InFocus X1 Projector $649.00

[HDTVMan]

InFocus X1 Projector
Availability: Usually ships within 1 business day
Price: $649.00

http://store.infocus.com/

 

[blckgrffn]

mmm... no HDCP DVI or HDMI for future HD-DVD's, bummer

 

[Auryg]

This projector is really, really good for the price guys. Go for it!

 

[Tweakmeister]

avsforum has had a several page thread on their customer support and the color wheel in these.

Basically the customer support has been getting better - but some users have experienced increased noise from the color wheel.

The good news is these are probably new (better bearings/oiling) than the early adopters models.

On a side note, INFS stock is just about the bottom of the barrel. From a NCAV standpoint it meets Ben Graham's 66% level for a value stock for the enterprising investor.

That said, the NCAV has been sliding, and the management of this company seems clueless - with this projector on sale, their inventory levels (which have exploded this year) are probably high again.

 

[phpguru]

After 2000 hours of use, you have to pay almost half the amount of the projector for the lamp ($300). Are there lamps that are cheaper than this? I'm debating of whether to buy a projector or build my own (lumenlab.com) where the bulbs last 20000 hours and are only $30 to replace. The other plus side is that it would be fun to make one of these!

phpguru

 

[blckgrffn]

Anybody build one of those things before? I am interested

 

[HDTVMan]

Originally posted by: blckgrffn
Anybody build one of those things before? I am interested

I have and its quite impressive. I am about to build a second which will be much smaller.

I would make a few changes to what lumenlab suggests. They go pretty generic and your final results will have a washed out look to it but good for the beginner.

Add $50.00 more to the lumen project to make something that really stands out. Better Bulb, Fresnel, and add a condenser.

Also The lumenlab never shows the projector in any of the throws on the wall which is a little deceptive. But it can be done.

 

[imported_motodude]

Originally posted by: blckgrffn
Anybody build one of those things before? I am interested

Me too.

 

[phpguru]

The price when building it is only $500 too. Check out the lumenlab forums for more info and final results. If you're serious about building, then the $20 guide is worth it. Then you can get help from the experts who have already built one.

phpguru

 

[blckgrffn]

Originally posted by: HDTVMan

Originally posted by: blckgrffn
Anybody build one of those things before? I am interested

I have and its quite impressive. I am about to build a second which will be much smaller.

I would make a few changes to what lumenlab suggests. They go pretty generic and your final results will have a washed out look to it but good for the beginner.

Add $50.00 more to the lumen project to make something that really stands out. Better Bulb, Fresnel, and add a condenser.

Also The lumenlab never shows the projector in any of the throws on the wall which is a little deceptive. But it can be done.

What do you mean by that, exactly? *Projector building newb here *

 

[Tu13erhead]

Originally posted by: blckgrffn

Originally posted by: HDTVMan

Originally posted by: blckgrffn
Anybody build one of those things before? I am interested

I have and its quite impressive. I am about to build a second which will be much smaller.

I would make a few changes to what lumenlab suggests. They go pretty generic and your final results will have a washed out look to it but good for the beginner.

Add $50.00 more to the lumen project to make something that really stands out. Better Bulb, Fresnel, and add a condenser.

Also The lumenlab never shows the projector in any of the throws on the wall which is a little deceptive. But it can be done.

What do you mean by that, exactly? *Projector building newb here *

Depending on the plans used, the projector being built can be very bulky. Therefore, they rarely show the actual projector in the final results, only the screen

 

[HDTVMan]

Originally posted by: blckgrffn

Originally posted by: HDTVMan

Originally posted by: blckgrffn
Anybody build one of those things before? I am interested

I have and its quite impressive. I am about to build a second which will be much smaller.

I would make a few changes to what lumenlab suggests. They go pretty generic and your final results will have a washed out look to it but good for the beginner.

Add $50.00 more to the lumen project to make something that really stands out. Better Bulb, Fresnel, and add a condenser.

