Optoma GT760 Projector Review

Posted on December 27, 2013 by Art Feierman

GAMING PROJECTOR: The GT760 is designed first as a solid 720p projector that serious gamers will use, at a very affordable price.

Specs Preview

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Optoma GT760 Specs
Price	649
Technology	DLP
Native Resolution	WXGA (1280x720)
Brightness (Manufacturer Claim)	3400
Contrast	20000:1
Zoom Lens Ratio	None
Lens Shift	No
Lamp Life	6500/6000/4500 Hours (ECO+/ECO/normal)
Weight	5.9 lbs (2.7 kg)
Warranty	1-year parts & labor / 90 days on the lamp

Inside the Gamers’ Paradise: Introducing the GT760

I wanted to review this projector because it represents such an important trend in home theater and the big-screen element of casual consumer AV. Although projectors like this were really Based on, and only slightly different than some portable business projectors, I find it to be a “must-have” for the devoted gamer’s arsenal. Although it may not pack all the refinements of higher-end projectors, this projector is ideal for gaming or as a good, very inexpensive first projector for the budding home theater enthusiast. In all the years that I’ve now spent in this industry, I have noticed that there are two primary elements of projector buyers. Among those are the true aficionados who enjoy AV performance like a fine wine with filet mignon. The other element are those who love all the fun a big screen performance brings to their epic beer & BBQ get-together. Admittedly, I have come to deeply appreciate both. Although my friends who love to explore the dynamics of calibrating the perfect video setting, 4K projector resolution and the audio Nirvana that comes from a high-dollar speaker system, the fact of the matter is that the average person (and potential CE retail consumer) loves the big-screen experience but could care less about all the little things that we AV enthusiasts obsess so much over. Because of this consumers are catching on that projectors and screens don’t cost a fortune anymore. As a matter of fact, the question has gone from “why have all that?” to “why not get one of those?” I couldn’t agree more. When I received the GT760 projector from Optoma, I resolved to handle it like the garden variety consumer eager to take his or her household to the movies for the first time in the comfort of their own home. This review is for those customers. To the rest of my fellow AV aficionados, enjoy the read and save your wrath for when you see me at CES this January. I had a lot of fun doing this and am not ashamed.

Overview

The Optoma GT760 hit the street with an $1199 MSRP. However, its going price for this coming holiday season is generally south of $649. Pretty incredible considering a projector with its features would roll out the door at $2500 just a few years ago. What I’m getting at is how much of a buyer’s market the CE retail-grade projectors have come to. Definitely a good buy when I realized it’s selling for around the same price as the 42” JVC 1080p flat panel that I picked up around 18-months ago.

Regarding the display tech, it utilizes a Texas Instruments Single 0.65 DC3 DMD DLP® technology. For all the non-AV people here, this means that means it uses a 3x .65-inch chip panel that gives an enhanced sharpness performance superior to the larger .95” DC3 DMD chips that preceded it. This was introduced in 2009 and is still a good buy today. Still don’t get it?

Click Image to Enlarge

Just keep in mind it gives a little more edge in the performance of this 720 projector and whether you know it or not, it is helping to make your experience a bit more enjoyable by enhancing picture quality. Optoma produces this with a variable Iris and rates its contrast levels as a 20,000:1. That sounds about right from what I experienced in the various modes both in watching film and gaming. Dark levels observed during Casino Royale, Grand Theft Auto V and Modern Warfare 4 were good but not stellar. That being said, there was still a certain degree of detail in dark scenes; and the big screen presence was not hampered by an overly “shadowed” image.