Optoma HD25-LV Projector - Performance

Optoma HD25-LV Brightness

The HD25-LV is a very bright home theater /entertainment projector.  It claims a massive 3200 lumens, but don't let that go to your head.  Typically we find that Optoma's claims are a lot less "conservative" than most of their competitors.

On the other hand, we only care about what the projector's brightness measures here, that's what counts in the decision on whether it's the right projector for you.  So, let's just come to terms early on, that when we measured this projector, at its brightest, it was within a hundred lumens of 2000, not 3000.  Keep in mind we don't go hunting every last lumen, we only care about useable ones.  Sometimes you can, for example, get another 10 or 15% more brightness by cranking up some controls. You end up with an unwatchable image, but it will measure brighter.

So, we can scold Optoma for their advanced "optimism" (or total lack of reality) but the bottom line is that roughly 2000 measured lumens is a lot of lumens, and makes this a projector that can tackle many family rooms and living rooms while providing a good picture.

Projector's Measurements

Color Temp over IRE Range (Bright mode)

NOTE:  Every mode except Photo has similar grayscale balance, with green low and blue high throughout the IRE range. Mike noted this about Grayscale Calibration: Optoma usually has full grayscale calibration abilities in their projectors.  Not so with the HD25-LV.  Instead of having Gain and Offset RGB controls to cover both ends of the IRE range, there is a single trio of RGB controls (that act full range) under “White” in the “Color Settings” portion of the menu.  This can work if the RGB values are consistent throughout the range to begin with, but with the HD25-LV, they’re not.  Nonetheless, I was able to get a decent grayscale balance with an average Delta E of 1.8. So, what are the final brightness numbers?

Post Calibration: User "best" mode = 1497 lumens Bright "brightest" mode 1794 lumens

Due to the saving settings issue, if not using the 'calibrated" user, then  the standard unadjusted Bright is the brightest with 300 extra lumens.

Effect of zoom on lumen output (Bright mode)