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Optoma HD131Xe, HD (1080p), 2500 ANSI Lumens, 3D-Home Theater Projector - Sub $800 New Budget King?

382K views 3K replies 321 participants last post by  hyperactiveme 
#1 ·
I had just RMA'ed back to Amazon my BenQ W1070 and was going to jump the fence and pick up the HD25 only to learn it has been discountinued for the HD25e. Read the spammy (although the review was informative; now I know the differences between the HD25 and HD25e) review on Amazon for the HD25e, was just about to pull the trigger, and noticed a related product listed in the banner below for the HD131xe. If I remember correctly, "Wasn't this only available in Europe?" Seems this "e" suffixed version is an improved upon version from the HD131x as well and will be available in the US this time. I remember reading a cool thing about the HD131x was that it was basically the HD25 but in black and less expensive (and sans a pair of glasses which you didn't get with the HD25 in the US anyway). And a black projector > White projector IMO.


The HD131xe seems to have lower specs (by a hair: 2500 lumens vs 2800 and 18k:1 CR to 20k:1 CR) than the HD25e, but at significantly lower price. Add to that the fact that is cased in black and this may just be the to be the new Budget King projector to get!


Here is the link to the HD131xe:

http://optomausa.com/products/detail/HD131Xe


and here is the link to the HD25e for comparison:

http://optomausa.com/products/detail/HD25e


Let the discussion begin!
 
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#3 ·
Excellent find! For $200 less than the HD25e, I think im going for this. Amazon has a 2-5week ship time, but looks to have the lowest price on it. $760 for an Entry level 1080p projector with the option to have great 3D seems like a huge bargain!


The actual difference in lumens/CR might be much less, since these pjs are usually nowhere close to their advertised ratings.
 
#4 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Miwo  /t/1484644/optoma-hd131xe-hd-1080p-...eater-projector-new-budget-king#post_23596927


Excellent find! For $200 less than the HD25e, I think im going for this. Amazon has a 2-5week ship time, but looks to have the lowest price on it. $760 for an Entry level 1080p projector with the option to have great 3D seems like a huge bargain!


The actual difference in lumens/CR might be much less, since these pjs are usually nowhere close to their advertised ratings.

I suspect this is a pre-order, hence the 2-5 week shipping time. Placed an order for mine last night as well. Can't wait!


Also, since I had some time with the W1070, I will be able to compare the two when I get the HD131Xe.
 
#5 ·
Preordered mine as well. Just couldn't pass up the price. Thanks again! There is always a bang/buck king every few years and I think this will be it. This is in 720p projector pricing territory... hell it is cheaper than the Qumi Q7 / Acer K335 / 1000 Lumen WXGA LED Clones that are all about to come out. Optoma has a very good track record, so im willing to take the risk of being an early adopter on this.


My previous projector is a Viewsonic PLED-W500, 8000:1 / 500 Lumens, so this is going to be a tremendous upgrade for me like night and day. I figure in 2-3 years when I have upgraditis again, it will be easier to upgrade from the HD131Xe to get something better. Not to mention that depreciation on this will probably be better than say the HD-25LV that goes for $1200 in 2-3 years
 
#7 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by bgstewar  /t/1484644/optoma-hd131xe-hd-1080p-...eater-projector-new-budget-king#post_23601370


It's now available from Amazon (ships in 2-5 weeks) for $769 . Was going to pull the trigger on the W1070 before I saw this. Now I think I may wait to see what the reviews say...

They have very different throw distances. The 1070 has a much shorter throw so make sure the one you want fits in your room.
 
#8 ·
I'm in the market for a $1000 projector for my basement and was dead set on the W1070. Hell the only reason I hadnt pulled the trigger is because Im still researching A/V equipment to accompany it.


Now that this has been announced/released. And is a year newer + $200 cheaper. I'll wait to see a 131xe vs W1070 shootout before deciding.


I cant wait for someone to post their thoughts, findings and review.




Are there any professional reviews of the 131xe online yet?
 
#10 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Daekwan  /t/1484644/optoma-hd131xe-hd-1080p-...eater-projector-new-budget-king#post_23601773


I'm in the market for a $1000 projector for my basement and was dead set on the W1070. Hell the only reason I hadnt pulled the trigger is because Im still researching A/V equipment to accompany it.


Now that this has been announced/released. And is a year newer + $200 cheaper. I'll wait to see a 131xe vs W1070 shootout before deciding.


I cant wait for someone to post their thoughts, findings and review.




Are there any professional reviews of the 131xe online yet?

