Although most users would never go below 1080p when purchasing a new projector, there are also quite a few people out there who will settle for a bit less, at least as long as the price tag is also significantly lower. And this is the reason why the Optoma HD7300 is still around, as this particular model, released back in the second half of 2007, provides best top features 720p DLP technology has to offer at an affordable price.



The first thing that must be mentioned about the HD7300 is the fact that we're dealing with a 2-piece system here, namely the native 720p projector and a video processor. Moreover, as it features Texas Instruments’ DarkChip3 chipset, the HD7300 is able to deliver high-quality images, at 1280 x 720 pixels native resolution, 5,000:1 contrast ratio and sizes of up to 300 inches.



Optoma's projector can “throw” images at some pretty OK distances (4.92 to 37.40 feet or 1.5 to 11.4 meters) and generates a total of 1000 ANSI lumens with the help of the 250W UHP lamp (3000 hours lamp life). This is not a very good light level, but it's certainly enough for home use.



Additionally, it's also quite important to note that the fact that the projector also provides a few very important image processing-related features, namely motion adaptive 480i, 576i and 1080i de-interlacing, 10-bit image processing, advanced 3D comb filter, three presets plus three programmable display formats, advanced noise reduction and sharpening. It also offers a few color management functions, namely user definable gamma, RBGCYM 6-color 16 region adjustment, three user definable modes plus ISFccc color settings.



The projector itself incorporates a set of basic connectivity options, including DVI (w/HDCP), Component Video, Composite Video (RCA), S-Video, RGB, RS-232 interfaces and dual IR receivers. However, the video processor provides even more ports, namely three HDMI plus one external HDMI expansion, two BNC Component YPbPr/RGBHV, two Component, three S-Video, three Composite Video, One VGA, RS-232, Two 12V Triggers and one IR port expansion.



Since it's not exactly a “latest-gen” device, the HD7300 is not very expensive, retailing for just around 1,500 US dollars, which is a pretty accessible price point, even for users on a tight budget.