The Optoma HD8600 is a high end home theater projector was announced in September 2009. The product is primarily available through dealers and installers. I have not been able to locate its availability on the web, yet.

The HD8600 uses Texas Instruments’ DLP® DarkChip3™ DMD Technology, and incorporates Optoma’s proprietary enhancements to deliver a stunning image.  It is rated at 1600 ANSI lumens and has a contrast ratio of 50,000:1. The HD8600’s price is approximately $7,500. I don’t expect much discounting since the sales channels are primarily through installers.

Something unique about the HD8600 is the availability of three interchangeable PureOptics lenses, which when combined with the projector’s center lens placement and full lens shift, provides many options for improving uniformity for the entire image. Each of these lenses is optimized to work within its designed zoom range to optimize the image.

As with any high end home theater projector, the HD8600 provides multiple inputs addressing a wide range of applications, ranging from gaming to home theaters.  It has three HDMI inputs, VGA-in, component video, S-Video, composite video, RS-232, and two +12V triggers and IR receiver.

The question is how much better is the projector over the Panasonic AE4000U or similar projectors? Is it worth spending $5000 over the Panasonic AE4000U for the HD8600? I am not sure! Also, check out the Mitsubishi HC3800 and Epson 8500UB.

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