opened at 800X600?

I didn't switch the aspect ratios when I switched it to 4:3 satellite. I had it set for 16:9 and when I went from 16:9 HD to 4:3 SD the 4:3 SD was in the correct aspect ratio in the middle of the screen so I don't know if switching projector to 4:3 would use the whole 800 x 600 chip. I will play with it some more tonight and let you know.

Did I say how great this projector is for the price!!!

Mike

Yes, the PJ's VGA input also accepts the component signals. The PJ should resynch when you turn the VGA switch (just like yanking out 1 HD15 and plugging in another.

Its a very cheap solution. See this site for switches less than $8

http://www.callcct.com/

And no, I haven't done this with an H30-but have read of others on AVS using the same idea.

Did I say how great this projector is for the price!!!


yes isn't it a beauty but guys have you seen a rainbow yet ?


now the only thing for me to do is grab a right screen for this little guy

Robert,

Thanks so much. For some reason I had it in my head that I would need a transcoder if I went that route but it is going from VGA to component where you would need the transcoder. Also if the H30 didn't also accept component on its VGA input then you woul need a transcoder as well, right?

Also, thanks for the link, I am going to go look at it now. I have a VGA switcher that I use with my other projector but it ws almost $200. It works well but I just want a cheap one for this project.

yes isn't it a beauty but guys have you seen a rainbow yet ?

Haven't see 1 rainbow and I see them on slower speed color wheels, thats one reason I got the Optoma.

Mike

Don't you want to figure a way to have your HT receiver do the switching by remote? Then another trasncoder or HD-receiver might be in order.

"Did I say how great this projector is for the price!!"

hehe, show me all the other SVGA machines with DDR chip and six segment color wheel at this low price.

Many times I've read screen shots don't mean diddley :) but the screen shots above are a clear reality of what the pictures on this projector look like. The only thing you can't see is how the SD looks. This is where on hand viewing from users that have experience with past projectors helps out.

Screen door is like I've said. The outer area around the pixels is thin and light in color therefore you can view much closer or have a larger screen and not be bothered by SD. The term used is better fill but I thought it's better to describe what's seen from a close up look at the grid.

Okay Tom, you've convinced me that the H30's worth checking out. I ordered a few and should have them on Monday. Of course I'll hold you personally responsible if I don't like the picture. :D

Seriously though, I've seen enough of your posts to respect your opinion and look forward to setting one of these up and watching a few DVDs. Thanks for all your input thus far.

Good news except you'll be wishing the weekend to be over with so you could get the toy.

You'll like the menu's and adjustment options big time, the remote also. Lets us know how you like it.

Hey when you ran the VGA from the DTC100 did it open up a full 800X600 for 4.3? If so how did the aspects work for using your 16.9 screen with the chip opened at 800X600?

Ok, I tried this last night and I set the DTC-100 HD Satellite receiver for a 4:3 screen and then set the H30 to 4x3 when I did this the whole 800x600 chip was used as there was picture info way below and above my 16:9 screen.

Screen door is like I've said. The outer area around the pixels is thin and light in color therefore you can view much closer or have a larger screen and not be bothered by SD. The term used is better fill but I thought it's better to describe what's seen from a close up look at the grid.

Thats exactly what is great about this projector .....the fill factor. I just wish I could find a ceiling mount for it. It is backordered everywhere. Anybody have any luck finding a ceiling mount in stock anywhere??

Yes, the PJ's VGA input also accepts the component signals. The PJ should resynch when you turn the VGA switch (just like yanking out 1 HD15 and plugging in another.

Its a very cheap solution. See this site for switches less than $8

http://www.callcct.com/

Robert..I got out a 5 BNC cable to HD-15(VGA) I had used with my CRT projector and hooked the HD-15 into the H30 and three of the BNC's into the component out of my DVD player and it worked like a charm. Thank You!! Luckily I had 2 of these cables so I can hook one up to my DVD player and the other to my JVC30k. I am going to order a VGA switcher from the place you listed. You solved my problem with just a little money spent. Many Thanks!!!!!!

Mike

OK, I tried this last night and I set the DTC-100 HD Satellite receiver for a 4:3 screen and then set the H30 to 4x3 when I did this the whole 800x600 chip was used as there was picture info way below and above my 16:9 screen.


great to hear that and now there hopefully be no more chip ?'s and that is why i am going to get a standard video screen :D but the ? is which one :confused:

I am just using a 16 x 9 Draper 1.3 gain matte white screen that I use to use with my CRT projector. It looks great. Also, I finally found a mount in stock so next week I get to hang this little 4 pound jewel. :)

Mike

am just using a 16 x 9 Draper 1.3 gain matte white screen that I use to use with my CRT projector. It looks great. Also, I finally found a mount in stock so next week I get to hang this little 4 pound jewel.


great to here and the funny thing is i was considering one or these but don't know yet


Cinema Vision - A unique unsupported vinyl surface that offers a bright, uniform image with no color shift no matter at what angle you view the image. Screen surface can be cleaned with mild soap and water. Flame retardant and mildew resistant.

Viewing Angle: 45°
Gain: 1.3


High Contrast Cinema Vision
A smooth, gray, vinyl finish surface for moderate output DLP projectors. This surface improves the perceived contrast by lowering black levels while offering moderate gain. It is a flexible unsupported vinyl fabric and may be folded or rolled. Available on all models offered with the Cinema Vision surface. Screen surface can be cleaned with mild soap and water. Flame retardant and mildew resistant.

