Optoma HD600X-LV Widescreen HD Ready Home Entertainmnent Projector (3000:1, 2500 ANSI, 720p, HDMI, 3DXL Compatible)

For the price, this projector deliver's in every way shape and form !

I already owned an Optoma Projector, the now discontinued HD700X. I was very happy with my projector, but I invested in the Optoma 3D-XL adaptor and was not happy with the quality of the picture. Due to the 3D technology of right now, one of the draw back's is the effect that the shutter glasses have on the brightness of a projected 3D image.

Given that the 700x only has a lumen value of 1300, combined with 2 year's of usage, the shading effect of the glasses and the fact that the 700x was never really built for 3D (enabled via firmware update) it produced a very dull image and was not good enough.

I researched newer projectors on the market and considered the all in one 3D projector's but decided that since I still had the 3D adaptor, I figured I could spend less but I still wanted a higher lumen value projector.

It came down to the older HD600x or this LV version. Given my quest for a brighter image, this was the sensible choice.

Here are my finding's.

Set-up :

Very easy. I was already set-up with the screen and placement of the projector from my old one, so I was up and running in minutes. With only 1x HDMI, it was simple plug and play.

Did have to manipulate the position of the projector to get the best out of it, but this projector has multiple ways to manipulate the projected image to fit my 92" screen perfectly (something the 700x was lacking)

Keystone correction, over scan, vertical and horizontal shift and a few other options allow you to get it just right. Easier if you don't use a screen, obviously.

Throw distance and zoom :

Limited, as you should expect from a budget projector. The main factor in image size is simply distance between projector and screen. However, the zoom and focus control's will give you about 10-15" of play between max and minimum image size (given relative distance).

My projector sit's roughly 2.5m from the screen and it can display between 88-105" give or take.

Image quality :

Always depend's on quality of input. I tested with both Sky+HD and a Blu-Ray player. I use a reasonable priced 10m HDMI (1.3) passed via an HDMI switcher box (highly recommend investing in one of these. Given that this projector only has 1x HDMI input)

Tested with all resolution's from SD to full HD. For me, the best picture was produced with the projector's native 720p resolution.

Watching in 2D, I found the brightness, colour's, contrast and picture quality very good. You can't compare it to say a normal HDTV, but not far of at all. In budget projector term's it performs very well indeed.

Colour, Contrast and Black level's :

It produces a very convincing colour and black level for a high lumen, low contrast ratio projector.

After fiddling with the values for an hour or two, I did manage to get a combination of values that best suits my eyes and environment. This projector has several pre-set values that offer a great range for various situation's that this projector can be used for and also gives you two custom pre-set's.

Having two custom pre-sets is great. You need two, one for 2D and one for 3D. Great stuff !

Very much a case of picking the best pre-set, and then tweak for your own viewing requirements.

Black level's do suffer as a consequence of the higher lumen value, but still manages to produce a great quality and enjoyable picture.

Given the money involved, I have no complaint's. It bettered my expectation's.

3D :

What can I say ? I also own a 51" full 1080p plasma 3D TV and you just can't compare the two for 3D effectiveness.

To get the real effect of 3D, you need screen size, plain and simple ! There isn't a TV on the market that can match the experience of watching it on an 80" plus screen and certainly nothing in the price range of this projector combined the 3D-XL adaptor.

The extra brightness makes all the difference and I am very happy with how this projector performs for 3D. Watched and tested with load's of content, fantastic.

Don't be caught out by this projector being "3D ready". You will NOT be able to take this out of the box, plug in your console, Blu-Ray player or Sky 3D and just start watching in 3D.

You can if you have a Nvidia 3D ready PC, but for everything else, you will need to purchase the Optoma 3D-XL adaptor and 3D active shutter Glasses to use this projector for 3D.

Link for 3D-XL : [...]

The remote control :

The one bad thing I have to say about this projector is that the remote is terrible. It is not well deigned, the button's are not arranged well, and it isn't backlit.

Poor, but a small thing and nothing to make you think twice. It is just a remote and does have all the access you might need to make quick changes etc.

Overall :

For the money, worth every penny. Especially when combined with the 3D adaptor.

Do it, you won't be sorry.

After much research on different forums I found out that the HD600X-LV is rated as the best 3D and HD projector for the price on the market. I purchased this for my husband on his last birthday as a present and it certainly doesn't disappoint. He has it set up with his Xbox and the Optoma 3D-XL Adapter and plays 3D gaming on it mainly Black Ops online & more recently Gears Of War 3, and watches films on just the plain white wall and from around 6 meters away he get about a 160" wide image from around 6 meters away. We recently got Sky 3D installed and I watched the Gnomeo and Juliet with the kids and it blew me away as I had never seen a 3D Movie!! The only problem we had was that the glasses kept on falling off the kids as they are quite big. But overall he is thoroughly chuffed with his present. Well done Optoma!!

I ordered this projector after alot of research to be coupled to my Xbox 360.

I ordered it on Friday night at around 5pm and the courier was knocking on my door before 9am the following morning!

I have just finished playing on the Xbox and what can I say other than wow! Why has it taken me so long to get a HD projector.

I have it projecting onto a very light grey wall and the picture quality and colour is superb. For the price you really can't go wrong. Very very happy.