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OPTOMA ML500 LED 1280x800 - Page 2

post #31 of 672
7/12/11 at 9:39am
I guess my wait for this is going to be a little longer than expected. This is from Optoma facebook

OptomaUSA wrote: "Dear Brandon, To answer your question, yes. The launch time for both GT750 and ML500 is October. Please stay tuned and we will announce the launch dates once they is official! Thanks again for supporting Optoma. "
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post #32 of 672
7/12/11 at 1:13pm
Well I'm looking at all these new shiney 500 lumens pjs and fingers crossed that the Acer will come out at it's intended time, August! But probably not. Argh!
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post #33 of 672
7/12/11 at 3:37pm
blee0120 >>> Thanks for posting the "heads-up" concerning the delayed release date for the Optoma ML-500, i guess interested parties such as myself wil just have to be a little more patient, oh well...
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post #34 of 672
7/12/11 at 3:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MCaugusto View Post
blee0120 >>> Thanks for posting the "heads-up" concerning the delayed release date for the Optoma ML-500, i guess interested parties such as myself wil just have to be a little more patient, oh well...
Do you know of any other 500 lumen pj that is coming out? I hear about the Acer, but I haven't read anything on it yet.
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post #35 of 672
7/12/11 at 4:37pm
I started a thread titled "The Three LED Clones" concerning the Optoma ML-500, the Acer K330 and the Viewsonic PLED-W500, but info has been spotty at best.
After reading through the Qumi thread, i decided to wait until all these new pjs are released, download all three owner's manuals to ascertain what they have to offer and then make my decision.
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post #36 of 672
7/12/11 at 6:22pm
Same boat here....I'm waiting until they're all released then probably around November or December then I'll decide...
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post #37 of 672
7/12/11 at 7:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MCaugusto View Post

I started a thread titled "The Three LED Clones" concerning the Optoma ML-500, the Acer K330 and the Viewsonic PLED-W500, but info has been spotty at best.
After reading through the Qumi thread, i decided to wait until all these new pjs are released, download all three owner's manuals to ascertain what they have to offer and then make my decision.

Ok, I'm going to have to subscribe to it. I like the Qumi, but on a 120in HP screen, I'm going to need a little extra zoom. The ML500, is perfect. I'm ok waiting for it tho, no rush. This is my down time, no NFL or NBA. I'm just watching blu rays on my RS40 and games on my gt720. I'm just saving all my tv shows for the new led
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post #38 of 672
7/15/11 at 2:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MCaugusto View Post

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"....

" 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. "

Isn't that what the Pico LED light source was all about ? lower cost in power consumption ? for example, some boasted that the power consumption would be under 100 watts.
So what's going on here ? 120 Watts ?
Maybe they are moving things up the latter and moving us into the next generation of Pico - general use projectors with more power ?
I am going out on a limb here and say that they are using the PT-120 because of the 120 Watt rating.
MCaugusto ? I don't know if and when you may buy one of the new 500 Lumens projectors, but ? if you do ? can you or will you compare it to your impressions of the state of the art for example when you got the LG's models and I know it's not a fair comparison however, what's your impression of it's brightness, resolution, over all wow factor of one of these clone 500 Lumens projectors.
By the way ? what company in most people's minds would have the best quality.
I still have a old Infocus X-2 that still works and only has 300 hours on the bulb and the LG-HX-300.
The LG HX-300 plays movies fine, but, I felt like I got buyer's remorse after getting it, and it only has about 150 hours or less on it.
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post #39 of 672
7/15/11 at 3:00am
That's the point, should we buy these when they come out and wait for the reviews ? or wait and see IF ! ? any 1080 P maybe 700 Lumens projectors finally come ?
Would the 720 resolution be acceptable for most people if knowing that the light source will last them another 5 to 7 year or more ? and ? a new LED projector cheap though would cost as much as a bulb for the old generation projectors.
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post #40 of 672
7/15/11 at 3:09am
Check this out.