Viewing Angle: 45°
Gain: 1.1
but which one :confused:

Originally posted by guitarman
Good news except you'll be wishing the weekend to be over with so you could get the toy.

Very true, but my supplier's so close I'd have to pay for next day shipping instead of free Ground to get it one business day earlier. ;)

You'll like the menu's and adjustment options big time, the remote also. Lets us know how you like it.

I'll definitely let you know. I saw this projector at CES, but the setup was something less than optimal. It looked okay, but nothing like you've described or even as seen in your screen shots. BTW, I've seen the HT1000 side-by-side with an H56 numerous times and they are very similar in performance. The H76 is a step forward, but we're talking 4 times the cost of an H30. I tend to agree with the premise that with the way the technology is progressing, you're better off to spend less now and change projectors when you need to change bulbs.

Originally posted by mbw23air Robert..I got out a 5 BNC cable to HD-15(VGA) I had used with my CRT projector and hooked the HD-15 into the H30 and three of the BNC's into the component out of my DVD player and it worked like a charm. Thank You!! Luckily I had 2 of these cables so I can hook one up to my DVD player and the other to my JVC30k. I am going to order a VGA switcher from the place you listed. You solved my problem with just a little money spent. Many Thanks!!!!!!

Mike [/B]

I love this forum!!!

You just saved me between $65 and 90.. we have plenty of those 5BNC to HD15VGA cables at work!! The guys were throwing them away with the older CRT's!!

ARGHHHHHHHHH!

thanks again!

dae!

"little 4 pound jewel"

Ah ha, looks like you're growing fond of the little guy.

I haven't tried many variations on picture settings but I'll throw one out and see what you think.

Picture
Mode Normal
Contrast 31
Brightness minus 36
Color 34
Tint 2
Sharpness 28
Gamma 2

Image
White Peaking 6
Color Temp 2
Image Mode Video
Advance Adjustment --->

R Contrast 5
G Contrast minus 1
B Contrast 0

R Brightness minus 5
G brightness minus 5
B brightness minus 5

If our projectors are similiar you should see a more vivid 3D picture, still natural looking. This is with a Denon 1600.

Ofcourse there's a million changes that can be made this is one of them. You'll notice with the two Film settings available, things are allot different. It's interesting that the menu's have two spots for choosing image modes.

Picture --->
Mode
Cinema, Normal, Vivid, User 1, User 2

Image --->
Image Mode
Film, Video, Graphics, PC

Having Cinema in one menu and Film in another menu puzzled me. In any event my first attempt at eyeing an interesting setting, I choose (Normal & Video) bypassing Cinema & Film.

So Mike save your settings and try these for a test. Tks for checking the VGA forcing a different format. Now that's really interesting. :)

Feed the projector component you get a 16.9 widescreen masked format.

Feed the projector VGA/VGA you get a 800X600 4.3 format. This I gotta see :)

I have a Motorola 5100 cable box. It has analog video outputs of RF, Composite, & S-Video. HD video outputs are Component (Y/Pb/Pr) (analog) & DVI-D (digital) . I've been reading through the post trying to figure out if the H30 would display 4:3 video when I am watching normal digital tv using the cable box's component output to h30's vga input connection. I gather that inorder to view regular tv at 4:3 i will have to use the cable box's svideo to the h30's svideo? Can anyone confirm this? :confused:

demon4
No at least not yet. When the firmware becomes available you'll be able to do just that.

I run a S-video from my Laser Disc player and the PJ is locked into the 16.9 widescreen masked mode. It's not that bad using the projector with a widescreen.

Here's my very busy theater room with newly installed curtain above to catch the light spill when using the H30 with a 16.9 screen.

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/theater1.jpg

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/theater2.jpg

:) as you can see I'm bogged down with equipment.

well guitarman add me to the list of those who have ordered the h30 because of your feedback. =) I hope to recieve it next week.

velvetpoet congrats on your new toy and welcome to the optoma h30 family and i can't wait for michael to calibrate my h30 in feb.:D

Michael who? the TLV guy? He's pretty good, I hope he sprung for colorfacts. Post your numbers up once he's finished.

velvetpoet, congrats also. Try out those settings I posted up, pop on The Fifth Element and drool. :)

Here's a few other shots I took on day one.

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30fifth5.jpg

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30oceans11.jpg

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30mumbabe.jpg

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30under4.jpg

The under4 shot, there's that brightness again plus blacks.

Michael who? the TLV guy? He's pretty good, I hope he sprung for colorfacts. Post your numbers up once he's finished.


pretty good :D ,come on he set up my sony wv600 and it was stunning and i will post up the numbers after calibration

Michael was great for inside tips on tuning my Toshiba over at that spot place. How about the oceans11 shot above. Now this is a hard movie for many displays. You'll notice the strong colors and there's that H30 luminance in the white area. Pretty nice!

tom believe me every time i see your shots i get very excited about are new toy and believe me i am very picky and even Michael said that this is a very good entry level pj and when i told him It is a tweakers delight he said that this is going to be fun to calibrate :D

He should be thrilled with the all the menu options.

Five gamma's, several preset video modes, two user memorys. The machines remembers settings per signal input. Plus memorized RGB-balances for each signal.

