Optoma GT1080HDR short throw gaming projector review

Optoma GT1080HDR short throw gaming projector review

Does it support Bluetooth speaker? The GT1080HDR comes with a 10-watt speaker. It is ideal in a variety of environments including family rooms, theater rooms and game rooms, as well as outdoor spaces such as backyards, camping, tailgating and more. It uses HDR10 technology (with 4K input) enable brighter whites and deeper black levels; a 6-segment color wheel (RYGCWB) produces accurate color with sRGB & REC. 709 color profile. Know more in Optoma GT1080HDR short throw gaming projector review.

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In the box

  • Optoma GT1080HDR short-throw gaming projector
  • AC power cord
  • 2x AAA batteries
  • Remote control
  • Quick Start User Manual

Pros & Cons – Optoma GT1080HDR short throw gaming projector

PROS

  • Short-throw lens delivers a big image from close to the screen
  • Supports HDR
  • Supports full-HD 3D
  • Good contrast for the price
  • Fast lag time for gaming
  • Bright lamp won’t be washed out by ambient light
  • Excellent color and contrast
  • Enhanced Gaming Mode has impressive lag time and refresh rate
  • Works in any room size thanks to short throw ratio
  • Can play 4K and 3D content
  • Easy to set up and adjust the display

CONS

  • No support for HLG, the emerging HDR standard for broadcast TV
  • Remote often jumps two menu spots with one button-press
  • No carry case
  • On-board speakers don’t have a good sound quality
  • Even 4K content will play at 1080p resolution

Specs – Optoma GT1080HDR short throw gaming projector

  • Model Optoma GT1080HDR
  • Dimensions (inches) 12.4 (W) x 9.5 (D) x 4.5 (H)
  • Weight 7.7 lbs
  • Aspect Ratio 16:9 (native) 4:3 and auto compatible
  • Brightness 3,800 ANSI lumens
  • Compatible Aspect Ratio 16:9 (native), 4:3, LBX and auto compatible
  • Contrast Ratio 50,000:1
  • Control Unit RS232
  • Connections 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x HDMI 1.4a, 1x VGA, 1x audio in, 1x USB-A, 1x VGA out, 1x audio out, RS-232
  • HDR HDR10 compatible
  • Image Size 36.2″ – 307.8″
  • Inputs Lag times 32ms
  • Display Technology Single Texas Instruments 0.65” 1080p DMD
  • Display type DLP
  • Displayable Colors 1.07 billion
  • Native Resolution 1080p (1920×1080)
  • Noise Level 26dB
  • Offset 116% ±5%
  • Keystone Correction ± 40° Vertical
  • Light Source Type 245W lamp
  • Light Source Life 4,000/10,000/15,000 (Bright/ECO/Dynamic)
  • Maximum Resolution HDMI 1.4a: WUXGA (1920 x 1200), HDMI 2.0: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
  • Projection Distance 1.3’ – 11.3’
  • Projection Lens F2.8; f=7.42, fixed lens
  • Operating Temperature 41–104°F (5–40°C), 85% max humidity
  • Power Consumption 325W max (Bright), 295W typical (Bright), 225W max (Eco), 205W typical (Eco)
  • Power Supply AC Input 100-240V, 50-60Hz, auto-switching
  • Projection Method Front, rear, ceiling count, tabletop
  • Projection Screen Size 36.2”-307.8”
  • Remote Control Full size remote
  • Throw Ratio 0.50:1
  • Uniformity 80%
  • Zoom Type 0.8 – 2.0x digital
  • Horizontal scan rate 15.375~91.146 KHz
  • Vertical scan rate 50~ 85 Hz (120Hz for 3D feature projector)
  • Speakers 10-watt audio

Optoma GT1080HDR short throw gaming projector review

Design

The GT1080HDR measures 4.5 by 12.4 by 9.5 inches (HWD) and weighs just 7.7 pounds. As with most short-throw models, there’s no lens-shift control to adjust image position. Rectangular in shape and off-white in colour, the top is where you’ll find your menu panel and focus ring. 

