What Hi Fi Sound and Vision
13 AUG 2007
ThemeScene HD80
This compact single-chip DLP design manages to offer Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution and a 10-bit video processor, teamed with a seven-segment colour wheel aimed at producing richer, denser colours. It's also got plenty of sockets, including two HDMI 1.3 inputs and a DVI one.
So where's the catch? The first, the lack of a manual or motorised vertical lens shift, will only affect you if you intend using the HD80 on a shelf or coffee table: it means matching this projector to your screen is a more fiddly process than with some rivals. If, however, you envisage a permanent installation, possibly by inverting the projector and ceiling-mounting it, it won't be a problem.
The other issue – lower brightness next to pricier InFocus designs – is possibly fair enough at this level: the HD80 maxes out at 3.5m wide images (although of course it'll go larger, but only at the expense of brightness). But given that a 3.5m wide image could also be expressed as a 108in picture, we'd imagine many prospective buyers will cope.
Colourful, consistent picture
And in fairness, once those minor obstacles are overcome, there's very little else to complain about. Keep reminding yourself of the HD80's modest price, because its colourful, consistent picture is a delight: we reckon some pricier rivals are a little more stable, but the biggest image shifts are still rendered smoothly enough, aided by the ThemeScene's compatibility with 1080p/24fps content.
We'd also take this projector over any of its LCD rivals if murky, moody movies were our preferred viewing. It brings out ample low-light detail from the dark finale of Training Day.
Given its competitive price, that makes ThemeScene's HD80 something of a bargain: it's not the best, but it's certainly great value. It's well worth a punt if your budget's tight.