Shootout: $700 SVGA Projectors

(This is part of a series of articles. For the first page, click here)

Some of you may be noticing that the InFocus X2 does not quite fit in with the rest of the projectors up for review, as the X2 is over a year old. However, due to the popularity of this projector, its use as a benchmark against which to measure the others is invaluable.

The X2 puts out about 1,430 ANSI lumens by our measurements, which makes it the third brightest projector in this shootout (behind the BenQ MP610 and Optoma EP716). Again, measuring contrast in this context is rather silly, so suffice it to say that the X2's image overwhelms any ambient light in the room with sheer lamp power.

When receiving an XGA signal full of text, the X2 did its level best to maintain sharpness and clarity, but simply could not keep pace with the newer models. In comparison, text looked fuzzy and hard to read at viewing distances past 2.5x the screen width. While an SVGA signal looked much better, we noticed a problem with edge-to-edge sharpness. On our test unit, if the bottom half and center of the image were in focus, the top half was blurry, and vice versa. We did not notice this when using the XGA signal because of the blurriness already present in the image.

Color for the most part was good, though greens were slightly yellowed. After adjusting the color, the X2 did a good job of displaying digital photos - color could not match that on the Microtek MS4, but was good in its own right. There was also a slight red push, but this was mostly removed through adjustment.

As was said in our standalone review of the X2 from September 2004, there is a big difference between the X2 and the Screenplay 4805, its home theater cousin. While video quality was acceptable for presentation purposes, it was a bit rough around the edges, with sub-par deinterlacing.

Keystone adjustment worked quite well on an SVGA source, and maintained image resolution and clarity. However, with an XGA signal, compression artifacts were amplified, and text became hard to read. Images were still acceptably clear, though other projectors in this shootout definitely delivered better results.

At 39dB audible noise, the InFocus X2 is not exactly "quiet". When using decibels to measure audible noise, an increase in 3dB is a doubling of audible noise, so the InFocus X2 at 39dB is twice as loud as the Epson PowerLite S3 at 36dB. The InFocus also goes into "cool down mode" instead of full shutdown when the power button is pressed. To turn off the fan completely, you must hit the power switch on the side of the projector's case.

Unlike most other SVGA units, the X2 does not have a 15-pin VGA port. Instead, InFocus opted to go with the M1-DA port, and the included adapter has M1 on one side and VGA/USB on the other. This way, you can connect your computer's video and mouse capabilities through the same wire. From there, you can then control the computer's page up/page down functions from the X2's remote, though there is no wireless mouse ability.

The InFocus X2 is rated at 3,000 lamp hours in all modes, and a replacement lamp costs $300. Again, this should emphasize the point that replacement lamps are something that you'll need to budget for in the future. Think of it as a year's worth of car maintenance, all at once. And at $0.10 per lamp hour, it no longer looks so expensive.

The InFocus X2 is a good, solid product from a reputable company with many happy customers. If any projector can be called a "sure bet", this is it. While better suited to a more permanent installation, the advantages to this projector include the knowledge that technical staff at InFocus are familiar with every aspect of the machine, as they have been working on this model for over a year. While it may not have the bells and whistles of newer machines, it is rock solid.

Introduction

Page one: The BenQ MP610

Page two: The EPSON PowerLite S3

Page three: The InFocus X2

Page four: The Microtek MS4

Page five: The Mitsubishi SD110U

Page six: The Optoma EP716