 With the onboard menu, you can control power, adjust keystone, view information, re-sync, and change the source. The focus ring is towards the front and is a simple dial that moves left and right to focus the projector. The Optoma logo is in the right corner towards the back.

Both are on the left half of the projector (when looking at it from the back) with the menu panel towards the back. The panel consists of three LEDs for power, lamp warning, and temperature warning, as well as eight buttons in three rows and an IR receiver.

Connectors – Optoma GT1080HDR short throw gaming projector

Alongside are a USB port (for power only), VGA in and out (a component breakout connector is not included), RS-232, and 3.5mm audio in and out. There are two HDMI HDCP 2.2 ports on the back. One is HDMI 2.0 (4K/60Hz and HDR compatible), the second is v1.4 (4K/30Hz compatible) and supports MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link).

  • 3.5mm audio in (x2)
  • 3.5mm audio out
  • 3.5mm mic in
  • HDMI 2.0b/MHL 2.2 with HDCP 2.2
  • HDMI 1.4a
  • VGA in/out
  • Composite video in
  • Micro USB (for firmware updates)
  • 3D Sync
  • USB power (5V, 1.5A)
  • RJ-45
  • RS-232C

Screen size

At the lens is a focus ring lever that has a nice, firm feel to it. There is no optical zoom, but there is a 0.8-2x digital zoom, digital horizontal and vertical image shift (+/- 30 degrees), and auto keystone correction. The GT1090HDR’s short throw lens has a 0.5:1 throw ratio, needing less than four feet to throw a 100-inch diagonal image. The projector lens needs to be a few inches below the screen for proper placement.

Brightness

The rated 3,800 ANSI lumens is bright enough to fill a 280-inch diagonal 16:9 screen in a dark room or a 160-inch screen in moderately bright ambient light, assuming a 1.0-gain screen in both cases. 

Optoma GT1090HDR ANSI Lumens

MODEBRIGHTDYNAMIC BLACKECO
Bright3,6623,3693,065
Presentation2,7672,5462,324
Cinema2,1101,9411,772
Game2,1321,9611,791
sRGB1,3031,1991,095
DICOM SIM.2,7012,4852,269
HDR2,2002,0241,848
Source: PROJECTORCENTRAL

Resolution

With 4K HDR input, the GT1080HDR automatically switches to its HDR picture mode and down converts the image to its native 1080p. Like most HDR projectors, it lets you adjust what’s usually called HDR brightness, with four settings in this case. The best setting will vary from movie to movie and with the ambient light level. 1080p (1920×1080) resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, with suitable light output and low input lag.  I measured it at 16.4ms at 1080p 60Hz with the Enhanced Gaming mode on, which is consistent with its rated 8.4ms at 1080p 120Hz and fast enough even for serious gamers. 

Laser technology

The biggest change over the GT1080HDR is the light source. Instead of a lamp, the GT1090HDR uses Optoma’s DuraCore laser technology. A benefit of the laser light source over a lamp is that the projector turns on quickly—11 seconds from button press to the Optoma splash screen and under 30 seconds until it synced with a 4K source (an Xbox One X in this case). It also turns off in seconds and can be turned on again just a few seconds later, unlike a lamp that needs minutes to cool before turning on again.

Refresh rates

At 120Hz, Optoma lists a time of 8.4ms, which is almost certainly accurate (I don’t have the capability to test lag at 120Hz). Loading up Mortal Kombat 11 on my Xbox One X set to 120Hz output to check this with an actual game, I can confirm there was no perceptible lag

Audio

The onboard 10-watt speaker delivers usable sound quality at high enough volume to fill a small-to-midsize family room, though as with almost any projector, you’ll need an external sound system for high-quality audio. 

Keystone

A wide +/- 40° vertical keystone correction means you don’t have to ceiling-mount the Optoma GT1080HDR to get a good picture, and that alone makes it easier to install than other projectors. The throw ratio is very short for a lamp-based projector. You can get a 120” picture with only 4 feet of distance, and that allows for more flexibility when it comes to the set-up.

