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OPTOMA ML500 LED 1280x800

post #1 of 672
6/13/11 at 4:46pm
Thread Starter 
Incredible Power and Efficiency in a Compact Package
Mobile professionals and on-the-go presenters alike will appreciate the compact
design and vivid LED performance of the Optoma ML500. Delivering 500 lumens
of brightness and WXGA resolution, this projector creates crisp, clear
widescreen images of up to 120 inches on most surfaces. Built-in media and
Microsoft Office document viewer allows for playback of videos, presentations,
documents and images directly from the projector’s memory, while HDMI
provides quick connection to the broadest possible range of devices.

Features

 Truly portable at under 3 pounds
 Project large widescreen images of up to 120” diagonal
 2000:1 contrast ratio for detailed images
 LED light source lasts over 20,000 hours while producing excellent color
 DLP Pico imaging technology
 Direct playback of movies, photos and Office files
 Directly display through USB
 2GB on-board memory; SD card slot allows for memory expansion up to 32GB
 VGA and HDMI inputs – Connect to laptops, Blu-Ray players, and game systems to display content

Specification

Projection Type: DLP
Resolution Native : WXGA (1280 x 800)
Maximum Resolution : WXGA (1280 x 800) through VGA, 1080i through HDMI
Brightness : 500 ANSI Lumens
Contrast Ratio : 2000:1 (Full On/Full Off)
Light Source : LED (RGB)
Estimated life of over 20,000 hours
Throw Ratio 1.4:1 (Distance/Width)
Image Size (Diagonal) 17” to 120” (16:9 native)
Projection Distance 21.7” to 127.2”
Aspect Ratio 16:10 Native; 16:9 and 4:3 compatible
Offset 105%
Memory 2GB On-board memory; SD slot supports up to 32GB SDHC
Displayable Colors 100% NTSC Color Gamut
Pre-Launch Datasheet – ML500
Audio One 2-watt speaker
Computer Compatibility WXGA, XGA, SVGA, VGA, VESA,
PC and Macintosh Compatible Video Input Compatibility
NTSC, PAL, SDTV (480i), EDTV (480p)
Video File Compatibility H.264 (AVI, MOV, MP4, 3GP), MPEG4 (AVI), Xvid (AVI), MJPEG (AVI)
Image File Compatibility JPEG, BMP
Office Viewer Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, Excel, .txt, Adobe pdf
Audio File Compatibility AAC, MP3, PCM, ADPCM, WMA
User Controls
Complete On-Screen Menu
Adjustments in 10 Languages
I/O Connectors HDMI, VGA-in, Composite Video, miniUSB, USB, SD slot
Projection Option Front, Rear, Upright, Inverted
Weight < 2.5 lbs.
Dimensions (W x H x D) 8.7’’ x 1.7’’ x 6.7’’ (220mm x 42.5mm x 170mm)
Operating Temperature 41° to 95°F (5° to 35°C)
Noise Level : 38 dB
Power Consumption 120 Watts max (Bright mode with multimedia function)
Warranty 1-Year Limited Parts and Labor
Standard Accessories AC Power Adapter Cord, USB Cable (Type A to Mini
USB), Bag
Optional Accessories : TBD
UPC : 796435 41 721 5

Price and Availability : The Optoma ML500 will be available in September at a price of $699.

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post #2 of 672
6/13/11 at 4:50pm
Thread Starter 
Nice to see Optoma moving towards higher lumens and 720p. My only concern again is for the 38db noise level

