[dfriend]

I'm on my second Infocus LP350 and both have had focus problems that prevent me from getting a sharp image across the entire picture. The first one was really bad, but the second one still has this problem. The problem is exactly the same on both projectors, it's just a matter of degree so I'm wondering if this exists in ALL these models. I know other's here have had similar problems but most of them seem to have been corrected with replacement units.


My setup has the projector set at the extreme of the zoom range (zoomed out - largest picture possible)... I'm curious if this is exacerbating the problem, or even creating it. On the first projector where the problem was really bad I took the projector down and tried some smaller images. Obviously things looked sharper (smaller images always do) but I could see the uneven focus if I looked carefully for it. Basically the pixel structure looked "mushy" in the out of focus regions.


Now, I know for a relatively low resolution video source like DVD some slight fuzziness probably isn't going to mean much. Especially in my current setup which uses a somewhat long run of s-video. But for computer work (which is what this projector was designed for, after all) it's really unacceptable. Text in the corners of the display is noticeably fuzzy. Oh, and to clarify, the focus problem is evident without any signal to the projector, i.e. the menu/splash screens are fuzzy in the corners, so it's not a signal integrity problem but rather an optics problem.


So what experiences have other had? I've heard people say they've gotten a replacement and their problem's were fixed... I'm starting to wonder if I'm going to have to do this endlessly until I get a projector that meets my quality standards (not theirs, since theirs doesn't seem to be very good). Or if I should try and get my money back and get something else.


Sorry for the long post. I'm anxious to hear other people's experiences. As I said, I've seen this problem mentioned, but not nearly enough for me to think that it's very common. Yet I've had 2 out of 2 units with this problem.


Anyone?

 

[Frank Maiello]

If it's not an internal problem, make sure the projector is perpendicular to the screen. You probably have it setup correctly, but it's the first thing that popped into my mind.


Frank

 

[dfriend]

My first reaction to the problem was that my screen and/or the projector wasn't square/level and that I would fine tune it eventually. Once I started messing with it though I realized that it's not a simple matter of the screen being not quite perpendicular. I don't think I'd even notice if I tilted the screen a a degree or two. But when I focused the lower right hand corner, in order for the upper left corner to be focused I had to move the screen in my 5-6 *feet*. My current projector only needs to have the screen moved in by 3-4 feet, and the effect seems to be pushed out more to the extreme corners.


I guess I'm left wondering if I should just live with it (not likely) or try and get a new one. If I get a new one I may end up with something worse than I have since this is sounding more and more like poor quality control on either the optics or the assembly. I'm anxious to hear what tech support will have to say on this matter.

 

[arrow]

Sounds like you have an e-mail in to infocus tech support.


If so, call them. I've found their e-mail support dismal and their phone support reasonably good.


You might want to steer the discussion away from home theater with the technician. I just worry you're going to get some bonehead answer like we don't support home theater applications, even though your problem clearly has nothing to do with home theater.


Also, note that they have support and senior support. So if you're not happy with level 1 support, you should ask if you can speak with a senior support engineer.


Best of luck!


--Les

 

[dfriend]

I sent e-mail directly to the guy who originally called me. I complained to the dealer I purchased from and he had tech support call me. But you're right... a phone call is always the better option. I just didn't have time today. I also was just curious as to other people's experiences. From what I know of people here I doubt they would stand for this kind of problem so it seems to me that I *should* be able to get a decent unit. But at 0 for 2 I don't like my chances. http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif


And you're right, so far I've avoided any talk of HT. In fact for HT this problem is hardly discernable.


Anyway, since I got home I tried different zoom settings to see if that made any difference. It didn't. I'll put a call in tomorrow and see what happens.