[QUOTE]He should be thrilled with the all the menu options

Five gamma's, several preset video modes, two user memorys. The machines remembers settings per signal input. Plus memorized RGB-balances for each signal.



yes tom and that is why this is going to be very interesting to see how this little beauty will perform after calibration :D ;)

The screenshots look great. Keep'em coming if you can. I did have a few questions, though:

1) Tom: a while back I remember you mentioning that the H56 looked more "TV-like" and the HT1000 looked more "film-like". Would you say that the H30 is more "TV-like" too?

2) I guess I'm still not really clear on the vertical offset. If the projector is table mounted, how much higher will the image appear?

3) Anybody think the Infocus 4805 is worth waiting for?

Miguel.

"I just wish I could find a ceiling mount for it"

Mike, if this helps, I'm using the same Chief ceiling mount I've been using for all my projectors. I just have a small wooden plate that I adapt for each projector. The Chief mount is very flush to the ceiling which with my 8' ceiling is needed.

Also I only had to drill one hole in the wood plate and used the projectors centered Tripod screw. There are three tiny places for bolts also. I mean really tiny and I couldn't find a match at the Hardware store. The Tripod way is secure. So you could buy a any cheif mount and adapt it. The model I have was originally for the Seleco HT200 I had.

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/ht1000.jpg

"more "TV-like"

I got that from the Japanese shootout site. What they mean is it's lite up and bright, like all those tube TV's you see in electronic stores. I call it Snap or Pop.

The offset is about 15" up from the lens. Pretty steep but It can work with a low table mount or ceiling mount.

Originally posted by Fabbas
3) Anybody think the Infocus 4805 is worth waiting for?

Miguel.

I'll be waiting for the 4805. I have to, my HT is still under construction. :-)
I will be viewing an H30 soon enough and I see my choice for a budget PJ between these two.

Originally posted by guitarman
The offset is about 15" up from the lens. Pretty steep but It can work with a low table mount or ceiling mount.

Call me dense, but I assume you mean the top (or bottom) of the image is 15" above (or below) the centerline of the lens?

(I much prefer that the image be completely above or below the projector, like the HT1000 apparently is. An offset of 15" wouldn't strike me as a bad thing for a projector mounted on the ceiling or inside a coffee table, and it seems to me this would also make it more useful for portable use ON a coffee table instead of mounted under the top surface.)

~ Kiran <entropy@io.com>

Yes 15" up from the lens center. The HT1000 has a 12" offset pretty similar but both are doable. I have a 8' ceiling and the projectors lens is 6" down from the ceiling. I have to use a slight tilt up just like with the HT1000 and use a little keystone with no ill effect. Viewing eye is 1/3 into the bottom of the screen. It's working out ok.

Tom,

I found a H30 ceiling mount and it was in stock when I ordered it. Now the site says out of stock but I haven't gotten a email with shipment info yet. Hopefully I got one of them one of them and will have it next week. I am dying to get this thing hung on the ceiling. It is sitting on a stand at the back of my room and I am having to prop the instruction maual under the back to get the picture on the screen. The keystone is off so hopefully getting it flush on the ceiling will straighten it out.

I have been working terrible hours the last few days and haven't even got to turn my Optoma on since Wednesday. I will try out your settings tomorrow or Sunday and let you know how I think they look.

Thanks,
Mike

Hi Tom,

Thanks for your reply.
No at least not yet. When the firmware becomes available you'll be able to do just that.
I run a S-video from my Laser Disc player and the PJ is locked into the 16.9 widescreen masked mode. It's not that bad using the projector with a widescreen.

I was wondering then if I used a transcoder to convert the composite out on my cable box to rgb vga, would the projector output 4:3? I'm going to try to get my cable company to give me the transcoder if this is an option. Also, if I buy the projector now, how would I go about updating the firmware or am I stuck with this firmware?

Thanks:)

you will have to shop the projector to optoma in california and they will update your firmware for you.

'Shop' the projector to Optoma? Do you think they'll buy it? :)

Tom,

Just as a point of reference, would you say that the DT200 is more TV like or more film like?

Miguel

lol my typo shop=ship :D
If you want to see what he means by tv like go to the website he posted that in japanese. you definantly see more detail from the "tv" like image.

"a transcoder to convert the composite out on my cable box to rgb vga"

Looks like this should work. I have a Viewsonic which upconverts S-video, I'll give it a try.

Fabbas, the projector is brighter with more shadow detail over the DT200. Colors are as strong and yet very natural.

Mike, that ceiling mount you found, is it pretty flush?

Thanks for the info. I checked that website again, and they also mentioned that the HT1000 was TV like, too. Go figure.

I looked around, and I found some screenshots that have been very enlightening. Tom, I think these are yours.

Below are screenshots of 1) the DT200, 2) the H30, and 3) the HT1000.

The DT200 has strong colors and an iridescent quality. Note how the blue liquid almost seems to glow and how the yellow liquid in the tube seems to glow so much that it obscures some detail.

The H30 has strong colors too, but it doesn't glow. All the detail in the yellow tube is preserved. The blue liquid is a slightly bluer(?) hue.

The HT1000's colors almost look a little dull by comparison, but you can see the detail in the rear yellow tube.

All the pictures look very good, in the fact that the yellow liquid is mostly yellow. Many projectors and shots I've seen made the liquid green.

Out of the three you can see where that brightness of the H30 comes into play. Notice the bone area on all three and you'll see how the H30 makes it very white a lit up. This luminance holds up in all dvd's you watch with this projector. Like I mentioned earlier it's the first PJ that showed detail in the cavern walls all the way down in the Gandalf Two Towers opening scene.

Also notice the silver in the robotic arm. It glows and is mirror like with the H30.

