One of the best choices in television
Written: Oct 27 '04 (Updated Dec 25 '04)
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Pros: Great picture quality, small, quiet, love it
Cons: Low brightness
The Bottom Line: You have to spend 2-3x the price to get anything better in any format: projector, plasma, dlp rear projection, etc.
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| tfharper's Full Review: InFocus X1 Multimedia Projector |
After trying out an older zenith projector the size of a small car, and a failed experiment with an inexpensive plasma tv, I gave the infocus x1 a try after reading a raft of positive reviews.
Its exactly as good as its billing.
Connecting my tivo and dvd player to this, and placing it on a coffee table in the middle of the room, it throws an AMAZINGLY good TEN FOOT DIAGONAL picture onto a plain textured flat white wall. I tried some low budget screens made from blackout cloth, but honestly didnt see enough of a difference to warrant putting anything over the wall. It will throw a larger picture if you place it further away from the wall, but you'll lose brightness and detail.
The ONE downside to the projector is the low lumens (or brightness of the projector). You need to drape all the windows in the room you'll be running this in if using it during the day, and any bright lights will wash out the picture...especially fluorescents.
The projector includes a special processing chip from Faroudja. On the composite and s-video connections, this chip works video magic on the signal, enhancing it significantly. A bad cable tv signal passed through a tivo video recorder (which degrades the picture quality) still looks VERY good on this. My progressive scan dvd player through the rgb port (which I dont think is processed by the Faroudja chip) looks lifelike.
First thing everyone says when they walk into the living room is "You need a picture or something over that fireplace". After I turn on the projector, all they can say is "WOW!".
Best low cost home theater product around. Couple this with an inexpensive dolby digital receiver and some decent but inexpensive speakers, and for under $1500 you can have your own movie theater at home. And unlike most movie theaters, we serve beer at ours!
I would prefer this to almost any plasma, rear projection or other "newfangled" tv, and at half to one quarter the price, its an easy sell.
Only places this wont work: no open wall space, room is too small (under 12x10), no clear line of sight from table or ceiling to wall (chandeliers), room is loaded with windows and too hard to keep draped, or if you're a "high definition" junkie, as this isnt true "high def".
Very simple to use, this product requires no special skills or rocket science. You will probably need a nice long video cable or two (not included) to reach the projector. Basically make all the cable connections, turn it on, and adjust the picture size and position of the projector to hit the right spot on the wall. If you can hook up a tv set, you can make this work.
My road to a cheap, effective home theater:
I employ one of these x1 projectors, with a 50" standard crt rear projector tv for watching during bright days when the projector would be washed out. I snagged an open box dolby digital receiver (kenwood) for about $150. I spent decent money on a couple of full size (not bookshelf) front L/R speakers. Inexpensive but again full size center channel. Pair of cheap rear speakers. Warehouse store powered subwoofer the size of a coffee table but only $180. This total package was well under $1500. Some may argue for "better fidelity speakers", especially the subwoofer and center channel. If thats your thing and you want to spend money on it, do it. Most of what comes out of the center channel is dialogue...most of what comes out of the rear speakers is bangs, pops and other noises...most of what comes out of the subwoofer is explosions, bangs and thumps. In my opinion, that doesnt warrant spending a lot on the ancilliary speakers. But do choose a nice pair of main speakers, as you'll be listening to music on those, and your stereo source material will play exclusively through those. Not to mention a good set of speakers will last you 15-20 years.
I know this combo is as effective as it is inexpensive...my buddy who blew 25k on his home theater was pretty agitated after watching a movie at my house... ;)
Recommended:
Yes
Purchase Price (if leased, monthly payment): 750
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Epinions.com ID:
tfharper
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Reviews written: 35
Trusted by: 2 members
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