Optoma MovieTime DV10

The MovieTime DV10 is a user-friendly projector. It has a built-in top-loading DVD player into which you can insert a DVD and start enjoying a movie in a matter of seconds. With the high-throw-ratio lens, you can position the projector close to the wall or screen without sacrificing image size or quality. Add to this a set of crisp-sounding internal speakers and you have yourself an exceptional projector.

The DV10 has a futuristic-looking outer casing and two internal speakers located behind a silver grille mesh at the rear. Heat is removed through its side ventilation and the internal fan has a noise level of 27dB, which is comparable to a loud computer and quite distracting when watching movies at low volume. At 368 x 117 x 273mm, the unit is small enough to permanently and inconspicuously reside on a coffee table.

Inputs are accessed through the back of the machine. There's a composite, VGA and S-Video connector. There's also stereo audio in, stereo audio out, optical audio out and an AC power input. A D-sub to three-component RCA adapter is provided, so you could connect up an HDTV set top box without compromising quality. Controls are accessed by buttons on top of the physical enclosure, or through the intuitive remote control.

Setting up the projector was an effortless process. To watch a DVD, plug into a power source, insert a DVD, point at a white wall (or preferably a projector screen) and power up. Within 30 seconds a full brightness image will appear.

The image quality overall was quite impressive. It produced deep blacks. This confirms the advertised contrast ratio specification of 4000:1. Colours were accurately reproduced, skin tones seemed very detailed and the definition of the image was sharp.

One downside to the performance of the projector is the native resolution of its DLP chip: 480p (854 x 480).