I just wish there was an alternate lens to get a shorter throw.


Optoma Canada has a .8 short throw lens for the EP910, which looks to
be the same chassis, lens as the HD8x series. This allows for a 20% larger
image given the same distance from lens to screen. The other approach
would be to use a horizontal expansion 2:35:1 anamorphic lens.

I upgraded from the HD81 to the HD81-LV. The LV arrived last week. The picture certainly looks great, but I did notice an odd problem. When I am using the component input, I get periodic 1/2 second black screens. I've had that happen both with my cable DVR and my Sony HD camcorder. I can go 1/2 hour with none, or they can happen every few seconds. It happens whether or not I am using high altitude mode. It seems quite random. Has anyone seen anything like this?

Thanks!

Joe

Joe,

I have this issue when using my PS2 in 1080i output mode via component. When it's in 480i, no problem, ditto my old Sony 7000 DVD player Sony
Betacam and DVCAM players, component 480i doesn't exhibit the problem. With the PS2 in 1080i there are intermittent black screens that seem to cure themselves after awhile.

I'm assuming you're outputting 1080i via component? Have you tried 720p?
I know the Sony HDV doesn't support 720p, but the cable DVR should.

Thanks Jeff! It is helpful to know that this isn't an isolated problem on this particular unit. I repatched everything so that I could use DVI to HDMI from the cable DVR. Now cable is working fine. If the problem is just for 1080i over component, that should leave me with just the camcorder & my D-VHS deck to worry about. I seldom connect the camcorder directly so I can live with that. It is disappointing to know that I'm going to have the same problem with the D-VHS.

Maybe they'll fix this in the next downloadable firmware update. ;)

Thanks again

Joe

Maybe they'll fix this in the next downloadable firmware update. ;)

Joe

I know I'll be holding my breath!:rolleyes:

My LV is nearing 300 hours, so I'm getting tense.

Jeff,

Have you mentioned the black screen issue to anyone at Optoma? If you haven't, I can contact Warren or Jeff just on the off chance that they might address it. I also buy lottery tickets on the chance that I might win.

Joe

Joe,

No, I haven't brought this issue up with Optoma. Please feel free
to bring it to their attention. I don't remember having this problem
with my HD81's, but I'm not totally sure, as I don't use my PS2 a
whole lot.

I did email Jeff at Optoma and asked if the black screens with 1080i component were a known issue and if they might be corrected with a firmware update. He said they sounded like momentary sync drops and as such were unlikely to be able to be fixed with firmware. Since that is a new problem I never had on the HD81s, I thought the answer was a bit of a cop-out. I'm trying to decide if I should write back and mention that it never happened on the HD81.

The only scenario matching that theory that made sense to me would be if there were sync errors that would cause the HD81 to shut down but only cause a momentary black screen on the LV. I don't know how likely that is. A brief black screen is certainly a better way to respond to a problem with an input signal than shutting off the whole projector. I'd prefer that neither one happened.

Joe

OK, this still goes on ..... I was persuaded to try another LV instead of immediately jumping ship to another projector manufacturer. Optoma duly sent out unit number five which had been bench tested before being despatched to me. All was said to be fine with this unit ... except it isn't. The moment the pj was installed and turned on .... white vertical lines all across the left side of the screen. So now I have had lines in the middle, lines to the right and now lines to the left!

I wonder if these projectors are getting damaged in transit? After all, Optoma do not double box when sending out these projectors and that is not a good thing to start with. Could it be that this model is particularly susceptible to the knocks it takes along the way to its final destination? Jeff, this may be a reason you have had better luck ... you pick up directly from Optoma and save the LV from that battering!

So, am I giving up now? Well not quite. You see, Warren (bloody good bloke) is despatching a hand picked LV which will be brought to us by an Optoma tech guy, in person! He is going to personally oversee the installation ... and he won't be leaving until all is well! That is all fine and dandy, and we obviously appreciate this service, but we all know that the PJ could still flunk out on us down the road, probably the moment the Optoma guy hits the road back to Milipitas! If that should happen? Well that would be it, I'll be done .. and I think I know which projector I'm going for.

More next week!

MCB

Does Hd81-LV have hdmi 1.3 ?

MCB,

See if you can check out the blue green issue. Just set it to TV or Film or PC and you will get the gray scale chart. Pls let me know.

Mine has been working well but i do feel for you. I guess now that you are on your 5th unit, or is it 6th, I will have to relinquish my title for worst luck with Optoma projectors. Also, have you tried spraying the contacts on the connectors with cleaner? Just a thought. Also.... Warren told me that at least 3 of my 5 units had been carefully checked by their Techs. With failures in 2 of those, I have to believe that checking did not go much further than a brief on/off. My units showed less than 1 hour of time, i.e. 0 hours when I received them. Check yours.

I believe Warren tries but I do not believe he realizes just what a "lemon" Optoma engineers have designed. Sadly, the 81 and LV are not in the top 10 projector list from Projector Central any more. Can't help resale prices.

Acta,

The LV does not support HDMI 1.3. It supports 1.1.

Acta,

The LV does not support HDMI 1.3. It supports 1.1.

:eek:

How can It display 1 billion colors if it only can accept 24 bit colors ( 16 millions colors ) through hdmi 1.1 ?

Mr HiFi

I would be happy to check out anything you would like but problem is I don't have a PJ at the moment! I'm not sure when Optoma are sending out the replacement but hopefully it will be at the beginning of next week. And yes, this will be number 6!!

I cannot help but think that someone, somewhere, at Optoma are working on an entirely new model to replace the HD81 and LV. Surely they cannot be happy to see themselves slipping away like this? I am seriously considering blowing some extra cash and getting in to the higher end bracket of projectors if this sixth unit fails. A Sim2 three chipper (DC4's!) is my focus at the moment. It is a lot more money though! I'll keep you posted.

MCB

The HDMI standard represents a moving target to designers, manufacturers and to us, the users. Incompatibility has become the norm. Failure to connect, i.e handshake, is a serious issue for those of us seeking to marry the latest video ad audio equipment. I am trying to buy a Preamp/Processor to take advantage of the alleged better quality audio available on movies. The incompatibility and failure to operate as advertised has required the return of 2 HD DVD and BluRay players, the Toshiba XA2 and the Sony 300. I am expecting a Samsung 5000, the multi format player some time in late January. By the time get it, I hope to have a Pre/Pro in place that will decode either bit stream or HDMI delivered DTS MA, Dolby True HD, Dolby Digital Plus and several other codecs. Unfortunately, no one knows what these machines can do. Today, I received a call from a dealer who offered me a NAD 175 for a great price because NAD is having trouble moving preamp/processors because they may have not included all the decoding capabilities required of high end players trying to gain acceptance in th rarefied atmosphere of high end AV equipment. No one, including the NAD wholesaler could answer my questions regarding connectivity and compatibility with our VXD-3000 scaler/switchers. I refused to buy. I am waiting for an Integra 9.8 that is supposed to be 100% compatible whatever that means. Sorry Acta7... That is the best I can do.

Well, not really. There is one color I am sure the 81's reproduce without hesitation....BLUE.

MCB,

Before you go to a 3 chip unit, remember that in these, you will face convergence issues. Us old 3 gun CRT guys remember what that was like. Not an option for me. NOT EVER AGAIN.

Art,

Does that mean constant re-calibration? I thought three chipper DLP's were not as bad as the old CRT projector's in this regard?

MCB,

Here is what I have seen....

The 3 chip units look great beyond 12 feet or so with a 110" diagional 16x9 screen. Closer than that you begin seeing colored edges that look alot like the classic convergence error observable on 3 gun CRT projectors. Problem here is that you can't get rid of it. While you can move one chip relative to another, small dimensional errors within the chip are not correctable. I chose a single chip unit because of this. I spent over 20 years adjusting CRT projectors. During a viewing period, I would have to perform minute adjustments or I would not be comfortable. The only convergence error I see with the LV is error generated by he recording camera. This can be pretty bad specially at the left and right. AFAIC single chip is the way to go.

So Art, if you were given carte blanche to go out there and get whatever projector you desired, what would it be?

My 81LV also showed the colored edges (mainly blue and green). Looked like a classic convergence problem too, except that this couldn't be the case with a one-chipper? It's probably just a low quality optical system. I've sent it in for repair (for this and many other problems, like the right side being much brighter than the left, failure to stay in 24Hz mode, a humming/buzzing scaler, etc.) This was a month ago - still no sign of it - Optoma is really one of the most unprofessional companies I've dealt with... NEVER AGAIN ANY OPTOMA DEVICE for me!

Regards!
Martin

Ok, so if my sixth HD81 (the third LV) fails these are the projectors currently under consideration ... Sim2 HT380, Sim2 HT5000 Host and the Marantz VP11S1. If I go with either of the latter two I'll be off the $3000 and up threads! Hopefully the LV replacement will work faultlessly and I won't have to make the move, but I'll be taking a very close look at CES next month anyway!

MCB,

Without a doubt I would buy a Panasonic 2000 and a VXD processor. I really think the power zoom lens is something I would like to have. Switching between 4x3 and 16x9 I could use the whole 4x3 screen. Panasonic builds for its customer base; Optoma has not figured out whether they are a high end device manufacturer or a mainline supplier. The experience with the 81 and the ensuing bad press may wreck their future in the US.

Art,

So when are you going to switch, or are you going to await the final death throws of the LV and have some kind of sending off ceremony for it ... perhaps throwing it over a cliff edge or a sacrificial burning at the stake? You may be better off trying to sell it on ebay, while it still operates!

Cheers!

MCB

Ok guys. I've been building up my dedicated media room. The speakers are now installed, SMX material ready for up to 108" wide screen. Waiting till last to get the projector (hoping for every little bit of price drop). I'm sold on DLP and really like the separate projector/processor of the LV81-LV. First MrHiFi's horror stories followed by others in this thread... Now MCBRacer on a 6th unit ....

Now What? I can't afford to go up from the LV's price point. What would you guys do now if you were just ready to buy a projector?

Thanks
Bryan

Warren allowed me to upgrade to a LV with the last failure that I had with the HD81. So far so good. Although, I noticed that the zoom is a little different. I cannot get the same size image as I was getting with the HD81 with the projectors in the same location.

I would guess it went from 10' across to 9' across.

I am getting my new SMX screen delivered today so I will be putting that up (hopefully before the Vikings tonite) and then moving the projector back to fill up the new screen size.

Joe

Hi guys... Observed some troubling issues last night that I would like to run by you.

The Star Wars movies have THX optimizers. No matter what I tried I could not resolve the level differences in the white field. One is supposed to see eight boxes of varying brightness. I saw one big white field.

