Just ordered an Infocus 530

Chris:


Four of the sellers listed on the CNET shopper website claim that they have the LP530 in stock NOW. But a salesman for Projection Direct predicted delivery at about the same time you have stated. Projection Direct not only sells Infocus but is also a retail affiliate of Boxlight, several of whose products are based on Infocus originals. They ought to know. The places that CLAIM they have the 530 now are big volume business sites and are also the ones with all the fine print in their return policies.


On the other hand, why would these other vendors lie about inventory which is actually a month away? AM I GETTING ANTSY FOR A PROJECTOR? You betcha.


In any case, it is good to see ADVANCE street prices, even at several places with a 30-day, no-restocking-fee return policy, at under $4700 for this machine. The lowest automated quote I got was actually under $4600.


I hope you get yours--or your friend's, that is--SOON. I am looking forward to your impressions. In the meantime, I may just get onto the waiting list at Projection Direct.


Mike


BTW, I have seen the $17,000 Runco, on a Grayhawk, no less. Very nice. But no way in Hades would I pay that price. I'll wager that the 530 is just as good, if not better. I have seen every high ticket, video salon digital projector in Memphis, and for one-fourth of the Runco price, I would even take the Infocus 350--just as filmlike as the Runco, not quite as contrasty. And I was watching the 350 on a piece of blackout fabric. The 530 should be much better.


Mike



[This message has been edited by catullus (edited 07-05-2001).]


[This message has been edited by catullus (edited 07-05-2001).]

It was hard to due critical analysis on any Infocus projector at the show due to their set-up. But, the LP530 looked pretty good to me.


Was it 2000 lumens? It looked a little short but was very hard to tell.


I think it will outperform the LP350 in most ways and should be better than the Runco in just about every respect.


I think it is worth the wait. I would definitely try before you buy though.


-Mr. Wigggles


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The Mothership is now boarding.

Quote:
Mr. Wiggles,


I agree. It looked short of 2000. Why? Because the lighting was bright but not so bright in my opinion that the picture should have looked that washed out. That's just from experience viewing various projectors under various lighting conditions.


But I'm also curious as to why you think the 530 will outperform the 350. The contrast ratio is a big disappointment in my opinion. Since it's still rated at the same 400:1, the greater brightness will just mean grayer blacks.


The sage chip is an interesting addition, but I'm curious as to whether the value is more in infocus marketing value because of faroudja than in picture quality since the 350 is pretty darn good at scaling already.


I'm not trying to throw a wet blanket on you Chris. I'm sure the projector will perform well enough and your neighbor will be satisfied. But dealing in inches here and infocus spec sheets, I'll bet on the LT150 plus scaler against the 530.


I'm certainly willing to be surprised though. Once the 530 is released, I'll start working on getting a rental so I can play around with it and report my findings here.


--Les