The theme of a $ 1000 1080p projector is enticing , but are the first products to accomplish this price , the VIvitek H1080FD and the Optoma HD20 , any good ? Yes , yes they are .
I have to accept , I did n’t have gamey hopes for these two simple machine . The first “ budget ” products in any category always seem to diminish curt , but in this typesetter’s case I was pleasantly surprised . Both the Vivitek H1080FD and the Optoma HD20 , which use DLP engineering , offer exceptional performance for the price , but one definitely stood out .
The Results…
The Vivitek takes amber almost every category .
Stack those results up ( by weighting each gold laurel wreath with 3 point and each silver with 2 ) , and you may see how it all adds up .
Winner: Vivitek H1080FD
While the Optoma HD20 and the Vivitek H1080FD are alike in many respect , the bottom line is that Vivitek crusade the envelope a number more with picture quality , and provided more of those characteristic that you might find in a pricier projector .
It ’s a spook openhanded than the Optoma , and a little more than a Irish pound heavier at 7.8 lb , but it is still an extremely portable twist ( they even go so far as to throw in a carrying vitrine ) . Both the Vivitek and the Optoma deficiency lens switch capableness , so I had to set them up on this ghetto cardboard box on top of a card table constellation in guild to rescue a straight , unobstructed picture to the wall . However , once thing were set up and calibrated properly , the Vivitek volunteer up slimly richer gloss and adept overall contrast ( 5000:1 ) than the Optoma — although smutty levels and overall lineament of the 1080p characterization appear standardized between the two twist . I also give the Vivitek an edge in the luminosity department — especially when comparing the brightest modes . Still , after race through several 1080p picture clips on both simple machine , I was really wowed by the overall image quality on these launching - grade projector .
As I mentioned in the first place , the Vivitek brought a few features to the table that you usually see in pricier theoretical account . For one thing , it ’s extremely quiet — peculiarly when compare to the Optoma . It also feature more comment / output than the Optoma , including S - Video , RS-232c connector and audio jacks ( although it would be a offence to utilize S - Video ) . It even features a belittled 5W onboard speaker which aids in portability and repose of use for those who are looking for a simple , all - in - one solvent . The speaker is canonical , but I found it helpful in my temporary frame-up when I just want to stop up and bet .
There is n’t much to kick about with esteem to the Vivitek H1080FD , but I did notice that menus in the UI do n’t collapse , so you have to die to get a full pic of your change . However , the most troubling negative has to do with the $ 400 cost of a permutation lamp . The overall lamp life of the Vivitek and the Optoma are the same , but there is a $ 150 conflict in the cost of the replacement . give the fact that there is n’t a Brobdingnagian dispute in performance between the two models , this expense could be a real dealbreaker for people who are front to use their projector on a more unconstipated basis .
Runner-Up: Optoma HD20
certain , the ball carrier - up in a competition of two is the “ loser , ” but there ’s a lot to like about the Optoma . the right way off the bat , you have to marvel at how humble this affair is . At 12.76″ x 3.82″ x 9.21″ and 6.4 Lebanese pound , users do n’t need to use the HD20 in a permanent setup . It can be easy stored and transported — but , again , the lack of lens switching entail you might shin to get an optimum viewing slant .
grant , the HD20 is n’t exit to spoil away enthusiasts who will settle for nothing less than the black blacks and snowy white , but most of us will be more than slaked with the clarity , color and contrast ( 4000:1 ) . Overall lumen output was n’t quite up to snuff when compared to the Vivitek , but it was still substantially better than you would expect in a budget model in both bright and theater modes — well allowing for a concealment just under 100″ in my bread and butter room to be well viewable with ambient lighter .
Of course , the HD20 is not without it ’s defect . First of all , inordinate rooter noise makes it sound more like what you might expect from buy a cheaply priced DLP . It ’s noticeable in Standard mode , but I was definitely disquiet by it in Bright ( users might also find the faint emanating from the front vent to be deflect ) . I also found the UI to be well organized but fairly nettlesome to navigate , mostly because the remote is n’t very reactive . I feel like I had to mash the button down to get a reply .
Feature Comparison
But What If You Spend More?
OK , so what if you ’re unforced to spend a bit more than $ 1000 ?
Epson ’s HC 8100 represents a Mary Leontyne Price head in the entryway - level grocery store for consumers willing to pay extra for secure 1080p performance . At $ 1600 , the LCD - based 8100 is a big step up from the Vivitek and the Optoma . In my opinion , it is worth the added expense .
Simply put , it easily outstrips both of its cheaper rival in just about every carrying into action family . It also has some reward that the others lack , many of which deduct from the advantages 3LCD has over DLP . Brightness and coloring accuracy are better , no people of colour bicycle means no rainbow effect ( for the people who suffer from that — you do it who you are ) and it has a high-pitched degree of upright and horizontal lens shift , meaning you could put this thing just about anywhere and throw a clean mental image . However , it is literally twice as big and with child as the Vivitek , which could make it unsuitable for some setups .
If you are implicated with the farsighted full term cost of ownership , the Epson is private-enterprise in that area with a $ 300 lamp successor cost ( 4000 hour lamp life in Normal and Eco mode ) and a two - twelvemonth circumscribed warranty . So , in that signified , it could be cheaper to own in the long term than both the Vivitek and the Optoma , depending on your usage .
Verdict
If you have your heart set on 1080p , the dependable word is that you will plausibly be satisfied no matter which one of these projector you take — definitely an encouraging sign at these price points . That having been said , I call back it is deserving pass an an supernumerary $ 600 for the improved carrying into action of the Epson HC 8100 .
However , if the HC 8100 is n’t in your budget , there is no ignominy in endure with the Vivitek — it will deliver a tidy sum of bang for your buck . On the other paw , if you plan on using your projector oft and the long terminal figure price of ownership is a concern , the Optoma HD20 will be less expensive in the foresighted ravel — and the selection might be further justified since there is n’t a vast remainder in performance . Perhaps the best news is that , within the next year , more 1080p projector from the the like of Sony and Panasonic will be competing at these lower price , too . If you are patient , it might be worth it to hold back and see how the food market develops . [ EpsonandVivitekandOptoma ]
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