I use a Pioneer Elite DV-09 that puts out 480i via component to the VXD's YPrPb input. After rumming the contrast and brightness up and down, changing the video level to 7.5, adjusting gamma down, I saw no change. The movie showed a loss of detail in bright images.

When I went to look at the USER setting for COLOR Vividness, I found Green and CYAN were totally saturated making the divisions between levels indistinguishable in the color chart (IRE Level Chart) at the top of the window through the middle and upper ranges. I Magenta and Blue were good until the highest ranges. I tried playing with the saturation levels but that just destroyed the color balance.

Please take a look guys. BTW, I sent back both my HD and BD players. Too many audio issues. I received the Integra but I am still running video dirctly to the VXP.

How is the black level on these compared to the RS1 when set to equivalent light output by using the iris?

How is the black level on these compared to the RS1 when set to equivalent light output by using the iris?

Best CR is 4000:1 max, probably high 3K's. Not as good as JVC, but better
ANSI, mixed field contrast is great, good 3D pop that I feel DLP does best.

I was not overly impressed with the RS1, convergence error, softer, lacking
in depth, even though the blacks are very good. I don't like Ruby or Pearl
either. This is of course VERY subjective, but ANSI difference is real.

Thanks. I'm a black level nut so that's the most important thing for me.

Sorry to reply to own reply, but I have to say that upon re-reading the reviews I'm a tad surprised that the contrast and blacks are that limited, especially when the HD81 was supposed to have OK blacks.

I was thinking that a projector as bright as the HD81-LV would be ideal for stopping down via an iris (or an ND filter), especially after the ProjectorReview review said such nice things with the iris open.

But if you are only getting 4K or so at minimum iris (less than my current PJ) and with Optoma's stellar reputation for reliability and service (yes, as former HD7300 owner I am being sarcastic) I guess I'll leap back to searching for an RS1.

Steve,

Like you, I used to revel in inky blacks. My reference TV's were the Proton 25" CRT Monitors of the mid '80's and the Sony ProFeel 25" system that used the same tube the Pro monitor's used. I resisted moving to flat panel TV's and projectors because off the dismal black's. I used 3 gun CRT projectors for 20 years and became acclimated to their performance. Until DLP's came along, other technologies turned me off.

The HD81-LV produces excellent black levels. One must fiddle a lot if one wishes to see images in darker areas but after a while, even the ships hidden in the fog at the beginning of "Master and Commander" become apparent. Simply put, the picture one sees after one plays with the controls and adjustments is second to none in my humbe opinion. As far as looking at a 3 chip unit, I think that is just a very bad idea. Unless you experienced convergence error before, you have no idea how troublesome it can be. The RS1 is replete with convergence anomalies.

For the time being my LV is stable and has been glitch free. Knock on Wood!!

I agree about convergence error, don't want to go back to that after my 13
years of CRT projection. The best single chip DLP's aren't doing much more
than 4,000:1, but they look incredible with mixed field scenes. It's full field
blacks that won't look CRT like.

The JVC does full field blacks well, but no comparison to CRT. Also, the lens
on the JVC is not too great. If accurate colors are important, the JVC is not
a good choice.

I would recommend you audition some single chip DLP's like the InFocus IN82,
BenQ 10000, Sharp 20000(but not great lumens), Sim HT380, Marantz 15S1.
Some of these cost more than the JVC, but the optics are superior, they
resolve every pixel, have high ANSI contrast and some offer better control of color
primaries and secondaries vs. the JVC which is what you see is what you get.
(Oversaturated)

Hi Jeff,

Just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas or whatever brand you subscribe to thistime of the year. I received the Integra 9.8 and am blown away. I have not connected video yet but the audio is quite amazing. The Audessy works. Canceled dmy order for the 5000 because it appears to be full of bugs. I'm still using my 10 year old Elite DV-09 aibut keep hoping something comes along trhat will bitstream the new codecs and do Dual mode.

I started having another problem with the LV. This one occurs when I am watching an HD movie using my PS3 which is set to 1080p and connected through HDMI. I'll have an image for a couple seconds then it will say "no signal" for a few seconds, then say that it is synchronizing. It just keeps repeating through this cycle. Strangely, if I switch to the HDMI input where my cable box (set at 1080i) is connected, watch for a minute or so then switch back to the PS3, everything is fine.

This projector has an amazing image, but boy is it tempermental.

Has anyone noticed a similar problem?

Thanks & happy holidays to all!

Joe

Joe,

I had issues with an XA2 and a BDPS300 that were similar.

Maybe it's some sort of periodic HDCP handshake tripping things up?

Hi Jeff,

Just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas or whatever brand you subscribe to thistime of the year. I received the Integra 9.8 and am blown away. I have not connected video yet but the audio is quite amazing. The Audessy works. Canceled dmy order for the 5000 because it appears to be full of bugs. I'm still using my 10 year old Elite DV-09 aibut keep hoping something comes along trhat will bitstream the new codecs and do Dual mode.

Hi Art,

Merry Christmas to you as well! I'm glad the Integra is working well for you.
I got a call from my online vendor that I ordered the Samsung 5000 from back
in August. They were ready to ship today, but had a note on my account to
not deliver next week since I'll be out of town. They offered to ship FedEx P1, but I'm just not in a hurry to go backwards with the crippled state of
this combo player, I'd rather watch and see if firmware updates are forthcoming. Frustrating to wait so long for the player only to want to delay
delivery because of all the bugs. Samsung should be ashamed at how they
delivered these early units. My Gen 1 HD DVD player is doing fine.

Maybe it's some sort of periodic HDCP handshake tripping things up?

Hi Mark & merry Christmas,

Hmmm, interesting. I looked for some HDMI doc that might address anything similar. I found this troubleshooting information in a document at hdmi.org:

"Doing things too fast can lead to blinking video. When your HDMI transmitter drives an HDMI
receiver, always mute before changing signal timing and un-mute afterwards. Allow the HDMI
receiver some time to detect mute and process the timing change before you remove mute. DVI
sources must cease transmission and re-authenticate only after signal timing stabilizes and the
receiver has had time to recover. The HDCP circuits in most sinks require stable timing in order
to function properly."

The document is geared for people designing hardware. I'm not sure how one would mute video. That could explain why switching to another HDMI input and then back would fix things.

Joe

I've been running a PS3 into my HD81-LV at 1080p with no issues except for
one shutdown when I paused a game. I have not tried 24p via a Blu Ray disc
yet.

I also took my HD seamless switcher/scaler, an Analog Way Di-Ventix, which
is a $17K box, and connected it to the HD81-LV via DVI to HDMI and set the
Di-VentiX output to 1080/60p. I used a Panasonic DVC Pro HD deck outputting
720p and 1080i at various frame rates via HD SDI into the Di-VentiX.

Amazingly, the HD81-LV had no issues whatsoever, of course the processor
doesn't need to do much when receiving 1080/60p.

The coolest thing I did was burn HD DVD material from DVC Pro HD in Final
Cut Pro onto a DVD-R using a Mac Powerbook standard DVD burner. The
footage was encoded via MPEG2 and played back perfectly on my Toshiba
A1 HD DVD player. I could not easily see a difference between camera master
tape and DVD-R disc encoded with HD DVD MPEG 2 stream.

Has anyone looked at my comment a few messages back? If not, here it is again.

Hi guys... Observed some troubling issues last night that I would like to run by you.

The Star Wars movies have THX optimizers. No matter what I tried I could not resolve the level differences in the white field. One is supposed to see eight boxes of varying brightness. I saw one big white field.

I use a Pioneer Elite DV-09 that puts out 480i via component to the VXD's YPrPb input. After rumming the contrast and brightness up and down, changing the video level to 7.5, adjusting gamma down, I saw no change. The movie showed a loss of detail in bright images.

When I went to look at the USER setting for COLOR Vividness, I found Green and CYAN were totally saturated making the divisions between levels indistinguishable in the color chart (IRE Level Chart) at the top of the window through the middle and upper ranges. I Magenta and Blue were good until the highest ranges. I tried playing with the saturation levels but that just destroyed the color balance.

Please take a look guys. BTW, I sent back both my HD and BD players. Too many audio issues. I received the Integra but I am still running video directly to the VXP.
__________________

I would appreciate it if someone would look at the issue I discussed above. I tried to watch Roy Orbison's "Black and White Nights". The facial details wash out. It is as iff there is too much contrast but lowering the contrast or even adjusting the saturation and hue at the different levels of Color Vividness does not help.

I received my A35 and a BD30 yesterday. Now, I will be able to connect the two HD players through the Integra 9.8 and get all the advanced audio codecs decoded by the 9.8.
BTW, I figured out a way to get 6 HDMI inputs working. By routing 3 HDMI inputs which also carry audio through the VXD (the Comcast DVR and the 2 players) and to HDMI input 4 of the 9.8, I can use the VXD remote to switch between the 3 inputs and the correct audio decoding will be selected by the 9.8. If I want to watch the HDMI from my 2 LG DVR's, I select one of the three remaining HDMI 9.8 inputs. The audio comes in via one of two optical inputs from the LG's. In setup, one ties these to the appropriate HDMI input. The analog stuff, like satellite receivers, turntables, cassette decks, R to R decks, laser disk players, etc. go into other Audio and Video inputs on the 9.8. Amazing!!!! This controller's Audessy system is amazing.

I lost the LV yesterday. After a call to Warren, he suggested a new bulb. He was right. New bulb got rid of the green shift I had observed and brought back the incredible picture I remembered. FWIW, the bulb failure manifested itself as follows. For a week, I prior, the unit would turn off after booting up and producing a normal picture for 20-30 sec. Then it would shut itself off. After a few tries with blower on high, it would work. Yesterday, it would not. What have we learned? ...Bulb failure can occur even when the bulb lights. I had only 1049 hours on the bulb.

The HD81-LV will not run 24fps unless the player is capable of operating in "forced 24 fps" mode. Neither Toshiba nor Panasonic have any plans to upgrade the A35 and BD30 software to provide this capability. Future players will not have this capability. We are SOL.

I recently purchased/had installed had an HD81-LV by a custom CEDIA installer. My projector shuts down intermittenly while on. It seems to mainly occur while accessing the menu option of my cable box or when going from a Hi Def channel to a regular channel. It does not shut down during DVD's. He has already replaced the complete system once and has contacted Optoma for assistance with the problem to no avail. I love the picture and would hate to have to return it. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Have your installer reconnect your system using component connections from your cable box. I have endured terrible sync issues with my own system. Basically, the HDMI of the LV does not appear to merge well with newer devices' HDMI connections. My older (4 years) LG products with DVI outputs work beautifully with the LV; but, my new Motorola cable box/DVR and the A35 and B30 players are finnicky and one has to be patient waiting for a handshake. The latest Comcast/motorola HD DVR, tuner and the Integra .8 controller often must be restarted and resynced after a loss of connection. Try the component connection scheme. I am getting ready t change my cable box to component because every time I switch channels or resolutions or bring up a menu, it can take minutes to resync. HATE HDCP. BTW, since I put the new bulb in, I have not sufferd a single undesired turn off. That is progress.

