Optoma HD806 1080p DLP Video Projector

At an MSRP of $2,599 the Optoma HD806 DLP Projector is a great value. The HD806 has a streamline stylish design that is compatible with almost any decor. With its native 1920x1080 (1080p) native pixel resolution and it 2,000 lumen output capability, the video quality is very good. Flesh tones and overall color saturation produce a very natural looking image. Another bonus is that the HD806 has a very quick turn-on and cool down shut off time. I found the Optoma HD806 to be a good performing and easy-to-use video projector. For an additional, close-up look at the Optoma HD806, check out my supplementary Photo Gallery.

DLP stands for Digital Light Processing.

DLP is a video projection technology, developed by Texas Instruments, that utilizes a chip, referred to as a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device). Every pixel on a DMD chip is a reflective mirror.

The video image is displayed on the DMD chip. The micromirrors on the chip (remember: each micromirror represents one pixel) then tilt very rapidly as the image changes.

This process produces the grayscale foundation for the image. Then, in a single chip DLP projector, such as Optoma HD806, color is added as light passes through a high-speed color wheel and is reflected off of the micromirrors on the DLP chip as they rapidly tilt towards or away from the light source. The degree of tilt of each micromirror coupled with the rapidly spinning color wheel determines the color structure of the projected image. As the amplified light bounces off the micromirrors, it is sent through the lens and can be projected on a large screen.

In more advanced, and much more expensive, DLP projection systems, such as digital projection systems that may be used in your local movie theater, use a 3-Chip design (one chip for Red, one chip for Green, and one Chip for Blue). In these systems, the spinning color wheel is not required.

The Optoma HD806 employs the single chip/color wheel system.

The features of the Optoma HD806 include:

1. DLP Video Projector with 2,000 Lumens of light output and 1920x1080 (1080p) Native Pixel Resolution.

2. Image size range: 30 to 300 inches - adds flexibility for both small and large screen sizes and room environments.

3. Native 16x9 Screen Aspect Ratio. The HD806 can also accommodate standard 4x3 aspect ratio sources. The 16x9 aspect ratio is desirable for widescreen films and HD sources. The aspect ratio can be adjusted to 4x3 for projection of material shot in the 4x3 format.

4. 8000:1 Contrast Ratio. 300 Watt Lamp.

5. Six-segment 2X speed color wheel.

6. Two HDMI, and one each of the following: VGA (via adapter to DVI), Component (Red, Green, Blue), S-Video, and Composite Video (Yellow) inputs. Any standard video source, except RF sources, can be connected to this projector.

7. Compatible with input resolutions up to 1080p. NTSC/PAL Compatible.

8. Video Deinterlacing and upscaling to 1080p via Pixel Works DNX video processing.

9. Manual Zoom and Focus controls. On-screen menu system for other functions. Wireless remote control provided.

10. Automatic video input Detection - Manual video input selection also available via remote control or buttons on projector.

11. Dimensions: 16” x 4.6” x 12.2” (406 x 117 x 310 mm)

12. Weight: 10 pounds.

13. Power Consumption: 435 watts (full power), 375 watts (ecomode), 14 watts (standby power).

14. Included Accessories: AC Power Cord, Component Video Cable, RS-232 Cable, Remote Control, Batteries for Remote, Lens Cap, User’s Manual, Warranty Card and Quick Start Guide.

15. Optional Accessories: Anamorphic Lens/Sled Kit, Ceiling Mount, External IR Module.

Setup and Installation

First setup a screen (size of your choosing). Then, position the unit at the optimal distance from the screen (your choosing). I chose to place the unit on a mobile table to make this easier, but the HD806 can be ceiling mounted with an accessory mount.

Starting up the projector is fairly easy. First, plug in your source (such as a DVD, Blu-ray, or HD-DVD player) to the proper video input. Then, plug in the power and turn on the power using the button on the side of the projector or the remote. It takes about 30 seconds or so until you see the Optoma projected on your screen, at which time you are set to go.

At this point, you can raise or lower both the the front and rear of the projector using the adjustable feet, and you can also adjust the actual lens angle using the Image Shift function on the remote control. You can also use the Zoom control on the lens to get the image to fill the screen properly. After this, you can use the mnaual focus control to sharpen your image.

I found that the HD806 automatically searches for the input of the source that was active.You can also access the source manually either via the projector's onboard controls or via the remote control.

The additional home theater hardware used in this review included:

Home Theater Receivers: Onkyo TX-SR705, Harman Kardon AVR147.

Source Components: OPPO BDP-83 and Sony BD-PS350 Blu-ray Disc Players, and the OPPO DV-983H DVD Player (used for standard DVD upscaling comparison)

Loudspeaker System 1: 2 Klipsch F-2's, 2 Klipsch B-3s, Klipsch C-2 Center , 2 Polk R300s.

Loudspeaker System 2: 2 JBL Balboa 30's, JBL Balboa Center Channel, 2 JBL Venue Series 5-inch Monitor speakers.

Subwoofers: Klipsch Synergy Sub10 - System 1. Polk Audio PSW10 - System 2.

DVDO EDGE Video Scaler used for baseline video upscaling comparisons.

Audio/Video connections made with Accell, Cobalt, and AR Interconnect cables. 16 Gauge Speaker Wire used.

Level checks made using a Radio Shack Sound Level Meter.

Software Used

The software used in this review included the following titles:

Blu-ray Discs used included scenes from from the following: 300, Across The Universe, Bolt, Hairspray, I am Legend, Iron Man, Night at the Museum, Rush Hour 3, Shakira - Oral Fixation Tour, Sunshine, The Dark Knight, The Day The Earth Stood Still (2008), Transporter 3, and Wall-E.

Standard DVDs used included scenes from the following: The Cave, House of the Flying Daggers, Kill Bill - Vol 1/2, Kingdom of Heaven (Director's Cut), Lord of Rings Trilogy, Moulin Rouge, and V For Vendetta.

Proceed to Page 2: Evaluation and Final Take