Here is a promo video on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkyLGw05RT0
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post #3 of 672
6/13/11 at 5:38pm
nice catch, tis the holy grail at 500 lumen for pure led.
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post #4 of 672
6/14/11 at 12:10pm
Tiny image size and still barely visible sure that's a proper 500 ANSI Lumens...
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post #5 of 672
6/14/11 at 1:48pm
I would like to see this in action before judging any further. However, from our past experiences, I'm not keeping my hopes high hahah
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post #6 of 672
6/14/11 at 3:07pm
Thanks for this very timely "catch" as i was about to click at Amazon.com and place my preorder for the Vivitek Qumi; Now that clicking sound is on hold until further investigation.
I checked that horrible Youtube video from Optoma in which the company apparently try its best to show the pj in its worst environment, but at least we got to see several shots of the rear of the unit and, surprise, surprise, instead of a DC Pin to connect to an external power supply like every other pico/mini pj i've seen, the Optoma ML500 has a detachable AC power cord input with the power transformer placed inside the unit !
Considering that the ML500 is rated at 500 lumens and yet uses the same "HD Pico" DMD chip from Texas Instruments in conjunction with a LED chipset from Luminus Devices, how is it capable of having twice the brightness of the LG HW300T and the Vivitek Qumi, both of which use the same "combo" ?
Apparently, Luminus Devices introduced a new LED chipset model last year, SBT-16, which was designed specifically to be used with pico/mini/micro projectors; It is optimized for micro displays ranging from 0.2 to 0.4 inches diagonal and yet, as far as i could find out, the new "HD Pico" DMD micro display chip from TI measures 0.55 diagonal...
Luminus Devices also has more powerful LED chipsets like the model PT-120 which have been used in the xxx-expensive LED pjs selling for over $10.000, and yet the company sells them to anyone for only $210 (the complete R/G/B LEDs set !?), so i wonder if Optoma is using the PT-120 chipset in the ML500 instead of the lower-spec'd SBT-16 to achieve such high brightness level of 500 lumens, considering the larger size of its case, the use of a detachable AC power cord and rated power consumption of 120 watts max.
To my inquisitive eyes, it's either that or the Optoma ML500 uses the same "combo" as the LG and Vivitek units, in which case the company is being widely optimistic in its assumption of 500 lumens of onscreen brightness or the other two companies are being too conservative in their own estimates, which i doubt very much; And keep in mind that Optoma has also announced the ML300 LED pj, which is rated at 300 lumens and appears to have the usual DC IN pin for an external power supply, not an AC power cord.
I was also surprised and amused by the number and types of I/O : HDMI, USB, mini USB, VGA, SD card slot, composite AND S-Video (!?)...
Hmm, things are getting "curiouser and curiouser"....
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post #7 of 672
6/14/11 at 3:54pm
well they have the 300lumen version also ml300
Im lost-if they are usin the pt 120 the could be being real conservitave-or have it dialed already
http://www.projectorcentral.com/Optoma-ML300.htm
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post #8 of 672
6/14/11 at 5:03pm
Based on the video it looks like about 100 lumens.
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post #9 of 672
6/14/11 at 5:20pm
Anyone know for sure what LED light sources are being used in any of these WXGA DLP projectors? Are they from Luminus devices, or is there another manufacturer making LEDs suitable for this use?
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post #10 of 672
6/14/11 at 5:36pm
You mean something like this?

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Casio-XJ-A130.htm
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post #11 of 672
6/14/11 at 6:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by chumpchange21 View Post

You mean something like this?

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Casio-XJ-A130.htm

No, I mean LEDs, not lasers. I'm just wondering if all these new LED projectors are using Luminus devices LEDs, excluding the Casio's of course.
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post #12 of 672
6/15/11 at 12:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MCaugusto View Post

To my inquisitive eyes, it's either that or the Optoma ML500 uses the same "combo" as the LG and Vivitek units, in which case the company is being widely optimistic in its assumption of 500 lumens of onscreen brightness or the other two companies are being too conservative in their own estimates, which i doubt very much; And keep in mind that Optoma has also announced the ML300 LED pj, which is rated at 300 lumens and appears to have the usual DC IN pin for an external power supply, not an AC power cord.

The Optoma ML500 also has a (better) throw ratio of 1.4:1 vs Qumi's 1.55:1. They have been listening to customers. The contrast ratio is a bit surprising though. The ML500 has a modest 2000:1 ratio while the Qumi is specced 2500:1.
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post #13 of 672
6/15/11 at 7:12pm
It appears that the Optoma ML500 LED projector will be using the most powerful LED chipset from Luminus Devices, the model PT-120 LED chipset.
I just read the link for InfoCom posted in the LG HW300T thread in which it is mentioned several times the fact that this upcoming 1280x800 LED pj will be using the PT-54 LED chipset, which is the same one used in my current 1024x768 LG HX300G that provides anywhere from 250~270~300 lumens of output.
Since the Vivitek Qumi is spec'd at 300 lumens just like the LG HW300T, i can only surmise that it also uses the PT-54 chipset and the only choice for the increased boost in lumens output for the Optoma ML500 is due to the more powerful PT-120 chipset, the same chipset used in those ubber-expensive LED projectors !
THANK YOU, THANK YOU OPTOMA !
Too bad i'll have to wait until September to order one...
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post #14 of 672
6/15/11 at 9:17pm
Thread Starter 
Here is a quick video from Infocomm on the new Optoma ML500

