InFocus Play Big IN80 Projector Review
The InFocus Play Big IN80 is the newest projector to come from InFocus. It features full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution, 1300 ANSI lumens, and a 7500:1 contrast ratio. This projector would be ideal for any home theater. The reviewer at Trusted Reviews thought so also. The writer compared the model to InFocus’ recently successful X10 projector. The IN80 was able to display a higher contrast and a higher brightness level which gave it a better display. One of the concerns about the IN80 was that it has a long throw lens. This long throw makes the IN80 ideal for those with large living rooms or home theaters, but the writer thought the people that would be interested in the IN80 for its low price are probably those with small rooms. Another plus side for the IN80 was the HD sharpness. The IN80s HD resolution made every detail crystal clear and extremely defined. They continued to say, “Continuing with our ‘30 Days of Night’ viewing test, the IN80’s HD sharpness seems just as impressive as that of the X10, revealing details as fine as individual snow crystals, and every bit of oral unpleasantness missed by the vampires’ clearly abysmal dentists.” Other than the lens problem the IN80 only had minute details that bothered the reviewer including the running noise level, and the rainbow effect. The reviewer’s final thought on the IN80 was, “The IN80 is undoubtedly a superb projector for its money. However, it is also to some extent a victim of the success InFocus has enjoyed with the X10. For while the IN80 is better than the X10, unless you’re particularly keen to go down the custom install route or want the peace of mind of the extra warranty, for me it’s not quite better enough to justify the extra £400.”
[via Trusted Review]
December 12th, 2008 at 11:57 am
I decided to buy the Infocus X10 and was confused by the different write up’s on the X10 and the IN 80. I telephone Infocus and got the definitive on this from the sales department.
Both projectors are identical in performance; they both have the same chipset and the same contrast ratio. One of the Uk distributors of the IN80 maintain this is not the case, but Infocus say otherwise! So make your own mind up on the one you would rather listen to!!
The ONLY difference is in the warranty. The IN 80 has 3 years and 1 year on the lamp. The X10 has a 2 year and 6 months on the lamp. Personally, I don’t think the extra £500 quoted by one company is worth it for an extended warranty.
December 23rd, 2009 at 6:09 am
My first IN80 started overheating after 3 months. I took it back to Richer Sounds, who replaced it with a new unit because InFocus told me I could only have a reconditioned one.
3 months later, this one started overheating. In the end it would overheat from cold in 15 minutes. After reporting the fault I was told by InFocus that it would be replaced ‘next week’.
Next week came and went. No contact from InFocus. I contacted them and was told it would be replaced ‘next week’. Now re-read this paragraph three times because that is what happened every week.
I emailed their VP, and was given a tracking number which arrived at a depot the next day. Unfortunately it didn’t arrive at my house. 8 days later a courier company I’ve never heard of arranged to deliver it the next day between 9 and 5. Waited in all day, nothing, not even a phone call.
Called them today, and they say it will be delivered tomorrow (Christmas Eve). I won’t hold my breath- I’ll just look forward to Christmas with no tv.
Why was it overheating? I vacuumed the inlet and exhaust ports to no avail. Eventually I took out the bulb housing to find a fine metal screen behind the wires that is supposed to stop light leaking out. Because the inlet filters are so coarse, they let dust through, which blocks the metal screen. I’ve cleaned this inaccessible screen which has improved things however there is a similar screen over the exhaust vent which will need cleaning on the inside, to which there is no access.
The projector is not in a particularly dusty location, and to have to clean filters/screens every two months that aren’t even mentioned in the user manual is just ‘not on’.
I’ve asked InFocus if putting filters from a Dyson Vacuum cleaner over the numerous inlets would void the warranty on the new unit (if it ever arrives) but they won’t answer.
Bad design. Bad customer service. They are really quite useless. Thanks for ruining my Christmas InFocus