[kbfern]

As there is not a current owners/settings thread I thought I would open one up as these pj's are just starting to appear.

I don't have one YET but having spent the best part of 5 hrs with one last night see below my impression's of this bargain basement 1080p projector.Apologies to anyone already having read it on the other thread.

Thank's again for Custard10 for inviting me round for a session.

Right Guys I had a long session round at Custard's last night with his new but rapidly ageing (42hrs already) HD20 projector.Before I go into to much detail I would like to say WOW!! I WANT ONE TOO

Thanks to Asjad for a more than pleasant evening of chat/demo (was it really nearly 5hrs).

When I arrived at Asjad's the pj was already on and ready for action so we initially took a look at some Sky HD footie and even though at only 1080i looked very good indeed.

Asjad has a vey large screen,the full width of his wall, and although I did not get my tape out I think the diagonal is over 120" so quite a bit bigger than the 100" I work with at my place.

What struck me initially was you had to walk right up to within 1-2ft to see the pixel structure they were so small,at 3ft they totally vanished.

The footie picture was very good with detail and colours really well saturated with no sign of blurring with fast action.

During this we briefly switched to sky sport news to get the footie results(my team Wolves had won away at Wigan Woohoo!! well done lads) and the difference was astonishing, very poor detail.To be fair this is not down to the pj but sky's sd quality.

Next up The Dark Knight Bluray,this is a great movie and the opening Imax sequence was outstanding,sharp as a razor with very good colours and excellent blacks.

TDK is a great movie for seeing if rainbow is an issue for you or not,there are many dark night scenes with small areas of bright white light which is great to show up RBE.

Asjad does not see rainbows or should I say did not see rainbows until after I pointed them out to him(big mistake) under normal viewing conditions I see rainbows maybe 3-4 times in a movie.

On this occasion I was sitting on a sofa next to Asjad and my head was being turned to and from him to the screen and rainbows were present.

When sitting looking at the movie it was much much less prevalent,but if you look for it and do the usual rapid eye or head movements RBE does show.But lets face it this is not how we usually watch movies so I expect to be no problem in normal conditions.

Also remember this is a brand new projector with less than 50hrs so as the bulb wears in and looses some of it's initial brightness (100hrs+) I think any RBE will get even less.

Car's was next WOW! the detail and colours near blew me away,my Planar does an excellent job but the HD20 is on another level.Asjad had not seen cars before and he sat in wonder himself

I was also impressed with the low fan noise from the pj vs the HD65 due I think as much to the larger case dimensions,noise is no longer an issue unless you run it in high altitude mode which we did for a min or two which sounded more like a hair dryer.

By this time I looked at my watch and it was already nearly midnight and almost 4 hrs had gone by(don't time fly when your enjoying yourself).

So then we started winding things down a bit and took a look at the still images that are further up in this thread.

All I can say is wow on the screen they look so much sharper than you see on your computer monitor.

At 120" they were awesome especially the zebra,he needs to see a dentist his teeth look lousy when seen in such detail

I am not sure whether to hope the bulb in my Planar goes pop in order to justify buying one now or wait another 12 months before moving my Planar on.After seeing the HD20 last night I don't know if I can wait or not.

I hope this mini review has been a help to others looking to buy a new pj and can say the HD20 represents a true bargain in 1080p projectors.Optoma has done it again and these are going to sell in shedloads.

Keith
__________________

[custard10]

to simplify the task of locating my settings i'll post my current ones here.
and i will add/edit them as i increase the hours.

BTW Keith, i've fired up the projector again to try and tweak the the color gamut.


-------------
37 hours

i've partially calibrated to a dulux lumitec panel that i have painted up. as i said before the grey scale was pretty much straightforward. gamma took some time and the colour gamut still needs some further work.

ive posted links as downsizing of the images caused the values to become unreadable.

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...0/lumitec4.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...0/lumitec3.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...0/lumitec6.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...0/lumitec5.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...0/lumitec1.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...0/lumitec2.jpg

the settings i have with 37 hours on the lamp.
mode: user
contrast: 47
brightness: 38
color: 53
tint: 46
sharpness: 8
noise reduction: 0
gamma: standard
curve type: 1
offset: -2
color temp: warm
red gain: 5
green gain: 0
blue gain: -5
red bias: -1
green bias: 0
blue bias: 0
lamp bright mode: off

--------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------

72 hours
after 72 hrs i have recalibrated. did not need to adjust much except to improve the color gamut. i have been able to decrease the delta E for colors to 12 and below.
the only setting that was changed was the color setting from 53 to 51.
i should also point out that these settings have only been tested through the HDMI input.

mode: user
contrast: 47
brightness: 38
color: 51
tint: 46
sharpness: 8
noise reduction: 0
gamma: standard
curve type: 1
offset: -2
color temp: warm
red gain: 5
green gain: 0
blue gain: -5
red bias: -1
green bias: 0
blue bias: 0
lamp bright mode: off

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...09lumitec1.png

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...09lumitec2.png

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...09lumitec3.png

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...09lumitec4.png

--------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------

211 hours

colour gamut is looking better.
two calibrations this time. one retains brightness slightly better.
these settings are using a PS3 via hdmi. rgb was set to FULL with superwhite ON.

