I was wondering if the HD25-LV can be mounted to the ceiling with 0% space in between and project the image from the top of the wall (using keystone correction of course). I'm trying to decide between this one and the W1070+.

I just wanted to clear up once and for all, the confusion regarding exactly how the Optoma HD25, HD25-LV, and HD25e are different internally, and provide info on the color wheels and how they and the lamps have everything to do with the differences. This information was gathered from reading the service technicians manuals for these three models.

HD25: 2,000 lumens, 240W lamp, 6-segment RGBRGB color wheel @ 7200rpm

HD25-LV: 3,200 lumens, 240W lamp (same part # as HD25), 6-segment RYGCWB color wheel @ 7200rpm

HD25e: 2,800 lumens, 190W lamp, 6-segment RYGCWB color wheel @ 7200rpm

So now you should be able to clearly see how the LV model is so much brighter despite using the same lamp. the HD25 uses a red/green/blue/red/green/blue segmented color wheel, meaning color light output is 100% of lumen spec, while the LV and e models both use a different red/yellow/green/cyan/white/blue segmented color wheel, which boosts the lumen spec due to the white, yellow, and cyan segments.

All the color wheels spin at 7200rpm as well, which means the original HD25, while having less overall light output, also has effectively double the color refresh rate of the LV and e models. Food for thought if you're sensitive to color separation artifacts (rainbows). Hope this helps some folks, and keep on rocking Projector Central! :)

@sasa. if you just compare this model to any model your familiar with (using the compare option up top). you can see the noise level there. and its better for you to be able to compare it to one you're familiar with rather then just basing it on somebodies written opinion.

what is the difference between analog and digital projector, since in comparison list says that hd25-lv is analog???

how to wall mount this projector?

hi Bill thank you for great reviews. I am planning to buy a home video projector for my new house. there exists high ambient light in my living room, so I need a bright one. hd25-lv has good brightness, so I expect to have bright picture at 80 to 100 inches. optoma has announced two new models, hd26 and gt1080. considering hd25e, I can't decide between four optoma projectors. may I ask you to compare them as soon as new models are available? these projectors have many similar official specs, but some people believe that new low power models could not be as bright as hd25-lv. I am also thinking to new function indicators that projector industry needs. for me, lumens to watt is important, which I hope to calculate for new projectors you review. thanks.

Sorry to necro an old thread, but has anyone tried the newer HD25e? Seems like a great balance between the older HD25 and the HD25-LV. I am COMPLETELY new to projectors, but we are moving in a few weeks, and I was finally able to put together the budget to give a newbie-DIY home theater in our new finished basement a try.

Costco here in Canada has what seems to be an excellent deal on the HD25e + RF emitter + two pairs of Optoma RF glasses for $1099.00.

Thoughts?

Hi thanks for your very useful review. From your excellent site and review it looks like I will buy the HD25LV for my very first projector but am slightly unsure of the screen size to buy. I was thinking of a 145" gain 1, matt white. As all the physical numbers stack up. room is 7*4.4*2.7 Meters to false ceiling. can control the lighting but is the lounge so walls and ceiling are not black :)

but as watching 3D blue ray films at night using the RF glasses will be 50% of its usage was wondering if in 3D mode this size screen would be ok. Would appreciate your opinion

Thanks Ian

I just purchased the LV and it goes into use tonight. I have a new outdoor 220" and am having a movie night outdoors for my kids and all the neighbor kids.. I currently have a dated $16,000.00 Marantz DLP that just doesn't have the lumens for outdoors use.. I will update you all on how this Optoma HD25 LV holds up..

How does the HD 25-LV compare to the HD 33. Since the lumens are lower but the contrast ratio is higher! Which is the better buy considered the HD 33 is a bit seasoned already.

Edward - I did not, but I am not especially sensitive to rainbows. I would not be comfortable making a judgment either way.

chachanyc - While I haven't looked at the HD33 next to the HD25, I am inclined to say that the HD25 is an improvement.

