Optoma HD33 Review | 85 Data compared

Overview and Performance The Optoma HD33 is a groundbreaking 1080p DLP projector that significantly disrupts the home theater market by bringing full HDMI 1.4 compatible 3D technology below the $3,000 threshold. In 2D mode, the projector delivers a highly vibrant, saturated, and razor-sharp image. Its out-of-the-box Cinema mode registers an impressive 847 lumens at full power (and 661 lumens in standard mode), featuring grayscale tracking that easily calibrates to a near-perfect 6500K. For 3D performance, it leverages innovative radio-frequency (RF) glasses that maintain a seamless, line-of-sight-free connection, resulting in an exceptionally clean viewing experience with a virtual absence of ghosting or crosstalk. Pros and Cons Pros Unbeatable Value: Unprecedented pricing for a full 1080p 3D projector. Excellent 3D System: Reliable RF syncing mechanism and crosstalk-free images. Superb Color Processing: Accurate out-of-the-box grayscale tracking and a fast 3x RGBRGB color wheel that virtually eliminates the "rainbow effect". PureMotion Technology: Effective frame interpolation that reduces motion judder in both 2D and 3D viewing. Cons Poor Placement Flexibility: Limited 1.2:1 zoom lens and a complete lack of lens shift. Mediocre Black Levels: Lacks...

The What Hi-Fi? review highlights the Optoma HD33 as a highly impressive, all-in-one 3D projector offering exceptional performance-per-pound value at its £1,350 tested price point. This 1080p DLP model is equipped with a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, 1,800 lumens of brightness, and dual HDMI inputs. It is highly praised for being remarkably easy to set up using its responsive manual focus and zoom controls, while running quietly during operation. Additionally, it features wireless 3D-RF glasses—with one pair included alongside the transmitter and necessary cables—which deliver a robust connection capable of producing deep, bright, and crosstalk-free 3D images. When evaluating overall image quality, the review commends the projector's 2D capabilities for rendering a clean, smooth, and vibrant picture with strong motion handling. However, a notable con is that the absolute best budget 2D projectors on the market still surpass it by extracting a smidgeon more depth and fine detail. Despite this minor 2D performance gap, the final verdict confirms that the Optoma HD33 represents an excellent, highly affordable entry point into big-screen home 3D entertainment.

The Trusted Reviews assessment of the Optoma ThemeScene HD33 highlights the device as a groundbreaking, aggressively priced active 3D projector offering outstanding 3D performance, superior motion handling, and robust PureEngine processing tools. While the 2D image is noted as sharp and natural, the unit is praised for breaking budget barriers in the 3D market. Trusted Reviews Conversely, the review highlights significant limitations in design and installation, specifically noting restricted optical zoom and a lack of lens shift, which complicates setup. Furthermore, 2D picture precision is less advanced than higher-end rivals, with noted color inaccuracies, such as yellow in 2D and green tints in 3D, that require manual calibration to correct.

The AVForums review praises the Optoma HD33 as a budget-friendly 1080p 3D DLP projector, highlighting its exceptional out-of-the-box grayscale accuracy, superb motion handling, and an outstanding 3D experience with minimal crosstalk. Key strengths include a bright image, an intuitive menu system, and well-functioning 3D RF glasses that maintain sync, earning it a "Best Buy" designation. Conversely, the review notes limitations such as mediocre 2D black levels, lack of a color management system for improved color gamut, and the absence of physical lens shift. Further minor drawbacks include slow HDMI handshaking, specific 3D crosstalk issues in LBX mode, and a sub-optimal remote control layout.