REGULAR CALIBRATION

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...ar060909_1.png

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...ar060909_2.png

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...ar060909_3.png

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...ar060909_4.png

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...ar060909_5.png

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...ar060909_6.png

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...ar060909_7.png

mode: user
contrast: 47
brightness: 40
color: 47
tint: 49
sharpness: 7
noise reduction: 0
gamma: standard
curve type: 1
offset: -2
color temp: warm
red gain: 4
green gain: 0
blue gain: -5
red bias: -2
green bias: -2
blue bias: -2
lamp bright mode: off



MY CALIBRATION SETTINGS

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...ht060909_1.png

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...ht060909_2.png

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...ht060909_3.png
http://www.avforums.com/forums/editp...ost&p=10180448
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...ht060909_4.png

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...ht060909_5.png

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...ht060909_6.png

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...ht060909_7.png

mode: user
contrast: 47
brightness: 37
color: 47
tint: 49
sharpness: 7
noise reduction: 0
gamma: standard
curve type: 1
offset: -2
color temp: warm
red gain: 7
green gain: 2
blue gain: -3
red bias: 1
green bias: 2
blue bias: 2
lamp bright mode: off

--------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------

413 hours

optomised for brightness.
most notable change is the gamma curve and offset.

mode: user
contrast: 47
brightness: 36
color: 46
tint: 49
sharpness: 7
noise reduction: 0
gamma: standard
curve type: 3
offset: -1
color temp: warm
red gain: 8
green gain: 4
blue gain: 1
red bias: 1
green bias: 1
blue bias: 1
lamp bright mode: off

__________________________________________________ _________________________________

thanks to Marley for condensing my settings into a table .

the table needs editing for 413hrs due to artifacts seen at reference black.
red bias: 1
green bias: 1
blue bias: 1
brightness: 36

[soupdragon]

hi custard

congrats on your purchase

i see you've upgraded from the hd65 which is what i have.....whats the verdict....would there be any chance of you posting seom pics of cars on blu-ray as my son watches it regularly on the pj an it would be a good comparison of the improved resloution

apart from resolution, has there been any other improvements?

[custard10]

Originally Posted by soupdragon

hi custard

congrats on your purchase

i see you've upgraded from the hd65 which is what i have.....whats the verdict....would there be any chance of you posting seom pics of cars on blu-ray as my son watches it regularly on the pj an it would be a good comparison of the improved resloution

apart from resolution, has there been any other improvements?

a definite improvement IMO. i found that the optimal settings for the HD65 were a little dull. this was partially caused by my screen which measures over 120 inches diagonally and its grey not white.
i dont have this problem with the HD20.
although i can see an improvement in clarity this for yourselve will be governed by your seating distance, screen size and source.

Keith has a Cars blueray and we are trying to organise setting my PJ up at his later in the week. i'll try to remember to take the camera.

why dont you have a peek at this thread where a discussion with pics is already underway:
http://www.avforums.com/forums/proje...r-900-a-9.html

[nwgarratt]

I now have a HD200X coming soon.

[isayisay]

Originally Posted by nwgarratt

I now have a HD200X coming soon.

I want one too,I bet when they start selling the prices will go up like the 65/700`s did

[nwgarratt]

Originally Posted by isayisay

I want one too,I bet when they start selling the prices will go up like the 65/700`s did

The HD800X I was watching last night was bought at £900 and now it is £1200-£1300. That might be down to being less stock of a older model. I suspect there is more of a chance that the HD20/HD200X it will go up too in the future.

If the HD200 turns out like a short throw version of the HD800, I will be happy. I should be able to retain my current 84" size from the same location as the HD700. The HD800 would have been just 50".

Looking at the manual, they both have the same menu system.

MY HD700 isn't going anywhere.

[custard10]

i have seen the HD20 been offered for £844 including delivery!

[isayisay]

Originally Posted by nwgarratt

The HD800X I was watching last night was bought at £900 and now it is £1200-£1300. That might be down to being less stock of a older model. I suspect there is more of a chance that the HD20/HD200X it will go up too in the future.

Its so annoying though other technologies tend to drop in price as newer models come out think Lcd/Plasma etc but projectors seem to do the opposite

[custard10]

updated calibration settings second post.

[nwgarratt]

72 hours already.