The 15" offset on the H30 is a bit of a concern to me. I've only got about 7'2" to work with for my ceiling, and was hoping to have the top edge of my screen about 12-14" from the ceiling.

Even if I was able to mount the H30 flush with the ceiling, I'd probably need quite a bit of tilt and keystone correction to pull that off.

Is 15" offset above average?

-cjs

Mike, that ceiling mount you found, is it pretty flush?

Dunno yet. Haven't seen a picture of it and the place I ordered it from had 2 in stock when I ordered it Thursday night and on Friday their stock said zero and I still don't have a shipping confirmation. Hopefully I got one of the 2. I am going to call them Monday to find out.

This projector really is superb for the money. Heck, its superb if it cost even more but don't tell Optoma that. ;) I don't like seeing screen door and you don't see it on this projector from 1.75x screen width back..and thats with a sharp focus also. The colors and contrast are fantastic. I will be trying Tom's settings tomorrow to see how I like those but I am very happy I bought this projector!!!!

Thanks,
Mike

Ah, well. I finally got my H30 up where my DT-200 is, and the H30 clearly has a better scaler and greater ability to sync with the various resolutions that my HTPC throws at it during boot-up. However, the geometry just doesn't work in my space. Looks like the H30 (with an hour of use) is off to be sold... :(

Later,
Bill

Bill,

Is it the large offset that's causing the geometry problems?

It sounds like this projector may not work for a lot of people due to the large offset. If that's the case it's quite a shame, I'd buy this projector in a flash if I knew it would work well in my room.

-cjs

Collins -
The offset should not be that big of a deal for folks with more mounting options than I have. For me, I need it to fit on a shelf that is behind our couch. The shelf is about 4.5' feet off the ground, and we have 9' ceilings. Basically, the lens shift of the DT-200 is really useful in making this work. When I placed my order, back in November, I was told by Optoma that the offset is 1 to 2 percent. My guess is that it is towards the high side of that range.

Later,
Bill

Here are the numbers for my set up.

Ceiling height 7.9'
Center PJ lens from ceiling 5"
92"X52" screen start of video area is 22" down from the ceiling.
Screen bottom 17" up from the floor.

The projector had to be tilted up a little also.

Bill 4.5' up is a high spot for most projectors. Couldn't you use the keystone until the firmware is available. The only reason the offsets so wide is the fact that the viewing area is at the far end of the chip. Once the projectors switched to 4.3, well at least I would think the 16.9 image will be centered and should knock 8 or 10 inches off the offset.

Hey Bill, I didn't know you got one of these. When did you get it? How about the picture quality?


So far it seems Mike and me are seeing mirror images of this projector and both of us have had some great projectors.

High points are still
SD
picture quality/colors
contrast
blacks
menu's
remote
easy masking

If i missed anything lmk, :)

Oh yeah, cheap as hell.

"I don't like seeing screen door and you don't see it on this projector from 1.75x screen width back..and thats with a sharp focus also."

Mike, that's the reason I took a chance and bought this projector. The Sharp DT-200 was great but had to be defocused because of the darker lines around each pixel, plus the lines looked wider also. I knew exactly what I was looking for from seeing this lighter grid on my old Seleco HT200. Even better is the projector does a better job at this than the Seleco did. Sometimes you roll the dice and you win!

You're probably already seen this but sometimes you put a well filmed dvd and it's pure eye candy. Unbelievable really

I think the firmware update will help those who are having problems getting the machine to work in their space. Like guitarman said, right now its using the bottom of the chip so the image is quite a bit lower then it should be once the full panel is enabled. Guitarman your words are making it harder for me to wait till i recieve mine =) I will definatly try your settings once i do. I guess ill have to pick up fith element (the movie just didnt do it for me) to really test the settings, but im really hoping the projector will shine on darker movies. :D

Originally posted by guitarman
Good news except you'll be wishing the weekend to be over with so you could get the toy.

Is it Monday yet? ;)

I thought the screen shots posted above of the three projectors did display the advantage the other projectors had in resolving fine detail, but the colors on the H30 looked very natural and well saturated.

Really looking forward to checking this puppy out, although it won't be until next weekend when I really have time to put it through its paces. :(

Originally posted by guitarman
Bill 4.5' up is a high spot for most projectors. Couldn't you use the keystone until the firmware is available. The only reason the offsets so wide is the fact that the viewing area is at the far end of the chip. Once the projectors switched to 4.3, well at least I would think the 16.9 image will be centered and should knock 8 or 10 inches off the offset.

Hey Bill, I didn't know you got one of these. When did you get it? How about the picture quality?

Tom - I ordered back in November, but it did not arrive until a couple of days after you got yours (and my travel schedule has been onerous lately - 5400 miles last week...). I got the DT-200 to have my own mini-shootout (and because it was so cheap), but I'm finding the DT-200's lens shift to fit what I need. After my debacle with CRT FP (I would really love to have been able to convince the wife to let me keep the 6PG+ with perfect tubes), the digital needs to be a "leave no mark" experience for the house (hence the ONE place I can mount it...).

My limited experience with the H30 so far: much better ability to lock onto varying resolutions than the DT-200, much less prone to ghosting (I'm feeding my DT-200 with analog until I can get a new cable that doesn't sparkle), but then there's the offset.

I agree that for 16:9 material, the offset will change with the new firmware, but I'm having issues with the top of the projected image, rather than the bottom. The top of the image is on the ceiling, and I could tilt it downwards and use keystone correction to make it square. However, since the DT-200 works in that location, I don't feel that the H30 offers enough other advantages to be worth selling the DT-200.

