Our take
Optoma’s EP1690 is a lamp-based widescreen projector for buyers who need a specific legacy connection panel and native WXGA resolution. The brochure gives 1280 × 768 pixels, a 16:10 native shape, manual focus, DVI-D with HDCP, VGA, S-Video, composite video, USB, and RS-232. It also lists a 1.58–1.90:1 throw range. Its 2,500-lumen claim is not marked ANSI, and no current lamp or support condition is established.
A fixed presentation room using older DVI or VGA equipment and widescreen WXGA computer material.
It is not for native Full HD or 4K detail, integrated apps, a close-wall UST position, or a strict ANSI brightness requirement.
Pros & cons
What could work for you, and what to consider before buying.
What works in its favor
- The native 16:10 WXGA panel matches older widescreen business-computer material.
- Optoma documents DVI-D with HDCP and a broad set of analog presentation connections.
- The 1.58–1.90:1 throw and lamp details help plan replacement or maintenance.
What to weigh up
- The source’s 2,500-lumen figure is not labeled ANSI and remains a model-era rating.
- DVI-D, VGA, S-Video, and composite may require adapters for newer laptops and players.
- A used UHP lamp, filter, fan, and remote need inspection; the brochure cannot establish unit condition.
The key details
| Model covered | EP1690 |
|---|---|
| Image format | Native WXGA 1280 × 768; 16:10 |
| Rated light output | 2,500 manufacturer-listed lumens; not labeled ANSI |
| Placement | 1.58–1.90:1 throw; DVI-D, VGA, S-Video, composite, USB, RS-232 |
Performance figures are manufacturer claims. Source checked October 11, 2026. Regional models and included accessories can differ.
What the features mean for you
Does its WXGA shape match the source material?
Optoma lists native WXGA at 1280 × 768 with a 16:10 native aspect ratio. That wider shape can suit older laptop slides and business computer images more naturally than a 4:3 XGA model. It remains below Full HD, so fine video detail and small interface text will not match a 1920 × 1080 projector. A supported 1080 signal does not increase the panel’s native pixels. Check the output mode used by the computer and whether the existing screen is 16:10 before choosing the EP1690 for a permanent room.
Can the legacy connector panel save adapters?
The EP1690 brochure lists DVI-D with HDCP, VGA, S-Video, composite video, USB, and RS-232. DVI-D may be useful for a computer or media device from the same era, while the analog inputs can keep older video sources connected. Modern laptops increasingly use HDMI or USB-C, so a compatible adapter may still be necessary. Confirm whether the intended source sends digital video through the exact DVI connection and whether audio needs a separate cable. RS-232 supports control integrations but is not a consumer streaming feature.
What does the throw range mean for placement?
Optoma gives a 1.58–1.90:1 throw ratio and a conventional placement range. Measure the lens-to-screen distance and target image width before installing a ceiling mount; zoom or digital geometry options cannot make the projector an ultra-short-throw model. The brochure does not establish optical lens shift, so plan a centered position and the correct vertical offset. Keeping some space for cables and ventilation is especially important in a fixed room. If an existing bracket is being reused, compare its lens position rather than assuming the projector body will align the same way.
How should its lumens and lamp age affect the decision?
Optoma lists 2,500 lumens, but the brochure does not label that figure ANSI. It remains a manufacturer claim tied to the model, not a comparable ANSI measurement and not a test of the particular unit. The EP1690 uses a UHP lamp with a stated rated life; lamp mode, hours, environment, and history all affect the current image. Ask the seller for the lamp-hour reading and a demonstration at the intended screen size. A clean, well-focused image in the room provides more useful evidence than transferring the brochure number directly to an aged example.
Is this better suited to meetings than movies?
The combination of native 16:10 WXGA, DVI/VGA, USB, and serial control points to a presentation workflow with an external computer or older source device. There is no documented streaming-app platform, battery, or laser source in the brochure. Those omissions matter if the projector is expected to function as a current all-in-one home cinema system. Confirm the correct cable, input, focus operation, remote, and lamp availability for the exact EP1690 unit. If the room now uses only HDMI and needs Full HD, a newer model may remove adapter and detail compromises.
What else to compare
For native WXGA with a model-specific manual and LAN/USB presentation functions, compare InFocus IN3116; for Full HD, compare Acer H9500BD.
Before you buy
What is the EP1690’s native resolution?
Optoma lists native WXGA at 1280 × 768 pixels with a 16:10 native image shape.
Is the 2,500-lumen figure ANSI?
The checked Optoma brochure says 2,500 lumens but does not label the number ANSI.
Does it have HDMI?
The brochure lists DVI-D, VGA, S-Video, composite, USB, and RS-232; it does not list an HDMI connector.
Where can I check the current price?
Use the Amazon link for current offers. Check the exact model, seller, product condition, delivery, and return terms. This page does not display a live price or confirm stock.
Sources & review basis
We use the following manufacturer documentation for the product features above. Our suitability notes and buying advice are editorial judgments based on those features, not measured performance results.
- Optoma Europe EP1690 brochure ↗ — checked October 11, 2026.
- Optoma Europe EP1690 model brochure ↗ — checked October 11, 2026.
The decision
EP1690 suits a measured, adapter-ready room where native WXGA and its particular legacy ports are more important than current resolution.
Is it the right fit?
Check the exact model and today’s offers on Amazon.