Customer Reviews
HD Projection Image Is Superb - needs DCDi or similar for NTSC broadcast TV 
2008-04-05
I have had the Optoma HD70 mounted and in use for just over a week.
I upgraded from an X1 that I had for years. The Brightnes and Contrast levels on the HD70 are great. Much brighter and crisper than the Infocus X1. The High definition image is absolutely superb and is much better than the Infocus.
However:
As for standard definition TV and DVD I am disapointed. The Faroujada DCDi processor built in the X1 made the 480i media look fantastic. When viewing standard broadcast TV with the HD70,the dark scenes are blotchy and the bright scenes are washed out. I will need to upgrade my HT Audio/Video receiver to one with an upconverter and video processor. The Onkyo TX-SR705 shows goood promise
Onkyo TX-SR705 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black) to get back to a good viewing experience when viewing Broadcast TV and DVDs.
I highly recommend the HD70 for viewing HD content including BluRay or HDDVD. If you are going to watch Broadcast Standard Definition TV or standard DVD get an additional unit with either a Faroudja DCDi or HQV Reon-VX video processing & Upconverter.
Awesome for the price 
2008-01-27
Bought the Optoma after considerable research and havent been dissapointed one little bit. The brightness is a little low but if you can control the light in your room, that is not a problem at all. Unit looks nice and the controls are easy to operate even without reading the manual which is basic at best. I have the image at 120' which is quite large and the image is very clear. For a 720p which is probably the cheapest in the market, you cant go wrong with the HD70. The differences in image quality with those far more expensive units is so subtle that most people will never know the difference. You can save 100's (probably even more) with this unit and still be happy with the quality. Unit comes with all cables except HDMI which is recommended for best image quality. It has an optical cable for sound but no digital coaxial so depending on your setup, you may have to buy a couple of cables (quite cheap if you buy online. The price difference at the big box stores is remarkable).
One thing to note: As with all DLP models, you have to be careful where you mount the projector. It has to be lower than the lowest point of your screen or higher that the highest (ceiling mount). To get the largest images, you have to move the projector to the back of the room (at least 14 feet, I think).
just ok 
2008-01-18
I bought this projector very much influenced by the raving reviews. Maybe I have different need from the majority of reviewers: I like to watch mostly foreign and art films along with independent, classic and the ocasional action thriller and never use it for tv broadcast.
I had several problems setting the right aspect ratio for old and not so old movies, the movies appear strechted or cropped. After trying all settings, I call costumer service and they pretty much told me to live with it. Also it is somewhat noticeable some kinetic distortion in background or sometimes foreground textures, specially when there is contrast between shapes or areas.
Light from the projector's lens leak into the room around the projection screen, so I had to custom make a mask to avoid this.
I had an optoma before and didn't have any of this issues.
Anyway when projecting a dvd that is 16:9 aspect ratio and a good quality transfer it is a good movie watching experience.
I shold have wait a little longer save a little money and purchase a higher quality projector more suited for my needs.
Outstanding. What a picture. 2008-01-14
A great projector! This is my second Optoma projector. First was DV10 movietime which is also excellent, but offers only 480p resolution vs. the 720p provided by the HD70. The move up to 720p is a great upgrade, more than double the pixels of 480p. Pictures are much sharper, especially noticeable during sports and in the scrolling banners that scroll across the bottom of the screen with scores and updates. Have mostly used it for HD TV viewing so far. I have a hard time getting the optimal focus on the Movietime, but the HD70 is much sharper and the image looks focused for a wide range of the zoom settings. This projector is an incredible value. A few other nice features that the Movietime doesn't have - the HD70's remove control is very simple and it lights up when you press a button so you don't have to turn the room lights on to see the remote so you can find the right button. Also, the HD70 is able to power down and cool-off the bulb in only about 10 seconds as compared to over 1 minute for the Movietime. So you can unplug it shortly after turning it off.
In short, it's a fantastic buy and you won't be dissappointed.
Perfect Cheap(ish) HD projector 2008-01-08
I started this review off with a sentence saying I was going to make it short and sweet. It did not turn out this way. I have discovered after deciding to start writing reviews for products I buy that you really do have to read the longer reviews to get an idea of what you are buying.
I bought this in September (its January) which give me 5 months of experience to talk about it. I loved this projector the first time I used it. Its size is great and its quality has only truly just been shown to me after getting a Toshiba HD-A1 HDDVD player a couple of weeks ago. I have nothing bad to say about it. In mid november, something happened to it (rainbow looking "scratch" on the projection that I had no idea what it was), and I sent it in, they fixed it, and I got it back with the problem being dust. I had to pay to ship it out, but they fixed it and shipped it back for free... not complaining too much because it only cost $26 to ship (you have to insure it when you ship it). I would definitely recommend paying for the extended warranty if you can afford it, only because projectors are more delicate than TVs and you must treat them as so, and if you do not, or if things just happen, its very nice to have a good warranty to fall back on.