Later,
Bill

Originally posted by velvetpoet
I think the firmware update will help those who are having problems getting the machine to work in their space. Like guitarman said, right now its using the bottom of the chip so the image is quite a bit lower then it should be once the full panel is enabled.

Tom, is that actually the case? I figured you'd've quoted the offset for the full 800x600 panel.

'T'would be nice if the new firmware allowed the user to shift the 16:9 area.

~ Kiran <entropy@io.com>

No that offset measurement is for a 16.9 setup, the projector doing it's bottom of the chip masking thing.

Ok I did some testing today with making the projector act like a 4.3 projector. I ran S-video into a viewsonic which upconverts it to VGA. My Sony STB will act correctly and display basic direct tv in full 4.3 800X600. Using a DVD player with this setup up I could play non-anamorphic DVD's centered within the full 4.3. But here's the twist, if you play a 16.9 enhanced movie with the dvd player set to 16.9 the image will still be down at the botom of the chip. I changed the dvd player to 4.3 letterbox and it would play the movie up in the center reducing that offset.

S-video looks very good due to the scaler. More testing -
S-video through the viewsonic will not pick up the 2.3 pulldown.
S-video straight to the projector will pick up the progressive scan
Component video connect with the player set to interlaced ofcourse picks up 2.3 so with my Sony STB's component outs basic film 2.3 will be detected.

Interesting how no 2.3 pulldown with s-video being upconverted.

Guess that's all the testing for now. At least now if I want to watch Star Wars LD or non=anamorphic dvd's I could view them in full screen. But without progressive scan. I talk to Wing the tech at Optoma and tell him my findings to see what he can make the firmware do and iron out any glitches.

Gutiarman- now that you have seen widescreen being played at 4:3, how well does the chip masking work? do you notice an increase in brightness compared to using the full panel? or would you if you could just go for 4:3 all the time and let the image spill the top and bottom of the screen for widescreen movies.

I didn't notice a difference in brightness. It's all a matter of which screen style you would prefer. Having the masked chip did have the disadvantage of not playing non-anamorphic's correctly, at least I could get around it by using the viewsonic if I needed. As far as the spill using a 4.3 screen. I'm use to that setup also, you just make the black bars black/mirrors off.

Originally posted by guitarman
No that offset measurement is for a 16.9 setup, the projector doing it's bottom of the chip masking thing. Ok I did some testing today with making the projector act like a 4.3 projector.

So you actually were able to use the whole chip? Did you measure the offset?

~ Kiran <entropy@io.com>

You gain about 6inches so you could have the 16.9 screen higher of have the projector lower. This won't help Bill with his PJ at 4 1/2ft up.

So it sounds like when running in masked mode, the offset on the H30 is 135% or more. Given Tom's 52 inch screen and 5 inches from middle of the lens to ceiling:

52*.35=18.2 inches + 5 = 23.2 (slight tilt up to arrive at 22 as in Tom's setup).

That's probably a deal killer for me. I'm trying to get at least a 48" high screen, and based on my 7.2" ceilings if I can get my mount as high as Tom's:

48*.35=16.8 + 5 = 21.8

That would put my screen at 16" off the floor, 48" high and 22" from the ceiling. Hmm.... time to go down to the basement and break out the measuring tape :-)

I've emailed Optoma and asked them to confirm the spec on the offset. I really wish manufacturers would state this in their manuals or spec sheets - it's essential info for making a purchase decision!


-cjs

Here are some new numbers for using cinema modes. These are looking a little better the my first attempt. You would most likely get similar numbers if you use Avia.

Picture
Mode Cinema
Contrast 32
Brightness minus 34
Color 37
Tint 1
Sharp 28
Gamma 1

Image
White Peaking 6
Color temp 2
Image moe Film
Advance adjustments leave at zero

Denon 1600 player

Tom, I don't recall if you mentioned this previously, but are you outputting 480i or 480p with your Denon 1600. Whichever you're using, have you tried both?

Guitarman - Are you going to post any new pictures with your new settings? Maybe that one scene you talked about from the 2 towers where you said you can see all the detail on the wall now :D

I run the Denon in progressive just because the Farouja chip is there and I paid up to get it. But I just ran the JVC in interlaced and the picture is sellar also, not only is the video great but the projectors deinterlacer is doing such a super job that you can't tell much of a difference.

These are just proper Avia settings for the different video modes, most anybody would get the numbers correct with Avia also. But if ther's users out there that don't have the calibration disc, these may help.
That cavern shot most likely wouldn't work for a screen shot but I'll take a look.

Hey I'm watching Stars Wars One Laser Disc right now in the correct full widescreen image. The viewsonic scales it perfectly at 800X600. The picture looks great.

Hello everyone,

i am a new member.
i was originally looking at LCD/DLP rear projection TV's - Hitachi, Sony, Samsung. Then ruled out LCD because of the picture quality.

Then thought about projectors at the same price points and the larger image i would have.

This forum has been/is a fanatastic source of info !!!! thank you for your efforts.

Onto my question -

Hello guitarman, i really appreciated your efforts of providing screen shots of the H30. There is also another follow who compared the HT1000 and the H56 with screen shots provided.

The H30 and H56 screens shots i viewed looked fantastic ... however, when i veiwed an H56 at the dealer, the images i saw where no where near the WOW of the screen shots on this forum. The H56 was dull, lacked snap, dark - nothing that approaches the H30 screen shots veiwed here.

