Optoma HD8200 1080p DLP Home Theater Projector Review

Optoma’s HD8200 projector has a native Full HD (1080p) resolution providing the home theatre viewer with the sharpest, most detailed picture available. All with all other Optoma home theatre projectors it is DLP based on a single Texas Instruments Darkchip3 microdisplay panel.

The maximum brightness available of 1300 ANSI lumens will handle more light than is typical for a home theatre. This means most users will be able to run in the lower brightness (eco) mode most of the time and obtain somewhere near the 3000 hour rated life for the projection bulb.

Optoma HD8200 DLP Home Theater Projector

The Optoma HD8200 achieves excellent contrast ratios 680:1 (static) 20,000:1(Dynamic) through Optoma’s Dynamic Black technology which modulates light levels improving darker image details and hence the dynamic contrast ratio. The Optoma HD8200’s features include their PureMotion Technology which boosts color saturation, smooths motion and reduces judder.

The HD8200 is ISFccc (Imaging Science Foundation Custom Calibration Configuration) licensed, which allows trained professionals to optimize the projector for its viewing environment.

Optoma HD5800 Projector Setup

To simplify projector setup, by enabling vertical and horizontal image adjustment without moving the projector, the Optoma HD8200 comes with 25% vertical and +/- 15 % horizontal keystone correction (% is of image height/width respectively). This flexibility in both planes is achieved with lens shift (referred to as PureShit by Optoma) which produces better picture quality than digital keystone correction. Using an innovative Non-Telecentric lens system the contrast ratio, uniformity (evenness of light over image) and brightness are maintained in the shifted image. The Optoma HD8200 is the only home theatre projector from Optoma with horizontal keystone correction. The user manual (link below) has some diagrams clearly giving all the setup adjustments and options.

Another feature which simplifies projector setup is digital zoom which for the HD8200 is 1.5x and as well as being the highest across Optoma’s home theatre projector range it’s well above the usual 1.1x or so typical of DLP projectors. A wide digital zoom range provides more flexibility in the distance from the projector to the screen. It’s worth noting that none of the Optoma home theatre projectors have a short throw ratio for cramped situations.

As always the noise level from a home theatre is important. The HD8200 is notably quieter than the other models in Optoma’s home theatre range with eco/bright noise levels of 22dB/26dB respectively.

At 18.5 lb (8.4 kg) the HD8200 isn’t a portable weight however, as it most likely to be permanently installed it should not be an issue.

The HD8200 will resize a wide range of computer resolutions and video input formats as detailed below.

Computer Compatibility: HD, UXGA, SXGA+, WXGA, SXGA, XGA, SVGA, VGA, VESA, PC and Mac

Video Compatibility: Full NTSC, PAL, SECAM, True HDTV (720p, 1080i/p), 480i/p, 576i/p

Connectivity 2x HDMI, DVI, S-Video, Composite Video, Component Video, RS-232

The Optoma HD8200 has excellent projector and bulb warranties of three years and one year respectively compared to the standard one year and ninety days.

Included in the Box

Optoma HD8200AC, Power Cord, Composite Video Cable, Remote Control, Secondary Convenience Remote, Batteries for Remote, Lens Cap, User’s Manual, Warranty Card and Quick Start Guide