Optoma HD81LB 1080P High Lumens Projector - Page 2

Is it confirmed that this projector uses the same bulb as the 'regular' HD81?

I don't mind the offset as it is easily overcome. It's the short throw that gets me all the time.

Lens shift on single chip DLP projectors is very difficult and very expensive. That being said, I think the amount of offset on the HD81(LB) is way too high. When Optoma orginally designed the HD81 they used the chasis from one of their existing models in order to keep cost down AND to speed up production time. They accomplished their goals for the HD81 but they should have redesigned a chasis that uses less offset for this model IMHO.

I agree - for those of you questioning the amount of offset in the original HD81, it was explained in the HD81 thread by TzungILin (which DB2 summarized above). But, Optoma has had more than enough time to re-engineer things to reduce or eliminate the offset. Luckily I have 11' ceilings so it would take a PJ with one hell of an offset to be an issue in my place.

Until we see some concrete specs on the bulb, optics, and color wheel, as well as some impressions from those who have seen it in person (hopefully that'll be me tomorrow or the day after), I'm not sure why everyone is discounting the higher lumen output as compared to the HD81. At this point it is all blind speculation, and thus completely baseless and pointless.

The new CW might explain the higher output.

Just shooting from the hip, but the R/G/B filters seem relatively dark looking, whereas C and Y seem to let a lot more light through.

I love the concept of the HD81, and this new variant, but think when it all comes together and you weigh the pros and cons of this PJ vs. the RS1 the RS1 wins the battle in my mind. I like the lumens but don't like the price, artifacts, firmware upgrade path, dynamic iris implementation, etc. - with the offset not being an issue for me and my 11' ceilings. I'm not a DLP or LCOS/DILA fanboy - so that issue isn't at play either. If this PJ was ~$5k it would make the decision a little more difficult.

I just finished installing an HD81 with a motorized Panamorph. Very bright. Installation was a little difficult because we received the first mounting plate manufactured for the new sled etc. Took several trips to the hardware store to get needed screws, hooks etc but it all went well. No, I won't give impressions. I installed it for a reviewer who plans on publishing his experiences with it. Except for being the first and experiencing the installation teething issues discussed above, he is one happy camper.

I couldn't agree with you more and is why Optoma will not be getting my money! It seems even more ridiculous when you consider this is for even larger screens. Oh well, in the long run this will save me money anyway. I will just wait for Panasonic to come out with a 2000 lumen 1080P for half the price of this.

Whomever gets to the Optoma folks at CES should ask for a firm / projected / best guess ship date for the Optoma HD81LB 1080P High Lumens Projector.

Noah, I wasn't saying the LCDs are actually competing in brightness, but that a LOT of people are thinking at half the money, they're bright enough. Myself included.

In terms of market size, the $6-7K market is MUCH smaller than the $3K market. And a significant portion of the $6K market is actually $3K market people spending their children's inheritance. So the net result: LCDs are killing the HD81. (I'd be surprised if the numbers showed anything different.)

David

Some people sure seem to take the lens shift issue rather personally . I believe the representative here stated that they are well aware of the desire for lens shift but the only way they were able to get their 1920 x 1080 PJs to market as quickly as they did was to use an existing chassis that did not allow for lens shift. Lens shift is great, I'm just saying that some times companies have to make decisions based on what practical for them, it may not be that they decided "we don't need lens shift". It might have added 6 months delay as well as extra cost if they had moved to a different chassis. I'm guessing you'll see lens shift on their next generation. In the mean time, these work well for a fair number of people.

I saw this projector today.... TzungLin confirmed that it was a 2500 lumen projector that was running around 1300 lumens after calibration to D65.

He was unsure of the price (apparently it has not been finalized), but was shown with a motorized anamorphic lens system.

The projector was being demo'd in a light controled room on a 171" 2.35 screen and looked fabulous!

sorry i had to run, so I did not have time to get any more details........ I will try and get back there on Thursday, but I am sure by then someone with much more information will be able to post it.

Thanks for the info on lens shift - doesnt sound like a feature I should really need.

Guitarman,
I got a question for you or any other individual who is familiar with this unit. Is it true that HD81LB is equipped with 1.3 HDMI input? Please shed some light on it. I understand, the most talked about connectivity 1.3 HDMI will raise the bar for both audio & video in coming years. So before anyone goes out and spend thousands of dollars it is important to know that money well spend on this projector.

You better wait for the coming HDMI 2.0. While .would enable resolutions above 1080p, no consumer bulb projector can go any higher and existing HDMI cables can't carry higher anyway. In the video world, not a hell of a lot is gained by 1.3. But believe what you want. Just don't be pissed 2 years from now because your projector won't do 2.0

Isn't this projector the HD81LV (for Large Venu)??

I dropped back by on Thursday, but TzungLin was gone... chatted with a very nice sales person who did not have a lot of specific information.... however, one interesting thing he did mention was that in the sales meeting when they were discussing price....

He confirmed that the final price was not formalized, but that their intent was that the HD81LV, WITH automatic powered anamorphic lens should MSRP at $10k!!

If this holds true, it would be pretty wonderful. I believe that was the initial (current) MSRP for the HD81... one wonders what the MAP will be and what will happen to the price on the base HD81??

Did anyone get a firm / projected / best guess ship date for the Optoma HD81LB 1080P High Lumens Projector.

I was not at CES, but press releases and statements from attendees seem to put
delivery in the April-May time frame.

Jeff Regan

Thanks Jeff.

I am wondering if the Optoma HD81LB 1080P High Lumens Projector would do well with a lot more ambienbt light on a large screen than an HD81 for daytime sports viewing which eliminate the need for a Plasma in a FP/Plasma combo HT and throw more $$$ at the FP/2.35:1 Lens.