Thank you very much for the quick reply. I could be wrong, but I think he did change the connection to component and we are still having a problem. Could that be possible? How would I know if he hooked it up correctly this way? Would buying a different DVR, such as TIVO HD, help the situation? Also, could you elaborate on what you mean by the "new bulb". My unit is brand new, so is the bulb you are referring to different than the one that came with the unit?

I recently swapped my Toshiba HD-A1 HD DVD player for an HD-A35. I have been looking forward to watching a 1080/24P source for a long time. Here are
my findings:

1080/24P does not work, nothing happens when the LV is put into Film Mode 48Hz.

Film Mode 48Hz does not work in 1080/60P either.

The only time I see any effect with Film Mode 48Hz is in 1080/60i.

1080/60P has been working well with the LV, no issues, but Fim Mode 48Hz is
useless with progressive inputs from the A35 and even if it did work, the LBX
mode defeats it, so not possible to watch with anamorphic lens, although a
forum member has come up with a workaround for that, but it's a moot point
with the A35.

Has anybody had success with a 1080/24P source and the LV in Film Mode 48Hz mode?

Thank you very much for the quick reply. I could be wrong, but I think he did change the connection to component and we are still having a problem. Could that be possible? How would I know if he hooked it up correctly this way? Would buying a different DVR, such as TIVO HD, help the situation? Also, could you elaborate on what you mean by the "new bulb". My unit is brand new, so is the bulb you are referring to different than the one that came with the unit?

The reference to the bulb was not intended for you...sorry. If it is shutting off even on component, you have a bad LV. Be sure to check the obvious like connections but frankly it is most likely screwed up.

Ace, My Comcast/Motorola HD DVR has a terrible time. I've found that the DVR changes settings while connecting via HDMI. Check to make sure yours is set on 16x9, HDMI 1080i, Override Off.

Jeff,

You didn't read all my comments regarding the A35? Mine, like yours will not force 24 fps. I called Toshiba and they said there was no way they would ever install forced 24 fps so I guess we are screwed. By the Way, same holds true for the Panasonic BD30.

I notice that I contributed the last few posts here. Have you all desrted your HD81-LV's.

On a more serious note, I lost a second bulb at 238 hours. Red lamp that is supposed to light did not. Instead Power and Fan went solid red. Apparently, that is the designation for bulb failure. I had a spare so I installed it and back to normal. My thanks to Warren who is sending me a replacement for the burned out bulb. So far, I have not come close to the 2K hour expected life. This bulb failure issue makes me wonder if I will be able to afford replacement bulbs every couple of months. Let's hope things improve.

On the 24 fps issue...In response to an email I placed to the web site re. the lack of HD players that "force" 24 fps, I received a call from Mr. Davis who works for Warren. He said that both the PS3 and the Sony 300 engage 48Hz mode. These are the only players that do so. Ufortunately, the PS3 is a game machine and the 300 is no longer available. My 300 froze up and failed shortly after I bought it. The replacement A35 and BD30 devices will not talk to the LV. subsequently, I spoke to Warren again about this isue and pointed out how I felt Optoma was suffering in the marketplace because of this. He said dhe would again raise the issue with upper management.

I am still here. Just lurking because I have no problems and at this point, no advice other than thank goodness the bulbs are free for the first year with the LV.

I will check the hours on my lamp tonight and report in.

Joe

Does anybody know where I can get an LV? I have seen the LV online at prices between $3800 and $5500 but this substantial difference in pricing has prevented me from pulling the trigger thus far. Also, I've noticed that some of the LV's I was looking at online may have been refurbished and naturally I want a brand new LV that has it's original 3-year warranty.

I'm getting my sound system, screen and other components delivered on March 8th and have yet to purchase this or any other PJ for reasons stated above.

Jeff Reagan, I have spoken to you quite a bit about the LV and wonder if you sir could help me find the best price for a *new LV.

Joe,

Agreed, I'm so relieved that my LV has been golden since August. I've got
around 500 hours now and only a couple of unplanned shutdowns.

Art,

Your bulb experiences are a concern. I think we should expect and demand bulbs that last close to 2000 hours, at $500 a pop, substantially less is ridiculous.

I now have three HD DVD players, XA2, A3 and A35. Neither the XA2 or A35
do the 24p handshake with the LV, as you know. If only two HDM players, both Blu Ray, are the only models that do 24p with the LV, Optoma should offer a firmware update.

Thank you for continuing to bring this up to Optoma service. Might I suggest
that we all contact David Hwang at Optoma, the HD8x series product manager about the lack of 24p handshake?

Hi again my friends. Today I spent an hour comiserarating over HDMI issues with a Comcast tech who was extremely knowledgeable and eager to learn. I had asked for replacement of my 3416 HD DVR box with a box with newer firmware. HDMI handshke issues have been driving me crazy. He had someone go through their inventory but fund no newer software in any 3416's, the latest and greates HD DVR cable boxes out there. I know there is newer software. They don't ave any boxes with it. I refuse to go to componebnt. Anyway in case you are having HDMI issues with our LV, my FW is from 4/27/2007. Problem iss the HJD DVR goes into diagnostic mode every so often when it is clearing HDMI permissions with our LV. It then changes resolutions and may even provide no picture to our LV. To get it working requires an unplug/replug of the 3416 and a complete setup. HATE HDMI!!!! Thought this might be helpful.

Art,

If you hate HDMI and refuse to go to component. Does that mean you hate component more? :) Do you really think the quality is that much better with HDMI?

I still have not gone hdmi with the exception of my htPC which is DVI-HDMI and have never had a single issue.

Joe

Joe,

There is no doubt in my mind, HDMI and DVI provide better transfer of video material than does component (YPrPb) or composite video. The resulting picture is sharper with more deply saturated colors and accurate hue. I say this without reservation.

Thanks Art. I am going to try hdmi direct form my cable receiver tonight. I will report back.

Joe

I tried watching a non-anamorphic widescreen DVD and couldn't get it to fill the screen. I tried using both my A30 HD-DVD player and my PS3. Both are connected using HDMI. I couldn't get the projector to treat it as widescreen. The projector treated it as 4x3 so it left black bars on the sides. Then the DVD itself had black bars on the top and bottom. I ended up with a small image and black bars on all four sides. When I select letterbox mode on the projector, it stretches the image vertically, but it won't stretch it horizontally so I still have the bars on the sides and a distorted image.

Is this because HDMI is telling the projector that it is a 4x3 image and the projector won't override that?

I tried changing the settings for display type on the A30. I tried 4x3, 16x9 and 4x3 letterboxed. I got the same results with each.

Has anyone been able to get a non-anamorphic widescreen DVD to fill the screen when using HDMI to connect the player to the projector?

Incidentally, I set the A30 to 1080p and now I have the same problem with it that I was having with the PS3 (which is also set for 1080p). When I first select it, the projector keeps doing continual resyncs with it. I get an image, then a black screen with a "no signal" message. Then it resynchronizes and I get a picture, only to have it go blank again. After a few minutes, or if I switch inputs a few times, it finally settles down. It looks like it must be an issue with 1080p input.

Thanks!

Joe

Joe,

I do think it's an HDMI issue. The handshake is telling the LV to stay in 4:3 and
that is all the players will output for the same reason. When I have a 4:3 source that has a 1:78:1 letterboxed within, I go to LBX and bring in my anamorphic lens, which gets me to a 16:9 image.

Have you tried using component output?

I have not had any handshake issues with 1080/60p with an A35 or XA2, but
neither will do 1080/24p due to HDMI EDID issues.

Joe,

Jeff covered it well but let me just add what I do on those rare occasions when I try to play an older non anmorphic 1:78 in a 4x3 window. I send the video output through my LG LST-341A HD DVR. This unit has a zoom mode that allows me to fill the screen. The LG then outputs via DVI/HMI to the VXP. Works well.

FWIW, I received my second replacement bulb from Optoma yesterday. I have now replaced the bulb twice on the LV.

Thanks Jeff and Art!

I was afraid it was something like that. Darn, I was hoping you'd tell me it was some simple setting I had missed.

I've been reluctant to go back to component since I use the one HDMI cable for audio and video. I'll have to figure out what I need to change to get audio without HDMI.

Art, that is scary about the short bulb life you have experienced with the LV! Lamps that expensive should certainly last longer than yours have.

Joe

Joe,

My wife agrees with you completely. We are now out of the 1 year warranty period for bulb replacement. At $500.00 every 3 months, I could probably buy a new projector andbe money ahead within a couple years. This has not been and continues to not be a good experience. Were it not for Warren Pierce, I would be taking action.

I'm looking for some information that has been mentioned on these forums about the pinout for the RS-232 serial cables for the HD80 and 81. I recently purchased a 60 foot db9ff cable, and it doesn't work, so I am assuming the pinout is not correct and was wondering if there was a solution to this.

UAF,

The cable provided by Optoma is a null modem cable. If you purchased a straight serial cable, you should either mate it to the supplied cable or buy an adaptor. I bought a 50 ft serial with female at one end and male at the other and mated dit with the Optoma supplied cable.

Hello dear friends.

I have been attempting to pin down the source of a problem I have been having with my theater for some months now and I believe I now have the problem isolated.

I have been seeing "posterized" output from my HD81. I believe it is the HDMI 1 input on the VP. I use HDMI 1 for a Verizon HD DVR and in order to expand the number of inputs I front ended it with a Psyclone 4:1 HDMI/Toslink switcher. I initially thought it was the Psyclone and swapped it out. All seemed OK. There was an issue with the Verizon box not being to hold 1080i output if the switch selected another input. I just set it back to 1080i and ann seemed OK.

Till last week when the "posterization" returned. I took the switch out of the line and I thought I had another defective unit. I have a replacement on order from Radiient and it should be here tomorrow.

Then tonight I discovered that the "posterization" returned during some testing. Behold when I put my AppleTV in HDMI 1 it also has the "posterized" image!

I now think that the VP is failing. Heat? Very cool in the stack. I plan to call Optoma to see if I can get a repair.

Any one else seen this? I did a quick scan of the board and did not see anyone with this problem.

I have to say that other than the slow switching during mixed res content and the cooling issues with the PJ (which I resolved with a forced air - forced exhaust plumbing system) I have been very pleased with the HD81.

Best to you all,

John

My theater is highlighted on my web site at: www.johntkeller.com

Hi John,

I've never heard of "posterized" anything so you will have to bring me up to date. Why did you buy an HDMI switcher? Were 3 HDMI inputs not enough? If you would like to see the Integra 9.8 in action with the LV, please come by. Except for bulb failures, my LV continues to perform well. If only this thing would read 24 fps in machines other than the PS3, it would be the cat's meow.