The Optoma HD33 3D DLP Projector is a highly affordable 1080p display option that offers an entry-level price point below most 3D-capable flat panels. It delivers an impressively punchy image with a calibrated 29.29 foot-lamberts of light output, resulting in an excellent 4881:1 contrast ratio that exceeds manufacturer specifications. The projector shines in its 3D performance, which utilizes a reliable RF-connected or DLP Link sync system to generate a fully immersive, ghost-free experience with zero crosstalk. Setup is exceptionally fast, and the unit showcases superb out-of-the-box grayscale tracking and gamma performance typically reserved for much more expensive hardware. Its excellent, high-quality lens rounds out the pros, delivering edge-to-edge sharpness and clarity without visible chromatic aberration. However, the budget-friendly device does present notable installation and technical compromises. Placement is severely restricted due to a limited 1.5–1.8:1 zoom range and a complete lack of lens shift, requiring precise calculations and ideally a ceiling mount setup. On the performance side, the HD33 fails to process below-black or above-white signals, which is an intentional design choice by Optoma. Color accuracy is hindered by a...

The Optoma HD33 is an entry-level, single-chip DLP home theatre projector that stood out at its launch as the first 3D-capable 1080p model priced under $3,000. It delivers solid 2D performance and highly capable 3D playback, supporting formats like Blu-ray 3D and 3D HDTV content. A major strength is its "Best mode" brightness, which outshines many competitors after calibration and makes it well-suited for family room environments. Additionally, it features an above-average lamp life of 3,000 hours at full power (4,000 hours in eco mode) with a lower-than-average replacement cost of $249, helping keep long-term operating costs down. It also includes "Pure Motion" Creative Frame Interpolation (CFI) to smooth out motion, which is a rare inclusion for a projector at this price point. Despite its strengths, the HD33 has several notable limitations. Its actual brightness fell significantly short of the manufacturer's 1800-lumen claim, maxing out at just under 1200 lumens during testing. While its 3D performance is generally solid, noticeable crosstalk artifacts are present, and the image can feel slightly dim depending on the screen size. From a hardware perspective,...

I am basing this summary on the official review published by Expert Reviews, assuming you want a clear breakdown of how the product functions in real-world testing conditions. The Optoma HD33 is a 3D home cinema projector housed in a sleek white plastic chassis that operates quietly under normal room conditions. On the positive side, its standout feature is an outstanding 3D performance; the bundled omnidirectional wireless emitter delivers a highly immersive 3D effect with excellent brightness from its 1,800-lumen lamp and virtually no image flicker. The remote control is also user-friendly in the dark thanks to a bright blue backlight. Furthermore, it includes a 12v trigger, a USB service port, and an RS232 port, which can be beneficial for advanced home automation or service setups. However, the projector falls short in several areas, earning a rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars for being an average performer at its £1,296 price point. A major drawback is its standard 2D picture quality, which looks washed out out-of-the-box and suffers from weak contrast in dark scenes alongside noticeable DLP "rainbow effect"...

The Gaming Nexus review highlights the Optoma HD33 as a budget-friendly projector under $1,500 that delivers immersive 3D performance and features comfortable, lightweight 3D-RF glasses that eliminate typical sync issues. The unit is praised for its straightforward setup, functional backlit remote, and high-gloss white finish that masks dust. However, the projector faces limitations with an inflexible mounting configuration, lacking both horizontal and vertical lens shift, requiring precise placement to line up with screens. While 2D content is clean and detailed, the review notes the overall 2D image quality is less visually striking compared to the standout 3D capabilities.

The Optoma HD33 is recognized as an affordable sub-£1,400 single-chip DLP projector, notable for delivering immersive 3D, high-value performance, and excellent greyscale tracking. Key strengths include crisp, low-noise 3D images and a PureMotion tool that effectively reduces motion judder during fast scenes. However, the unit lacks advanced setup flexibility, such as vertical lens shift, and falls short in producing truly deep black levels, resulting in limited dynamic range in dark scenes. Furthermore, the 2D performance and PureMotion features may require careful adjustment to avoid unnatural imaging.

