Optoma HD8600 Projector: Pros

Posted on October 16, 2013 By Art Feierman

Very sharp image (typical of a good DLP projector with quality optics), with a sharper overall image than any of the LCD or LCoS projectors
Excellent color, post calibration, especially skin tones which tend to almost always look really believable
Good, albeit warm color, out of the box. You’ll want this projector calibrated (or try our settings), to get the most out of it.
Definitely above average brightness in “brightest” mode, when you need it. And it does pretty impressive color, in that “brightest” mode.
Significantly brighter than average in “best” modes with about 700 lumens output – not the very brightest out there, but plenty of lumens for larger screens, and brighter than most. Only a few projectors have beat it in the last year.

This DLP projector minimizes the rainbow effect (RBE). I’m sensitive, and rarely noticed it at all. As good as any other DLP projector I’ve encountered, in this regard. With this projector, I wouldn’t even consider RBE to be an issue for me, thus not mentioned under “Cons”
Manual iris allows you to dial down brightness for smaller screen, which in turn increases contrast and black level performance slightly
Very good shadow detail performance
Black level performance is extremely good. The dynamic iris and general capabilities combine to qualify this as a “ultra-high contrast” projector
Three HDMI 1.3b inputs – one more than most, full support for 24 fps, Deep Color, CEC, etc.
Offers creative frame interpolation with some types of source material
Good layout on the remote control, and a very good backlight with easily readable buttons

Very good placement flexibility due to choice of three lenses – standard and long zooms, and an extremely short throw fixed lens. Good, though not exceptional lens shift range
Two screen triggers, support for anamorphic lens
Very good menus
Warranty is definitely better than most
A serious competitor, to say the least, and, for those particularly fond of DLP’s: The best combination of brightness, black levels and color accuracy of any DLP reviewed in the last year and change