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFvfT-GYJQ4
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post #15 of 672
6/15/11 at 9:26pm
Thread Starter 
I'm not sure on the new model names, but ViewSonic is also entering the 500 lumen LED projector market, check it out :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48POFTst8r8
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post #16 of 672
6/15/11 at 9:29pm
Its the same pj.a rebrand.
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post #17 of 672
6/15/11 at 10:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MCaugusto View Post

It appears that the Optoma ML500 LED projector will be using the most powerful LED chipset from Luminus Devices, the model PT-120 LED chipset.
I just read the link for InfoCom posted in the LG HW300T thread in which it is mentioned several times the fact that this upcoming 1280x800 LED pj will be using the PT-54 LED chipset, which is the same one used in my current 1024x768 LG HX300G that provides anywhere from 250~270~300 lumens of output.
Since the Vivitek Qumi is spec'd at 300 lumens just like the LG HW300T, i can only surmise that it also uses the PT-54 chipset and the only choice for the increased boost in lumens output for the Optoma ML500 is due to the more powerful PT-120 chipset, the same chipset used in those ubber-expensive LED projectors !
THANK YOU, THANK YOU OPTOMA !
Too bad i'll have to wait until September to order one...

I just got a Da Lite 2.8 HP screen, so I can't wait to get this. I was going to get one of the Casio or Qumi, but I think this will be a much better choice. I have a lot of time with more led projectors coming out, but this is number one on my list now
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post #18 of 672
6/16/11 at 12:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MCaugusto View Post

It appears that the Optoma ML500 LED projector will be using the most powerful LED chipset from Luminus Devices, the model PT-120 LED chipset.
I just read the link for InfoCom posted in the LG HW300T thread in which it is mentioned several times the fact that this upcoming 1280x800 LED pj will be using the PT-54 LED chipset, which is the same one used in my current 1024x768 LG HX300G that provides anywhere from 250~270~300 lumens of output.
Since the Vivitek Qumi is spec'd at 300 lumens just like the LG HW300T, i can only surmise that it also uses the PT-54 chipset and the only choice for the increased boost in lumens output for the Optoma ML500 is due to the more powerful PT-120 chipset, the same chipset used in those ubber-expensive LED projectors !
THANK YOU, THANK YOU OPTOMA !
Too bad i'll have to wait until September to order one...

Do you have any links that verify that the ML500 will be using the PT-120? It is possible that they are using the same PT-54 chips and driving them harder. Here is the specs of the PT-54 chips from the Luminus website:

Red: 600-1,050 lumens
Green: 1,275-2,150 lumens
Blue: 275-480 lumens

I know there is going to be some loss as the light passes through the optics, but it appears that the weakest link is the blue led with a range of 275-480 lumens. The other two colors fare much better and could easily hit 500 lumens. If all three bulbs were lit at the same time, the combined output would be greater than the one alone. Since the LEDs pulse, no two bulbs are lit at the same time, so I am not sure if the combining of the three colors to produce a higher lumen output is possible. It would be nice if we could confirm that the ML500 uses the PT-120.
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post #19 of 672
6/16/11 at 3:48am
Why would a manufacturer use the PT-54 chipset and drive it harder to increase lumen output thus lowering its life expectancy, increasing failure rates, etc, when for a little more $$$ it can get the higher output PT-120 chipset ?
What really caught me off guard was that InfoCom link stating unequivocally that the upcoming 1280x800 LG HW300T LED pj uses the Luminus Devices PT-54 chipset, which is optimized for 4:3 displays but apparently that doesn't preclude its usage for 16:9 micro-displays like this new 1280x800 chip from TI, AS LONG AS the size of each illuminating LED panel matches the size of the micro-display chip OR is slightly larger.
I simply surmised that Optoma decided to take the next step by using the more powerful PT-120 chipset in the ML-500 pj, which BTW draws 120 watts, and encase the whole package inside a larger case with the power supply built-in + detachable AC power cord; To keep pricing relatively low, no zoom is offered, again !
BTW, i was shocked a couple of months ago when i managed to get a link to the pricing list from Luminus Devices for these LED chipsets and found out that each PT-120 R/G/B LEDs chipset sells for $210 to anyone who wants to purchase one of them, with pricing much discounted depending on amount of order ! I never thought these chipsets were so inexpensive, considering that standard metal halyde bulbs cost anywhere from $150 to $500...
I don't mind waiting until September and meanwhile continue enjoying the picture provided by my trusted LG HX300G pj.
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post #20 of 672
6/16/11 at 4:35am
If you think about it, these DLP chips are 16:10, the PT-120 is 16:9, and the PT-54 is 16:12 aka 4:3. The 16:10 falls in between 16:9 and 4:3, so I guess either could be used. Using the PT-120 does make sense, I just wondered if there has been any official mention of this.


