[surjones]

Hey guys. I have 500 bucks and would like to find a nice projector for my home theater. I found a used Optoma HD70 for $425 but as always I wanted to research and see if I can find something better for around the same price. What do you have and how much did you pay. What would you like instead?

[tomoe]

The Optoma HD70 is a pretty old model projector, but nice for what it is (i.e. relatively compact HD projector). I came really, really close to buying one back in Fall 2007 but ended up not pulling the trigger because I would've had to get a sound system too. Is it used? Because $425 sounds awfully cheap (and I would be wary of how much bulb life is left).

[ezkcdude]

Originally Posted by surjones Hey guys. I have 500 bucks and would like to find a nice projector for my home theater. I found a used Optoma HD70 for $425 but as always I wanted to research and see if I can find something better for around the same price. What do you have and how much did you pay. What would you like instead?

That's a great projector from what I can tell. I had a InFocus 4805 for a couple of years, and I have read reviews of the HD70 that say it's better than that. You're not going to find a new 720P projector for such little money, so you may have found a great deal.

Having said that, lamps can cost $300-400, so be prepared for that if you're buying used. Ask how many hours the lamp has.

[surjones]

Thanks for the quick reply- How many hours would be the max at where I would avoid wanting to purchase?

[dmegatool]

The lamp (if it's the original one) is stated to last 2000hrs (3000hrs in eco mode).

[ezkcdude]

Originally Posted by surjones Thanks for the quick reply- How many hours would be the max at where I would avoid wanting to purchase?

Lamp life varies. I looked up the HD70, and it appears to get 2000 hours in std mode, and 3000 in economy mode. Assuming a movie is 2 hours, that's a lot of movie watching. So if the lamp has even 1/2 of that left, you should probably go for it.

edit: damn, beat me to it.

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by ezkcdude Lamp life varies. I looked up the HD70, and it appears to get 2000 hours in std mode, and 3000 in economy mode. Assuming a movie is 2 hours, that's a lot of movie watching. So if the lamp has even 1/2 of that left, you should probably go for it. edit: damn, beat me to it.

But there is *NO* guarantee it’ll last that long. I had the bulb in our Mitsubishi WD2000U go out after something like 700 hours.

[Bryson]

If a lamp* blows after less than half of it's stated runtime and you haven't been turning the projector off before the fans stop or have an overvoltage problem, then it's faulty and you should go back to the manufacturer. Especially when you're looking at $200-$300 for a lamp!




* = Lighting nerdery alert: the correct term is "lamp". A bulb is something you plant in the garden.

[surjones]

Okay, so I bought it, Got the projector at $410, and a 96" screen for $150. I need to make a felt border for the screen, but overall do you guys think I paid okay?

[surjones]

Hey guys quick questions hopefully you can ansnwer for me.

The power cord that came with the projector is a 7amp 125volt but it's too short. Can I run a 10Amp 125volt power cord instead?

[surjones]

anyone?

[Bryson]

Yes. The projector should be internally fused.

[surjones]

Well that is good to hear. So what's the difference between the cords that would make one a 10 amp and a 7amp? What do u think that projector fuse is? Where would I find that info
at? Thanks

[Bryson]

The 10a one will have heavier gauge cable in it. That's all. The only reason they would use the 7a one would be because it only draws 7a. It won't draw more just because it has a thicker cable attached.

The fuse will probably be right next to the power inlet in a little holder. Or it may be internal. I wouldn't worry about it -it's unlikely to ever blow. Any electrical supplier will have them.

EDIT: Looking at the manual, there's no fuse mentioned, so it's likely the fuse is internal on one of the circuitboards and isn't considered a user-servicable part. ie: Don't worry about it.

[surjones]

Cool thanks so muh for taking the time to write back.