Najeeb - Sorry, but I don't test TVs.

Sam - I don't know any projector that can do all of the things you want. Outdoor projection during the day is about the toughest application there is. Just be aware that you will probably need a smaller image size than you are imagining in order to get a bright picture. In fact, though I am by no means an expert, you might want to consider a television rather than a projector, because I doubt that 3,000 lumens will be enough.

Thanks Bill for this detailed review. I m thinking to switch to HD25 LV from my 3D Lg TV 47LM8600. My main concern is about the black level of LV's in comparison to LG LM8600 (if u have ever tested that specific model). Kindly reply me ASAP.

The Optoma HD25 and HD25-LV seem like good projectors that provide a good balance between price and performance. However, I hope they rise to the next level in terms of providing cutting edge features whilst being competitive. Example: Full blown colour management, better upscaling and noise reduction and most importantly better glass for a super sharp projected image. The classic InFocus projectors were absolutely loved for their sharpness and colour fidelity right out of the box. I remember the InFocus IN83 was a benchmark projector and to this day it is sought after in the used market. This is the sort of direction that Optoma should take and I believe it can very easily.

Proji,

The HD25 and HD25-LV have the exact same fan noise. I have added a comment in the article to this effect.

As far as "how is that even possible," I do not want to speculate. Your suspicion that it might involve the color wheel is plausible, but Optoma no longer publishes color wheel information, even for their home theater projectors, so it is impossible to confirm. We have asked Optoma representatives several times for color wheel information but they have declined to comment.

Both the HD25-LV and the HD25 are actually very quiet in operation, but you are correct that Eco-mode is quieter still. Your idea of using the LV in Eco mode instead of the HD25 in full power is not bad, though the HD25-LV's black level is still not as deep as that of the HD25.

Goglen,

The HD25-LV's additional lumen output in 3D mode sounds like it would be beneficial to you. If 3D is a priority, I'd say go for it.

Thanks for publishing this long-awaited review, Bill! I have to admit though that I'm a bit underwhelmed by it as there's no statement on the noise level (which as I noted in my other comment, is very important to me). Does that mean noise levels are similar to those of the Optoma HD25? If so, how is that even possible? I mean, I really wonder how Optoma would manage to get double the measured lumens (2300 lumen vs. 1185 lumens of the HD25) out of a very similar device, seemingly without any major drawbacks (apart from slightly worse black levels which is to be expected)? Is it simply the Philips vs. Osram bulb? If so, I'd expect all other manufacturers to switch their bulbs as well, as it's literally a no-brainer then. Or/and does the HD25-LV have a different color-wheel, maybe with a wider (or additional) white sector? The fact that colors allegedly don't noticeably fade compared to the HD25 suggest that it might be the different bulb only indeed (as with a white sector in the wheel one would expect quite some color fading). On the other hand, as noted, I don't understand why not every other manufacturer uses the same Philips bulb then.

Another point regarding the audible noise level: Since the LV model has a so much brighter image, the LV model could perhaps also be a very good alternative for those potential buyers who fear that the HD25 might be too noisy, assuming the LV's noise in Eco mode is lower than in its normal mode (is it?). As even in Eco mode, the LV's 1725 lumens (-25% compared to measured normal mode brightness) are way above HD25's measured 1185 lumens. Any opinion on this idea, Bill?

All in all, if I trust your review, the HD25-LV looks like a clear winner to me. I mean, why even think about purchasing a HD25 or a Benq w1070, considering one gets more brightness (which can always be dimmed down using Eco mode and disabling BrilliantColor) at almost no disadvantage? I'm happy the HD25-LV seems to be a great projector for its money compared to its competition.

That said, I still regret that projector manufacturers don't seem to be able or willing to publish honest numbers about almost everything (like lumens, dB/sone, contrast, etc.).