Optoma sets new price record with HD80

Philip Wong | Jun 26, 2007

Looks like 1080p projectors are fast becoming mainstream earlier than expected. Optoma has just recently announced its US$2,999 HD80 and now there's already firm indication of its impending arrival in Asia. This sets a new yardstick for being one of the lowest-priced single-chip DLP models, coming almost neck-to-neck with its Epson EMP-TW1000 LCD rival. But unlike the latter, this is supposedly shipping with two HDMI 1.3 and DVI jacks.

Besides the above-mentioned impressive connectivity and DLP's renowned inky blacks, other vital specifications include a 10,000:1 dynamic contrast and bright 1,300 ANSI lumens. So far so good, but you will need a deep room to accommodate this light cannon. With a humble 1.2x zoom, it requires a substantial 4.2m throw distance to project a 104-inch image. Motorized functions are also out of the question but are understandable tradeoffs for such steep affordability.

Singapore distributor AR Visual has indicated that the Optoma HD80 will be priced between S$5,200 (US$3,421.05) and S$5,500 (US$3,618.42), and will probably reach our shores by end July. Launch details for the rest of Asia were not available at press time. The Asian model's specifications are pending confirmation.