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Optoma 7300 DLP & HD-3000 proc/scaler

post #1 of 60
11/2/07 at 2:06pm
Thread Starter 
This is another great DC3 dlp pj which comes in a two box package.
The hd3000 can run other pj's as well outputs 1080p and many others not 1080p24 but 48.
It is a processor and scaler and coverts all analog to HDMI offers all sort of tweaks that never before been possible. It is based on Gennum GF-9351 which is highly regarded.
The pj is a fairly bright and has excellent blacklevel capability. PQ is excellent.
This package available on newegg dot com at a very very low down price. Performance of 7300 is in par with Sharp MKII (arguably) and has a solid built to it. Those who want a brighter pj than Sharp and a seperate scaler to play with should look into it imo.

Also comes with both horizontal and vertical shift.
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post #2 of 60
11/2/07 at 7:11pm
And don't forget the free bulb!
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post #3 of 60
11/2/07 at 7:21pm
Man, you guys would make a great sales team!

But seriously, CaspianM, have you had a chance to measure the on/off yet? I read the avs review of this unit, and he came up with 3,000+ to 1, but another review said it was less than 2000:1. The contrast ratio could make or brake the deal for me.

Regardless, though, you can't beat that deal.
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post #4 of 60
11/2/07 at 7:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ;12105252 View Post

Man, you guys would make a great sales team!

But seriously, CaspianM, have you had a chance to measure the on/off yet? I read the avs review of this unit, and he came up with 3,000+ to 1, but another review said it was less than 2000:1. The contrast ratio could make or brake the deal for me.

Regardless, though, you can't beat that deal.

Hey johnsmith808!

Very funny--but definitely no sales here. Just wanted to inform.

Hope my experience with this PJ is better then the last one! Not fun as you know.

Have to wait to find out as mine has not shipped yet
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post #5 of 60
11/2/07 at 10:58pm
I've been trying to read if the bulb issues are history, but I can't really tell. Maybe the fact that not many still post about this problem is a good sign.

I read some of thread to see what contrast ratios people have measured with this pj. I read anywhere between 3500:1 to over 5000:1. I wonder how it achieves this without an iris? Are these numbers really accurate? Something like the Sharp MKII gets around 4500:1, but only at minimum iris setting.
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post #6 of 60
11/2/07 at 11:16pm
Thread Starter 
I can tell you it is more than 3000:1 by comparing it to the Sony.
I had measured the Sony whih was about 6k:1 and just by eyeballing it is less.
Top lumen is easy twice but black level is short of the Sony.
My Sony had measured about .003 ft-l this is about .004 (by eye) with top about 450 if not more which results to about 3600:1 min.
It is lens fixrd iris. I can see it in the lens behind the last element.

I played with the HD3000 and it is an amazing unit. You can do every possible thing with this pj and works as a witcher as well and has pass thru.
PQ of this pj is very good and have not seen RBE yet which is surprizing since I am sensitive to it. Dithering is very low.
Lamp issue was with 7100 you don't find even one owner with lamp issue with 7300.

It is huge deal. grab one befor it is all gone. I really do not think Shatp MKII goodness can equal the sum of the value of the entite package of this one by any stretch of imagination but Sharp is more popular.
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post #7 of 60
11/3/07 at 1:38am
If I don't need that many lumens, do you think an ND2 filter would be a good idea?

Man, this pj is sounding better the more I read about it.

As for the lamp issues, isn't the 7300 exactly the same unit as the 7100, just with the additional scaler? Can't see how the scaler could prevent the bulbs from going. Strange.

As for rainbows, I read in the 7100 thread that it can go up to 6x speed colorwheel when displaying in 48hz. When in 60hz, it goes to 5x speed. Originally, people thought is was only 4x speed.

Why do these decisions always have to be so hard?
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post #8 of 60
11/3/07 at 6:31am
I want the scaler. The PJ is too short throw for my setup. Let me know if anyone is planning on selling the scaler alone (I guess if you buy this deal and already have a scaler)
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post #9 of 60
11/3/07 at 6:38am
Just keep the scaler and sell the PJ and spare bulb. That's what I'm going to do, at least after I compare it to my VP4001.
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post #10 of 60
11/3/07 at 6:40am
I just hope I can sell the PJ and bulb.