Art,

Good to hear from you. Here is an example of what I am seeing.

Wow, that is so cool. Is that an extra cost option? :)

Joe

Art,

I have quickly ran out of ports. Both HDMI and optical. The HD81 only suports three and my older Denon AVR3300 only supports two opticals.

I have the following:

Equip/ video/ audio

Verizon HD DVR/ HDMI/ optical

Toshiba HDDVD/ HDMI/ discrete 6 channel

AppleTV/ HDMI/ optical

Pioneer DVD region free/ HDMI/ optical

Playstation3/ HDMI/ optical

Panasonic VCR/ Composite/ 2 ch analog

The Psyclone does simultaneous video/audio switching and I can control it with my URC remote. I works well for about $110!

John

Joe,

I think I paid around $6,000 plus shipping in November of 2006. They are hard to keep in stock. I can get you a good price on mine! :rolleyes:

Best,
John

Joe,

I think I paid around $6,000 plus shipping in November of 2006. They are hard to keep in stock. I can get you a good price on mine! :rolleyes:

Best,
John

Silly me. And to think I paid $30 for a photoshop plugin to do my posterization work.

Joe

Silly me. And to think I paid $30 for a photoshop plugin to do my posterization work.

Joe

I was robbed! :mad:

Art,

Good to hear from you. Here is an example of what I am seeing.


John,

Please take a look at my message #276. See if you can distinguish the lines beween the IRE levels in the setup scales at the top of the picture. It may be that your bulb needs replacing.

John,

Please take a look at my message #276. See if you can distinguish the lines beween the IRE levels in the setup scales at the top of the picture. It may be that your bulb needs replacing.


Art,

I wish it was only the bulb. The other two HDMI inputs work ok. I believe it to be isolated to HDMI 1. I am going to rearrange the shelf that the VP rests on and see if I can give it some air. I am hoping that I have a thermal issue and not a chip failure in the VP. The rack is cool so I had ruled heat out.

I just want it to work! I develop severe anxiety when anything burps like this. I remember looking at the DVDO processors ($$$) and being thrilled that there was a PJ that had a VP integrated into the package.

Best,
John



John

Sorry John, I did not read your original comment correctly. Age, I guess. Did you ever get the 81 adjusted to reference levels?

When I was younger, I had the same anxiety issues when things in my system weren't just right. I used to take great pride i absolute precision in video and audio. Today, I find myself fiddling with the controls every time I change programs. I adjust i until it looks good and sounds good to me. It is almost like changing from my scientific background to jusging and viewing the world more like a painter. The AV system is my canvas. After all, why would they put all those contros there if we weren't supposed to touch them?

Did you ever get the 81 adjusted to reference levels?

No. I did not. I got sidetracked with other projects - ignored while building the theater!

[/QUOTE] I adjust i until it looks good and sounds good to me. It is almost like changing from my scientific background to jusging and viewing the world more like a painter. The AV system is my canvas. After all, why would they put all those contros there if we weren't supposed to touch them?[/QUOTE]

Oh so true my friend! There are times when watching a movie I just want to stop it and start adjusting the black level to get more detail in a night scene. Only to remember that I am not alone. That there are six or seven other people watching the movie and that they will rightfully conclude that I am more than a bit crazy.

I tested the VP prior to installation and judged not to be a consideration for heat build up. If it is not heat then the inputs has failed and I will attempt to get it repaired while on my next vacation.

I cannot go to a commercial theater anymore. I cannot watch standard def TV anymore. Curse you "High Def"!

Best,
John

Does anyone have any experience using 60ft or over hdmi cables with the hd81 lv. I bought a 60 ft cable from ram electronics with a built in amplifier, but it drops the signal periodically.

This is what I bought
http://www.ramelectronics.net/audio-video/hdmi/cables-accessories/hdmi-amplified-cables/tru-reference-amplified-hdmi-hdmi-amp/prodHDMIAMP.html

This is what I am looking at replacing it with
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/hdmi-cables/index.htm



Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I use a $95.00, 50 ft. cable from monoprice between the LV and the VXD. No amplifiers and No dropouts ever.

Uh oh. The last couple days, I have started getting blue screens. I've never had them before with any of my HD-81s or with the HD-81LV. All I have been watching the last couple days has been HD cable using the DVR so I'm not sure if it happens on other inputs. The blue screen has only been lasting a couple seconds then the image comes back. I just changed the projector to high altitude mode. I'll see if that makes a difference.

The weather has started getting warmer in Minnesota. If that is what is causing the problem, the high fan speed might help. I got the projecter in November, so this will be the first warm weather that the projector has seen.

Have other people seen blue screens that get better after a couple seconds?

Joe

I watched for an hour last night with the projector in high altitude mode. I still got the intermittent blue screens. Now I tried turning off 48Hz mode. I'll see if that makes a difference. This is really discouraging. After having three HD-81s fail, I hate to think of shipping a fourth projector back to Optoma. For one of my exchanges, I had them charge my credit card so I could wait until the new one arrived before shipping back the old one. It took nearly a month for them to apply the credit back to my card so I'm reluctant to do that again. Has the slow refund been other people's experience as well? I'm starting to think that this is the supermodel of projectors: beautiful but high maintenance.

I am interested in hearing if anyone has had a similar experience: blue screens that last a couple seconds then resolve.

Thanks

Joe

Hi Joe,

Perhaps more than anyone else, I can feel your pain and frustration. All of my units that eventually failed exhibited the intermittent blue screens. The HD81's either returned to normal operation or had to be power cycled into submission. This occurred for a while before it became intolerable. The 5th and current unit has gone blue a handful of times. Each time I had to power cycle it back into operation. Your observations about 48Hz and high fan are all things I did and had sme success with. I think ultimately it boils down to too much stress on the machine that causes a circuit to fail. I have found that if i set my Brilliant color to 5 and above, within 5 min I begin to see splotch faces that are the warning sign that a shut down or blue screen is coming soon. I do not use Brilliant Color unless it is daytime and the windows are open. Now I never go above 2 or 3.

As far as resolving outstanding credit, I have always had to call Warren to get things resolved. He always gets it straightened out within a few days after that.

To be fair, mine continues to function. I do seem to get a greenish-gray tint to plaster walls though. It appears to be a non linearity or deviation from the ideal color temperature at a certain point in the brightness scale, i.e. causing an anomaly in the colorspace. Take a look at the Home Theater article on the HD80. They found similar issues with it although not necessarily exactly where my problem exists.

Hey Joe,

I had the 2 second blue screens on my second HD81. But I was able to resolve them by continually hitting one of the change input buttons on the remote. I think I was always able to catch it before the need to cycle it completely like Art has experienced.

I have not had any similar experiences with the LV. So far so good.

Joe

I turned off 48Hz Film Mode a few days ago. I haven't seen any blue screens since then. I was even able to turn off the high fan speed high altitude mode.

I'm hoping I may have resolved my problem.

Joe

I turned off 48Hz Film Mode a few days ago. I haven't seen any blue screens since then. I was even able to turn off the high fan speed high altitude mode.
Joe

Joe,

I've had blue screens due to Film Mode 48Hz as well, and since it doesn't do a
very good job of 3:2 pulldown, my Blu Ray and HD DVD players don't work with
my LV in 24P mode and there is no Film Mode 48Hz in LBX mode, the feature is
completely useless--unless you like blue screens.

I have also found that my LV is sensitive to voltage drops. Sometimes when I
turn the track lighting on at full level in my HT, the LV shuts down.

The good news is that this is my first HD81 series projector that has lasted
for seven months with no major issues-that's progress!

I have also found that my LV is sensitive to voltage drops. Sometimes when I
turn the track lighting on at full level in my HT, the LV shuts down.


I don't think it is the voltage drop. I had no issues until I finished my ceiling and moved the serial cable that goes between the projector and the processor close to a high voltage cable that controls the lighting. I never had issues with the dimming until I did that. It was almost immediate.

If I ever redo the ceiling I will definately be moving that serial cable so it is more isolated from any interferance.

Joe

I turned off 48Hz Film Mode a few days ago. I haven't seen any blue screens since then. I was even able to turn off the high fan speed high altitude mode.

I'm hoping I may have resolved my problem.

Joe

Joe,

I'm sorry you missed my earlier comment concerning 48Hz. I made the same observation earlier and reported it. I hope this resolves your issues like it did mine.

Does this PJ need to be force-fed 1080p24 like the HD80 does ? If so, then the 24p HD-DVD players can't force 1080p24 and you get 60p instead. You would need to use something like a Lumagen HDP to get it to force 1080p24.

And with the PS3 which can force it, do you have to watch with the PJ set in 48Hz Film mode for it to work ?

Finally, is anyone using a Lumagen HDP (in the above regard) connected to the Gennum ?

Thanks, t.

tausifs,

Yes, the HD81 must be "forced" into 24 fps mode like the HD80 although I was told by Optoma techs that if you send in an HD80, thry can reflah a prom and make it work normally, i.e. without being "forced". I am not familiar with a Lumagen HDP. When using a PS3, you must set the VXD to 48Hz in order to operate at 24Hz. (I know that everyone here knows we don't watch at 24Hz but I am using it because it is more descriptive.)

tausifs,

Yes, the HD81 must be "forced" into 24 fps mode like the HD80 although I was told by Optoma techs that if you send in an HD80, thry can reflah a prom and make it work normally, i.e. without being "forced". I am not familiar with a Lumagen HDP. When using a PS3, you must set the VXD to 48Hz in order to operate at 24Hz. (I know that everyone here knows we don't watch at 24Hz but I am using it because it is more descriptive.)

Thank you, MrHifi.:)

Is it possible to get 1080p24 by feeding the Gennum 1080i60 and using 48hz mode ? Has anyone tried this ?

Is it possible to get 1080p24 by feeding the Gennum 1080i60 and using 48hz mode ? Has anyone tried this ?

Yes, it's possible, but doesn't work well most of the time. The Gennum has trouble triggering on the correct frame for 3:2 cadence and causes blue screens,
weird frame rates. It can be working and then lose the cadence.

Also, if you want to do CIH anamorphic projection, know that Film Mode 48Hz
doesn't work in LBX mode, which is the vertical expansion scaling. Although
somebody reported a work around with user mode settings.

Hi Guys,

Number 5 just broke. The color wheel began utterring a high pitched wine that was deafening. I UPS'd it today set up as a service not an exchange for a refurb. Hope I get it back repaired. This one has never had a blue screen. It had about $2,000 hours on it. This was the third bulb. And it goes on......

