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41 reviews
Jul, 2025
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 are also mentioned favorably, whereas the noise and price get critical views.
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.
Expert review by : tech.co.uk staff (techradar.com)
You pay a lot, but you also get a lot
Separate connectivity box ; Good basic spec ; Superb picture performance
Difficult and limited setup ; £5,000 is a lot of money
A magnificent projector that delivers excellent results, but you may need a professional to set it up for you
Expert review by (whathifi.com)
Offers much of the ability of more expensive projectors for a far more reasonable price
Dramatic specification, great performance, competitive price
A little cantankerous in operation ; no vertical lens shift
Expert review by (whathifi.com)
Capable enough, but be sure to audition some others in this price class before you buy
Good picture in most regards, with smooth motion and image scaling
You can now find projectors with similar specs and more contrast for less money
Expert review by : StuffTV (stuff.tv)
The HD81 has the projector world in a frenzy. But can it deliver on its promise of full-fat hi-def DLP for what, by home cinema standards, is a pretty reasonable price?
Expert review by (whathomecinemamag.com)
Couple '1080p projector' with '£5,000' and you've got an exciting proposition. Optoma's new DLP video projector is the first to offer full-on HD at this price point, and it has many other tricks up its sleeve too
Separate connectivity box, Good basic spec, Superb picture performance
Difficult and limited setup, £5,000 is a lot of money
A magnificent projector that delivers excellent results, but you may need a professional to set it up for you
Expert review by : Kevin Miller (cnet.com)
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.
Expert review by : Clint DeBoer (audioholics.com)
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...
Expert review by : Kevin Miller (cnet.com.au)
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.
Expert review by (pcauthority.com.au)
Offers much of the ability of more expensive projectors for a far more reasonable price
Expert review by : Scott Wilkinson (avguide.com)
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....
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