I first used this with a Phillips upconvert DVD player. It was nice, the quality was better than what I would see on my 30" TV.. compared to the 85" of projection (I can use all 100" on my wall, but I am a college student living in an apartment and its just inconvenient to move it to where I would need to put it to get all 100"). Now I use the Toshiba HD-A1 HDDVD player and WOW. Upconverts are a bit better, and now I can see what HDDVD is made of. This projector with the HDDVD looks NIIIICE. To be honest, I know 1080p looks better, I have seen it, but considering no one else that I know has an HDDVD player, WITH an HD projector, I am easily the toast of my friends in this department.
Would I recommend this product. Definitely. If your looking for an HD projector, just stop here. Just stop. This is what you want.
Specifics:
-I use this on a short stand... it sits about 2 feet off of the ground. This projector projects upward (supposedly 33% or something and I guess I agree). You can place this projector anywhere and it will work for you. It has settings on it where you could put this thing upside down and project it to be right side up. Its versatile.
-Look at the picture. The right hand side of it opposite of the lens... that is where I notice most of the heat coming out. If you have this around things, make sure that is clear of any blocking, it gets somewhat hot. I wont say VERY hot, but it will raise the temperature of about 6 sq. feet around it about 5 degrees after 30 minutes or so.
-If you "ground" mount it, make sure you vacuum the immediate area around it very well with it NOT around, then put it there and use it. I do this every time I use it now after that dust debacle I had. If you ceiling mount it, I would not think you have to do this.
What I use:
HD70 Projector (5 star)
*RCA HDMI Link Cable (4 star)
**Toshiba HD-A1 HDDVD player (4.5 star)
***The wall (??? star)
*I bought this because I kept hearing its better with it. Indeed it is. Not as much as I thought, but I have not tried it out with the HDDVD player I just got so I am sure it is night and day in that case. I would recommend getting an HDMI cable.
**Look it up and read my review for it. If you do not have an HDDVD player already and want one, give this one a hard look.
***I do not have a projector screen so I do not know if it looks better with it compared to a blank wall. Its kept very clean and it looks good so I cannot say with certainty that using the wall downgrades the quality, because I do not know.
Great picture quality and value for money 2008-05-30
Amazing quality - vivid colur and sharp pictures; multiple display modes to connect to 4:3 & 16:9 sources. Truely high definition (720P) for everyday viewing - a well engineered product. Sleek looking and esay to set up as a ceiling projector. All in all a great value if I am to get the rebate (still waiting).
If you are getting this, I will recommend a upconverting DVD player (about [...]) and a componenet or HDMI cable to take advantage of HD quality viewing.
Great for Xbox 360 2008-05-21
I bought this projector in January '08 with the express purpose of playing Xbox 360 on it, and I must say, when the conditions are right, this projector really delivers. With the help of my aunt, uncle, and fiancée, I built a home-made 83" screen (the biggest size possible for my apartment), which works pretty well.
The native resolution of the Optoma HD70 is 1280x720, which is the resolution that the majority of 360 games are best played at--in other words, this unit is a perfect match for the 360.
The biggest downside of this or any other home theater projector is that they function best in darkness--with my current apartment, there is about 32 square feet of window in the wall to the left of my screen, so I have to confine myself to playing 360 until after the sun sets. :) Never fear, though--I plan to black out the windows for the upcoming summer gaming season!
My older brother and I, now that we're both adults, have sort of a home theater contest going. During his most recent visit, he said to me, "Dang, man! You've won--for now!" I highly recommend this product.
Go with newer Technology! 
2008-04-27
I am the lead installer for a company that installs RealHomeTheaters, so hopefully my experience can be of some help.
This projector has been on the market since 2006. There is newer better technology out there at better prices. Shop around. Consider the Mitsubishi HC1500 or the Panasonic PT-AX200 and be sure to read my reviews on them too.
Hope this helps get your RealHomeTheaters off the ground!
Optoma HD70 2008-04-26
This is an excellent entry level projector that I got last summer (2007). The colors are very natural right out of the box and you won't regret buying this. Not much difference for the size of the screen I have (91 inches) between this and a 1080P projector.
A sure shot recommendation. A no brainer as some would call it. Optoma had a free screen with this projector that made this very sweet.
Optoma HD70 2008-04-14
I bought this for a home theater that will be in my basement. This is my first personal projector purchase although I've used them at work. So far the basement is not completed but I have been testing and evaluating this projector in my familyroom. I chose this projector because of other reviews that I've read from novice to professional evaluations. It appears to be everything that others have said in their reviews. Pros: Great image and easy to figure out how to setup and use. Cons: No audio, flimsy lens cap that won't stay on. I don't have a screen yet and am using a blank white wall which still seems to perform well. Can't wait to see it on a grey screen. I am please with this projector and would recommend it.