Lamp life

A 245W traditional lamp acts as the light source for the DLP projector. The life of the bulb is rated at 4,000 hours in Bright mode, 10,000 in ECO, and 15,000 in Dynamic (where the projector automatically adjusts brightness output between 30 and100 percent depending on content). Replacement lamps can be found for anywhere from $50 to $150.

Setup – Optoma GT1080HDR short throw gaming projector (review)

The most accurate picture modes were Cinema and User (which both measured the same grayscale and RGB balance). I stuck with User. Grayscale was decent, with an average DeltaE (the numerical value of how far from perfect the image is) of 3.5. Above 3 and you can start to see color inaccuracies, although at 3.5 they’re pretty minor. With the GT1080HDR, the grays are all a bit brighter than they should be, with a slight blue tint. The Rec. 709 color gamut coverage measured at 84.4 percent, with most color points (except red) being a little undersaturated.

it could also be ceiling mounted or installed for rear projection. For a proper rectangular image, the lens needs to be about a half-foot below the bottom edge of the screen or above the top, if it’s ceiling mounted. There are three feet on the bottom, two (the front and back left) adjustable for alignment. The focus lever on the top of the projector has good resistance, so you won’t quickly push past the right setting for your distance, and there’s little chance it will move on its own. 

There are four different HDR picture modes – Bright, Standard, Film, and Detail – all of which adjust the brightness curve from brightest to darkest and can be changed to suit your viewing conditions. 

Optoma GT1080HDR short throw gaming projector review

Unbelievably Nice and Bright! Built for Business!

This projector is AMAZING! I chose the gt1080hdr because of the 3800 Lumens and Short Throw capabilities. I do a lot of business presentations involving various media, and this has SURPASSED my expectations!

The projector’s BRIGHT mode is PERFECT for business presentations in a WELL LIT environment! 3800 Lumens of horsepower is no joke! No problems what-so-ever in bright meeting rooms! Perfect for meetings or conferences with 50 – 100 people on a 100′ or 120′ projection screen.

At home, if watching the occasional football game or movie, the Optoma gt1080hdr’s ECO mode is MORE THAN bright enough, even in a well lit room!

The Short Throw is EXCEPTIONAL! I move around a lot around the presentation screen, and getting close enough to NOT be distracted by the projection beam is a BONUS! Currently, I have the projector less than 4′ away from the screen!

The picture quality if OUTSTANDING! I haven’t had the need to touch any of the settings or “fine-tune” the picture. The colors aren’t washed out or dull. The picture is RAZOR SHARP! I was already asked if this was a 4k projector! This projector does a WONDERFUL JOB at displaying colors – very bright and true!

The High Dynamic Range really comes into play and makes even the average photos look amazing! The 50,000 – 1 contrast ratio really helps displaying black and dark images!

The MHL HDMI port comes in handy for hooking up a cellphone or tablet. Giving tutorials for cellphone apps or tablet apps is a BREEZE! This tech is SO HELPFUL!

The sound quality is surprisingly good for 10watt speakers! I still feel the need to attach a Sound Bar or surround sound though, especially if you’re watching a movie. Just adds to the ambiance and immersion. That being said, the projectors volume is plenty loud.

Upon turning on the projector, the fans “wind-up” creating a weird hissing sound. But soon after the lamp warms up, this hissing sound seems to dissipate. I’m assuming this just must be the projector testing the internal controls and fans. Hasn’t really been an issue that I’m taking too much notice of. Just a heads up.

Only con – I did not receive the supposed included projector bag. I reached out to Optoma and am waiting for a reply.

Overall, I am VERY SATISFIED with this purchase! I would HIGHLY recommend the Optoma gt1080HDR to anyone looking to take their business to the next level, or anyone who is looking for a Short Throw home projector. I can’t really comment on gaming and using this projector… but if its anything like the quality I’ve seen thus far, you WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!

By Rich at Best Buy

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