19. Infocus Screenplay 5000

• ScreenPlay 5000 LCD...
• • PowersellerNYC
  • $1199.00

Infocus offers several lines of projectors, from purely data-oriented models for traveling or stationary professional use, up to very top-of-the-line tri-DLP units for the private cinemas of the rich and powerful. Between those extremes is a series of models, some based on tri-LCD technology, and others using Texas Instruments' DLP.

Since our focus for this article was HD ready models selling for less than $3,000, we chose the SP 5000 to represent this manufacturer. This model has three active-matrix TFT PolyS 0.7" panels with a resolution of 1280x720, which makes it capable of displaying HD video in 720p mode natively, but also 1080i via compatibility. The brightness claimed is 1,100 lumens, which puts it among the least-bright projectors in its category. The specified contrast ratio, however, is very far from current standards at only 1,200:1.

These values make this unit more suitable for multimedia use, and in fact that's the way Infocus pitches it in their documentation.