Personally, I RMA'ed the W1070. I just could not live with the lack of shadow detail. And I have seen footage of the HD25 and W1070; the HD25 seemed to handle shadow detail better. I was just about to buy the HD25 until I ran into this. I'll let you know how the compare once I get the HD131Xe.


No pro reviews out yet, product hasn't quite hit the market yet. But I suspect it has the same engine as HD25e, they just tweaked the specs. Here is this spammy review I was talking about. Notice how he mentions the HD25 and HD25-LV had the same engine and bulb but the HD25-LV was brighter? Could be the same deal with the HD25e and HD131Xe.
 
#11 ·
Also, it is pretty exciting to see that the cost of operation on the HD131xe has dropped:


191 watts to operate in eco mode

Bulb replacement is only $180 ! Unheard of!!.


Same applies to the HD25e as they have the same bulb and seem to have the same engine.
 
#12 ·
I used to have the Optoma HD65. Hated the contrast and black level. It was rated at 4000:1 contrast ratio and 1600 lumens, while the 131Xe is rated at 18000:1 contrast ratio and 2500 lumens.


Does that mean the 131Xe will have four times better contrast and much improved black levels? If so, I'm sold!
 
#13 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Miwo  /t/1484644/optoma-hd131xe-hd-1080p-...ojector-sub-800-new-budget-king#post_23600694


Preordered mine as well. Just couldn't pass up the price. Thanks again! There is always a bang/buck king every few years and I think this will be it. This is in 720p projector pricing territory... hell it is cheaper than the Qumi Q7 / Acer K335 / 1000 Lumen WXGA LED Clones that are all about to come out. Optoma has a very good track record, so im willing to take the risk of being an early adopter on this.


My previous projector is a Viewsonic PLED-W500, 8000:1 / 500 Lumens, so this is going to be a tremendous upgrade for me like night and day. I figure in 2-3 years when I have upgraditis again, it will be easier to upgrade from the HD131Xe to get something better. Not to mention that depreciation on this will probably be better than say the HD-25LV that goes for $1200 in 2-3 years

Same here. I couldn't pass up on the price. This will be my secondary projector for the system.
 
#14 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by gwlaw99  /t/1484644/optoma-hd131xe-hd-1080p-...ojector-sub-800-new-budget-king#post_23602122

It's pretty much the same projector as the Optoma HD25, but a little brighter. I would look at HD25 reviews.

How do you know that? I'm comparing specs at projectorcentral ... doesn't look like the same PJ to me.


** Also, for those who are amateurs like me, the price at amazon is nothing special. J and R has it for the same price. I hate it when Amazon says the price is 50% off but it's really just the same price others are selling it for. **
 
#15 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Birddoggin  /t/1484644/optoma-hd131xe-hd-1080p-...ojector-sub-800-new-budget-king#post_23603627


How do you know that? I'm comparing specs at projectorcentral ... doesn't look like the same PJ to me.


** Also, for those who are amateurs like me, the price at amazon is nothing special. J and R has it for the same price. I hate it when Amazon says the price is 50% off but it's really just the same price others are selling it for. **
I have the HD25e which is very close in specs to the HD131Xe (but the HD131Xe is $200 less in price). The HD25e has 300 more lumens and a slightly better contrast ratio (on paper) and is black. Don't see any other difference but must be something to account for the price difference. I'm happy with the brightness running the lamp in Eco (even in 3D) and shadow detail on mine. Blacks look good also in my light controlled room. I've had 3 other DLP projectors and this one has the best color I've seen so far. They both use the same lamp and replacement is less than $200 which is also is a plus.
 
#17 ·
Does anyone know for certain that this is essentially a HD25e? With the non e models, the published specs were identical. Additionally, in Europe where the HD131x was only released, most people accounted for the difference because the HD25 included the 3D glasses. From what I could tell in the instruction manuals, the menus are identical between them (FWIW).



As far as the internal parts, do both use the same color wheel, etc? Is this pj really more of an attempt by optoma to capture some of the budget conscious enthusiast market that might be tempted by other brands, but they did not want to risk loosing the margin of those that are less savy?


I got in on the Amazon deal and am now having second thoughts that I may have purchased something I know nothing about.
 
#18 ·
worst comes to worst, say it didn't meet your expectations and return it. I believe Amazon has a 30-day policy, you pay shipping

Willing to take the risk for $200 less than the HD25e and -10% paper specs


Amazon deal is dead though, up to $939 now lol! Mind as well get HD25e for that price
 
#19 ·
It likely is, but we can only speculate until we get an opportunity to compare the two. Optoma did this with the last round of projectors too. Remember the HD25 and HD25-LV use the same DC3 chip, use the same bulb, consume the same amount of power, but one has more lumens then the other and costs a bit more. But since you bought it from Amazon, you have nothing to worry about.
 