Is there something with the exposre of these screen shots that makes the images look better than the real thing? The difference between what i see at the dealer and what i view here is dramatic - to the point where the H56 is a waist of money. What's wrong?

I also saw the Sony HS20 - it was sharp and smooth - but an awful picture in every other measure

After seeing the H56 in person, i am back to looking at rear projection CRT or DLP tv's. The CRT tv's are still looking the best to me.

please let me know if i am missing something.

i was about to buy the H30, then remembered the H56 i saw and posted this reply/question.

thanks very much

There's so many adjustments for tweakers in the menu's that I could see why any old shop may not be aces in setup.

The pictures I posted are a direct comparison to what is seen live. And I bet if I got my hands on the H56 it too would produce the same image, but with a way more crisp resolution.

It's really simple, if you have an eye and Avia, set your parameters in a dark room to start and you're pictures will be the best they can be.

Hi guitarman

thank you for your reply!
I am not able to preview an H30, but was reeeeeally impressed by your screen shots. -Then i remembered the H56 i saw and was afraid of major disappointemnt if i bought the H30 sight unseen.
thanks

Here are some new numbers for using cinema modes. These are looking a little better the my first attempt. You would most likely get similar numbers if you use Avia.

Picture
Mode Cinema
Contrast 32
Brightness minus 34
Color 37
Tint 1
Sharp 28
Gamma 1

Image
White Peaking 6
Color temp 2
Image moe Film
Advance adjustments leave at zero

Denon 1600 player

Whew!! I am glad you said you used progressive on your Denon 1600. I have mine set to interlaced and I said there is no way he uses these settings. Here are mine using Interlaced setup with Avia:

Picture
Mode Cinema
Contrast 17
Brightness plus 12
Color 6
Sharp 17
Gamma 1

Image
White Peaking 5
Color temp 2
Image mode Film
Advance adjustments leave at zero



I will switch my Denon 1600 to Progressive and try your settings.

Thanks,
Mike

Oh and did I mention that this projector is awesome!!

Mike

Good news I see you got your Denon 1600. You probably know but just in case. Darker/Lighter choice means Darker for component and Lighter for S-video.

I've had the projector going all day. Got the Down in Mexico going now. Very color saturated movie. Not natural but colorfull.

What do you have Avia or VE?

I will ultimately be using a Panasonic RP82 (same video section as the Denon 1600) with the H30, but in the interim I'll be using a JVC S60. The S60 has a great picture as long as it stays in Film mode, but it's not so great when it drops into Video mode. I want to see if the H30's motion-adaptive deinterlacing will improve the S60's picture if I feed it 480i.

I assume a 480p input bypasses the deinterlacing in the H30, so using the RP82 with 480p output would be the way to go. The darker/lighter setting on the 1600 or RP82 changes the base black level from the NTSC standard of 7.5 IRE (lighter) to 0 IRE (darker). It's been said that the setting only affects the 480i output, not the 480p.

Where is that UPS truck anyway? ;)

My projector is broken in now and looks better than day one. Reds are looking very nice. I hear colors/reds get better as the bulb reaches 100hrs. Mine is at 99hrs and counting. :)

Mike you should see better progressive scan by using the JVC interlaced Run all your torture tests and see.

Galaxy Quest DVD panning spaceship intro
Star Trek Insurrection opening scene panning roof tops

Anybody have any others?

Hi guys, I was directed here from the UK AVForums..

This thread makes for some interesting reading..Im hoping to see a UK spec H30 this weekend..according to my dealer, the units are undergoing some firmware mods before being released here in the UK, so maybe all the quirks you guys are having will be sorted on our models. This is on a (very) short list to become my first foray into PJ land.

Originally posted by guitarman

Galaxy Quest DVD panning spaceship intro
Star Trek Insurrection opening scene panning roof tops

Anybody have any others?

I also have the Faroudja test disk (which contains stuff that usually only a Faroudja chip player can pass, so if the H30's deinterlacer can do it all, it will be impressive). Another DVD to check is:

Super Speedway - the empty grandstands in Chap. 7 will cause a drop to video mode with some deinterlacers and you'll see a moire effect in the grandstands.

UK LDR, Looks like Europe's version is the same as mine 16.9 masked. I'd be interested to know what the firmware changes or does?

The Denon and JVC player I have won't display non-anamorphic material correctly with the H30, but I just found out my Bravo D1 will. The Bravo has a unique way of expanding NA-dvds with it's Zoom 1. I hv the Bravo set to NTSC/interlaced using it's analog outputs and the image looks great with the projectors deinterlacing. Non-anamorphic movies like Armageddan, Event Horizon are now natural and full widescreen.

So I have all the bases covered now. If I have to view my Star Wars Trilogy on Laser Disc I can have the Viewsonic upconvert s-video and display it in widescreen correctly. If I encounter a NA-DVD I can swith over to the Bravo.

I have the Denon and the Bravo on a switchbox. The Denon's picture looks a little sharper than the Bravo but it's very close.

Now I want to check out Secrets shootout to see the tech reasons on bashing the Bravo's analog outputs. Because they don't look bad at all in interlaced.

Originally posted by guitarman
Now I want to check out Secrets shootout to see the tech reasons on bashing the Bravo's analog outputs. Because they don't look bad at all in interlaced.