Just saw that I put a $ sign in front of the 2 hours. Think I will leave it there. I have lost more sleep, had more fights with my wife, and questioned my electronic knowledge more since I bought this 81 series from Optoma than I have with any other possession in my whole life. Maybe I am being foolish saying this here but as a group, we 81 series owners have been screwed royally by Optoma. This projector never did most of what Optoma claimed it should and the things it did do either did not meet advertised performance levels or failed prematurely. Its incompatibility with almost every new HDMI device I own further demonstrates Optoma's indifference towards its clientèle. Buyers beware. HDMI/HDCP incompatibility is a major issue.
If you have not understood me yet I will summarize.

DO NOT BUY AN OPTOMA PRODUCT. THEY DO NOT WORK AS ADVERTISED AND THEY FAIL FAR MORE FREQUENTLY THAN OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES. THEY DO NOT WORK WELL WITH OTHER DEVICES WHEN THEY ARE OPERATING. HDCP IMPLEMENTATION IS POOR TO NONEXISTENT.

What is good about the HD 81 and Optoma? They employ a great guy named Warren Pierce who is sympathetic and bends over backwards to help. He can not turn Lead into Gold. In this case he is unable to turn these boat anchors into reliable projectors.

BE WARNED....BUY ANYTHING BUT AN OPTOMA. THEY DO NOT OPERATE RELIABLY.

Wow...this entire thread has been a head spinning nightmare. I just spent the entire day trying to "fit" this projector into my newly constructed family room. Art, you have the patience of a saint! I really wanted to get this unit based on the lumens it produced. Do you have any suggestions for a "bright" 1080P projector? I currently have the Panasonic PT-AX100U (720P) and with the 2000 lumens, it has been great. As this was my first projector, I'm clearly not an expert, but I have been very pleased with the picture. My primary viewing is HDTV/Sports. Considering this is in my family room, I do need a bright projector.

Also, with the Panny, I had great versatility in placement and would probably need the same. The projector is seated in a column in my ceiling, 8 feet above the floor, with a throw of 12' 6". I could get it back another foot or so if I need to. My screen is above my fireplace and it's a 106". I would have had a real issue if I had to drop the sreen 18" with the Optoma...it would have been half way down my fireplace. I was looking at the Panasonic PT-AE200U... the 1500 lumens worried me based on reading the review in projectorreviews.com As a matter of fact, in normal mode, this unit only produced 640 lumens, where my current unit was measured at 1418. Being less than half as bright is a big concern of mine based on my room.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...and my sympathy for your experience with the LV :(

Ciisco,

I will not recommend a projector to anyone any more. I lost two friends and their families as friends for recommending the original 81. If placement, compatibility, and reliability are important, stay away from the 81's. Because of my $7,000.00+ investment, I am forced to endure. I can not in good conscience wish this on anyone. Perhaps Jeff might wish to recommend a current model projector.

Thanks Art...again, really bummed to read this thread. I just want what would be a good 1080P replacement for my Panny...if there is one that's bright enough for my fam room. I won't hold anybody responsible...it's up to me do to my due diligence :) Just out of curiosity, is there a lense that I could have used with the LV to fit my application (12.6 throw, and not having such a large offset/drop? Thanks again...

After a little more research...looks like the Epson Powerlite Home Cinema 1080UB? If anybody has a better/brighter solution, please let me know. Thanks!

Thanks Art...again, really bummed to read this thread. I just want what would be a good 1080P replacement for my Panny...if there is one that's bright enough for my fam room. I won't hold anybody responsible...it's up to me do to my due diligence :) Just out of curiosity, is there a lense that I could have used with the LV to fit my application (12.6 throw, and not having such a large offset/drop? Thanks again...

This issue was researched in the 81 thread. There are no add ons AFAIK that can change the optical characteristics of the 81-LV.

Gotcha...Thanks!

Posts: 2 Interesting reading. I'm compelled to throw my 2 cents in. I for one can't understand why a company knowing that they have a problem with a certian product, don't go out of their way to make the customer satisfied. My HD81 has had problems since day one, 3 times in less than one year. Blue screen drop out everytime I used it, green screen, unit burned up, bad remote, need I say more. When I asked to upgrade & pay the difference to the LV I was told a flat out NO!!! ..... unbeleivable.......... I will never do business with this manufactor again, nor will I recommend them to anyone. Buyer beware.

Just got the 81-LV returned to me. Thanks to Warren, I had a 6 day turn around including the weekend. That's the positive. Sadly, it came back with a louder whine from the color wheel. I was told that they put a new color wheel in to replace the one with a high pitched whine and a grinding sound when it slowed to a stop on shut off. The new one whines at a lower frequency but it is an incredibly loud 42 dB at 3 ft away. I was so angry that I called Warren and left an angry impolite nasty furious note on his answering machine telling him what I thought of their service department. I am regretting my rudeness but my facts are correct. I believe the service techs have no idea about quality or performance levels. I am sure that if a picture comes out the lens, it passes QC. I am so fed up and frankly have to live with it because I do not have another bunch of money to buy a new one. I would feel guilty buying a new one and selling this one to an unsuspecting soul. I wish we could organize to protect ourselves but the key is really not to buy on the recommendations of others who are profiting from the sales of these things. That is how I and many others got suckered into buying this thing so I blame myself. Also, I will stay away from DLP projectors from now on. Spinning color wheels are a component just waiting to fail. Never AGAIN OPTOMA! I have to believe that the bean counters at Optoma have seen the poor sales of all their units and that may be why we have not seen new models for over a year. I have bought other high priced AV components that had issues, not of course as bad as this. In every instance, the manufacturer sent a personal representative to investigate and resolve the issue in my home. Other than exchanging products for identical units, which in some cases were more defective than the unit sent in for repair, Optoma has done nothing to resolve the root problems of these projectors. The Blue Screen, the loud color wheel and the incompatibility with HDMI sources which makes the 24P capability useless. Jeff's identification that 48Hz will not engage when you use the lens kit should have been fixed. Then of course there is the heat issue which causes premature failure of components including the bulbs which in my case have failed at less than 1K hours and 500 hours even when I used he projector in low brightness mode.

How about it Optoma? Do you want to get your clientèle back? At 1 meter my projector measures 52 dB SPL. when the color wheel turns on. Before it spins and after I turn the bulb off but before the fan stops, it measures a respectable 22 dB. No more color wheels for me.

Hi Jeff,

Have you replaced your LV? Does anyone have a quiet one they might like to sell?

Hi Jeff,

Have you replaced your LV? Does anyone have a quiet one they might like to sell?

Art,

Why would you want to buy another one? Mine is quiet but that doesn't mean it won't start whining tomorrow.

Joe

Art,

I'm sorry to hear about your color wheel failure and subsequent loud replacement unit.

My LV has been performing beautifully since last August until last night. I bought a PS3 and everything was looking fantastic when two hours in I got
a blue screen. Since then, every time I've powered back up, I'm getting an
HDMI link error light. I checked the HDMI cable seating between scaler and
projector, changed HDMI cables, unplugged power to both units, nothing helps.

If there's one thing worse than having yet another HD8_ series issue, it's having it the night you try your PS3 for the first time!

I saw the new JVC RS-2 the other day and I have to say it looked a lot better
than the RS-1 I last saw. No convergence error, fantastic blacks, sharper,
but not quite as sharp as good DLP, and very quiet.

Here's hoping Optoma has a replacement LV for me that is as good as this one's been--it's a real crap shoot, as Art knows too well.

Jeff,

The noise that the replacement unit generates is outrageously loud. Warren gave me the option to accept a refurb. Because of the blue screen issues, I rejected his offer. I suspect that if you ask him for help, he will offer you a refurb also. Every time I turn this one on to watch anything, my brain boils as I am subjected to this loud color wheel whine. I will never consider another DLP. Optoma has produced the worst product I have ever owned in my 52 years of playing with this stuff. BTW, the Integra 9.8 is a winner. I kind of wish a lightning bolt would hit the projector so I would have a reason to replace it. Trying to justify my expense on this thing is a real problem.

Jeff,
Warren gave me the option to accept a refurb. I suspect that if you ask him for help, he will offer yo a refurb also.

Art,

The Optoma Express Warranty provides for a hot swap to a refurb. unit within
two days in year one, a loaner unit in years two and three. If you were given
a new unit, this was above and beyond the terms of the warranty. I'm just
hoping they have LV's to swap out.

I'd really like to get my own projector back if fixed properly. Losing it means
that I blew another several hundred dollars on an ISF calibration. Deja vu.
I may ask Optoma to set up the refurb. projector for me to approve when I
pick it up, at least I live close enough that I would certainly keep showing up
if I'm not happy with the refurb.

If I were to go to a new projector, it would still be DLP, probably the Planar 8150 or Samsung 800B, but both are pricey and Samsung's customer service and reliability do not impress--not sure about Planar. The JVC RS-2 has great
CR, but lower lumens and ANSI contrast, plus LCOS smears with motion. I
prefer the 3D and sharpness of DLP, although if money were no object, I would choose a 3 chip DLP, but that does bring possible convergence issues,
just like LCOS.

The problem with any other projector is that I need to buy an outboard scaler, the Samsung does not do vertical stretch for 2:35 setups,
although something like the Integra 9.8 could work for the Planar. I don't want to have to spend another $7-10K. As long as the LV is under warranty,
I will expect Optoma to adhere to their warranty terms and give me a refurb.
unit that is as good as my first LV. Of course, I could be deluding myself.

Optoma responded immediately this morning for a request to hot swap my LV which developed an HDMI Link Failure condition and had a refurb. LV ready for
pickup by 1pm.

My unit was serial #25 and the refurb. is #16. So far, after several hours of use, the projector is working flawlessly. It is brighter due to not being D65 calibrated and presumably having a new bulb. I'm very happy to have minimal
downtime and Optoma definitely made it happen quickly and painlessly.

Art, you might want to reconsider a refurb. unit, this one is no louder than my
1st LV, looks great, although it's not calibrated, but it looks pretty neutral in
Standard Mode, just a tad warm which I'll take over green or blue.

I'm hoping for another year or more of reliability with this projector.

I am happy for you Jeff. Frankly, my wife is so pissed at me at having to get this thing down off the mount, pack it up, and shipping it that I'm not sure which is worse at this point. I appreciate your info. and I am glad you were able to achieve satisfaction. Nevertheless, the cost of a setup is not trivial and you have had 3 I believe due to replacements. I've lost my patience with Optoma. In my opinion these things are lemons in the Ralph Nader sense.

Every time I turn this one on to watch anything, my brain boils as I am subjected to this loud color wheel whine. I will never consider another DLP.

Sorry to hear about your on going problems with your Optoma. I must say that I've never experienced a color wheel problem ( so far ) with any DLP projector I've owned. Maybe I've been lucky.

