Optoma EP1080

...Even system graphics like the Optoma logo and the input information are crisp and clear. Plug in a laptop into the machine and you can put the resolution right up to 1080p and see full HD goodness from the internet such as BBC iplayer or Youtube HD. To get the best out of this machine you really need to connect a full HD source such as a Blue Ray player into the HDMI port and here you really enjoy the benefits of full high definition projection. ...
...have done on this machine it is typically Optoma in the way it's a little noisy with lots of fan noise, and it has a very hot air vent output. I also don't like the way the focus isn't matched to the zoom as you find in many other machines.  ... more

This is probably the first of the high end home cinema projectors that I have felt is capable and bright enough to use in a commercial setting. It combines an impressive specification with a price that is low enough to bring full HD projection into their home cinema or meeting room. With comparable machines often costing two or three times as much as this machine, where are the downsides to buying a full HD projector on the cheap?

Specification/Connectivity

This machine is a 3600 lumen projector with a texas instruments full HD DLP chip and a 5 segment colour wheel. There is connectivity for HDMI, DVI-D, 2x VGA, VGA out, component video, s-video and composite video. There are audio inputs for all the inputs allowing you to use the projector as the switching centre for your home cinema if required. It has RS232 and ethernet control allowing proper integration with integrated control systems such as AMX or Crestron as well as a web interface for monitoring over a network. There is also a USB port so the projector remote can be used to control your computer for powerpoint presentations for example.

Picture quality

The first thing you notice is the resulution that the full HD DLP chip brings to the EP1080. Even system graphics like the Optoma logo and the input information are crisp and clear. Plug in a laptop into the machine and you can put the resolution right up to 1080p and see full HD goodness from the internet such as BBC iplayer or Youtube HD. To get the best out of this machine you really need to connect a full HD source such as a Blue Ray player into the HDMI port and here you really enjoy the benefits of full high definition projection. the pictures are crisp and clear and thanks to the high lumen output the contrast is excellent, even with some ambient light on the screen. Unfortunately it's when you push the projector to it's limits do you start to see it's limitations. This is mainly down to the 5 segment colour wheel, while it allows more light to pass through increasing the brightness of the picture, there are some glaring errors in the colour balance that can't be eradicated by adjusting the colour settings. While reds are ok, with skin tones remaining pink and reds that don't becom muddy or orange. Blues have a definite green tinge to them, the most extreme case I saw was blue denim clothing that almost appeared completely green. I guess my perception was jaded by the fact the I decided to view the output on both the projector and an LCD tv I had available. I know you never get quite the same saturation or contrast between the two mediums, but the colour reproduction should be similar. The difference was quite stark and really showed up the failings of what is potentially a truly great machine for the cost.

I'll leave the review here for now and I'll report on the installation and running of the machine later. Albeit to say that with the limited evaluation I have done on this machine it is typically Optoma in the way it's a little noisy with lots of fan noise, and it has a very hot air vent output. I also don't like the way the focus isn't matched to the zoom as you find in many other machines. 

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