» Optoma H31 Home Theater 480p DLP Video Projector

Optoma H31 Home Theater 480p DLP Video Projector Reviews

Customer Rating:
Summary: H31 about 1.5 years old and still going strong!!!
Comment: I have to agree with all of the positive reviews of this projector. I too researched this unit extensively online before deciding to purchase it. I am extremely pleased with this unit. Like I said in the title, I purchased this unit in January 2006, and it is still playing great. The main reason I bought this unit was to watch movies, but using it with my X-Box 360 in 720p mode it is spectacular. It may not be as crisp as a plasma or DLP TV, but on a 92 inch screen running with the bulb saver mode, I am more than impressed.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Great projector, very affordable
Comment: I love this projector. The picture is great. Very clear and crisp.
It looks especially good in HD.

I have had it for almost 2 years now and only one problem. One day the color just went out and I was only getting black and white. The Optoma people took it back and had it fixed quickly.

For the price I would recommend it to anyone.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent machine & tech service
Comment: Five Stars: I am extremely happy with the H31,which I've had for about five months and used for several hours. The service reps promptly replaced the projector bulb,which, fortunately, malfunctioned within the 90-day replacement-guarantee period. The machine has worked beautifully since.
Also, I just bought a $45 Insignia upconverting, 1080i (not 1080p) DVD player and connected it to the H31 using the HDMI port on the DVD player and the DVi port on the projector. (You can buy a single cord with HDMI on one end and DVi on the other, or buy a HDMI cord and HDMI/DVi adaptor separately.) While not true HD, the 1080i capability of both the DVD player and the H31 made for an astounding improvement in the image quality. Instead of being just OK, the image is gorgeous and sharp, with saturated color. One other thought: I made a 6'x6'projection screen for just a few bucks by removing a regular opaque window shade from its roller and stapling it across a home-made frame. While a little awkward to move in from the garage, it does an excellent job.
My old review: The projector did a nice job for about 10 films. It is quiet and pleasing in every way. Problem is that it suddenly decided to shut down completely without warning after five minutes; cools and restarts, then shuts down again. I called Beach Audio, which sells it for Amazon and they referred me to Optoma Tech Service (408-383-3700). The tech said it didn't sound like a bulb problem (I guess I'm thankful for that) and to send it back for service. I've had it for three months and am about to mail it out for service. I'll let you know how things turn out. It should be under service.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: My Lamp Exploded at only 300 Hours
Comment: I will review this again later when Optoma replies to my suppor ticket, but for now, I cannot give this projector a good rating because the bulb just exploded at 300 hours. I was using this in my clean office, not a dusty room, and took good care of it. I only used it sparingly, not for more than 3 hours at a time.

As for the quality, it was not strong enough in a well-lit room. I had to turn off the lights and put a lamp on. Then it would work well for presentations and movies too. When it was completely dark, it had a nice picture for movies. But now that it exploded after only a few months of use, I am very disappointed to say the least. I just hope Optoma replaces the bulb or I am never buying their product again.


Today I spoke with Optoma, and they will not warranty the bulb past 90 days. So I just got screwed. I don't know if all manufactures have this same policy, but basically the 2 Year Warranty with Optoma is useless since the bulb is not covered. I don't know if I will buy another Optoma or not, but for now, I am not a happy customer and do not recommend this product to anyone.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Optoma Impresses me
Comment: I got this project for $650 after waiting around and searching for a good price. Let me just say I thought I was going to get a mediocre projector that I would really have to close down my room for so I could see it and was fully prepared to deal with some ugliness or rainbow effect.

It arrived and let me just say, I was shocked. I've seen projects that cost 3 times as much not look as good. I was worried about the low lumens count, only being around 750 I believe, but I can watch anything on it with the blinds open (I have it set up in my rather large living room with kitchen / dining room attached), the lights on, nothing seems to make it look too bad. Obviously, it really shines when it is pitch black in the room. I project onto a white textured wall and still it looks amazing.

My friend brought over the Xbox 360 and we played Gears of War for hours and it was incredible. It also has enough different inputs on the back so I can have my HDMI cable box (with a HDMI -> DVI cable), my component xbox and my composite Wii all hooked up without ever having to change out cables.

Probably the best buy I've made in years, maybe ever. I got much more than I thought I would and have been nothing but impressed. Zero problems. One drawback, I have to wait so darn long for it to turn on, startup time is probably close to a minute.

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