Customer Reviews

Infocus LP500 DLP Video Projector

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Our office needed a second InFocus machine and I lobbied for this unit. We currently use an LP280 but that was purchased for road use-which is why we need a second unit, the other's always out of the office.

I wanted this unit as this is the only product I have found in this price range that uses DCDi by Faroudja. Considering this technology used "to cost alot of money" this is an incredible bargain. Basically, it smoothes the jiggles of still AND moving images. We do a lot of process control work and use a lot of animation. This solves a common problem in many LCD and DLP projectors, and seems to make non-native resolution use much better (the LP500 is SVGA native resolution). It appears this model was a carryover from Boxlight before they were bought out by InFocus, and used an exclusive contract with Faroudja, who has also been bought out twice, but the model retains this critical technology that still leads the industry. The "money" more we spent on this vs. the LP280 was worth it for this feature alone.

This unit has a dual voltage/lumen feature that increases bulb life and reduces heat. (A big plus as changing bulbs on these puppies is a royal-and time consuming-pain.) This lower setting also increases contrast for blacks, which is helpful for theater use.

The unit comes with GOOD MANUALS! A lot of the time you have to sort of read the manual and intuit what the heck they are trying to say. That's not the case here. The manuals are clear, concise and complete!

This is a far superior unit stylistically-very modern and attractive, unlike the LP280 which, though a modern device, nevertheless always seems to project a 1950's feel sitting there in the middle of a meeting.

On the downside, the input are basic but adequate. The remote is just OK-it's small and clumsy to use in dark room situations, but once you get acclimated to it it's passable. The bulb's difficult to replace and-as usual with these things-relatively expensive. However, the aforementioned dual voltage/lumen feature should reduce the frequency changes overall.

I can't attest to this unit's traveling characteristics since it hasn't moved from the center of our conference table since it was unpacked. However, the case and accessories seems sturdy and well designed. Our LP280 does well and I'd imagine this one would as well.

The accessory package is fairly complete. There are some adaptors for more varied inputs available as well as other accessories, but we see no real need for them. My experience has been these things cost more than the value they add.

An excellent unit, especially if your presentation requirement border on "theatre" type conditions. A lot of value for the money with this puppy!

I bought this projector largely on the basis of cost (about $NZ1000 cheaper than anything equivalent)and am generally pleased with it. The lightness of construction is a bit of a worry: I am used to Sanyo projectors with magnesium alloy bodies but this has a plastic case and parts such as the plastic height adjustment leg don't look too robust to me. The remote control is tiny, and provides minimal functionality. My old Thinkpad, used for running the machine, lacks a USB port, so I can't work the computer mouse through the projector remote, but the remote is so tiny and fiddly I wouldn't want to anyway. But although at first sight it all looks a little flimsy, closer examination shows it is well put together and so far, it seems quite hardy enough. It is certainly very light. There is a basic but useable soft case.

Set up is easy and the documentation is excellent. Focus and zoom are only manual but in practice this doesn't matter and in fact I find it faster and easier than electronic control. There is limited connectivity: enough for one PC and 1 video but that is all I (and I think 95% of users )need and I won't be rushing out to buy the optional enhanced connectivity module.

The image quality is very acceptable. For powerpoint presentations the image is clear and bright, and can be used in a very well lit room. Text in 20 point Georgia(gold on blue) could be read from more than 50 feet away. Although it is only SVGA I have projected Word and Excel documents quite readably to small audiences. Video is adequate.The video image lacks some of the colour depth and contrast of other projectors, even ones with a lower ANSI-Lumen rating but it is smooth and quite sharp.

Overall, a very adequate, easy to use, basic projector that does the job and at the price, is very good value for money.

We chose this model for a conference room. (Inverted use - which is an advertised feature.) The color flickered so badly that we had it repaired -- twice. Then we finally had to gripe loudly enough to get it replaced. The replacement unit did the same thing! Finally, the bulb exploded and put the projector out of our misery. R.I.P.

We used to buy InFocus exclusively, and now we have switched to Dell.

We purchased a pair of infocus projectors 2 1/2 years ago for classroom use and have been through repeated problems with both of them as well as the multiple replacement units that we have been sent. They apparently have very poor quality power supplies (we have had at least 3 fail). We have also had two separate lamps explode within the projector, destroying the unit. Several others have merely decideded not to function. Avoid these projectors!

I bought this model 4 years ago for my computer lab. From the very start I had troubles. The projected image flickered and jumped. I called right away and they replaced my lamp for free.

For the next 2 years it worked sporadically. It would not come on the first time I turned it on, sometimes I had to unplug it. I called several times and was given the run around. Finally a notice to extend my warrenty came. I extended it and called again. I was told it was certainly because the lamp was getting near the end of it's 1000-2000 hours (big difference, eh?). I explained there was no way it had been used for that many hours, and the tech support guy argued with me. I gave up arguing and tried one of the things he said (take out the lamp and remove the dust). After that, it worked consistantly. (When I could finally get it to work, I checked the lamp hours...it had run for 238, no where near 1000).

I thought I was home free. I used it today and it was on for about an hour plus. I was away from it working on a computer when I heard a loud bang. I looked up and the screen was blank. The darn lamp exploded!

I hate to give up on InFocus all together, but I may have to.

Good day,

Do not buy this model. We have expereinced nothing but problems and now the replacement bulbs are impossible to find. Do not waste your money.

Unlike the two reviews below, we've used this model for over two years in a classroom setting (read: constant use) and it's still working great! Knock on wood, of course.

It is bright, clear, and economical, too. I would not hesitate to recommend it.