Questions about Infocus 4805

[tnirish2000]

I have decided to purchase a new HDTV and have been researching the different options, I had no idea what I was getting into. I've spent the past few days reading as many topics on this site and others as I can, it's amazing what I have learned and how confused I still am. I first want to thank all of the posters on this site who share their knowledge with newbies to the HD world like myself, your help and insight is much appreciated. The questions I have are on the Infocus 4805:

1. Is it capable of HD pictures? I've seen the discussions about a projectors native resolution and compressed resolutions determining whether it is a true HD projector or not and that is where you lose me. Bottom line: If it can produce HD, is it true HD or a degraded version of HD or can I even really tell the difference?

2. Can you use a projector as your everyday TV? Whatever I decide to buy is going to be my one and only TV that I use in my living room(day/night). One thing I've noticed that people leave out of many of the posts on the site is where and how they are using their projector. Are you guys/gals using them in a dedicated room with little ambient light for DVDs and HDTV or are you just displaying it with your new screen in the same place your previous TV set was and watching the shows you normally did as well as DVD and HD? Bottom Line: Can I use a projector like a regular TV or does the 4805 get washed out if not used in a dark room?

3. Does it have PIP or POP capability or is this only capable with devices that have dual NTSC tuners, which if I understand correctly projectors don't have?

4. Does the Faroudja Processor make analog cable look better? I've heard that analog cable doesn't look very good on large screen TV's, am I understanding correctly that the Faroudja converts the analog to a somewhat digital image?

If anyone has any opinions on these I would love to hear them. As for me, I think I'm going to take a break from trying to answer that so often asked question, "What HDTV should I get?". I can say that now, but I'm sure I'll be back trying to figure it out tommorrow.

[dmast]

Hi tnirish2000,

I will try to answer some of your questions. I think the In Focus 4805 is a great value at $1499. I own the In Focus X1 at $999 which may be the best value of all, but that of course is up to debate. My X1 has native 800X600 resolution, the 4805 is native 854X480. I am really not sure there is a distinct advantage to either one. The difference is that for the same size 16X9 picture, the X1 will project a larger 4:3 picture than the 4805, probably not an advantage once you see the quality of the 4:3 material on a large screen! As to your questions:

1) The 4805 will handle all HD inputs, but does not have the native resolution to produce all of the HD pixels available, from an HD signal. I would stress however, that it will produce every pixel presented to it from a DVD signal (720X480). To get a projector that will show all of the HD pixels costs substantially more $$. If my X1 is any indicator, the 4805 will do a wonderful job of presenting a very sharp HD signal, so good that depending on your sitting position (not close), you may not be able to tell any difference from a full HD display. Up close, you will always be able to see the difference.


2) Your 4805 will display a standard NTSC (TV) signal. However, the issue of brightness is very important. I have my X1 in a room where I can darken it totally during the day if I want to watch. At the lumens put out by both of these machines, you will have to darken the room, no doubt about it. Daylight or even room lights will wipe out the picture from these projectors. Again, more $$ machines are brighter, but are also probably noisier, larger, and put out much more heat (something to consider depending on your climate).

3) PIP and POP are tuner issues. The projectors will present whatever your tuner presents it.

4) I am not sure the Faroudja Processor makes all that much difference. It basically converts an interlaced signal to a progressive scan signal and eliminates motion artifacts. Believe me, motion artifacts are not the biggest problem with analog signals! For my analog signal, ghosting remains the overwhelming error followed by a general smearing of everything in the picture. This occurs with or without motion. My analog supplier is Dish network for what it is worth. This is of course compared to a DVD signal or HD signal which are far, far superior.

Others may have other opinions, but this is what I have learned. Hope this helps. :)

[tnirish2000]

I appreciate your help dmast. I'm beginning to think that I may have to wait on purchasing a projector until I have a room I can use strictly as a home theater, kind of hard to do when you live in an apartment. A projector will be number one on my list when I get a house, on the bright side they should be even better and cheaper then.

[BrianRH]

Projector Central just posted a review of the Infocus 4805. Check out http://www.projectorcentral.com/infocus_screenplay_4805.htm

[tnirish2000]

Thank you for the link Brian, I had been watching projector central to see when they were going to review the 4805 and you beat me to it. I'm going to keep the 4805 in mind down the road, but I went ahead and purchased a 60" Panasonic LCD on Saturday. I couldn't pass up the deals stores were giving for Labor Day, especially with a 10% coupon I had. It's scheduled to be delivered on Thursday, so as soon as I get it I'm sure all be back to the boards with even more questions on how to tweak it for the best picture.