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)

up to 120 on it's specs and we know that the LG HX-300 in it's specs went up to 90 " so ? would that tell us that they are using a more powerful LED source ? or not ?
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post #41 of 672
7/15/11 at 3:56am
they dont need the pt 120 for a 500 lumen pj-Red: 1,360-2,225 lumens
Green: 2,700-4,300 lumens
Blue: 550-970 lumens
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post #42 of 672
7/15/11 at 7:20am
Price is high but appropriate with 500 lum
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post #43 of 672
7/15/11 at 3:21pm
DLPProjectorFan >>> When i posted the post you quoted above i had just become aware of the SBT-16 LED chipset and erroneously thought that it would be the one used in conjuction with the upcoming 300 lumens LED pjs due to the fact that Luminus Devices launched it almost at the same time that Texas Instruments introduced its own "Pico" 1280x800 native DMD chip, and so in my "excitement" i thought that those chips from Luminus Devices and TI had been developed and engineered in tandem to go hand-in-hand, however that turned out NOT to be the case.
After reading a recent press release from Luminus Devices unequivocally stating that the upcoming 300 lumens, native 1280x800 "Pico" chip LG HW300T WILL BE USING THE PT-54 CHIPSET, i realized my mistake and concluded that the only way manufacturers could increase output to 500 lumens would be by using either the PT-120 or the PT-121 LED chipset, both rated for the same output level but the former optimized for 16:9 displays and the latter for 4:3 displays; So, my hunch is that these upcoming 500 lumens pjs will be using the 16:9 ratio PT-120 LED chipset.
Meanwhile, the SBT-16 LED chipset appear to have been developed to be used by those tiny/tiny, pocket-sized pico projectors that are rated at or below 100 lumens, but don't quote me on that, at this point is all speculation !
On the other hand, i don't see why these 500 lumens pjs would be using the PT-54 chipset considering the PT-120 is available for a little more $$$ and thus wouldn't need to be driven "harder & hotter" than the PT-54 to achieve such increase in brightness.
Besides that point, which i wish Luminus Devices or the manufacturers themselves would clear once and for, i am curious as to whether or not there are differences amongst the Optoma ML-500, Acer K330 and the VIewsonic PLED-W500 in video processing, controls for CMS and grey-scale, noise level, etc.
BTW, someone posted on a related thread that TI is working on another "Pico" DMD chip, native 1920x1080, that's expected to be out next year, but at this point is all "speculation that makes sense", or "hopeful speculation", or whatever you wanna call it...
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post #44 of 672
7/15/11 at 4:07pm
I think most Home Theater people would careless of these projectors are pocket size Pico projectors.
Just bring out a 1080 P LED projector with a adjustable lens about the size of some of the smaller regular bulb DLP projectors for around $ 1500 and it would sell like hot cakes.
For companies to reduce cost is to do away with composite video and S- video, the internal speaker.
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post #45 of 672
7/15/11 at 4:12pm
Would you say that this projector is bigger or smaller than the LG HX-300 ?
This has a AC plug that plugs directly into the back and even though it's profile is slimmer it looks like it's just as wide or wider than the HX-300.
Yes, I know that had to make room for the power supply and hope they isolated it very well from the rest of the projector.
Instead of them rushing to make the smallest projector, why not make a better quality and bigger with more features and what people want.
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post #46 of 672
7/15/11 at 4:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DLPProjectorfan View Post
I think most Home Theater people would careless of these projectors are pocket size Pico projectors.
Just bring out a 1080 P LED projector with a adjustable lens about the size of some of the smaller regular bulb DLP projectors for around $ 1500 and it would sell like hot cakes.
For companies to reduce cost is to do away with composite video and S- video, the internal speaker.
I was trying to say that most Home Theater people could care less if it's a pocket size projector or Pico and care more about the features and true HD 1080 P
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post #47 of 672
7/15/11 at 5:20pm
Quote:
Texas Instruments has announced, at CES 2010 in Las Vegas, that it will be launching a brand new DLP (Digital Light Processing) Pico HD chipset; bringing the availability of a "new era for on-the-go, big screen video and images".

Texas Instruments goes on to say that the DLP tech is currently being shown, and will be shipped by, a variety of manufacturers at CES, which include Samsung and Sharp 1080p 3D systems.

