Optoma HD243X Review: Arguably the best gaming projector

Do you know what it means to binge watch your favorite movie series, watch the big sports or play fun games with friends on a massive crystal-clear projector?

Or, are you considering buying a new projector for a special friend? You may also want to step up your gaming or probably just have more space to play with your tech. Well, you’re about to get just the answers you need with this Optoma HD243X review.

The Optoma HD243X is an almost perfect blend of the good features you need a projector to have-price, size, bulb life and connectivity options. This Optoma HD243X review is an insider’s guide to choosing the best projector that suits your needs just fine, with features, pros, cons and the honest recommendations.

Who is the Optoma HD243X for?

You should consider the Optoma HD243X if you…

• love large screens and projectors 
• want a big screen that’s affordable and functional 
• need to replace your TV with a projector for home entertainment
• enjoy gaming and will love to have unforgettable gaming experiences
• like the idea of a home theater in your living space or backyard

Game lovers of all ages would definitely love the Optoma HD243X at first sight and will fall in love over time because its brilliant color control, 3D format and enhanced gaming mode makes it suitable for gaming. If you ask me, I would say that the Optoma HD243X was designed first with gamers in mind and other categories as an afterthought. If you’re not big on loud entertainment and would rather not be bothered, I would advise that you stick your TV and not bother with the Optoma HD243X because you are very likely to underutilize it.

Features of the Optoma HD243X

• Dynamic Black: The Dynamic Black feature of the Optoma HD243X is part of the technology suite for DLP-based products offered by Texas Instruments. It allows for the adjustment of the brightness of the lamp itself according to the average picture level (APL). The lamp is dimmed for dark scenes and brightened during bright scenes. This leads to a specified contrast ratio of 24,000:1 and a lamp life up to 12,000 hours. 

• Reference Mode: The Reference mode can comfortably reproduce 100% of the BT.709 color gamut. If you desire more, the BrilliantColor control, one of TI’s technology suite will serve the purpose. The reference mode and BrilliantColor control is made possible by a new RGBCYW (red, green, blue, cyan, yellow, white) color wheel.

• Improved Gaming Mode: The Optoma HD243X is a true HD projector with a native 1080p resolution and an input lag of 16.4ms which makes it perfect for video gaming. The 2700 ANSI lumens rating helps it give a crisp and clear picture quality. The WUXGA supported resolution renders, allows for a 1920×1200 resolution that enhances picture quality to the tiniest detail. It also provides excellent on-board audio for quality sounds. 

• 3D Format:  This is one of the advantages of the projector over flat-panel TVs. The HD243X supports 3D formats, including side-by-side, over-under and frame-packed. You will need accessories such a RF transmitter and active-shutter glasses to view 3D. These items can be purchased online.

• Display Technology: The Optoma HD243X projector comes with the latest display technology of a single 0.47” DMD DLP chip, a full HD 1080p resolution with a 16:9 aspect ratio and a high-contrast display of 24,000:1 which guarantees a perfect picture quality in accurate colors. This means you can play games and watch movies in HD resolution. Apart from that, the HD243X model has full 3D 1080p support, which you can use to create a home theater and watch 3D movies in no time.

• Adjustable Pictures: This is an interesting feature that automatically adjusts the picture according to the wall color of the room if you turn it on. You can opt for colors such as light blue, light green, light yellow, grey, pink and even black. You can also switch this feature off but I think I am likely to keep it on for the fun of it, at least in the beginning. The HD243X also offers ISF Day, Night, and 3D calibration modes that allow you calibrate it for optimum performance with ambient light, in the night, and for 3D content, respectively. You can get the access codes for these modes from your dealer or calibrator.

• Connectivity: A lot of ports can be found on the Optoma HD243X. It has a standard VGA and a pair of HDMI inputs, powered by USB type C port so you can easily connect your gaming monitor. One of the HDMI ports doubles as an MHL (Mobile High-definition Link) input. This lets you connect an MHL-compatible mobile device and mirror the device’s display on the projection screen. It also has a 3D sync port, a 12V trigger output and a 3.5mm port for audio input and output. For a TV replacement, it has enough HDMI ports to support your cable/streaming stick and game console, in the very least. The powered USB also allows you to use a Chromecast for your favorite streaming services.

• User-Friendly: The projector is designed in such a way that it can be set up and easily operated by first-time users. It comes with a detailed manual for reference purposes and the remote control has all the frequently used buttons arranged in a spacious manner to avoid accidental pressing of wrong buttons.

• Size: The Optoma HD243X at a 6 feet distance will fill up a 120″ diagonal screen. It weighs about 6.75 pounds and can be conveniently carried around. The 1.1x zoom allows for easy mounting and installation

Pros and Cons

There is no perfect projector yet and the Optoma HD243X is not an exception. It is however good to weigh the pros and cons to know if this projector is ideal for you or not.  

