Mini Review of New PJ and AVR

kevhed72

After a fortunate lightening strike about 2 months ago which rendered my Mitsu HC4000 projector and Pioneer SC-05 useless, I finally hooked my replacement units last night for a test run - an Optoma HD-25LV and Pioneer SC-63.
Here is what I demo'd: 1. LOTR Extended Version Box Set - 1st Movie - 1st disc 2. Kill Bill Vol. 2
All impressions we right out of the box with no calibration or room correction.

Old vs. New Projector: Right away the image pop you hear so much about DLPs was present with the Optoma. Also, the Optoma handles darker scenes and shadow detail MUCH better than the Mitsu ever did. I always thought the Mitsu did a sub par job of handling details with darker movie scenes. Also, the Optoma was sitting right next to me and overall noise and light leakage is less than the Mitsu. So far I think I got a bit lucky with this unit which I bought for under 600.00 on Ebay ("New - missing original box").

Old vs. New AVR: The SC-63 is quite a bit lighter than the SC-05, the inputs on the back are arranged for easier hookup, and IMO the unit itself looks better. The remote is definitely cheaper with than the SC-05 but seems simpler to use so far. The sound difference so far - pre calibration - is not a evident as the PJ differences, but dynamics of music and effects seem clearer and "punchier" - almost as if this unit can go from 0 - 60 quicker with sound effects. I may have also lucked out with this purchase - this unit was discounted to under 500.00 due a small dent on the top side corner which nobody will ever see. Otherwise brand new.

I tried to keep this short but sweet - I'll get pics up as soon as the new mount, power center, and surge receptacle for the PJ all get installed. So back to my first sentence, I feel the lightening strike - which cost me a bit - was fortunate because, at this point, my HT has been upgraded substantially - especially the video.

Dennis Gardner

I've had the HD25LV for almost a year (4000+ hours, I work from home) and love the extra lumens output. Running it at around 102" diagonal sitting 11' back from the screen I have people that think it is a huge LCD even with the lights on in the room at times. The only issue that I have is at times, the brightness/eco mode settings will engage and cause a flicker during very bright skylight scenes. This PJ does have only a 4 times color wheel and has more rainbow artifacts than the previous Optoma H31 that had a 6 times wheel, but I can live with it since I no longer have to watch in the dark.

It is going back this month since the 1 year warranty is up in early Sept. for the flicker repair. I will load another lamp in it and go another 4000 hours and see where the market is at for PJs. I can't see ever needing too much more until 4K is the standard.

I hope you enjoy the PJ as much as I do. My room has truly become my cave since getting it. I rarely come out.

hochpt21

Good to hear the comments on the HD25. I have an HD20 which I really like....except...some HD20 models including mine have a problem where sometimes they go whacky and flash a purple/green strobe that makes the picture unwatchable. I was able to "fix" it by taking off the cover and cleaning the inside, but it is very labor intensive and I still have to run it in high altitude mode which causes the fan to run non-stop right above my head.

I have been thinking of getting a different projector and potentially staying in the Optoma line since I like mine so much other than the issue, of course.

Tornado Red

kevhed72 wrote: »

After a fortunate lightening strike about 2 months ago which rendered my Mitsu HC4000 projector and Pioneer SC-05 useless, I finally hooked my replacement units last night for a test run - an Optoma HD-25LV and Pioneer SC-63.
Here is what I demo'd: 1. LOTR Extended Version Box Set - 1st Movie - 1st disc 2. Kill Bill Vol. 2
All impressions we right out of the box with no calibration or room correction.

Old vs. New Projector: Right away the image pop you hear so much about DLPs was present with the Optoma. Also, the Optoma handles darker scenes and shadow detail MUCH better than the Mitsu ever did. I always thought the Mitsu did a sub par job of handling details with darker movie scenes. Also, the Optoma was sitting right next to me and overall noise and light leakage is less than the Mitsu. So far I think I got a bit lucky with this unit which I bought for under 600.00 on Ebay ("New - missing original box").

Old vs. New AVR: The SC-63 is quite a bit lighter than the SC-05, the inputs on the back are arranged for easier hookup, and IMO the unit itself looks better. The remote is definitely cheaper with than the SC-05 but seems simpler to use so far. The sound difference so far - pre calibration - is not a evident as the PJ differences, but dynamics of music and effects seem clearer and "punchier" - almost as if this unit can go from 0 - 60 quicker with sound effects. I may have also lucked out with this purchase - this unit was discounted to under 500.00 due a small dent on the top side corner which nobody will ever see. Otherwise brand new.

I tried to keep this short but sweet - I'll get pics up as soon as the new mount, power center, and surge receptacle for the PJ all get installed. So back to my first sentence, I feel the lightening strike - which cost me a bit - was fortunate because, at this point, my HT has been upgraded substantially - especially the video.

Going forward, might want to consider a whole house protector at the panel to augment the surge receptacle you're installing...if you haven't already.

Sherardp

+1 on the whole house surge protection, which is well worth the cost. As for the PJ, not a bad unit. I've reviewed a few PJs in my time, Optoma being one. I like the DLP units, plenty of pop as you described but they didn't handle black level as well as the LCD/LCOS units. I'm glad you like it and enjoy it. Some things to consider is painting your screen wall black if possible which will improve your image quality even more.

Congrats on your upgrades, that Pio should be a beast. I upgraded to a SC-77 in my HT and moved my SC-07 to my game room. I do get what you're saying there, weight wise my SC-07 feels like a beast in comparison. I'm using the 77 as a pre/pro so I don't really care for the amp section anyway.

Enjoy it bro.