These are my thoughts:

It would seem like the ML500 could be pushing the PT-54 to its limit and using a larger cooling system to combat the heat therefore retaining the longevity of the LEDs. On the other hand, it is possible that the ML500 is using the PT-120 and limiting its output too keep the product smaller but still supplying enough cooling to the LEDs to retain longevity.

Other projectors using the PT-120 are considerably larger than the ML500, that is why I question the use of this chipset in such a small form factor.

Either way, it is nice to see the bump in lumens in this category of projectors.
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post #21 of 672
6/16/11 at 5:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by action_jackson View Post

Other projectors using the PT-120 are considerably larger than the ML500, that is why I question the use of this chipset in such a small form factor.

Either way, it is nice to see the bump in lumens in this category of projectors.

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And that might be why the ML500 is rated at 38dB noise level, perhaps because it must use a larger, noisier fan to dissipate internal heat appropriately while still keeping a small and compact case ?
BTW, before people go passing judgement on this 38dB noise level, i wonder at what distance it was measured compared to the same measurement taken from other pjs; I imagine an increase/decrease of only 2 inches would make quite a difference in the results.
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post #22 of 672
6/16/11 at 7:21am
The 1080P units mostly use watercooling to cool the LEDs as these are already being pushed to their limit so...
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post #23 of 672
6/16/11 at 12:39pm
Where is 3D ?
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post #24 of 672
6/19/11 at 12:24am
luminus also has a pt-85 chipset http://led.svmmarcom.com/content1091 which falls perfectly between the pt-54 and pt-120, that's not mentioned a whole lot. there's also the recently announced sbt-39 but that doesn't seem like it'd be bright enough. perhaps also an sbt-54 is in production.
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post #25 of 672
6/19/11 at 1:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by chane2k1 View Post

luminus also has a pt-85 chipset http://led.svmmarcom.com/content1091 which falls perfectly between the pt-54 and pt-120, that's not mentioned a whole lot. there's also the recently announced sbt-39 but that doesn't seem like it'd be bright enough. perhaps also an sbt-54 is in production.

The url you posted seems to be archived from 2008. I'm not sure if the PT85 chipset is still in production since it is not listed on the official Luminus site. I could be missing something though. Are you sure the PT85 is still being produced?
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post #26 of 672
6/26/11 at 6:13pm
im not sure either, it was just speculation. the PT85 seemed like a perfect fit, could have been put back into production i suppose.
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post #27 of 672
6/26/11 at 6:26pm
Damn that promo video is bad. How many lumens are begin reflected off that guy's sweaty, shiny bald head?
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post #28 of 672
6/27/11 at 3:37pm
A question anyone, please:
The Optoma ML500 has a 105% offset, which positions it just below the screen, table top position. I plan to install a projector inline at the midpoint vertically and horizontally of the screen directly across the room, using with no keystone correction (the LG HS201 I tried looked better to me with 0% keystone correction, and it is no problem to mount it center point where I'll use it.)
Would the ML500 adjust to work this way, centered directly across from the screen?
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post #29 of 672
6/27/11 at 4:13pm
It has to be placed directly below the bottom of the screen, meaning you can't mount at screen's center.......this is the problem with many lower priced DLP projectors as they have too much of an offset and don't have lens shift. The offset of this Optoma isn't very bad though. I would assume the image can be inverted so if you could ceiling mount(right above screen top) you will be ok but without doing this if you try and place at screen center you are going to have to either tilt projector(hurts focus most times) or use keystone for image to fit screen properly.

Mike
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post #30 of 672
6/28/11 at 10:56pm
Thanks for the answer, mbw23air; I thought that offset meant positioning the projector a set distance either below or above(using image inverting, with the projector upside down) the screen. I would really rather NOT position the projector anywhere but centered vertically and horizontally in relation to the screen because I am very sensitive to geometric distortion and focus problems. From reading these AV/Home theater forums, it seems that many purists believe that using any lens shift, offset, and especially any keystone correction negatively affects the optical clarity of the image, and from what I have seen, I agree!
I have started to consider the Optoma ML500, Acer K330, or Viewsonic PLED-W500 (500 lumens) over a Vivitek Qumi (300 lumens) because of the higher brightness.
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