Where does this scaler rank in relation to scalers in top rated 720p PJs.
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post #11 of 60
11/3/07 at 7:15am
Must be sold out now---could not find it


EDIT-----Sorry guys I found it----Awesome deal
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post #12 of 60
11/3/07 at 8:31am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by tradewinds View Post

I just hope I can sell the PJ and bulb.

Where does this scaler rank in relation to scalers in top rated 720p PJs.

It is a 1080p scaler and processor and switcher.
Any unit that has the same Gennum ship is compareable to this.
However this doesn't offer custom rez all presets and locks into the pj's native rez.
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post #13 of 60
11/3/07 at 8:39am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnsmith808 View Post

If I don't need that many lumens, do you think an ND2 filter would be a good idea?

The lumen I am talking about is its lumen at default and can be set lower.
The processor also offers two color gamuts. SD and HD and can be selected manually or auto. Also available PC input or video input mode to correct for line output.
There are many many more options. On the pj you can set the RGB composite matrix to native and control it by the hd3000.
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post #14 of 60
11/3/07 at 8:44am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Dodds View Post

Just keep the scaler and sell the PJ and spare bulb. That's what I'm going to do, at least after I compare it to my VP4001.

This is a better or equal pj than Marantz. You are going to have hard time to decide which to dump.
The lens is a hi quality one with no abberations. The throw goes from mid to short. I have it at 13' and can be anywhere 2' closer or further back. Those with long rooms cannot rear shelf this unit.
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post #15 of 60
11/3/07 at 12:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CaspianM View Post

This is a better or equal pj than Marantz. You are going to have hard time to decide which to dump.
The lens is a hi quality one with no abberations. The throw goes from mid to short. I have it at 13' and can be anywhere 2' closer or further back. Those with long rooms cannot rear shelf this unit.

The VP4001 is pretty good. So if that is the case I don't see how I can lose.

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post #16 of 60
11/3/07 at 2:52pm
Not to rain on anybody's parade, but this unit (specifically, the HD7100, with is the projector half of the HD7300 package) is notorious for early bulb failures, bulb misstrikes, and signal sync issues. That's why (IMO) Optoma is dumping it at fire sale prices. The thread in the > $3k forum details this all, with a couple folks having gone through multiple units.

I guess not everybody cares about longevity or potential warranty service issues, but if you are, I'd steer clear.

I'm checking with guitarman as to whether Optoma has a reliable fix for the known issues. If so, this would be very tempting to me, even with a new Infocus 7210 in hand. For me, if it was a one-time deal where once the unit breaks, Optoma applies an established fix, it would be worth the hassle. If its going to be a series of chronic problems and repairs, then it would not.
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post #17 of 60
11/3/07 at 4:38pm
So since the processor accepts up to 1080i (though can output up to 1080p), does it properly scale 1080i to 720p. In other words, it doesn't convert 1080i to 540p, then up to 720p?
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post #18 of 60
11/3/07 at 5:07pm
There was something in the other thread about it properly scaling to 720P. Heck, it was a $3K scaler so it should.
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post #19 of 60
11/3/07 at 5:29pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Noah View Post

Not to rain on anybody's parade, but this unit (specifically, the HD7100, with is the projector half of the HD7300 package) is notorious for early bulb failures, bulb misstrikes, and signal sync issues. That's why (IMO) Optoma is dumping it at fire sale prices. The thread in the > $3k forum details this all, with a couple folks having gone through multiple units.

I guess not everybody cares about longevity or potential warranty service issues, but if you are, I'd steer clear.

I'm checking with guitarman as to whether Optoma has a reliable fix for the known issues. If so, this would be very tempting to me, even with a new Infocus 7210 in hand. For me, if it was a one-time deal where once the unit breaks, Optoma applies an established fix, it would be worth the hassle. If its going to be a series of chronic problems and repairs, then it would not.

We need to stablish a fact that 7100 and 7300 are 100% identical units before we get worried.
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post #20 of 60
11/3/07 at 5:30pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Dodds View Post

There was something in the other thread about it properly scaling to 720P. Heck, it was a $3K scaler so it should.

It does deinterlace with pulldown rather than building on half frame and then down to 720p.
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post #21 of 60
11/3/07 at 6:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CaspianM View Post

We need to stablish a fact that 7100 and 7300 are 100% identical units before we get worried.