What happens to the picture if use cinema mode? I have always used that on my HD700 rather than user.

[custard10]

ive had it on all day today since the cricket started at 11am!

i havnt really tested the cinema setting. give me half an hour and i'll put up the colorimeter readings using the cinema setting. and then i'm off to bed.

[custard10]

i tested it for a minute or two and viewing seemed okay and not much different to my settings.

but the calibration readings are not too good at all. the luminance being the only graph which follows the reference 2.22 using hcfr fairly well.

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...inemahd201.png

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...inemahd202.png

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...inemahd203.png

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...inemahd204.png

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...inemahd205.png

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...inemahd206.png

[mooperman]

I'm thinking of picking this up, now £799 at most places. Not sure on the contrast ratio though, it seems low and i cant find any reviews on it anywhere....

[mightynimrod]

Hi fellas,

It looks like you had a major session the other evening then.

I was meant to go to Asjads this particular night with kieth but couldn't really justify the cost just yet of buying a PJ due to me buying a new house so reluctantly backed out.

I just wanted to pop on here and say thanks for the "no problem" attitude from Asjad when i asked if i could pop over to view the PQ - an absolutely top man who quite clearly enjoys helping others on here.

Hope you enjoy the HD20 mate and Kieth.........just buy one!

[nwgarratt]

Originally Posted by mooperman

I'm thinking of picking this up, now £799 at most places. Not sure on the contrast ratio though, it seems low and i cant find any reviews on it anywhere....

Remember it is Ansi contrast not the usual on/off contrast ratio.

It doesn't come out officially until the 28th so I bet reviews will appear by the end of the week. It maybe like the HD700 where more people were reviewing the HD65 instead. There has already been a couple of HD20 reviews.

My HD200 is coming tomorrow, can't wait.

[mooperman]

Originally Posted by nwgarratt

Remember it is Ansi contrast not the usual on/off contrast ratio.

My HD200 is coming tomorrow, can't wait.

whats the difference???

[nwgarratt]

Originally Posted by mooperman

whats the difference???

Optoma HD20 - Short throw 1080p projector - general queries, prices etc.

[nwgarratt]

Woohoo ! The HD200 is here. Update later.

[kbfern]

Great stuff nwg come on then get it on and let's hear your views.It's the first 200x in service here so we want to know how much better it is than the 700x.

[anibap]

Originally Posted by kbfern

great stuff nwg Come on then get it on and let's hear your views.it's the first 200x in service here so we want to know how much better it is than the 700x.

+1

[nwgarratt]

Patience, I will probably not be able to anything until later this afternoon/tonight.

[kbfern]

I am not a patient man,I WANT IT NOW!!

[mooperman]

good stuff man, i'm all but sold on this now. Think i'll be ordering Thurs as im off Fri for next day delivery...

If you dont mind me asking, where you order from, how long did it take and how much?

thanks

[nwgarratt]

I will have it up and running this afternoon. It took me ages to line up the HD700 with the screen so it may take some time too with the HD200.

[nwgarratt]

Originally Posted by mooperman

good stuff man, i'm all but sold on this now. Think i'll be ordering Thurs as im off Fri for next day delivery...

If you dont mind me asking, where you order from, how long did it take and how much?

thanks

I ordered it on Saturday night from Dabs.com at £798.99. I could have had free postage but wanted to make sure it came before bank Holiday Monday. It cost another £10 for a Tuesday delivery. If I hadn't, it might have hit the BH as they delay the dispatch with a week+ delivery date.

Play.com also has it in stock at £799.99 but I wouldn't use them for high value purchases.

Amazon.co.uk have a 1 to 3 week wait on it.

[anibap]

Originally Posted by nwgarratt

I ordered it on Saturday night from Dabs.com at £798.99. I could have had free postage but wanted to make sure it came before bank Holiday Monday. It cost another £10 for a Tuesday delivery. If I hadn't, it might have hit the BH as they delay the dispatch with a week+ delivery date.

Play.com also has it in stock at £799.99 but I wouldn't use them for high value purchases.

Amazon.co.uk have a 1 to 3 week wait on it.

Nic,

May I ask you why you went for the HD200 knowing that the HD20 offers 3 yr hotswap warranty compared to the 1 yr warranty of the HD200?

Look forward to your opinion on the PQ.

[kbfern]

Yes especially as it can be had for £844 according to Custy.

[nwgarratt]

Originally Posted by kbfern

Yes especially as it can be had for £844 according to Custy.

Couldn't afford anymore plus I didn't find it £844 anywhere (everywhere wanted £899). I can make use of that £54 saving on other things. Plus, I wanted it in black.

[mooperman]

cheers mate,

i was gonna order from here and pay the £10 next day delivery..

Optoma HD200X projector

i see they advertise here on AVF so that makes them a bit more trusted in my book.