Also The lumenlab never shows the projector in any of the throws on the wall which is a little deceptive. But it can be done.

What do you mean by that, exactly? *Projector building newb here *

LCD panels are backlit.

Imagine removing the backlight and putting much more light through there. Its enough to generate an image on the wall. Its a little more complex than that.

Your basically building an overhead projector with an LCD panel in it. Not rocket science.

Dont buy the information because its easily found on the web.

My first one I built cost me $300.00 and about 6 hours. at 10ft it created a beautiful 120" image. Clear edge to edge.

My second one will be $400.00 and its all electronic and will be very small. About the size of a PC case. 5 times bigger than a store bought projector but let me point out a few things.

1. NO RAINBOW EFFECT because there is no color wheel.
2. Very slight screen door effect. When you see how little you will not care.
3. Replacement bulbs are 55.00 compared to $300.00 You can use 30.00 ones if you want a cruddy projector.
4. lifespan of the bulb is 20K hours compared to 2-4K hours.

Here are some screens
http://www.brokenprices.com/Projector1.JPG
I left the chair in for size

http://www.brokenprices.com/Projector2.JPG
http://www.brokenprices.com/Projector3.jpg
http://www.brokenprices.com/Projector4.jpg

My Latest Project
http://www.brokenprices.com/Project2.jpg

 

[Auryg]

I've done the whole DIY projector thing, I was big into the "scene" of it for a few years, actually. While I'm sure things have gotten a bit better since then, there are a few core flaws with the project.

If you want to do it as a hobby, go for it. However, if you just want to watch movies/play videogames on a really big screen, trust me when I say to buy the X1. The contrast ratio inherently sucks for homebuilt projectors as it's going off of the CR of the LCD and then that gets screwed up due to a 200-400 watt lightbulb shining through it. The optics also aren't good for DIY projectors unless you're willing to spend a LOT.

 

[HDTVMan]

Originally posted by: Auryg
I've done the whole DIY projector thing, I was big into the "scene" of it for a few years, actually. While I'm sure things have gotten a bit better since then, there are a few core flaws with the project.

If you want to do it as a hobby, go for it. However, if you just want to watch movies/play videogames on a really big screen, trust me when I say to buy the X1. The contrast ratio inherently sucks for homebuilt projectors as it's going off of the CR of the LCD and then that gets screwed up due to a 200-400 watt lightbulb shining through it. The optics also aren't good for DIY projectors unless you're willing to spend a LOT.

Here is a better picture. Its 120" in size.
http://www.brokenprices.com/better.jpg

Its difficult to take a good picture with the digital to do it justice My guess is there is no focus point.

Maybe I am a generation behind you but I can easily rival 1200+ projectors. The biggest problem is the bulb they sell you that is $30.00. It has a very bad CRI of something like 65 which will give you a washed out look. You need a better bulb one with a CRI of at least 80-85. Some as good as 93 if you are willing to spend a little more. The major part of pass/fail is the bulb. Color temp is also going to play a role.

I just cheked their website and it looks like they have made some improvements but they still arent specifying the bulbs abilities.

Good fresnels also make a difference you want a good opacity and thats gonna cost a little more. 98% opacity is the way to go to a brighter image.

 

[HDTVMan]

Ok they are using a much better bulb than they originally were. Note the CRI of 85 before it was a poor 65 they sold. The 5200K is a little high but should still be a good output.

# 33,000 lumens
# 5200K color temp
# 85 CRI

This again looks to be the bulky style projectors. My next one has a CRI of 93. and will be about the size of a PC case.

 

[Tu13erhead]

I was considering doing a DIY kit as they did in TomsHardware with an overhead projector. I actually purchased an OHP for $65 and I found an LCD panel with a dead backlight for $15. However, the electronics on the back of the board required an FFC extension and it wasn't easy to install. I've put it on hold, who knows, maybe I'll finish it some day.