Pros

• High-contrast 
• Easy to set up
• Two HDMI ports
• Excellent lighting
• Great for gamers
• Very customizable
• Great connectivity
• Loud inbuilt speakers
• 12,000-hour lamp life
• Excellent contrast ratio
• True HD 1080p picture 
• Full 3D content support
• Very good display quality
• Auto keystone adjustment
• Long lamp life in Eco Mode
• Bright lamp with sharp image
• A powered USB port for Chromecast
• 120-inch image from a distance of 6 feet
• Bright enough to use even in the middle of the day

Cons

• Has a single speaker
• The bulb lifespan is short 
• Lacks built-in streaming apps
• Some over splash is noticeable 
• Lamps replacements are not cheap

The pros definitely outweigh the cons and I think this is a good sign. Don’t you?

Alternatives 

If you are thinking of other options asides the Optoma HD243X, you might want to consider the Optoma HD27HDR or the BenQ HT2050A. These two options made it to our list of top 1080p projectors to buy on a budget.

The Optoma HD27HDR

The is one of the cheapest projectors for gaming that supports HDR as well. It has an unique ability to display UHD HDR images at a resolution of 1920×1080. it also accepts 4K input but this will reduce its resolution to native 1080p while it maintains its HDR capabilities.

Features of the Optoma HD27HDR include 3D playback of 1080p which is quite rare. The lag input is shorter than any other current 4K model and 16.4ms is fast enough even for professional gamers. This is the speed to expect in the enhanced gaming mode.

With a Lumens rating of 3,400 ANSI, its image is bright in moderately lit rooms and it promises to offer you a great gaming experience at a good price!

Pros

• HDR mode
• 1.1 zoom lens
• 10-watt speaker 
• Accepts 4K UHD input
• 3,400 ANSI lumens rating
• Fully 3D 1080p compatible
• Weights about 6.2 pounds 
• 1920×1080 native resolution
• HDMI 2.0 input with HDCP 2.2
• 50,000:1 specified contrast ratio
• 6,000 hour lamp life at full power 
• Supports ISF Night and Day modes
• Supports and displays HDR10 content
• Optional RF transmitter and active glasses
• 15,000 hours lamp life in Dynamic mode
• Enhanced Gaming Mode with excellent 16ms input-lag time
• Full support for 3D (with optional RF transmitter and active glasses)
• Single-chip DLP with RYGCWB color wheel delivers excellent color accuracy

Cons

• Rigid placement
• Lacks frame interpolation
• Does not have noise reduction features
• Absence of horizontal or auto keystone

The BenQ HT2050A

The BenQ HT2050A is a full HD projector loved for its great images enhanced by its contrast features. It has VGA input for a PC, RCA to connect audio sources, receivers, speakers and audio devices. It also has an incredible eco mode that reduces its usage by 33%.

This projector has rounded sides and a silver trim design to reduce light leakage and noise by 3Db. With a 2200 ANSI Lumens rating and contrast ratio of 15000:1, its colors are accurate, vivid and realistic. This is an edge that the BenQ HT2050A has over other projectors in the same price range. It’s a great choice for small rooms, dark rooms or rooms with minimal ambient darker rooms and rooms with moderate lighting.

Pros

• Fully 3D
• 16.4 ms input
• 1.3 zoom range
• Wireless is available
• Weighs only 7.3 pounds 
• Up to 7,000 hours in smart eco mode 
• Up to 3,500-hour lamp life in full power mode
• Good black levels in the darkest movie scenes
• High-quality color thanks to its RGBRGB color wheel 
• Supports ISF color calibration for both Night and Day modes
• Solid 10-watt mono speaker gives off high-quality audio output 
• Has different modes with different color schemes for different lighting

Cons

• It has only one 3D mode
• The HDMIs are a bit loose
• Can be problematic for shelf mounting
• Lamp replacements are expensive

Conclusion

The Optoma HD243X is a functional yet affordable home-entertainment projector that’s great for movies, video games and sports. It offers you a cinematic experience within the comfort of your living space and the reference display mode, 24,000:1 contrast ratio, and REC.709 color support provides an amazing video quality perfect for movies, sports and games. Using it at night is a real treat, thanks to its awesome visuals. It is also quite portable at 6.75lbs and can be set up in any room of your choice. Buying a projector is a not a cheap feat so it’s an investment you should aim to get right at first chance.

The Optoma HD243X is a brand you can trust and hopefully this review will help you decide on the projector that best suits you or at the very least we have helped you know the features to look out for in buying a projector.