How is your hearing? I measure 44dB at 1 meter.

Sorry, that was not nice but one of the major design flaws of the 81 series is the outrageous amount of noise that emanates when the color wheel starts up. Folks in this thread and the 81 thread have built elaborate hush boxes to contain the whine.

Sorry, that was not nice but one of the major design flaws of the 81 series is the outrageous amount of noise that emanates when the color wheel starts up. Folks in this thread and the 81 thread have built elaborate hush boxes to contain the whine.

I'm just saying that not all DLP's have that problem.

My hearing is fine, and my projector is installed in a separate vented closet. because it has 2 250 watt bulbs and the fans to cool them. Now the BR player and scaler are the loudest things in the room. It's always something.........

These HD81x threads are just horrible. I was considering the HD81LV and after reading all the repeatable horror stories I just couldn't bring myself to buy one of these things. I know that the stories on these threads are only a handful of consumers, but when you hear about 2, 3 and 4 replacements for more than one of you on these threads, that says something. How can Optoma even sell these things?

Yes almost all people have commented that these projectors are on the noisy side and I agree that not all DLPs are that noisy because of the color wheel. I went with the Infocus IN83 and the only time I can hear the color wheel is at start up and after that all I hear is a little fan noise. I still want a hush box that is because I want to remove the heat and have no noise but I could live with the fan noise from the IN83.

I don't consider the LV to be too loud as long as it's not in Brite Mode or High
Altitude Mode. I am not hearing any whine from my color wheel, but the wheel
certainly adds to the noise of the fan.

I went through three HD-81's in 9 months, at least my first LV lasted almost a
year and over 700 hours before the HDMI Link Fail issue.

Other than suspect reliability, the only thing that bothers me about the LV is that I can't get 24P sources to work and even if I could, as soon as I go into
LBX mode, the Film Mode 48Hz isn't useable. I also don't like the slow source
switching and light leak outside of the projected image area.

I saw a low end Optoma at a B&M store and was really unimpressed with it, the LV is on a whole different level in many ways--as its price would suggest.

Jeff,

My problem with the color wheel whine noise is that Warren verified with the technicians that this level of noise, 44dB at 1 meter (C weighted), is "normal". That tells me that QC is non existent at Optoma. I've been through 5 of these now and several bulbs. When I think back to the year and a half I have spent chasing Blue Screen issues, burned out bulbs and several broken and noisy color wheels, there is no way I can praise Optoma. The fact that you can not use the projector at 24fps unless you buy a PS3 is ridiculous. I went through an XA2, a BD300, an A35 and a BD30 without getting into 24 fps. Too much money and grief for such poor performance and reliability.

Well after reading the reviews you guys are giving the Optoma HD81-LV, I guess I won't be pursuing getting one.

I was pretty much convinced after reading the review in Projectorreviews.com that this was the best front projector for me.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a similar projector with the same brightness levels? Has anyone seen/heard about the new Planar PD8150?

I'm glad I read this thread before getting onboard with Optoma.

Has anyone seen/heard about the new Planar PD8150?

Do a search for the Planar thread - sounds like a good machine.

My HD81-LV froze today with a picture of the Nanny on the screen. I was watching a recorded the SD program off the Comcast HD DVR at 720P in low brightness mode. Tried changing inputs and eventually unplugging and replugging both parts of the LV. Nanny's picture persisted no matter what I did. There is also some garbage (2 horizontal lines of garbage) running through the frozen picture. I wonder where it would store the picture specially after I unplugged and replugged both LV pieces and I switched sources.

Anyone else have this happen to them? After 5 units, this is a new failure mode for me. Sentt an email to Warren.

Good God man - that's horrible! At least it could have froze on a picture Uma Thurman or Marisa Tomei !!

My HD81-LV froze today with a picture of the Nanny on the screen. I was watching a recorded the SD program off the Comcast HD DVR at 720P in low brightness mode. Tried changing inputs and eventually unplugging and replugging both parts of the LV. Nanny's picture persisted no matte what I did. There is also some garbage (2 horizontal lines of garbage) running through the frozen picture. I wonder where it would store the picture specially after I unplugged and replugged both LV pieces and I switched sources.

Anyone else have this happen to them? After 5 units, this is a new failure mode for me. Sentt an email to Warren.

Can you get into a service menu for a full factory reset?

This morning I woke up and it is working perfectly. Beats me....

Thanks Tom for your recommendation. Is there a factory reset in our normal menu? I do not know how to do a factory reset other than the resets in level 1 & 2 of the menu. I would appreciate any factory reset recommendations. BTW, I could move about in the menus perfectly. I just could not get it to change the incoming video.

Maybe I can find out the code.

Has anyone had any experience using the composite video inputs with the projector. It seems that anything I hookup with composite video will only display for a few seconds then the projector will loose the signal. What it actually does display is generally poor quality, horizontal lines, flickering, etc.

Yesterday was quite awful as I told that the projector must be setup to display cable television, which it was never intended to be used for. Anyway I piped the cable tv through a vcr, as that was the only device I had lying around with a coax input, and ran composite video output from the vcr into the composite video input on the receiver. The only way I was able to get the image to display for longer than 30 seconds was to set the projector to display in "native" mode. That did not go over well as everyone complained about the image being so small.

I realize that the input source was not the greatest, but shouldn't the projector be able to handle displaying/upscaling the image. Granted the audience would have then complained about it being stretched.

We watch cable TV all of the time. In fact, we really don't use any of the other TVs in our house at all even though they are all 1080p.

I used to use composite with no issues but that didn't last long. We wanted higher quality image.

I would suggest using some other type of box to convert the coax to a higher quality signal. I sued to use the boxes from Comcast. Now I use the Tivo HD boxes. They ahve been working great for over a year without a single issue.

I would guess the issue is more with the tuner in your old VCR rather than the projector.

Joe

Has anyone had any experience using the composite video inputs with the projector. It seems that anything I hookup with composite video will only display for a few seconds then the projector will loose the signal. What it actually does display is generally poor quality, horizontal lines, flickering, etc.

Yesterday was quite awful as I told that the projector must be setup to display cable television, which it was never intended to be used for. Anyway I piped the cable tv through a vcr, as that was the only device I had lying around with a coax input, and ran composite video output from the vcr into the composite video input on the receiver. The only way I was able to get the image to display for longer than 30 seconds was to set the projector to display in "native" mode. That did not go over well as everyone complained about the image being so small.

I realize that the input source was not the greatest, but shouldn't the projector be able to handle displaying/upscaling the image. Granted the audience would have then complained about it being stretched.

What's the latest verdict on this projector? When it first came out, it got rave reviews from reviewers, then online here at AVS users/buyers didn't like this projector at all and there seemed to be all sorts of problems with it. What's the verdict now?

On paper and from the first reviews, this was the ultimate front projector for me, but after reading owner comments, it wasn't very good at all. Have the issues with this projector been solved or ?

What's the latest verdict on this projector?

My question as well. I'm a first time projector buyer. I have a fairly bright living room I want to install a projector in, so I am sure I need a very bright projector and probably a very good/bright screen.

I am currently leaning towards this projector. I am not sure if people are happy with their projector after reading this thread however. Also, when do the new models typically come out? If there is a new one coming out in a couple of months, I might just wait.

My primary question is this: Would you buy this projector again, knowing what you know now?

If not, are there any other projectors out there as bright? Thanks in advance!

I seriously wanted this projector after reading the rave reviews on it, especially the fact that it had such a high light output which would be awesome to have watching TV during the day like a football game or the US Open or something, but also being able to harness all that light and use it when watching movies at night. To me, having more light to spare was great for daytime use, but also night time use. Much better than a projector that looks good at night, but is totally washed out when watching it during the day. I've already been there/done that and I'm majorly disappointed that owners' opinions are so radically different from the reviews I read on this projector. It seemed perfect for me.

I am also quite curious as to this issue. I apologize in advance for this post and next. I want to post a url.

I am also quite curious as to this issue. I apologize in advance for this post and next. I want to post a url.

Sorry again.. following is my original post.

I seriously wanted this projector after reading the rave reviews on it, especially the fact that it had such a high light output which would be awesome to have watching TV during the day like a football game or the US Open or something, but also being able to harness all that light and use it when watching movies at night. To me, having more light to spare was great for daytime use, but also night time use. Much better than a projector that looks good at night, but is totally washed out when watching it during the day. I've already been there/done that and I'm majorly disappointed that owners' opinions are so radically different from the reviews I read on this projector. It seemed perfect for me.

I am right there with you. I can't understand why the radically different reviews. CNet says use it on 92" screen or less or don't buy it (majorly paraphrasing - http://reviews.cnet.com/home-theater-projectors/optoma-hd81-lv/4505-7858_7-32469806.html). Another reviewer chose it as the runner-up projector and the brightest and only one he could use in his setup with the window blinds and door open (http://www.projectorreviews.com/Best1080pProjectors032008/projectorawardwinners.php).

Other reviews of other projectors (having read dozens as I am trying to find the projector I want to buy) seem fairly consistent. This one is all over. It is the brightest, but don't use it on large screens? Read one review saying it was the first that could fully resolve the 1080p test image. I've never been more confused researching a product.

Can someone that owns one chime in here with their thoughts?

jfergie:

My research has yielded the same findings as yours. I've never been more confused about buying an item. I read the same reviews that come out with totally different conclusions and even on this thread, you have some posts that say how bad this projector is and others that will say that it's good.

I can't imagine a projector that is twice as bright as it's nearest competitor but then you have a reviewer who says not to use it on a really big screen. What's the point? This is the most totally confusing reviewed item.

The HD81-LV IS a bright projector. I don't know what was going on with the
C-Net review unit. The LV is bright, has better conrast range than the HD-81,
shares the same excellent processor/scaler, the lens has very little CA, and resolves every pixel. Overall, the LV throws a gorgeous image.

Unfortunately, the LV is an Optoma product, which means uneven quality control and unreliability. I'm on my second LV, the first lasted almost a year,
which was about eight months longer and a few hundred hours more than any
of the four HD-81's I went through in rapid succession.

Optoma service has treated me very well and I'm very happy there is a three year warranty and hot swap on the LV as well as a one year bulb warranty.

However, I would prefer a reliable product over a long warranty.

Hi guys,

I use mine quite often with daylight flooding the room. This projector provides a gorgeous picture. No one can deny that. It is certainly as good a picture as units costing a lot more.

On the negative side is its lack of HDCP compatibility with just about anything you connect to it. Forget about 24 fps unless you own a PS3. The BD30 and A35 will not talk to the VXD in a way it can reply to. No 24p is the rule. PS3 is the exception. The noise out of my repaired LV is deafening. I play my movies at high volume levels now but you can still hear the damn thing. I hate this. Like Jeff, I went through many 81's and 2 LV's and a repair to the second one. These things are hard on bulbs too. I've been through 3 bulbs with none lasting more than 400 hours. Bright sharp pictures are very nice but ike everything, you have to eventually pay for it. Bulb life is not one of its high points.

