6. Optoma H79: Disarmingly Similar

We received all three projectors at the same time, and to start our testing we placed the three nominees side by side to get an idea of their design and form factor. It came as a bit of surprise to note that the H79 and the HC 2000 are disarmingly similar in appearance. On close inspection, you quickly note that the basic unit is exactly the same, with the same adjustment buttons on the shell, the same connectors, and even the same shift adjustment dial. The only real external difference is the color. Optoma has opted for a very handsome pure white finish. The remote control is also very similar to the Mitsubishi's, less a few buttons - which is a shame, incidentally, since here again a nicer job might have been done on the remote control given the price of the device.

The two projectors were so similar looking that we called the manufacturers to find out who actually fabricates this model. The answer quickly confirmed our suspicions - Optoma is the instigator. In fact, the H79 is a development of the already famous H77, which served as the basis for Mitsubishi's manufacture of the HC 2000. As a result, the H79 has the same components and consequently the same intrinsic qualities.

But Optoma has taken the process of evolution one step farther with the H79. The contrast ratio is 3800:1 compared to 3600:1 for the Mitsubishi. The brightness has been increased to 1000 lumens compared to 700. The operating noise as specified is 23 dB, the same as for its twin, but in actual use we'd say that the H79 is a bit quieter, especially in economy mode. The imager is the same superb HD2 + with 1280 x 720 resolution, teamed with an 8-segment color wheel. But here the 5x rotation speed is not adjustable to 4x as on the Mitsubishi.