What Hi Fi Sound and Vision
11 SEP 2007
ThemeScene HD81-LV
Capable enough, but be sure to audition some others in this price class before you buy
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The ThemeScene HD81-LV is essentially an upgraded version of the standard HD81, which we tested in our Awards issue 2006. And like the original HD81, the LV is a two-box DLP design, with all its video inputs and Gennum VXP video-processing housed in an external switching box, which connects to the projector via HDMI and control cables. That arrangement can be a great help when installing the projector in a complex set-up.
It also offers an anamorphic cinemascope lens option for use with 2.35:1 screens – at extra cost. However, the lack of a vertical lens shift still irritates us as much now as it did last year, as does the video processor’s often-infuriatingly slow reactions to commands.
Designed for larger rooms
So why the ‘LV’ suffix? Simple: the HD81-LV is designed for use in Larger Venues (geddit?), and has notably more brightness than the standard HD81: 2500 ANSI Lumens against 1400.
So, will you notice that extra brightness in practice? We’d say no, not really. Compared to the newest and best, brightness isn’t actually this projector’s strongest suit.
In fact, on our reference screen, we found it lacks some insight into blacks, and a degree of punch. However, rather ironically, it works better with a smaller screen. It’s smooth, its image showing little noise even with low-quality off-air TV, and motion is handled naturally.
It also boasts impressive colours, and of course, there’s plenty of detail on show from that ultra-high resolution. However, that’s not enough to earn this projector our unreserved admiration.
The upgraded ThemeScene is good in many ways, but not entirely flawless.
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