Jeff:

I really love the pictures of your home theater setup. That's exactly the type of 2:35 screen and picture I'd love to have. There's just something so incredible looking when you see a 2:35 picture with no black bars and the picture filling up the screen so nicely. Can you PM me your setup/components/screen etc. when you have a free minute? thanks!

With your post and Art's post, it is really disappointing to find out that this projector has major quality issues. As soon as I read the first review on this projector, I was definitely going to buy one, but as owners of this product started commenting on this unit, it really was a surprise at first, but apparently, the issues are widespread and not just isolated incidents. It's sad even if you don't use all the light output that this projector is capable of, at least you know it's there and you have more room for adjusting the light output when you need it.

Should I just give up on this projector or maybe wait and see if Optoma makes some corrections/adjustments to whatever all the issues are that is making this a nightmare to own or maybe go with another projector? I've read alot of good press on the Planar 8150 but it's expensive, and possibly the Epson Powerlight 1080 UB which has a great price and great picture and then Panasonic is just about to release it new projector, the 3000, but that's all I know about that one.

Thanks!

Jimmy,

Thanks--the pictures are circa 2006, the LV looks much better than the HD81
because it's black, everything in the rack is black. The best decision I made
was going to 2:35:1 screen and anamorphic lens. The HD-81 and LV work great with anamorphic setups because of the automatic vertical scaling and triggering of the lens to slide in when 2:35:1 aspect ratio material is sensed.

The two-piece configuration also appealed to me with the HD-81 and LV, great connectivity. The HD-81 seemed to be everything I was looking for except for the terrible reliability. The LV offers lots of improvements, but the reliability is still suspect.

As Art mentioned, HDMI compatibility is problematic, my second LV is even more picky about HDMI handshakes.

So, no, I can't recommend an Optoma product and don't expect any updates
for the LV--the long promised HD-81 web download firmware updates never
happened for it or the LV. I'm not sure Optoma is going to continue in the
higher end projector space. The installation inflexibility is problematic for
many, the fan and color wheel noise is objectionable in brite mode or high altitude.

There are many great new projector models from many manufacturers, I'm sure you've been reading up on CEDIA news.
Best of luck and 2:35 rocks!

Jeff:

Thanks for your detailed response. Where does someone find out all that's needed to set up a total 2:35 screen and projector. I'm sure there's much more to it than I'm aware of. I have had front projectors before, but always 16:9 screens with the black bars on most of the movies.

I've been keeping track of all of Cedia's take on new front projectors and there's some really promising ones coming down the pike. New models from Panasonic and Planar as well as others are incorporating the 2:35 screen trend.

I have to admit it's just awesome to look at a 2:35 screen setup like what you have. It's just awesome to have that type of setup on your living room and to watch all those widescreen movies without the black bars and being able to use all of the resolution available at the same time.

Where's does someone learn what they need to get a setup similar to what you have? Thanks!

Jimmy,

The CIH Anamorphic forum here is a good resource. Jason and Allen at AVS are
very helpful. It's really not that much more complicated than a normal 16:9
setup. The extra tweaking is well worth it, assuming the lens dollars are not an
issue. Just make sure whatever projector has vertical expansion.

My second HD81-LV is having intermittent long blue screen issues, sometimes leading to shut down. I swapped it at Optoma yesterday, the refurb. unit I was given was serial number 9, each refurb. has been an earlier serial number than my original projector.

This latest refurb. unit has a horrendous drone/humming sound. It leads me to believe that this was Art's(Mr. HiFi's) previous unit that he noted an audible issue with. This unit should not have passed QC. I just wish I hadn't fully installed it before doing a power up check, because the sound was instantly objectionable.

Now I'm being told to wait for my second LV to be repaired. I'm told it would only be 3-5 days, but that's if parts are available and intermittent issues are the hardest to find. I only got less than three months service from this 2nd LV, much like the first three HD-81's I had. I just don't see how Optoma can have such dismal reliability in such an ultra-competitive environment.

Update: Optoma just called, they will try to find another unit to swap today or Monday.

Jeff my friend, I feel your pain. The current unit I have I sent back because the color wheel noise was awful. I asked them to repair it and not send a refurb because it at least did not have blue screen issues. When it came back, the grinding sound was gone but a terrible whine replaced it. I normally run it on high blower to mask the noise of the whine. My children refuse to watch TV at our house because of the noise. I have 800 hours on the bulb and I have a spare. When they die, I will run over this projector with my car. I hate it, I hate Optoma and I resent the fools who got us involved with Optoma by publishing happy words about Optoma.

Having said all that, I must admit that I have the sharpest picture on the block. The picture the LV provides is second to none.

It may be that all projectors that include a color wheel (DLP) have a whine. This whine is so objectionable in the 81's that regardless of the PQ, use is not recommended.

I use Optoma HD81-LV less a year. One day the whole right side of the projected image becomes full of white vertical lines. I requested Optoma service about repair or replacement but they said that only repair is possible and it takes about 2 month. It's terrible....
Now I looking for replacement....

I assume you're not in the US. The US warranty provides for a hot swap for three years. A new unit for the first year, a loaner for the following two years. In reality, I was given a refurb. unit the first year, but never have much down time--I'm on my 4th LV.

No matter where you are in the world, there is no excuse for a two month repair duration, especially for a company's flagship projector. I would go above service and send an email or letter to management at the Optoma region you are in.

Optoma USA has a service manager who tries very hard to provide good customer service. A couple of weeks ago I exchanged my 2nd LV and got a refurb. that had a loud droning sound. First I was told that they would repair my previous LV in 3-5 days, but I was concerned about parts availablilty, so they found me a new LV that is working perfectly so far.

It's one thing to have poor product reliability, but to punish a customer for buying the flagship product by quoting a two month repair turnaround--well that's a company who must not want future customers, but I would blame the Optoma regional service center.

I had to send my 3rd LV in last week for the white lines on the right side.

Good news is that they fixed and shipped the unit back in 48 hours. Same serial numbers, so I know they did not swap with another unit.

I use Optoma HD81-LV less a year. One day the whole right side of the projected image becomes full of white vertical lines. I requested Optoma service about repair or replacement but they said that only repair is possible and it takes about 2 month. It's terrible....
Now I looking for replacement....

The Whine from my color wheel is so loud that I can hear it 75 ft away through 3 walls. At 1 meter the whine produces an SPL of 62 dB. Optoma should offer a repair/replacement to all owners. Every return creates more problems. At least I have no blue screen issues. I do run on high intensity all the time because on my 96" wide 1.3 gain screen, the brighter image provides a better looking and much more pleasing result. Also, the higher blower speed masks the color wheel whine a bit.

New email advise from Optima...
Problem as sumbitted:
Purchased Date:8/2007
Problem:Today our projector displays solid Vertical White lines that are equally spaced from the left side to the middle. This appears to be the same white line problem that is found in many forums on the HD81.

Message back from Optima, just this AM:
The problem that you are seeing sounds like a grounding issue.We have found that getting a 2 prong adapter to connect onto the 3 prong
power cord will resolve your issue.If you need additional info please feel free to email
me back.

I'll try this solution in a few hours and attempt to post the results.
-K


I use Optoma HD81-LV less a year. One day the whole right side of the projected image becomes full of white vertical lines. I requested Optoma service about repair or replacement but they said that only repair is possible and it takes about 2 month. It's terrible....

I hope that works out for you. I use a cheater plug with my HD-81 due to ground issues and it has worked fine for over a year. I didn't see the same issue with white lines though just speaker hum.

Short verdict: simply no luck.
The HD81 continues to display white vertical lines after Optima's suggestion of installing a 2 prong adapter on the cord of the projector.
Optima is now suggesting it is a circuit board... and we're discussing return/repair options.

so sad...

-MB

Just to keep the record up to date, my LV has been shutting down randomly. It shuts off with fan running and all the lights blinking. After it cools down, projector unplug replug allows a restart. I am running low bulb and high altitude. House is at 70. Bearings in the color wheel are awful. I will never own another DLP, never.

After nearly a week of unexplained random shut downs which I believed were caused by heat, today, the projector has been running flawlessly for 6 hours without a glitch. The bulb is on bright and everything is looking perfect. Cannot understand this. I have experienced no blue screens with this unit ever. It just stops with 2 red lights blinking.

Here are the details from our HD81 repair RMA to Optima:

Overall my experience with Optima's support dept and RMA have been positive. :-) Decent repair time, quick email responses, and they covered the board under warranty.
Unit was bought in May 2007. HD81 exhibited problem Dec 24th 2008.
Pretty good for warranty coverage given that > 12 mo. had passed.

Shipped out on Jan 23rd. Received Jan 26th.
Repair performed...
HD81 received Feb 3rd.
Here are the details: (quoting from their repair record)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Valued TSC Customer,

Your Complaint: vertical lines from middle to left of screen

Repair Info: Your projector has been repaired to factory specifications. All of the followparts (sic) have been replaced.

Technicians Analysis:
Defective Symptom: Part Number : Part Description
1. Function OK but need to implem 51.85H32G001
2. Vert. Line(s) or Hort. Line(s) 80.85H01G001 MAIN BOARD

Repair Process:

Step1: After Repair, the unit is tested with all types of signals. If passed proceed to step 2.
Step2: Unit is burned in for 4 hrs or more as required. If passed, proceed to step 3.
Step3: After 24hrs of cool down period, unit is tested again by the QA manager. The unit will ship only if the unit passes QA.