The 1080p DLP tech from Texas Instruments is being showcased by a massive Mitsubishi 92-inch DLP HDTV at CES - nearly 1/30 the size of a cinema screen - however the new Pico HD chipset, as the name suggests, should work with much smaller devices; as TI says: "devices that fit in the palm of your hand". Possibly hinting at more implementation of the tech into mobile phones.

Roger Carver, general manager, DLP Front Projection said: “The innovation of the DLP chip design is what makes DLP the only one able to produce 3D in a single projector solution, and the reason consumers will continue to see innovations from us and our customers”.

This announcement continues the ever-growing trend for manufactures to invest in 3D tech, and if this announcement is anything to go by it looks like TI is making sure its technolgy is in as many 3D pies as possible.

Tags: 3DTV 3D Texas Instruments Chipsets DLP Pico HD chipset DLP

Texas Instruments DLP Pico HD chipset brings 1080p 3D on the go originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 20:00:00 +0000
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post #48 of 672
7/15/11 at 5:21pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej_yd...layer_embedded
1080P PICO CHIPS
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post #49 of 672
7/15/11 at 9:49pm
Ok, so from what I am getting from what he is saying in that the market is sitting on top of the .45 chip set with the 720 P and the 1080 P and will be releasing products for the Pico and the gaming markets ?
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post #50 of 672
7/15/11 at 10:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DLPProjectorfan View Post

Ok, so from what I am getting from what he is saying in that the market is sitting on top of the .45 chip set with the 720 P and the 1080 P and will be releasing products for the Pico and the gaming markets ?

no the market is sitting(based on) on .45 pico-10 lumen products 15,20 he says. hes showing her how things will change with the new hd picos
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post #51 of 672
7/17/11 at 2:37am
Yes, reviewed the video again and he said that the market at that time back in late last year was working with the .45 but TI back in January just released the 720 P and 1080 P chip sets and it will open up a whole new market for mobile and gaming.
So ? is it safe to say that the gaming projector market is waiting for the more Lumens projectors to hit the market and the 1080 P ?
Would we consider the gaming oriented Pico projectors be satisfactory for Home Theater ?
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post #52 of 672
7/17/11 at 3:11am
I saw on one of the projector review sites that the Optoma ML-500 will be able to project a image up to 180 " ? however ? I saw a few specs for it, Optoma's web site says it's WXGA 1280 X 800 while another web site says it's 1280 X 768 ?
Saw one of the prices for it too, about as much as I got my LG-HX300.
So MCaugusto WXGA 1280 X 800 at 180 " ? should we wait for the 1080 P projectors or just buy one of these and enjoy for the next 5 years ?
Not many people can afford to buy one every year because in my case I will have to make it a big time buy for a long time as long as it still works.
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post #53 of 672
7/17/11 at 3:19am
I wish there are a company that can gather all the necessary parts to build a 1080 P LED projector with adjustable lens and marketed it as a build your own projector for those who want it at a reasonable price.
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post #54 of 672
7/17/11 at 8:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DLPProjectorfan View Post

I saw on one of the projector review sites that the Optoma ML-500 will be able to project a image up to 180 " ? however ? I saw a few specs for it, Optoma's web site says it's WXGA 1280 X 800 while another web site says it's 1280 X 768 ?
Saw one of the prices for it too, about as much as I got my LG-HX300.
So MCaugusto WXGA 1280 X 800 at 180 " ? should we wait for the 1080 P projectors or just buy one of these and enjoy for the next 5 years ?
Not many people can afford to buy one every year because in my case I will have to make it a big time buy for a long time as long as it still works.