Most of the issues are due to non-motion adaptive deinterlacing and a prononced high frequency rolloff. Most of the time, these shortcomings are not noticeable. Check the 6.75 MHz circle in the Avia resolution test for evidence of the high frequency rolloff.

Mike, what's up! 3:30 pacific time and no UPS?

Arrrrgh . . . UPS came, but no H30s. I called the supplier and it turns out he screwed up the order and it didn't ship until today. I won't get them Wednesday now and I won't have any time to even open it until Thursday. :(

Always make them get u a tracking number. It puts the pressure on.

Looks to me the color temp options are reverse to what you would think.

There's color temp
One, Two, Three

You would think 1 is low but this is the bluer temp.

To my eye, 2 is 6500k, 1 is higher like 8500k, 3 is the lowest 5500k

You can see these clearer with a black and white movie, color temp 3 is the way to go for B&W. It puts a little color to a B&W movie.

I've been working with this supplier for almost four years and this is the first time he hasn't shipped the same day, so I usually don't even ask for a tracking number. Oh well, at least I didn't have anyone else expecting one right away. ;)

Hmmm . . . I would have expected "1" to be the lowest temp as well. Guess it doesn't matter how it's done as long as you can the greyscale right.

Mike- well that must be a little bit of a let down. Mine is waiting at a UPS station only 30 miles from me, to be delivered tomorrow. You'll have to let us know how that Faroudja test disk stands up.

Im also waiting for my Harman Kardon AVR 7200 to arive sometime this week. Its going to be a fun week =)

Im also waiting for my Harman Kardon AVR 7200 to arive sometime this week. Its going to be a fun week =)

Yes, it is!! I am getting my H30 mount on Wednesday so I am ready to hang it.

Mike

Talked again with Optoma about the firmware and it should be here in 2 or 3 weeks. They confirmed that component signals will open the full chip and have letterbox support. Playing a 16.9 movie will then be centered in the 4.3 screen. To get the firmware there's no charge but you will have to send the projector to Optoma in Milpitas California, that's USA users. I assume the same would be available at oversea's locations if wanted.

I will opt for the firmware as I do prefer a large 4.3 screen. This projector will have no problem blasting out a bright image on a 120" screen.

Plus Panamorph users will then have the full 800X600 chip to work with and the offset will also be less with the 16.9 image up higher now within the 4.3 area.

Thanks for the update Tom. Now if I could only get one . . . ;)

Just sent off a nasty email to Dell. I had one on order with them since 1-15-04. It was to be shipped on or before 1-27-04. Got an email today to be shipped on a before 2-5-04. This is after being assured by them that the FP is in stock (emails and phone call). Where are you people getting yours?

KB

Mine come from a distributor since I am a reseller. I don't know where others have purchased theirs from.

Some users may prefer the projector as it is now, masked in 16.9. At least there are options now for sure.

Hey Mike, don't they deliver today? Why wait, try it out today.

Guitarman- What do you think the benefits are from a masked chip? I should be getting mine today =)

Masked is great if you plan on a 16.9 screen. Main benefit is you only have to mask above the screen, like I did with the curtain above.

Full 800X600 is good If you plan on using a panamorph or prefer a 4.3 screen. What type screen are you liking?

So you're firing up today. Don't worry about the goofy smell when you first fire it up. This is typical for most projectors and it's gone in a flash. Let us know how you like the picture.

Gamma 2 and color temp 2 looks good. Film modes also. Use your Avia to get the black & whites set. If you don't have it try the numbers I posted.

thanks for your sugestions. I built a 16:9 screen but i like taking it form the ceiling and placing it on a coffe table durring day time viewing and let it run on 4:3 with in the screen that way the image is smaller and brighter. so the firmware will totally disable the masking? would be nice if there was an option to turn it on and off =)

Ill try to ignore the burning smell. I will try out your settings and chime in once i get a chance to watch it at night.

Its been delivered =) ITs waiting on the front door. Now the rest of my day is going to seem really sloooooooow

"the firmware will totally disable the masking? would be nice if there was an option to turn it on and off =)"

Yes once you install the frimware the masking will be gone.

Haha, I closed up my shop when I knew the projector was delivered. Great then we'll hear from you tomorrow.

Mine come tomorrow, but I have to go out tomorrow night, so my time with it will be limited.

On an unrelated note, Tom, did you catch the CA Guitar Expo when it was up your way a few weeks ago? They had some very nice vintage guitars on display (and for sale) at the one down here. Some even older than my pre-CBS Strat. :p

I won't pay the vintage prices. I believe you can get a great USA strat right off the wall. Still come from the era of I'll give you $350 for that strat. :)

Originally posted by guitarman
Still come from the era of I'll give you $350 for that strat. :)

Uhhh . . . I don't think so. :D

I wouldn't pay the vintage prices either, but they're nice to look at.

Getting back on track, have you played with the 16:9 and 16:9 Native settings on the H30? The manual's not very clear on what's going on between the two.

Yes, Most everybody will use straight 16.9 and 4.3 which are the scaled versions. 16.9native and 4.3native use the 480 vertical pixels (800X480). Which is good but you would hv to make a special screen. Because the width stays the same but the height goes beyond a typical 16.9 ratio. If that makes sense. I'd say you get about a five inch more diagonal view, which is uinique in a way. I guess the DIY screen makers could use the native aspects and be happy.

