At CEDIA, Optoma showed their new 3-chip DLP 1080p home theater projector, the HD8600. Designed specifically for custom installation, the HD8600 has ISFccc Day and Night modes, three options for lenses, accented lens placement and full lens-shift.

It also has an Auto235 mode that automatically positions Optoma’s optional anamorphic lens/sled kit to move the lens into place without user intervention for enhanced 2.35:1 content viewing. The projector features a 50,000:1 contrast ratio, and a brightness of 1600 ANSI lumens and the list price for it is $7499.99.For more information, please go to http://www.optomausa.com/

via rAVe HomeAV Edition — Volume 6, Issue 19 — October 6, 2009.

Optoma HD20 projector

It looks like sub-$1,000 pricing is shaping up to be the new 1080p as the headline spec for projectors tempting you to reach for your wallet. Don’t get us wrong — $999 isn’t exactly in the “impulse buy” category, but it opens up projectors appeal tremendously. Optoma’s HD20 has joined Vivitek’s H1080FD in the $999, 1080p, DLP-powered beamer segment. Competition is always good, and the HD20 is happy to oblige by bringing 1,700 lumens, a 4000:1 contrast ratio, two HDMI inputs, and a bulb life of 4,000 or 3,000 hours depending on whether you take in the movies in “standard” or “bright” mode. Oh yeah, and the Optoma name might be a little more familiar to consumers than Vivitek, too. Competition is good, indeed.

via endgadgethd.com.