The Optoma HD33 is a budget-friendly home theatre projector that delivers excellent 1080p high-definition image quality in both 2D and 3D modes. Priced around $1,500 at launch, it serves as a breakthrough option for affordable 3D projection, removing the need for an external video converter thanks to its HDMI 1.4a ports. The projector produces fully saturated colours, sharp imagery, and incorporates a "PureMotion" feature to reduce motion judder. Setup is mostly straightforward with a 1.2x manual zoom and versatile input options, while its high brightness of 1,800 lumens allows it to handle environments with some stray ambient light. Despite these strengths, the projector has notable drawbacks. The primary concern is the frequent appearance of rainbow artifacts—red, green, and blue flashes typical of single-chip DLP engines—which can be highly distracting to sensitive viewers. Additionally, it lacks horizontal and vertical lens shift adjustments, making physical placement less flexible compared to some competing models. It also completely lacks built-in speakers and does not ship with the required RF or DLP-link 3D glasses, meaning buyers must purchase them separately. Ultimately, it is a value...

The Audioholics review of the Optoma HD33 highlights the 1080p 3D projector as a groundbreaking, sub-$3,000 unit, noted for its exceptional out-of-the-box color accuracy in "Cinema" mode and versatile connectivity. While delivering bright, detailed images, the projector produces a "LiveTV" soap opera effect when "PureMotion" processing is activated and requires careful lamp setting management to balance brightness with black-level performance.

The Optoma HD33 is a strong performer for 2D, 1080p gaming and general media viewing, but it falters significantly when it comes to PC-based 3D gaming due to initial software incompatibilities with Nvidia drivers. During 1080p 2D gameplay, the projector offers a highly responsive experience with no noticeable lag, very good color accuracy post-calibration, and a reasonably bright image that can handle ambient lighting. It also beats out lower-end models like the Optoma GT720 in terms of deep black levels and overall native resolution. However, the reviewer noted that the projector is bulky, features a longer throw distance that limits instant setup portability, lacks built-in audio speakers, and includes a cheaply made remote control.

The Optoma HD33 is a mid-level projector priced at $1,500 USD that delivers a home theater experience on a massive scale, capable of reaching screen sizes up to 300 inches. Its standout features include full 1080p resolution and robust 3D capabilities that make it highly compatible with Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, and streaming devices. The review highlights its bright performance, excellent contrast for highly detailed imagery, and an included RF emitter for 3D synchronization. Additionally, it earns praise for eco-friendly design elements, including lead-free circuit boards, polystyrene-free packaging, and an efficient standby mode that uses less than one watt of power. Despite its strong performance, the projector has notable drawbacks. Its $1,500 price tag and non-portable design mean it is not ideal for users seeking a travel-friendly unit. Buyers must also factor in the separate cost of 3D glasses, as they are not bundled with the unit. A significant limitation identified during testing involves the battery life of the compatible 3D glasses, which only last for about two hours before experiencing issues, subsequently requiring a 30-minute recharge over USB.

Optoma HD33 3D DLP Projector Review Summary The Optoma HD33 is a highly recommended, budget-friendly 1080p DLP projector that brings a movie theatre-like 3D experience into the home for under $1,500. In testing, it delivered a clean, detailed, and bright 2D image alongside an immersive, stable 3D performance with virtually no crosstalk. It provides excellent flexibility for 3D viewing by supporting both standard DLP-Link glasses and lighter, rechargeable RF (Radio Frequency) glasses. The review highly recommends starting from scratch with the RF variants because they offer a noticeably brighter, more stable image without the brief sync drops or rainbow-colored glitches found when using DLP-Link glasses. Despite its strong value, the projector has notable hardware limitations, most significantly a lack of lens shift and a very limited zoom range, which drastically restricts its placement and installation flexibility. While its 2D performance features good color accuracy and clean text edges, the black levels are slightly lacking compared to pricier models. Additionally, its internal video processor achieved only average results when upconverting standard definition DVDs. Minor operational quirks include an audible whirring sound...