Warranty: Limited Ninety(90) days of warranty on all repaired/replaced parts.

~~~~~~~~~~
So there you have it.
I burned in the projector upon receipt for 1 hour. Projector looks good.
Symptom appears to be resolved.
Reinstalled the HD81 for use tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

-K

I have around 1100 hours on my LV. It had been shutting down repeatedly. Warren suggested changing the bulb. He said this happens often. Instead, I began using lower power (brightness) and it seems to stay on. On bright, it shuts off immediately. Of greater concern is a shift towards green in the higher IRE levels. It requires tweaking almost every time I watch it. This shift towards green has been going on for months. Has anyone else observed this?

BTW, the whine from the color wheel is still present.

A quick repair update.

The repaired HD81 from my previous posts is working well.
Three weeks later, all is good.

Overall the service was good. Decent turn around, and a fixed projector.
Out of pocket only the outbound shipping.

Kudos to Optima for a doing the right thing.
-K

Congatulations MagicBox on a successful repair.

Just put in a new bulb because of repeated shut down issues. The bulb had 1680 hours on it. Shutdown issue resolved.

Question Re. 24p. Most of us (anyone who does not use a PS3) cannot use the 48Hz feature because our 81's will not send back the correct EDID data to the source device. I would appreciate your looking at

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011003&p_id=3048&seq=1&format=2

Will this resolve our problem?

Hello Art,

Long time no hear!!

I need a favor if you don't mind. I have lost Warren's email and contact info. My LV just started getting the HDMI communication error indicators. I have tried a different cable to no avail.

Time to get it fixed I guess.

Thanks

Joe

Hey guy,

Warren's email was <warrenp@optoma.com>. Did you check out the URL I posted?

Hey guy,

Warren's email was <warrenp@optoma.com>. Did you check out the URL I posted?

Thanks.

I am not sure how the box would solve your problem. It looks like it just memorizes the EDID from the projector and keeps everything stable so the resolutions don't change. But to be honest, I don't know anything about this stuff so I should not even be commenting.

Joe

Art,

Glad the new bulb has solved the shutdown issues. I recently bought an Onkyo 886 processor and am happy that "through" mode works with the HD81-LV. I don't loop through the Optoma VSP first. You have an Integra 9.9 don't you?
Happy to have HDMI Bit Stream audio finally, and more HDMI and video inputs.

Jim,

Yes, I've had that HDMI issue and it requires a service swap. My LV #2 is working well, almost a year on it, #1 lasted almost a year.

Hi Jeff,

I was hoping old friends might say hello if I mentioned 24p. I love my 9.9 which is identical to your 886. I too use "through" mode for the 4 HDMI sources feeding the 9.9, a BD30, an A-35 HD DVD and, 2 Motorola HD DVR's. I run the 9,9's output to 0ne of the 3 HDMI inputs of the LV. I run my 2 LG LST3410 HD DVR's to the other 2 HDMI inputs of the LV. The audio from both goes to the 9.9. This gives me 6 switchable HDMI sources. I love Audyssey. BTW, my LV is still so loud that no one will watch TV with me. When this bulb goes, I will try to update.

So my video processor died - it started off slowly, syncing to 1080p sources was intermittent, the more complex the image the more likely the projector would lose sync. Eventually 1080p stopped working all together and finally nothing worked. So I just plugged the projector into the pass-thru loop and used it that way - no OSD but all my settings were constant anyway so no need for anything on screen.

But, seeing as how it was broken and it did have a 3 year warranty, I figured I should get it fixed under warranty. Turns out that the express warranty where they ship you a loaner/replacement and you ship your unit back, thus guaranteeing no downtime does not apply to the video processor. That is really effing stupid, but that's what it says on the product literature.

So I decided to figure out how to run my HD81-lv without the video processor so I would not have any downtime while the processor was out for repair. The ultimate result of that is I now I have a crude little linux program that can take the place of the video processor - it sends commands and "keep-alives" to the projector itself. Its good enough to turn it on and off, as well as load color profiles (if you know what the profile values are). It can also invert the image for ceiling mounts. Obviously it doesn't do any image scaling, it just talks to the projector via the rs-232 port the same way that the video processor does.

If anyone would like a copy, post here and I'll come back in a week or two and attach the source code to this thread.

Jerry,

The day any part of mine dies, I will rejoice. For 3 years I have listened to the color wheel whining. It is hard justifying throwing away something that cost $7,000.00, specially a projector whose picture is outstanding. If it would fail completely, like it did for the first 2 years, I could maybe justify replacement and credit my loss up to stupidity. Glad you do not have a noise issue. I will never buy another DLP.

How does the Optoma TX1080 Projector compare to the HD81-LV? Does it have a similar shut-down problem? Why is it so much cheaper?

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Optoma-TX1080.htm

Street Price (USD) : $2,499
MSRP (USD) : **
Brightness (Lumens) : 3600 ANSI
Contrast (Full On/Off) : 2200:1
Variable Iris: No
Audible Noise: 30.0 dB
Eco-Mode: 28.0 dB
Weight: 10.4 lbs
Size (inches) (HxWxD) : 4.6 x 16.2 x 12.2
Std. Lens: Focus:
Manual
Zoom: Manual, 1.20:1
Throw Dist (feet) : 4.0 - 39.0
Image Size (inches) : 24.8 - 290.0
Optional Lenses: No
Digital Zoom: **
Digital Keystone: Vertical
Lens Shift: No
Warranty: 3 Years
Performance:
H-Sync Range: 15.0 - 100.0kHz
V-Sync Range: 24 - 100Hz
Compatibility:
HDTV: 720p, 1080i, 1080p/60
EDTV/480p: Yes
SDTV/480i: Yes
Component Video: Yes
Video: Yes
Digital Input: HDMI (HDCP)
Computers: Yes
Display: Type:
1.0" DLP (1)
Color Wheel Segs: **
Color Wheel Speed: **
Native: 1920x1080 Pixels
Maximum: 1920x1080 Pixels
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (HD)
Lamp: Type:
**
Life: 2000 hours
Eco-Mode Life: 3000 hours
Quantity: 1
Speakers: 2.0W+ 2.0W
Max Power: 400W
Voltage: 100V - 240V
FCC Class: **
Special: RS232 Port
USB Port
Laser Pointer
Wired Networking

Status: Shipping
First Ship: Nov 2008

Let me be succinct. Anything from Optoma is suspect. This projector is not a "home theater" projector. It appears to be a presentation unit for board rooms. It probably has fewer segments on the color wheel. It does not have the separate scaler/switcher, the VXP, that comes with the 81. It has the same short bulb life. Comparing these to is like comparing apples and oranges. AFAIC, fruit from Optoma will always be suspect.

Let me be succinct. Anything from Optoma is suspect. This projector is not a "home theater" projector. It appears to be a presentation unit for board rooms. It probably has fewer segments on the color wheel. It does not have the separate scaler/switcher, the VXP, that comes with the 81. It has the same short bulb life. Comparing these to is like comparing apples and oranges. AFAIC, fruit from Optoma will always be suspect.

Too bad Optoma's reputation is tarnished.

I could not find the color wheel speed or the number of segments in the wheel. Digital Projection and Runco have similar sized DLP units putting out 3,500 lumens, and I suspect the RUNCO is a re-badged Digital Projection. They do not list the price, but I would guess they are both very expensive. Does Digital Projection have a good reputation? The Optoma is so cheap you could buy two and use one as a back-up. I have seen no reviews of the Optoma TX1080, which is strange.

See the Digital Projection version of the same concept.

M-Vision 1080p-260 w/ 1.56 - 1.86:1 lens

http://www.digitalprojection.com/BrowseProjectors/SeriesList/ProjectorList/ProjectorDetail/tabid/87/ProjectorId/122/MarketTypeId/11/Default.aspx

IB

Jerry,

The day any part of mine dies, I will rejoice. For 3 years I have listened to the color wheel whining. It is hard justifying throwing away something that cost $7,000.00, specially a projector whose picture is outstanding. If it would fail completely, like it did for the first 2 years, I could maybe justify replacement and credit my loss up to stupidity. Glad you do not have a noise issue. I will never buy another DLP.

The color wheel noise problem you've got is absolutely ridiculous. That Optoma would claim that it is in spec at that volume is totally unacceptable. This is my third DLP and none of them have ever come close to that kind of sound.

You've got nothing to lose by making a stink about it, like writing to the CEO.

Another HD81-LV bites the dust. This one lasted almost a year, 577 hours, but has the dreaded HDMI link issue, I've had this problem before. Optoma service has been great as usual. Will pick up LV #4 tomorrow. Added to three HD-81's, that would be #7 since November 2006. One year left on warranty.

The color wheel noise problem you've got is absolutely ridiculous. That Optoma would claim that it is in spec at that volume is totally unacceptable. This is my third DLP and none of them have ever come close to that kind of sound.

You've got nothing to lose by making a stink about it, like writing to the CEO.

Jerry,

While I appreciate your sympathy, please believe me that after 5 81's and LV's and more shipments back and forth to California than I care to remember, Optoma basically told me to go pound sand. I just hope it dies so I can justify the purchase of another brand. When I sent mine in the last time for a grinding color wheel, what I got returned was a whining color wheel. They refused to do anything more saying that it is normal.

Another HD81-LV bites the dust. This one lasted almost a year, 577 hours, but has the dreaded HDMI link issue, I've had this problem before. Optoma service has been great as usual. Will pick up LV #4 tomorrow. Added to three HD-81's, that would be #7 since November 2006. One year left on warranty.

Hi Jeff,

You and I must hold the record for patience. I am sorry to hear you are having the blue screen issue. Thought that had been resolved. Mine is very sensitive to temperature and goes through periods at certain times of the year when it wwill not stay on unless I have a fan blowing full speed at the projector. After 50+ years of buying electronics, this has to be the worse experience of my life. My only satisfaction comes from knowing how many people I have convinced to stay away from Optoma projectors. Many people come to see and hear my system in Maryland. No one has purchased an Optoma DLP after hearing this one.

Jeff:

With all of the problems that you've had, why don't you tell Optoma that you want credit towards an HD8600, instead of another LV/81 ???

Surely, the HD8600 wouldn't as unreliable as the LVs and the 81s have been for you.

Jeff:

With all of the problems that you've had, why don't you tell Optoma that you want credit towards an HD8600, instead of another LV/81 ???

Surely, the HD8600 wouldn't as unreliable as the LVs and the 81s have been for you.

I migrated from the HD-81 to the LV, plus some cash, due to the issues I had with the former. I don't know if Optoma would let me do it again and I'm not convinced as to any Optoma product's reliability.

The refurb LV I just picked up looks good. I keep seeing the serial numbers go lower and lower on these refurbs, this one is #9.

Another HD81-LV bites the dust. This one lasted almost a year, 577 hours, but has the dreaded HDMI link issue, I've had this problem before.

That sounds like it may be the same problem that prompted me to write my little video-processor replacement program. In my case, the projector's LEDs would indicate an HDMI link problem when the video processor flaked out and the screen would go blue (sometimes accompanied by a high-speed whine, like the color-wheel was spinning very fast), but by taking the video processor out of the loop (plug the projector into the loopback port intended to run to an audio receiver) it would still work fine. Did you ever try that?

FWIW, I've got over 6000 hours on my hd81-lv. The probem started around 4000 hours. I still haven't got my s together to send the video processor back in, their process is such a PITA that I keep putting it off.

Jerry,

Jeff and I have been to hell and back with these units so if there is anything you can suggest that will make life easier, I can assure you that we/I am open to work-arounds. Iff you use the output that goes to the receiver, I assume you loose the control capabilities of the VXP. I tried looping my HD DVR's through my Integra 9.9 unsuccessfully so I never used that output again. When the LV fails again, I will try your suggestion.