Our take
Optoma's brochure positions the GT720 GameTime for gaming and specifies a native WXGA 1280 × 800 image, 2,500 ANSI lumens and a 0.72:1 throw ratio. It can support a closer setup than an ordinary long-throw projector, but the ratio is short throw rather than UST and the panel is not native 720p or Full HD.
A console or PC player setting up a screen in a compact room who can verify the distance, accepts WXGA detail and can inspect lamp condition..
Avoid it if you require confirmed native 1080p or 4K, ultra-short-throw placement, a lamp-free engine, or a current unit with known lamp life and support.
Pros & cons
What could work for you, and what to consider before buying.
What works in its favor
- Optoma documents native WXGA 1280 × 800 and an explicit 2,500 ANSI-lumen rating.
- The 0.72:1 lens supports short-room placement, with the brochure describing a large image from under eight feet.
- HDMI, VGA, S-video and composite inputs give the model several paths for older game and video equipment.
What to weigh up
- Native WXGA is lower detail than Full HD and should not be inferred from the GT720 name or accepted input formats.
- A 0.72:1 throw is short, not ultra-short, and still requires a measured lens-to-screen distance.
- The 180 W lamp and 2.9 kg chassis make it an older AC-powered unit whose condition and portability have limits.
Specifications and exact model details
The key details
| Model covered | GT720 |
|---|---|
| Image format | Native WXGA 1280 × 800 |
| Rated light output | 2,500 ANSI lumens |
| Placement | 0.72:1 short throw; HDMI/VGA/S-video/composite; 180 W lamp |
Performance figures are manufacturer claims. Source checked October 16, 2026. Regional models and included accessories can differ.
Full review: how the features affect your choice
What the features mean for you
Do not read 720p into the model name
Optoma's GT720 brochure specifies native WXGA 1280 × 800. The product name includes '720,' but that is not evidence of a native 1280 × 720 panel or Full HD image. Supported video formats can be accepted and scaled; they do not add physical pixels to the imaging device. For game menus and older console sources, WXGA can be serviceable when expectations match the panel. For fine interface text or modern high-resolution gaming on a large screen, compare it with a projector whose manufacturer explicitly documents native Full HD or higher resolution.
Short throw can help in a compact gaming room
The Optoma brochure gives the GT720 a 0.72:1 throw ratio and describes a 150-inch diagonal image from under eight feet. That is a short-throw design that can reduce how far back the projector needs to sit compared with conventional lenses. It is not ultra-short throw and should not be placed against a wall without a distance calculation. Measure from the lens, not the back of the chassis, and confirm the desired screen width against the exact manual. Short throw may also reduce the chance that a player casts a shadow across the image, but room layout still matters.
The ANSI label gives a comparison figure
Optoma lists 2,500 ANSI lumens. The method label makes the published figure more comparable to other projectors explicitly rated in ANSI lumens, including NEC NP115 and BenQ MX823ST in this batch. It does not guarantee a particular viewing result or describe an older lamp after years of use. Screen surface, image size, light in the room, lamp mode and dust all affect the picture. Ask about lamp hours and inspect a running image if possible; do not assume a brochure number is the output of a specific secondhand unit.
Ports match a mix of older entertainment sources
The brochure lists HDMI, VGA, S-video and composite video, along with 10 W audio. HDMI can connect a compatible console or media player, while VGA and analog video can keep older equipment in the mix. The presence of these connections does not establish built-in streaming apps, wireless casting or current service support. If a modern console uses a different audio route, verify how sound will reach the room's speakers instead of relying on the projector's built-in audio. Check the actual panel and included remote, cables and adapters in the specific offer.
A lamp-based model needs a condition check
Optoma specifies a 180 W lamp and lists the GT720 at 2.9 kg. Those details place it in a different maintenance and carrying category from a pocket battery projector or laser home model. Lamp hours and remaining life are specific to the unit; the official brochure cannot report those. Request a picture of the on-screen counter and check for warning lights, fan noise, uniform focus and visible dust or discoloration. It needs external power and is not documented as battery-operated. A compact throw arrangement can be useful, but it does not make the projector small enough to treat as a self-powered portable device.
Match the offer to a real use case
The GT720 is most defensible for an older console or PC setup where short-throw placement, the ANSI output label and analog inputs matter more than native Full HD detail. The brochure also mentions 3D compatibility, but buyer needs and compatible accessories should be checked against the exact hardware and source; no current accessory bundle is established here. The Amazon search is an exact-model query because the historical ASIN does not establish a live variant. Confirm the GT720 nameplate, lamp hours, remote, lens condition and port operation before buying. If resolution matters most, a newer native Full HD model may be a better match.
Compare for your needs
BenQ MX823ST has a 0.61:1 classroom-oriented short throw and 3,200 ANSI lumens with native XGA, while Epson PowerLite 1980WU offers native WUXGA for fixed-room detail but a conventional lens and non-ANSI lumen figures.
Find the video projector that fits you.
Tell us what matters. We’ll help you weigh the options.
Before you buy
Is the GT720 native 720p?
Optoma lists native WXGA 1280 × 800; the model name should not be treated as its panel resolution.
Is it ultra-short throw?
No. The brochure gives a 0.72:1 short-throw ratio, which still requires a measured projector distance.
Does it have an ANSI brightness rating?
Yes. Optoma's brochure lists 2,500 ANSI lumens for the model; a used unit's output depends on condition and lamp hours.
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 and review basis
Sources & review basis
We use the linked product documentation for the features above. Our suitability notes and buying advice are editorial judgments based on those features, not measured performance results.
- Optoma GT720 official brochure ↗ — checked October 16, 2026.
- Optoma GT720 official brochure ↗ — checked October 16, 2026.
- Optoma GT720 official French brochure ↗ — checked October 16, 2026.
The decision
Choose the GT720 for a measured short-throw gaming layout that can use WXGA and its documented connections. Verify lamp and accessory condition and do not mistake its name for a native 720p resolution.
Is it the right fit?
Check the exact model and today’s offers on Amazon.