Optoma DLP Projectors

What You Need to Know About Optoma DLP Projectors

Optoma is a global audio and visual corporation that primarily produces various models of projectors for use whether you're putting together a work presentation or teaching a college class. Optoma was established in 2002 and, in its initial year, was the first company to launch a 65-inch DLP projection television. In 2005, Optoma produced the first all-in-one DVD projector, and has since pioneered many high-quality DLP projectors including the first 4K UHD projector capable of pairing with Amazon Alexa.

A lumen is the measure of the total quantity of light that can be perceived by the eye and that is emitted by a light source. When choosing the right amount of lumens for a projector, it depends on the expected brightness of the lighting in the room and where the projector will be used. For example, 1,000 to 1,200 lumens produces a bright image in a dark room, but a 2,000 lumens image in the same low-light room may be so bright that it will create a harsh glare. When projecting into a well-lit room, 2,000 to 3,000 lumens will be more acceptable to maintain picture quality and clarity. Additional factors may include:

• The size of the image.
• Material being displayed on the screen.

DLP, or digital light processing, works by utilizing a micro-mirror chip which is made of a million microscopic mirrors. When these mirrors are activated, they tilt toward or away from the light source, which controls the reflections of light and dark while being projected through a spinning color wheel.

Optoma produces various projectors that suit a wide variety of jobs, either at home or for professional use.

• EH336: Features a 1080p projection with 3,400 lumens, 10 watts of sound, HDCast Pro, which enables wireless mirroring and streaming, and a 15,000-hour lamp life.
• WU336: Features a WUXGA projection with 3,400 lumens, wireless mirroring and streaming, 15,000-hour lamp life, and a 1.3x zoom.
• ZH42OUST-B: Features 4,000 lumens, 20,000 hours of lamp life, 10-watt speaker, and the ability to project onto various surfaces with the integrated warping adjustment.
• ZH400UST: Features full HD 1080p, a laser phosphor light source, and HDMI MHL ports, which support Chromecast and FireTV.

Most Optoma projectors are short-throw projectors. The ability of a projector to 'throw' an image refers to the amount of distance between the machine and the screen needed to project the image to get the optimal picture quality and size. Short-throw projectors carry lenses that can display a larger image from smaller distances, and this offers great flexibility for smaller spaces and meeting rooms without disrupting the image on the screen. Many Optoma short-throw projectors, like the W307USTi, can project onto a screen from as little as 1.5 feet away.