Product Reviews

Last month's look at the final production model of Toshiba's TDP-P5 surprised us so much it almost prompted a verdict of excellence. Finally, here was a projector with fantastic image quality in a truly portable-sized chassis. Shaving off a few centimetres from every dimension, InFocus, the original manufacturer of the P5, has now released its own version - the LP70. But can InFocus match the quality finishing that impressed us enough to award our coveted A List recommendation to Toshiba?

Our only criticism directed at the P5 was in our measurement of its full-screen contrast ratio and brightness. Neither came close to the stated claims, but as image quality didn't appear to suffer it didn't factor hugely in our verdict. We tested the LP70 with the same scrutiny, using DisplayMate, and measured a contrast ratio of 670:1. This is one of the best results of any projector seen at PC Pro, second only to the NEC (see below) and a good example of the new 12-degree DMD chip performing as intended.

In image terms, this translates to convincing blacks, rather than the greenish tinge common to projectors with lower contrast ratios. A high contrast ratio can also lead to a sharper image, particularly where colours are concerned. The LP70 showed clear evidence of this, with

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a clean sweep of the coloured text combinations test. In fact, all the sharpness and focus tests returned exemplary results, easily matching the P5.

Measuring for ANSI lumens brightness returned a score of 1,019, which is closer to the manufacturer's claim of 1,100 than the P5's 886. There was still a slight dulling in the top right-hand corner of the display, but this doesn't detract from the impeccable image quality.

Surprisingly, the LP70 failed our tests when the resolution was upped from its native 1,024 x 764 to 1,280 x 1,024. This appeared to confuse the normally accurate auto-image routine, leaving a slightly distorted image that we couldn't correct using the OSD. Dropping the resolution to 800 x 600 produced good results.

Beyond image quality, the noise levels are reasonably low, although switching to the power-saving 'dark' mode didn't appear to slow the fans down. The minimal cluster of control buttons on top of the unit provide immediate access to the majority of OSD options, and menu navigation is fairly straightforward. The supplied Projector Manager software also allows for the most commonly used display functions to be accessed.

Unique to InFocus is its M1-A connector. This can link the LP70 to a PC via a digital or analog connection in tandem with a USB connection used by the Projector Manager software. It can also be used for future feature attachments.

Aside from the minor SXGA resolution issue, the LP70 offers exemplary image quality, in part due to the excellent contrast ratio. And projector image quality is what really matters. This, and the obvious portability, reasonable noise levels and ease of use, means we don't hesitate in recommending the InFocus LP70 and placing it straight on our A List. And you can't really complain about getting all this for a likely street

price of around £2,500.