Optoma Home Theater Series HD7100 (DLP projector)

Pros: Great picture

Cons: Poor reliability, bulbs burn out fast, they don't honor rebates

Summary: The good things I have found is it has a great picture. It’s easy to install (as easy as any overhead projector) and keeps pretty quiet. When it’s working, I am happy with the HD7100.

The problems I have had: I have had this product in use for about 8 months. Soon after installing the projector, there was a clicking noise coming from the projector that continued to increase in volume. It was bearable at first, but got worse. I sent it in and they provided me with a brand new unit. The clicking noise wasn’t there in the new one, but the bulb burned out within a week. Optoma was good about it and overnighted me a new bulb. After about 6 months and 1000 hours of use, that bulb has blown. Of course it’s not under warranty, but of the 3000 hours they claim, I have had an average life span of 500 hours from each bulb.
About 1 out of every 10 times I turn the projector on, it’s doesn’t turn on and it sounds like an electrical short is going on inside the machine. I can turn it off and back on again and it’s fixed, but it still is a pain. I would sent it in for repair, but I don’t want to wait 2 weeks to get it back. Especially since it’s an intermittent issue, I figure I will just waste the shipping charges.
I was offered a $400 rebate for the product, partly the reason I purchased it. I sent in all of the forms and received nothing back. I emailed their rebate department several times with no response. I even called and spoke to someone in their department and they said they would get right on it. Anyway, it’s 8 months later and nothing.

I have installed a projector for my father, a different brand (Sharp), and his picture seems to be just as good as mine, yet he paid half as much and has had only one problem and he was able to take it to their shop and get it back quickly.