All Infocus X1 technical issues (merged thread)

Matt Mediate · 05-21-2003, 07:57 AM

Ok, I just bought an infocus X1 from best buy. After reading a LOT about this and the Sanyo Z1 I decided to go with the X1 only because I could physically pick it up at the store. (UPS and I have a slight difference in philosophy at the moment) Anyway, after reading a lot of reviews and what not, I was under the impression that only a SMALL percentage of people were sensitive to rainbow effects on DLP projectors like the X1. Including myself, Three people have seen this so far and all three have noticed the rainbows. Am I doing something wrong? Is there anyway you folks know of to at least reduce the rainbows? It is really noticeable when dark images are on the screen. I really don't want to take this back. Those ass clowns at best buy are gonna tax me for that restocking fee nonsense. Can one of you knowlegdeable cats drop some science on me? Please?!?!? - Cheers, Matt

p.s. I'm using a da-lite 96" screen

John Rheaume · 05-21-2003, 11:56 AM

Matt,

I can't give you any science on this, but maybe some practical suggestions. I think the rainbow issue affects people in degrees. I imagine practically everyone will notice, at least, an occasional rainbow from a 2X color wheel machine. It's a matter of how often and how severe.

I've had the X1 for just a week. I do notice the occasional rainbow but it doesn't bother me. Some tips I can offer:

1. Try to avoid having light behind you, if you can't avoid it then don't turn your head towards the light, then back to the screen.

2. Try taking in the whole picture without a lot of eye movement. This can take some effort when getting used to such a large screen.

3. Settings to contrast and brightness may or may not help. My settings are 71 for contrast and 63 for brightness. Since going to these settings, rainbows seem to have diminished in both frequency and intensity.

Maybe it's just a matter of adjusting to the thing or maybe it's just a matter of relaxing and not concentrating on rainbows and such, but the more I watch, the more comfortable with the pj I become.

I hope in some way my experience will help you with the X1. Good luck.

Fred Seger · 05-21-2003, 01:36 PM

Try a Neutral Density glare filter. which will reduce light output and also rainbow effects. or try a gray screen, which has about the same effect as a filter. or a larger screen. ( if possible of course ). When i got my X1, I never really saw rainbows but would get headaches after watching a while. When I moved to a bigger screen. it was less, and after a about 20 hrs viewing - doesn't happen at all.

David Barteaux · 05-21-2003, 04:37 PM

I found that you get used to the projector somehow and the rainbows (which don't really distract me) diminish the more you use it.
One thing I noticed is that I don't see any rainbows on animation or computer generated movies.

Michael Langdon · 05-21-2003, 09:47 PM

Does anyone else notice the brightness uniformity problems with the X1? Two units so far have demonstrated the exact same brightness uniformity problems in that the lower right and upper left corners of the image are brighter (hot spots). Of course it is not noticeable with 4:3 material, but when watching letterbox (DVD and projector in 4:3 mode), these brighter spots are noticeable in the black bars and begin to interfere with the picture on 1.85:1 material (less so on 2.35:1 because of the size of the hot spot).

Also, a thin outline (ring, etc.) is seen around the screen. In these brighter lower left and upper right corners the outline is more noticeable. Outside of these areas, the outline is darker but still there. I am guessing this is part of the panel itself.

Mike

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Parker Clack · 05-21-2003, 10:18 PM

Michael:

Who knows. What does Infocus say?

Have you tried setting the projector to 16 x 9 mode when watching letterboxed/widescreen material to see if that makes a difference?

Parker

Michael Langdon · 05-21-2003, 11:18 PM

Parker,

I ordered my X1 from Amy at Infocus. I mentioned to her that the evaluation unit I had suffered from the brightness uniformity I described. She stated that she had not heard of this problem before. I was willing to purchase a new unit from Infocus because of the return policy Amy described and a feeling that maybe the evaluation unit suffered from the problem because it had seen high use/handling.

Well, my new X1 arrived and the picture looked identical to the evaluation unit. I have also located a review of the X1 where the reviewer noticed the same brightness uniformity problems. I am in the process of locating this review again. Nothing I do seems to alleviate the bright spot (brightness, contrast, changing modes from presentation to video) without adversely affecting the picture and making it unwatchable.

Maybe I am too picky or expecting too much for this projector and the price range.

Mike

Michael Langdon · 05-21-2003, 11:40 PM

I have included the review dealing with brightness uniformity. The reviewer says the brightness uniformity is average with a noticeable glow along the left edge. The lower left is where I notice a bright or glowing spot. The upper right is also affected.

X1 Review

Stephen Dodds · 05-22-2003, 01:40 AM

Both the X1s I have had exhibit the same uniformity problem. However, one a masked 16:9 screen it doesn't bother me.

Steve

JakeMcM · 05-22-2003, 01:53 AM

try a polarizing filter, either circular polarizing or linear polarizing, they have some cheap ones on EBAY I recommend Hoya, I have heard people say this corrects uniformity problems and even rainbows. Don't pay more than $40 bucks for one. They are neutral density so they shouldn't mess with the color though they do reduce the brightness some.