#20 ·
Just got this email from Amazon:


Hello,


We have good news! We're able to get this part of your order to you faster than we originally promised:


"Optoma HD131Xe, HD (1080p), 2500 ANSI Lumens, 3D-Home Theater Projector, Black"

Previous estimated arrival date: August 21, 2013 - September 05, 2013

New estimated arrival date: August 14, 2013


If you want to check on the progress of your order, take a look at this page in Your Account:


Next Wednesday at the soonest!
 
#21 ·
I intend to shelf-mount this PJ at about the same height of a ceiling mount, so the PJ will be right side up instead of upside down. Will this be a problem? The calculator page on projectorcentral shows the PJ upside down. I hope this is not a requirement, or else this PJ might not work for me.
 
#22 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Birddoggin  /t/1484644/optoma-hd131xe-hd-1080p-...ojector-sub-800-new-budget-king#post_23616512


I intend to shelf-mount this PJ at about the same height of a ceiling mount, so the PJ will be right side up instead of upside down. Will this be a problem? The calculator page on projectorcentral shows the PJ upside down. I hope this is not a requirement, or else this PJ might not work for me.

Seems like a problem. On its feet, it's 12 inches from center of lens to bottom of image. Unless it has some major lens shift, it's not going to happen that way unless you shelf mount it upside down using some foam or rubber wedges.
 
#23 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Birddoggin  /t/1484644/optoma-hd131xe-hd-1080p-...ojector-sub-800-new-budget-king#post_23616512


I intend to shelf-mount this PJ at about the same height of a ceiling mount, so the PJ will be right side up instead of upside down. Will this be a problem? The calculator page on projectorcentral shows the PJ upside down. I hope this is not a requirement, or else this PJ might not work for me.

It going to be a problem, compounded by the fact there is no lens shift and offset for this projector. Doesn't mean it wont work for you though. You can mount it upside down under your shelf can't you? Get one of these mounts to accomplish the task. Just fashion a wood mounting plate, so that you can fix to your projector so you can screw that mount to accomplish the task.


With that said, expected delivery date for this projector is Tuesday the 13th. Can't wait!
 
#24 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonyad  /t/1484644/optoma-hd131xe-hd-1080p-...ojector-sub-800-new-budget-king#post_23616895


Seems like a problem. On its feet, it's 12 inches from center of lens to bottom of image. Unless it has some major lens shift, it's not going to happen that way unless you shelf mount it upside down using some foam or rubber wedges.
Quote:
Originally Posted by niggenz  /t/1484644/optoma-hd131xe-hd-1080p-...ojector-sub-800-new-budget-king#post_23620034


It going to be a problem, compounded by the fact there is no lens shift and offset for this projector. Doesn't mean it wont work for you though. You can mount it upside down under your shelf can't you? Get one of these mounts to accomplish the task. Just fashion a wood mounting plate, so that you can fix to your projector so you can screw that mount to accomplish the task.


With that said, expected delivery date for this projector is Tuesday the 13th. Can't wait!

Based on what you two are saying, this is completely the wrong projector for me ... (sigh) for several reasons:


1. I really don't want to ceiling mount.

2. Although I said the wall mount will be about the same height, what I meant is the wall mount will be about 12-18 inches lower. (to me that's about the same lol)

3. Compound that with the fact that it's 12 inches from the center of the lens to the bottom of the image.

4. That's bad for me because my wall has wood trim (similar to this) , which leave me only 63 inches of wall height for the screen. Because of that, I intend to have the top of the screen flush with the wall/ceiling border. So, the "12 inches from the center of the lens to the bottom of the image" is a real deal killer. I need a projector that can shoot straight or at least not have such a drastic angle.

5. Besides all this, I wanted to have a 120-inch screen, but at only 13 feet from PJ to wall, it looks like I can only get 106 inches. I was going to compromise on size, but with all these other barriers, oh well. Guess I still have to keep looking for a projector.
 
#26 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Derek Day  /t/1484644/optoma-hd131xe-hd-1080p-...ojector-sub-800-new-budget-king#post_23625025


So there are conflicting posts on the offset. How far above the center of the lens is the picture? For this projector to work for me it needs to be close to zero as I have a very low ceiling in the basement.

On Optoma's website, they use Projectors Central distance calculator and it shows 12" for ceiling and floor mounting.
 
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