When properly calibrated, the Optoma drew me in with its crisp, punchy images. Can you do better? Yes-for a lot more money. If you're looking for a good buy in a home theater projector, give the HD80 or HD8000 a close look.

Punchy, sharp image, Excellent video processing, Good price

So-so black level and contrast ratio, Will not go below 0 IRE (black), No lens shift

s When set up for the best looking, best balanced picture it was capable of, the Optoma's black level and peak contrast ratio were no betterand perhaps a bit worsethan the best single-chip DLPs of three years ago. But those projectors then cost three...

Slightly better than average brightness ; Fairly low price point ; A projector likely to be sold, and even displayed at many local dealers (it's so hard to find anywhere you can see an under $5000 projector, properly set up.) ; Very acceptable black...

Placement flexibility: Limited zoom lens range (1.2:1) ; Placement flexibility: No adjustable lens shift at all ; Out of the Box" color accuracy is not good, but very fixable ; Large lens offset, requires projector well above, or below screen surface -...

This is what Optoma does, they provide a wide range of consistently competent, quality projectors. The HD8000 fits the role perfectly. Get out your checkbook, call your dealer, bring them over to see your room, and get your theater or media center, or...