 

[HDTVMan]

Originally posted by: Tu13erhead
I was considering doing a DIY kit as they did in TomsHardware with an overhead projector. I actually purchased an OHP for $65 and I found an LCD panel with a dead backlight for $15. However, the electronics on the back of the board required an FFC extension and it wasn't easy to install. I've put it on hold, who knows, maybe I'll finish it some day.

THG ripped the community. He didnt do anything innovative. But it shows the basic theory.

I find overhead projector method has too much stray light which hurts the overall performance. Better to build the box.

 

[Tu13erhead]

True, but I am not skilled at all with building things myself.

 

[HDTVMan]

Originally posted by: Tu13erhead
True, but I am not skilled at all with building things myself.

Good point. It will get the job done.

 

[Auryg]

Originally posted by: HDTVMan
Ok they are using a much better bulb than they originally were. Note the CRI of 85 before it was a poor 65 they sold. The 5200K is a little high but should still be a good output.

# 33,000 lumens
# 5200K color temp
# 85 CRI

This again looks to be the bulky style projectors. My next one has a CRI of 93. and will be about the size of a PC case.

First off, the X1 is not bulky. I don't have a ruler handy, but to compare it's a bit smaller than an xbox...though I'm a bit confused if you were talking about DIY projectors in that statement.

And the pictures you show are of bright, colorful scenes. Once you start going into scenes with shadows is where a DIY projector will have trouble. Sidewinder, in Halo 1, was practically unplayable because of the difference between the snow and the shadows. You couldn't see anything in the shadows at all.

The x1 has practically no screendoor effect, has a zoom lens, has no ghosting, is totally adjustable (individual color levels, contrast, brightness, keystone, etc), is actually portable with no 50 lb. ballast hanging on it, is fairly quiet, and is nearly maintenance free.

A DIY projector has horrible contrast, no zoom lens, often an awkward throw distance, might have ghosting depending on the lcd used, only adjustments are those offered by the lcd screen, isn't portable at all, is a lot more susceptible to damage, and might need maintenance.

However, if you have the money and want to play around with something cool and learn some things in the process, I'd certainly recommend building a projector. It was really fun for me.

 

[HDTVMan]

Originally posted by: Auryg

Originally posted by: HDTVMan
Ok they are using a much better bulb than they originally were. Note the CRI of 85 before it was a poor 65 they sold. The 5200K is a little high but should still be a good output.

# 33,000 lumens
# 5200K color temp
# 85 CRI

This again looks to be the bulky style projectors. My next one has a CRI of 93. and will be about the size of a PC case.

First off, the X1 is not bulky. I don't have a ruler handy, but to compare it's a bit smaller than an xbox...though I'm a bit confused if you were talking about DIY projectors in that statement.

And the pictures you show are of bright, colorful scenes. Once you start going into scenes with shadows is where a DIY projector will have trouble. Sidewinder, in Halo 1, was practically unplayable because of the difference between the snow and the shadows. You couldn't see anything in the shadows at all.

The x1 has practically no screendoor effect, has a zoom lens, has no ghosting, is totally adjustable (individual color levels, contrast, brightness, keystone, etc), is actually portable with no 50 lb. ballast hanging on it, is fairly quiet, and is nearly maintenance free.

A DIY projector has horrible contrast, no zoom lens, often an awkward throw distance, might have ghosting depending on the lcd used, only adjustments are those offered by the lcd screen, isn't portable at all, is a lot more susceptible to damage, and might need maintenance.

However, if you have the money and want to play around with something cool and learn some things in the process, I'd certainly recommend building a projector. It was really fun for me.

Were talking more about the home projector. Were really off topic now from the thread.

I dont doubt the X1 its a great projector. Its great thats why I posted the deal.

Somehow we skewed and started on DIY projectors. Although bulky they can be made to produce good results. Im pretty proud of mine. But you right its not portable at all and weighs like 50+ lbs. But it was mounted behind a wall in my basement so its bulk never mattered. Required a dark room but was great. I compared mine to the ones at work which it could easily hang with.