Just thought of another way to use the native aspects. Like with my 92"X52" 16.9 screen I could line up the 480 pixels so that horizontal area fits correctly and then the sides would be cropped in a couple of inches each. I took a close look at this setup and the SD/pixels, becuase there are more, was smaller. Another way to go.

or you could use the native when watching films like lord of the rings. It makes the image slightly larger and shifts it up for some reason. With films with extra wide aspects it will still fit within the screen. Pixilation is lightly more noticable. impressions comming up next.

Preliminary impressions-
I have recently been testing an x1, ive seen other projectors in shops but I needed an projector i could test at home.

all i can say is wow. I had previously built a silver screen, it boost colors as well as brightness but it had a tendency to hot spot. A matte finish helped reduce it considerably.

Well with the h30 i don't need the silver screen. The colors are rich and the brightness is great enough to power my 96 wide screen. The colors are wonderful and the screen seems to laminate.

I sit about 1.5x from the screen. The SD is pretty amazing i can see it from my distance but a slight defocus (i mean slight) makes it disappear but the image stays really sharp. It might be my mind playing ticks but a slight defocus the projector seems sharper then an x1 not defocused.

Being able to adjust the Gama really makes a difference, i like it set at 2 for most movies but being able to up it really makes dark movies open up.

Rainbows - I was amazed that i haven't seen one rainbow, testing material that were plagued with rainbows on the x1 i haven't been able to find one. Focusing on one subject then shifting focus doesn't even seem to cause them. I'm amazed that i don't see them any more.

Well what can i say? I think this machine is pretty amazing. I don't find anything lacking in it. Colors, brightness and brightness uniformity are great. I can safely say i don't have the want for more of anything. I cant pick a fault and think to myself i hope next projector does this better.

I think the fact that i don't need a silver screen or gray screen but matte white gives me everything i could hope for speaks volumes within itself. Seriously certain films seem to glow, its kind of hard to describe.

Untill HD-dvd comes out i don't see any reason for a higher res machine, everything else the h30 seems to handle wonderfully. This machine produces a sexy image. I think i might have to name her =)

I tried guitarmans settings but for my dvd player they were way off. The other settings posted by mbw23air were closer to what i got.

I'm looking forward to letting the bulb burn in. =) Guitarman i would like to shake your hand, your enthusiasm convinced me.

Thanks for the comments. Can't wait to try it out myself. Hope you didn't stay up all night watching it. :D

Mike -
actually i did, yawn. Well i have to be at work by 6 am wich means leaving by 5:30 i ended up going to bed around 12:30 so im running on 5 hours of sleep and i wouldnt have it any other way :D

Lol, so you spent the whole night just viewing DVD's? I popped on the forum to see if you posted an update but you were gone in DVD land. :)

You gotta love DLP and especially six segment color wheel DLP's, oh with the DDR 12degree chip.

I'll post a slew of new screen shots in a couple of hours. This way folks can see, nothings changed, this thing rocks!

5 hours sleep?!? LUXURY! :-) (spoken as a father of a 3yr old and 1yr old)

Thanks for the continuing reviews everyone. I've read every thread I can find and I get the impression the H30 is the best deal going based on it's $1599 MSRP.

-cjs

Ok for your viewing pleasure! :)

Tuff to see detail with my other projectors but not the H30, the Cavern scene Two Towers -

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30cavern1.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30cavern2.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30cavern3.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30cavern4.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30cavern5.jpg

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30gollum.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30frodoz.jpg

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30austin1.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30austin2.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30future1.jpg

http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30vampire1.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30vampire2.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30vampire3.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30vampire4.jpg
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30vampire5.jpg

Here's a shot similar to the h30austin1 but done with the HT1000. You'll see both have the colors and contrast. The H30's not too bad for 1/4 the price.
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/austin1.jpg

How about them Vampire pictures? Whoa baby! crispy w/blacks galore.

Guitarman- Great im going to start taking some screenshots too hope they come out ok. I must say while your screenshots are good they didnt prepare me for how good the projector looks. Do you know what i mean when i say the image kind of glows?

Hey im not complaining about the 5 hours of sleep =)

Side note i kind of think the way it masks is pointless i cant see why anyone would want to not get the firmware update. It looks nicer in my opinion to have both sides masked equally then have a giant mask on the top. Plus a pananmorph would look pretty amazing on this projector.

"the image kind of glows?"

Yes, I used the word Lumenance. This is why you get all the detail in dark movies.

If I get the firmware I would do no masking and just use my 4.3 screen. But there's many that only want a 16.9 screen. Then the masking above like I did with a curtain looks pretty good. Gives the screen a theater look.

Here's the little guy ceiling mounted. Coloring is off/white and silver.
http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/h30.jpg

Well, they've finally arrived. :)

Unfortuantely, I have to run out to a meeting this evening, so I won't be able to check it out at all until tomorrow. (No, I'm not staying up all night! :D )

I expect an unbiased review. :)
Sorta makes the meeting a real bummer doesn't it.

The Optoma H30 just won an award at CES2004 so I guess it's a great product for the price. From just looking at the screenshots it looks great to me.

http://www.cesweb.org/attendees/awards/innovations/2004/?category=20

Hi Tom

Good to talk to you on the phone the other day. I get my H30 friday!

Just in time for the Super Bowl. Lets see what you think.

Hey, the Infocus didn't get a video award. Guess they missed that one. ;)

awww come on stay up all night you know you want to. =)

Okay, I'm back from my HTA (Home Theater Anonymous) meeting :D , and . . .
must . . . resist . . . urge to stay up and watch DVDs on the H30. :rolleyes: