Optoma HD72 720p DLP Home Theater Projector

by Optoma

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 13.6 x 9.7 x 3.7 inches ; 7 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 10 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000EI5QWA
• Item model number: HD72
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #75,267 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Offering true 720p high-definition resolution, the Optoma HD72 DLP (digital light projection) home theater projector features new technologies to deliver brighter images and truer colors to the projected picture. With a proprietary 7-segment color wheel with BrilliantColor and TrueVivid color enhancement technologies, the Optoma HD72 produces superior color and deeper dark settings at the same time. With native HDTV and HD PC resolution at 1280 x 768 (16:9), the HD72 delivers a 5000:1 contrast ratio at 1300 lumens to deliver subtle color details. And with 10-bit color per channel color processing, the HD72 delivers great color saturation and subtle color details for optimized image quality. Featuring a new, unique design, the HD72 also lowers the noise level usually associated with typical home theater projectors. The patent-pending wind tunnel cooling system is designed for near-silent operation with minimal light leakage.

Features

• True High Definition 720p home theater projector
• Bright 1300 lumens with 5000:1 (ImageAI mode) contrast ratio
• BrilliantColor technology by Texas Instruments delivers higher brightness and more vibrant colors
• Native pixel-to-pixel matching for 720p HDTV and 4:3 XGA computer display
• ImageAI - Auto Adjusting light intensity output delivers amazing contrast
• 7 segment color wheel for detailed color reproduction
• Input connectors: DVI-I, HDMI, RCA component, Composite, S-Video
• Light shield design and ultra-quiet 27 dB operation

What's in the Box
Projector, composite video cable, S-video cable, remote control, batteries for remote control, lens cap, userÕs manual, Quick Start Guide, warranty card, power cord, printed operating instructions

Product Description

Optoma HD72 DLP Projector. The Optoma HD72 projector is a true 720p, high-performance projector for home theater enthusiasts. The HD72 features new technologies to deliver brighter and truer colors to the projected picture. The Optoma HD72 DLP home theater projector delivers great color saturation and subtle color details for the best image quality. Native 720p, 16:10 DarkChip2 DLP, 7 segment color wheel , 10 bit color per channel, processing BrilliantColor and TrueVivid color enhancement technologies 1280x768 native resolution 5000:1 contrast with ImageAI 1300 lumens.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic picture quality, limited features, great price., March 31, 2006

By 

Lord Dimwit Flathead "The Excessive" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Optoma HD72 720p DLP Home Theater Projector (Electronics)

(Update May 2008) - Still using this (and on my first lamp too) so this has been a very good projector for me. If 720p is adequate for you and you can live with the screen geometry limitations, this projector is better than ever at this price. But if I were buying today, I would be looking long and hard at what Optoma has in a 1080p system.

(original review follows)

This home theatre projector is going to make a lot of converts this year and turn the projector market on its ear. There is nothing out there (at present) with this quality of picture for this low a price.

The HD72 has seriously limited image geometry adjustment but if you can mount it to the ceiling on center with the screen at the correct distance (+/- 20%), then none of these limitations will matter a bit. If you can't you might want to consider remodeling - the picture is that good. Otherwise, knock off 2 stars and prepare to spend a lot more.

The HD72's 1300 lumens concerned me when I bought mine. My venerable InFocus LP350 was pretty dim at 1300 lumens but the HD72 seems to use them efficiently enough to allow low ambient light while projecting a very pleasing 80" image. If I owned a high-brite screen, it would likely be even better.

If this will be your first projector, remember to price lamps. They are expensive and need to be replaced every few thousand hours of viewing. They tend to lose brightness as they get older so you may not get the 3000 hours Optoma claims. Also, research screens; what you project on is as important as what your project with.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HD Projector review for first-timers, July 2, 2007

By 

A. Paoli (San Francisco, cA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Optoma HD72 720p DLP Home Theater Projector (Electronics)

I am writing this review in order to give some helpful guidance to those of you who are on the fence when it comes to HD projectors. Like me, you are probably wary of straying away from the norm of Plasma or LCD televisions...possibly even frightened by the notion of using a projector system instead of a steadfast TV system for your home theater. Well, I made that plunge last week and now I am back to talk about it so that you will have a little more confidence in your purchase.

I will state right now that I do NOT have any other HD projectors (nor have I seen any other) and therefore I cannot comment on this unit's pros/cons over other units. My review is just a first-timers look at the projector, its PROs and CONS, and overall performance.

I purchased this unit because I had a problem brewing with my HD setup. I have a 50" Panasonic Plasma HDTV. After using the unit for 2-3 months I noticed that I was getting burn-in due to heavy video game usage. I didn't want to plop down another 2 grand for a new LCD HDTV (LCD units do not endure burn-in like Plasma) so I started snooping around online forums for alternatives.

I am now a true believer in HD Projectors. It looked OK thrown up on a wall, then it looked slightly better when thrown on a bedsheet...then I built my own screen out of blackout cloth and man does it shine! I went from a 50" Plasma display to a 90" display (both in HD) and the 90" display cost me far less. I will also note that since this is a HD Projector you truly do get incredible images when feeding the unit a HD signal (component or HDMI).

So overall I'm thrilled that I made my purchase. Now for the pros/cons, some of which are obvious but I'll list them anyways.

PROS:
- Great HD Picture Quality
- HUGE upgrade in screen size for those upgrading from normal HDTV
- Very low noise form the fan...the only real noise it makes is when it cools off after operating (and you aren't watching TV then anyways since it is off)
- Easy to setup
- Cost savings over Plasma/LCD HDTV alternatives
- No problems with Burn-in
- If you know how to download movies on your PC then you've got yourself you own home theater.

CONS:
- Room must be kept dark for OPTIMAL image quality. Just like in a theater, the darker the better. This is the #1 problem with this kind of setup, but hey if you want a theater experience then understand it will need to be dark.
- Bulbs are expensive and they will eventually burn out after 1,000 - 2,000 hours (has not happened to me yet)
- My screen size was limited to 90" because my den is only 10 feet deep. Deeper den = larger screen
- Very slight light leakage seen out of bottom of unit (my unit is mounted up-side down so this light hits the ceiling. This wouldn't be a problem for units mounted right-side up)
- No sound system...don't buy this if you have problems running your own sound system
- Not 1080p...but come on, can you really afford a 1080p Plasma/LCD? The only units that I have seen that are 1080p and affordable look like junk when you see them in stores.
- Costly screen if you don't know how to make your own*

*I built my own screen which took about 30 minutes once I had the supplies. Screens can run anywhere from 300+ in stores. Don't be a sucker; build your own and you will not be disappointed. No painting or anything like that required if you want to keep it simple. If you need help building your own then send me an email and I'll point you in the right direction.

Andrew

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BUY IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, January 5, 2007

By 

Surfzup101 (Arnold, md USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Optoma HD72 720p DLP Home Theater Projector (Electronics)

I graduated from a 4 year old In-Focus projector,which served me very well, but this is an incredible jump up in quality. The old projector cost $5k!!! I know there are projectors for big bucks,but why would anyone need anything more. Unless the more expensive units can provide x-ray vision for Jennifer Aniston movies, I don't get it.
This unit was rated #1 by Consumer Reports- that is how I found it (after settling on a new In-focus IN76). This unit, which had a net cost after rebates of $1450.00, is a joy to the eyes and the pocketbook.

Only minor drawback is lack of digital focus from the remote.
Buy it!