I have been through most of the threads about this PJ. I have not seen one person with the bulb strike issue that had a 7300--only 7100. This does not mean anything in and by itself, but there you go.

Anyone out there that has had a bulb strike issue with the HD7300 please post and let us know!!!

Thanks.
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post #22 of 60
11/3/07 at 6:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Dodds View Post

Just keep the scaler and sell the PJ and spare bulb. That's what I'm going to do, at least after I compare it to my VP4001.


How much is this deal and where is it?
*Also, could someone throw me a link to a good detailed review?

Edit: Just saw Noah's post
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post #23 of 60
11/3/07 at 7:46pm
Here's a good review of the scaler:

http://www.hdtvexpert.com/pages_b/psuedo_hd.html
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post #24 of 60
11/4/07 at 1:21am
Strange, the handling of 1080i seems to conflict with what this same reviewer said a month earlier. Did he make a mistake in the first review?

http://www.hdtvexpert.com/pages_b/optoma_hd7300.html
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post #25 of 60
11/4/07 at 6:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by CaspianM View Post

We need to stablish a fact that 7100 and 7300 are 100% identical units before we get worried.

Yes, they are the same units :P

Also not to rain on anyone's parade w/ the scaler, but the unit included in the 7300 package is locked out outputting to 720p.
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post #26 of 60
11/4/07 at 6:55am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by CupCak3 View Post

Yes, they are the same units :P

Also not to rain on anyone's parade w/ the scaler, but the unit included in the 7300 package is locked out outputting to 720p.


How did you find out 7100 & 7300 are same?

The above reviewer referred to hd3000 as a 1080p solution.

Any unit that does weave (motion adaptive) to deiterlace the 1080i will not down convert to 540p (bob) for 1080p output. It is hard to get straight answer about this combo.
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post #27 of 60
11/4/07 at 7:15am
Boy oh boy, this really is tempting.

I am a current owner of a Sharp XR10X, which is a great PJ for what it is (buisness), but I'm starting to get the upgrade itch. I was just about to pull the trigger on the new Panny AX200u, but this DLP + scaler for this phenomenal price is really making me rethink.

I'm just waiting to see if the current deal does indeed include the extra bulb, although to be honest it's still a great deal without (esp. with the rebate). One thing though...correct me if I'm wrong, but you actually can't connect the two components with what you get in the boxes...you have to get a HDMI--> DVI adapter, correct?

CaspianM: You've posted in the XR10X forum, and I know you've had experience with the XR10X PJ, so I trust your opinion...how much better is the 7300? Also, how does the brightness compare?

EDIT: One more thing. It has a sealed light path and all that, correct? One of the benefits of a DLP. ;-)
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post #28 of 60
11/4/07 at 7:24am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by TomHuffman View Post

Optoma now offers a firmware upgrade that will support 1080p/24, but you have to send it in to Optoma to get it done.

So it does 1080P24 as well.
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post #29 of 60
11/4/07 at 7:57am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Evilboy View Post

Boy oh boy, this really is tempting.

I am a current owner of a Sharp XR10X, which is a great PJ for what it is (buisness), but I'm starting to get the upgrade itch. I was just about to pull the trigger on the new Panny AX200u, but this DLP + scaler for this phenomenal price is really making me rethink.

I'm just waiting to see if the current deal does indeed include the extra bulb, although to be honest it's still a great deal without (esp. with the rebate). One thing though...correct me if I'm wrong, but you actually can't connect the two components with what you get in the boxes...you have to get a HDMI--> DVI adapter, correct?

CaspianM: You've posted in the XR10X forum, and I know you've had experience with the XR10X PJ, so I trust your opinion...how much better is the 7300? Also, how does the brightness compare?

EDIT: One more thing. It has a sealed light path and all that, correct? One of the benefits of a DLP. ;-)

It is a serious step up. Yes you will need to use HDMI-DVI converter plug.
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post #30 of 60
11/4/07 at 9:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by CaspianM View Post

How did you find out 7100 & 7300 are same?

The above reviewer referred to hd3000 as a 1080p solution.

Any unit that does weave (motion adaptive) to deiterlace the 1080i will not down convert to 540p (bob) for 1080p output. It is hard to get straight answer about this combo.

call optoma :P
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