I am going to enjoy mines for many years. It will be used for everyone who comes over and tries to burn out the bulb on my main projector. My nephew loves to watch Elmo and other things that 3 years watch on my projectors. Plus, my many hours on my computer, ESPN and other sports that I don't care to watch on my RS40. But if the Acer comes out first, I might jump ship over there. As long as the zoom feature is the same. 12ft for 120 inches on my HP screen is great.
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post #55 of 672
7/17/11 at 10:37am
Quote:


Zoom: No

from pj central
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post #56 of 672
7/17/11 at 5:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DLPProjectorfan View Post

I saw on one of the projector review sites that the Optoma ML-500 will be able to project a image up to 180 " ? however ? I saw a few specs for it, Optoma's web site says it's WXGA 1280 X 800 while another web site says it's 1280 X 768 ?
Saw one of the prices for it too, about as much as I got my LG-HX300.
So MCaugusto WXGA 1280 X 800 at 180 " ? should we wait for the 1080 P projectors or just buy one of these and enjoy for the next 5 years ?
Not many people can afford to buy one every year because in my case I will have to make it a big time buy for a long time as long as it still works.

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I wouldn't take that suggestion of using a screen up to 180" too seriously, it seems like hyperbole to me.
The specs for the "Pico" chip from TI clearly state a native resolution of 1280x800 (aspect ratio 16:10) instead of 1280x768 or 1280x720 and if i understood it correctly is because those extra 80 vertical pixels per horizontal line afford a full taskbar display at the bottom of the image PLUS enough space above it for full HD 1280x720 content.
If i were looking to buy a relatively inexpensive LED pj right now i would definitely consider one of these upcoming 500 lumens "beauties", however (here we go again !) i would suggest prospective buyers to proceed with caution after reading the thread on the Vivitek Qumi and the many reports of unfocused image at startup, green/pink shades on full white image on left/right side of screen, a lot of green "push" and the lack of CMS to "tame" it, burnt LED chip after only 20 hours of operation (!?), etc. I am beginning to wonder if most of these problems could be related to a poorly designed internal cooling air path ?
My original plan was to get a Qumi as soon as it was available but after becoming aware of the imminent release of these 500 lumens pjs i decided to wait and now i am glad i did so and even re-arranged my priorities : i plan on waiting until the Optoma ML-500, Acer K330 and Viewsonic PLED-W500 are "out and about" and have been fully tested by "at home" owners posting threads here at AVSForum and, if possible, by reputable online A/V sources so as to ascertain their true capabilities and liabilities.... Just that old adage of "proceed with caution" added to my own "expect the worst and be paranoid", ha !
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post #57 of 672
7/17/11 at 7:12pm
I'm on the same boat as you MCaugusto. I was waiting for and planning on purchasing the Qumi early in the year. It was meant to be released at May, then delayed and delayed til now. Then after hearing about the 500 lumens I decided to wait again (!).

This is going to be my first projector purchase, so obviously I'm very eager to get my hands on one. It's going to be a home theatre unit for me, 100 inch screen. But what I'm thinking of is what do I do when the they all come out and they are not the bees knees. Should I just plump for a bulb projector or should I waaaaaaaiiiit some more again. Led 1080p 700 lumens FTW!!11
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post #58 of 672
7/17/11 at 8:33pm
How about a 120 " screen with these 500 Lumens projectors ?
I can live with the LG - HX-300 for awhile because I got car problems AGAIN ! so my priorities are in another place at the time and when I am ready to buy another projector maybe ? the 1080 P projectors will be out next year ?
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post #59 of 672
7/17/11 at 8:36pm
As for me and most people on the poor man's range of projectors, we are making a one time purchase that hopefully will last us a long time and from what many people are finding out with the Qumi they are having problems with it.
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post #60 of 672
7/17/11 at 8:51pm
I know there there are no problems or things that can go wrong with a LED projector, but, with a bulb projector you got more parts that can go bad.
As cheap as LED Pico projectors are I would go on to say that some are as cheap as a new bulb for your higher end bulb based projectors.
Please don't let your eagerness of getting your first projector get in the way of waiting for these new 500 Lumens 720 P LED projectors or doing more research and be satisfied in what you purchase.
Yes, the LG-HX-300 is adequate in watching movies, but, after buying it after waiting last year and being excited of getting one I was left less than satisfied after using it for a while.
August is only a few weeks away and hopefully Acer is true to their word and release their 500 Lumens 720 P projector.
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