It looks like sub-$1,000 pricing is shaping up to be the new 1080p as the headline spec for projectors tempting you to reach for your wallet. Don't get us wrong -- $999 isn't exactly in the "impulse buy" category, but it opens up projectors appeal tremendously. Optoma's HD20 has joined Vivitek's
H1080FD in the $999, 1080p, DLP-powered beamer segment. Competition is always good, and the HD20 is happy to oblige by bringing 1,700 lumens, a 4000:1 contrast ratio, two HDMI inputs, and a bulb life of 4,000 or 3,000 hours depending on whether you take in the movies in "standard" or "bright" mode. Oh yeah, and the Optoma name might be a little more familiar to consumers than Vivitek, too. Competition is good, indeed.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
aaron @ Aug 6th 2009 3:30PM
Im really happy with my hd70..... I would be all over this but Im holding out for led based light sources.
MadMike @ Aug 6th 2009 6:56PM
My HD70 works great, but it needs a lot of lateral distance to throw a decent size image. If the newer ones are shorter throw with true 1080p then I may upgrade.
plonk420 @ Aug 8th 2009 12:56AM
seconded. LOVE my HD70. did you guys sharpie/nailpolish mod your wheel? or just adjust around it? i did the latter...
either way, i wish i had the money for this.
Mitchell @ Aug 6th 2009 4:26PM
Yea i have a HD80. Love the nice contrast and cringe at the look of 4000:1 contrast. Then again i paid $3000 for mine 2 years ago.
alf @ Aug 7th 2009 6:06PM
don't waste your money! i'm an a/v & IT professional and after months of doing my homework, i bought the nec vt800. for the money [paid $829, now $729], it can't be beat! see my review on projectorcentral.com here -
http://www.projectorcentral.com/part_opinions_details.cfm?opinion_id=11866
j @ Aug 10th 2009 5:11PM
You do installations and you recommend and purchase a XGA (1024x768) Projector?!?!?
jakebrick @ Aug 7th 2009 10:42PM
My hd65 is awesome except except for darks, I wonder how this one is. My hd65 was only half the price, but more resolution is always better and $999 is not bad at all.
plonk420 @ Aug 8th 2009 1:11AM
if this is an article about a 1080p projector, why would we want anything less? not even considering that it's LCD and not DLP.
Kyle @ Aug 9th 2009 8:56PM
Any word on when this is coming out?
hpoulter @ Aug 10th 2009 10:11AM
It's out. See Visual Apex's site. I ordered mine and will get it tomorrow to replace my beloved Optoma HD73.