Optoma attempts to break the price barrier on 1080p 3D-capable projectors with the HD33, which carries an MSRP of $1499. With a few (minor) quibbles, this is a nice entry-level home theater projector.
Optoma HD33 3D-capable 1080p DLP Projector
The projector is rated at up to 1800 ANSI Lumens, so you do need a room with minimal ambient light. The throw distance on the HD33 is good, but requires a rather large room to get a fairly large image without having to place the projector against the back wall. Lamp life is rated at between 3000 and 4000 hours. Noise levels from the projector will vary based on the lamp settings. Standard mode with high altitude turned off was the quietest, and Bright mode with high altitude turned on obviously produced more fan noise. The projector also emits quite a bit of heat, so you may have to adjust the room temperature accordingly.
In the end, the Optoma HD33 is, for the money, an excellent entry-level 3D projector that is also an excellent 2D projector. It would be nice, though, if Optoma would include at least two pair of glasses if they are going to include the RF emitter with the projector. But that may put the projector at a slightly higher price point.
Optoma HD33 3D-capable 1080p DLP Projector
My cable company, Cox, does not offer any 3D channels currently in my area, but they do offer a few pay-per-view and free OnDemand movies, using the Top and Bottom technique, which can be easily chosen from the remote by pressing the 3D Format button and selecting it from the menu. My wife and I watched the IMAX 3D short Sigfried and Roy: The Magic Box. Unfortunately, due to the constraints of ATSC, the film had ghosting issues and compression artifacts.Stardust HD said:
The projector is rated at up to 1800 ANSI Lumens, so you do need a room with minimal ambient light. The throw distance on the HD33 is good, but requires a rather large room to get a fairly large image without having to place the projector against the back wall. Lamp life is rated at between 3000 and 4000 hours. Noise levels from the projector will vary based on the lamp settings. Standard mode with high altitude turned off was the quietest, and Bright mode with high altitude turned on obviously produced more fan noise. The projector also emits quite a bit of heat, so you may have to adjust the room temperature accordingly.
In the end, the Optoma HD33 is, for the money, an excellent entry-level 3D projector that is also an excellent 2D projector. It would be nice, though, if Optoma would include at least two pair of glasses if they are going to include the RF emitter with the projector. But that may put the projector at a slightly higher price point.