Sub $1,000 DLP + 2000:1 contrast + Faroudja DCDi = No brainer
Written: Nov 24 '03 (Updated Nov 26 '03)
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Pros: Crisp video image, vivid color and fantastic black level after tweaking the default settings.
Cons: Minor quirks by design and possible rainbows. Personal preference for non-plastic build.
The Bottom Line: Infocus X1 offers unmatched value with its 2000:1 contrast ratio and Faroudja DCDi processor. For watching DVDs it beats any rear projection HDTV out there.
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| cnagappa's Full Review: InFocus X1 Multimedia Projector |
Decision to buy
Currently I have a 30" widescreen Samsung Digital Enhanced Definition (16:9, 480p) CRT TV with which I enjoy watching DVD movies. I was looking to upgrade to one of the new Samsung DLP rear projection HDTVs, but the price point was too high.
Then I found that SVGA DLP Projectors can be had for less than $1,000 and you get much more screen real estate than with any rear projection TV. Since my Home Theater viewing is mainly DVD (480p) and not HDTV (1080i), I decided that the 800x600 resolution of the X1 would suit me just fine.
My choices for the sub $1,000 DLP projector category were: BenQ 2120 and 6100, Dell 2200, Infocus X1 and Optoma EzPro 731. Of these, only the Infocus X1 has both a 2000:1 contrast ratio and the Faroudja deinterlacing chip. Plus, I have been reading mostly rave reviews of the X1, many of which called the X1 a bargain at $1,600 (its original price).
First Impressions
Out of the box the unit's construction looks good, as good as the other name brand offerings (the Hitachis, the Epsons, the Canons) at this price point. However, I have a personal peeve against the plastic build of nearly all projectors at this price point. But for $1,000, who cares?
Set up
The X1 is fairly easy to set up. I have a JVC progressive scan DVD player, but no component to VESA (video) adaptor, so I decided to use my Aiwa non-progressive player instead and connected it to the X1 via the S-video cable.
Picture quality
My initial reaction was "nice", but I felt the default "Film" mode image was a tad dull compared to my Samsung EDTV, with the color favoring the blues to the greens and reds. So, starting with the "Warm" color saturation level, I upped the brightness, color level and contrast to about 74% each, set the tint to about 45% and the RGB gains as follows: R:80%, G:70%, B:42%. (I lower the brightness somewhat when viewing in pitch dark conditions). The result was amazing. The picture is better than that of any rear projection HDTV I have seen - including Samsung's DLP rear projection HDTVs. (Keep in mind that I am using a basic Da-Lite 70" x 70" tripod screen with no special coating, that this image is with the S-video cable and that I have not tweaked my X1 to the full extent yet).
I went back to the HT showroom and reconfirmed that my X1 did, in fact, produce a better picture than any HDTV on display. Now, I know why so few of the HT dealers carry these sub $1,000 DLP projectors or demo them. These DLP projectors would most certainly cannibalize the sales of those rear projection HDTVs that cost thousands more. HT dealers be warned!
The image from the X1 is so vivid and highly defined that it literally pops out of the screen. The black levels are as good as in the best HD CRT TVs I have seen - which is saying a lot. Don't underestimate the value of the 2000:1 contrast ratio! Now - time for the icing on the cake - I am told that the picture gets even better using the optional component-to-video adapter with a native progressive (480p) source! (Although the X1 will not use the Faroudja deinterlacer when fed a native progressive signal). I will update the review when I get to try that out after I receive my adapter.
Navigation
Using the remote, the interactive menus are very easy to navigate. Unfortunately, my remote did not have back-lighting. (But in one review I read, the reviewer's X1 remote had a backlighting switch. Strange!)
The electronic keystone correction feature is top notch. It corrects the keystone with absolutely no image distortion or degradation. Unfortunately, the keystone correction is only vertical. You therefore have to set the projector exactly in the middle of the screen horizontally.
Firmware version
Using the remote and selecting "About" from the menu, I checked that the firmware version is 4.1, which is the latest according to the Infocus website. If you have an older version of the firmware, you should upgrade to 4.1 following the instructions in the website. Infocus extended the bulb life to 4,000 hours. Wow!
Pixel cropping
When watching 480p DVD movies with 16 x 9 (1.78:1) aspect ratio, the X1 will crop about 15 pixels from the top and 15 from bottom to give a 800x450 resolution. This was apparently done avoid forcing the X1 to do any additional scaling and thereby compromise quality. This pixel cropping was barely noticeable and not bothersome to me at all. Besides, most TVs crop the images anyway. A lot of widescreen movies have 2.35:1 aspect ratios which do not get cropped.
(To avoid the pixel cropping you can set the X1 to the 4x3 aspect ratio, which does not crop, but the image gets stretched vertically. Certain DVD players can correct this internally. I read somewhere that you can also attach a special "anamorphic" lens which brings back the 16x9 aspect ratio on widescreen movies.)
Deinterlacing
One thing I am really happy with the X1 is its Faroudja DCDi processor (which works only via the S-video input). It clearly does a MUCH better job in cleaning up the images in video-mode DVDs than my JVC progressive player ever did. On film-mode DVDs, those that support "3:2 pulldown", the Faroudja deinterlacer has been absolutely perfect in recognizing the 3:2 frame cadence, reproducing a true film-like image and with no loss in quality. Don't underestimate the value of the Faroudja chip on this unit! This is what sets the X1 apart from the other offerings at this price.
It really feels like watching a movie in a movie theater rather than a home theater! (Movie theater owners be warned!).
Rainbow
Regarding the dreaded "rainbow" artifacts, neither my wife nor I have seen any. But then again, we have used the projector under 5 hours and we prefer to watch the classic movies (like David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia") which usually don't have bright and fast moving images. Also, we are using a standard Da-Lite screen which adds no gain.
Other informal surveys of the rainbow effect say that 20% of the viewers don't see them, 60% see them but it doesn't bother them and the remaining 20% see them and it bothers them enough that they want to return the projector.
I sincerely hope that I never ever fall into the last 20% category!
Screen door
I noticed the "screen door" effect (visible square pixels) when I sat too close to the screen, especially with the text credits and subtitles. However, the screen doors are not noticeable when you sit at a distance that is at least twice the diagonal size of the projected image. For example, if the image is 6' diagonal, you are advised to sit at least 12' away. From that distance, the image looks amazingly sharp (depending on the DVD material, of course).
Conclusion
Despite minor quirks (no horizontal keystone correction, no back-lighting in the remote, yet-to-be-seen rainbow artifacts), the X1 is a wonderful projector. It exceeded my expectations of what I could expect in any projector (DLP or not). The high contrast ratio, Faroudja DCDi deinterlacing chip, and exceptional video output makes the X1 a steal at even twice its list price of $999. Watching DVD movies is such a pleasure because you can now enjoy the subtleties of the screen. This is what a true home theater experience should be like!
Recommended:
Yes
Purchase Price (if leased, monthly payment): 1000
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Epinions.com ID:
cnagappa
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Location: Houston, Texas
Reviews written: 8
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
High value at low prices is my motto - until I become a millionaire :)
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