TABLE OF CONTENTS
We’ve all been there; you’re looking around a store, and you see two products you like, both of which, look pretty good, but how do you decide? Well, you look over the specifications, comparing and contrasting, but you never know if you’re making the right decision, because with technology, often what is quoted is a completely different thing, from how the item will actually perform. To help you out, I’m going to go a step further than all those other internet reviews. I’m going to take you beyond features and specifications, to get you inside two terrific projectors, and beneath the manufacture’s description, uncovering the secrets of how both really work. This is my Optoma HD141X vs. Optoma HD26 comparison.
| Acer H5380BD | BenQ W1070 | |
|---|---|---|
| Brightness | 3,000 Lumens | 2,000 Lumens |
| Resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
| Contrast Ratio | 17,000:1 | 10000:1 |
| Lamp Life | 5,000 hours 10,000 hours (eco-mode) | 6,000 hours (eco-mode) |
| 3D | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI Port | Yes | Yes |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 (HD) | 16:9 (HD) |
| Image Size(cm) | 102 - 762 | 101 - 596 |
| Lens Shift | No | Vertical |
| Speakers | 2.0 W Mono | 10.0 W Mono |
| Audible Noise | ** | 33.0 dB |
| Size(cm) (HxWxD) | 9 x 31 x 22 | 10 x 31 x 24 |
| Weight | 2.5 kg | 2.6 kg |
| Full Review | Read Here | Read Here |
| Amazon Price | Click Here | Click Here |
Optoma HD141x vs Optoma HD26 : Portability and Design
There’s really nothing to separate these two in terms of portability. While the packing weight of the HD141X is 7 pounds and the HD26 comes in at 7.5 pounds, both weigh 5.5 pounds out of the box. The measurements too, are exactly the same at 31.5 inches of length, by 22.4 inches of width, with a depth of 11.4 inches. So, with each of these projectors, you’re going to get a very portable, low weight, easy to transport product. There is a subtle difference in design, that hasn’t been discussed in other reviews, and this surprises me, because it will impact performance; the HD141X has longer vents than the HD26, and this will result in a quieter projector, with less humming.
Optoma HD26 1080p 3D DLP Home Theater Projector
Optoma HD141x vs Optoma HD26: Performance
Specifications can be very misleading. 3D is a term banded around, and when most buyers see 3D Ready, 3D Capable, or Full 3D on a box, they naturally presume the projector they’re buying is 3D. This is not necessarily the case, and manufacturers don’t do anything to alter this perception, because it’s in their interest that buyers assume they’re getting 3D, when actually that’s not strictly true. The HD 26 Optoma is 3D Capable, which means you can hook it up to a device that transmits 3D, like a 3D Blu-Ray Player, and the HD26, will then translate that data into images close, but not quite amazing 3D. Meanwhile the HD141X is Full 3D, so when you hook it up to that same 3D Blu-Ray Player, you’ll get to view actual and absolutely wonderful, completely 3D images. You can read the full HD141x reviews here.
When viewing in HD, there’s another subtle difference buyers may not be aware of, but it’s important to know. While both are Full HD 1080p, and both employ BrilliantColor Technology, the contrast ratio on the HD141X is 23000:1, while on the HD26, the contrast ratio is 25000:1. Not all HD 1080p images are of the same quality, and higher contrast ratio’s mean smoother, more crisp whites and blacks. As such the whites and blacks, will be a little sharper on the HD26, although, both have very good contrast ratio’s, so each one will produce all-round excellent images.
You’re beginning to see how digging deeper beyond specifications, can reveal key differences, and ultimately benefit you as a buyer, because more knowledge equals more power. It’s the same with lumens, where people often focus on the number, and think the more lumens they have, the better brightness they’ll get, but brightness is determined by lumen performance, more than lumen count. There’s really not much difference in brightness between 3000 and 3200 lumens, and with the greater lumen performance on the HD141X you’re going to be getting around the same brightness from each machine. With both of these projectors, you’ll be able to view quality images in natural light during the afternoon, but you’ll have to draw the curtains on bright days.
Optoma HD141X 1080p 3D DLP Home Theater Projector
For games your looking less into whether or not a projector has a specific gaming mode, and more into the frame rate. Frame rate determines response time; in other words frame rate is about how fast your projector works, which is very important for games. Both of these projectors have identical 24 frames per second rates, and will be excellent for game playing like you’re at the arcade. Read full Optoma HD26 review. Regarding sound, both have built-in speakers, and both will produce great sound, but the HD141x has longer vents so it will more easily expel sound waves, but superior sound quality. Screen size goes out of a maximum of 300 inches on each projector, but on both you’ll begin to see colors in the corner of the screen, once you get beyond two-thirds of this. These colors will not be a major problem, and are found on most projectors when you expand the screen outwards.
Conclusion
Each of these machines would be a pleasure for any buyer to own, and each displays wonderful, clean, and crisp images. However, regarding 3D, the HD141X is slightly better, being full 3D. For HD images, with its higher contrast ratio, the HD26 will be marginally better than the HD141X, but the difference is negligible. Lumens will perform identically, despite the HD26 having 200 more lumens than the HD141X, and game playing at 24fps, will be thrilling on both projectors. Sound is also great on both projectors, but with its longer vents, the HD141X will sound a little crisper. So, now that you have the inside look at these terrific projectors, the question you should ask yourself is: Which qualities are most important for you?
