Optoma HD81

41 reviews

Nov, 2024

Positive
image quality (18)
design (4)
reliability (1)
black level (1)

Negative
usability (13)
price (10)
noise (6)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 41 reviews of Optoma HD81. The average rating for this product is 4.4/5, compared to an average rating of 4.2/5 for other products in the same category for all reviews. People really like the reliability and black level. The design and image quality also get good comments. The noise and price get negative reviews.

image quality, design, black level, reliability

usability, price, noise

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other products in the same category the Optoma HD81 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 89/100 = Very good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 41 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(39% of reviews)
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Showing 23 review(s)

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Showing 1 - 10 of 23 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (18)

Expert review by : Kevin Miller (cnet.com)

Optoma HD81-LV review: Optoma HD81-LV

Optoma HD81-LV

Accurate color decoding for both SD and HD sources, very good video processing with included external processor; more connectivity than nearly all competing projectors.

Poor gamma and grayscale tracking at high light output settings; very little flexibility for setup and installation; no vertical lens shift.

Although a good performer if you use it with a relatively small screen, the Optoma HD81-LV 1080p DLP projector is overly complex and difficult to set up and install.

Aug, 2007

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Expert review by : Clint DeBoer (audioholics.com)

Optoma HD81 DLP Projector Review

The HD81 is not just a projector. It combines an excellent optical display system with an advanced external video processor that handles, among other things a host of inputs from composite all the

True native 1080p DLP ; Deep blacks, rich colors ; Outboard video processor with numerous inputs and Gennum VXP processing ; Consumer adjustment of RGB gain, cut and gamma ; Backlit remote

Weak 1.2x Zoom Lens ; No lens shift ; Slow switching between formats/inputs ; Manual zoom/focus ; Loud fan ; Loud auto-iris with delayed response ; Requires long RS-232 serial cable for proper installation (not included) ; Frequent HDCP errors ; Locked...

Nov, 2006

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Scott Wilkinson (avguide.com)

Optoma HD81 1080p DLP Projector

We are witness to the beginning of a new era in front projection. As CEDIA Expo 2006 so clearly demonstrated, the market is about to be flooded with 1080p front projectors, many with list prices below $10,000. Among them is the Optoma HD81, one of the...

In terms of picture quality, the Optoma HD81 is difficult to fault. Color, detail, black level, shadow detail, and video processing are all exceptional. The only drawback—and it’s a big one—is the lack of lens shift, which makes placement problematic....

Aug, 2008

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Expert review by : Anthony Arrigo (projectorreviews.com)

Optoma HD81

The projected image was truly impressive at the show, leading me to expect an excellent projector to review. I was also curious to see what additional capabilities the HD81 home theater projector offered, by virtue of its using a Gennum outboard...

Extremely sharp image ; Good color out of the box (can be improved with a basic end user calibration disk - like AVIA), or go full ISF calibration ; Brightest 1080p projector so far, in "best" movie mode ; Outboard processor simplifies setup, with only...

Noisy - although definitely acceptable in low power, in high power mode fan noise will be an issue for some ; Lack of vertical lens shift ; Limited zoom lens range (1.2:1) ; Dynamic iris makes occasional short bursts of noise, sufficient that most will...

PS. Unlike previous 1080p reviews, I did not put separate comparison paragraphs between the HD81 and the various competitors. With a major article directly comparing the 1080p's coming out in late January, I figured just pointing out the specific...

Dec, 2006

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Expert review by : 411Team Specialist (my411family.com)

Optoma HD81 Projector Review

Cinema has come closer to Home Theater. What we see in a movie theater can almost be experienced at home. Optoma HD81™, a single Texas Instruments® DarkChip3™ 0.95" DLP™ chip projector, has narrowed down this gap deeply. Films transferred on to digital...

This combination of projector and processor seems expensive but the Video Enhancement Processor is the heart of this whole machine and it can take care of your other analog and digital devices. Just reel back to the days when Lexicon™ line doublers...

Dec, 2006

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Expert review by : Bill Livolsi (projectorcentral.com)

Review: Optoma HD81 1080p Home Theater Projector

The new Optoma HD81 is one of several aggressively priced 1080p resolution home theater projectors to come to market this fall. It is the brightest of the new 1080p models and delivers a particularly sharp and detailed HD image. Other performance...

Nov, 2006

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Expert review by : Al Griffin (soundandvision.com)

Test Bench: Optoma HD81 1080p DLP Front Projector

The Optoma showed a slight amount of color decoder error (-5% green) via both its HDMI and component-video inputs. Color points were very accurate - a factor that, along with the projector's precise color decoding, contributed to its rich,...

Crisp, detailed pictures with all sources

At $7,000, the Optoma HD81 1080p DLP front projector is an undeniably great deal. Its setup features are somewhat basic, and the Auto Iris feature is, unfortunately, a work in progress that Optoma claims will be fixed with a firmware upgrade.

Nov, 2006

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Expert review by : Thomas J. Norton (soundandvision.com)

Optoma HD81 1080p DLP Projector

I've only been living with the new Optoma HD81 DLP projector for a little over a week, but it's already becoming obvious that new 1080p projectors selling for more than the Optoma's $7,000 price are likely to have a difficult time in the market. Even...

Sep, 2006

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Expert review by : Thomas J. Norton (hometheater.com)

Optoma HD81 1080p DLP Projector

Not that producing a relatively affordable 1080p projector to satisfy the fussy videophile will be easy. The Optoma HD81 sample we received had a number of problems. But it turned out to be a pre-production unit. I was not aware of this until this...

Sep, 2006

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Expert review by : Thomas J. Norton (ultimateavmag.com)