InFocus LP530 review

Once strictly the domain of professional presentations, the data projector has come of age, with the more mature term 'multimedia projector' now becoming the norm. The InFocus LP530 projector certainly fits this description, featuring a superbly bright 2000 ANSI lumens output and quiet acoustics. Plus, with special video capabilities, it sets new standards for office-based digital projection.

The LP530 is the first projector seen at PC Pro to sport Faroudja technology featuring DCDi. Faroudja, a division of Sage (not to be confused with the accounting software firm), has developed a proprietary DCDi (Directional Correlational Deinterlacing) technology for enhancing the smoothness and natural look of video images. In addition, Faroudja technology attempts to suppress artefacts and provide the clearest image thanks to features such as per-pixel motion adaptive processing and a patented film mode. These are all fancy descriptions for attempting to reverse the adverse effects of digitally projecting video, and the effects arguably demand something of a trained eye to spot. If you're not used to viewing high-quality video projection, you'll be hard pressed to spot the enhancement from DCDi. However, once you know what to look for it becomes apparent that it's doing its job, and is a good feature if video quality is important.

To test the LP530, I used a GeForce2-based graphics card with both DVI and D-SUB VGA outputs, and for video I used a SCART-to-S-Video connection from a Panasonic set-top DVD player. The first thing that hits you, irrespective of the input connection used, is the brightness. The LP530's 2,000 ANSI lumens may be considered by some as beyond current requirements, but it really works to enhance the impact of the projected image. Out of all the connection options, though, DVI proved the sharpest, giving a quality of focus rarely found in a projector in this class.

Of course, video is a major boost to any demonstration, but the LP530 needs to be a good data projector as well. During the extensive tests in DisplayMate Multimedia Edition, the projector proved itself to be consistently sharp with superb colour performance. Under closer scrutiny, there were some concerns over consistent brightness levels towards the two upper corners, and there was also some flickering, but this could be a consequence of the review unit being an early production sample. Harsher tests on extra features such as keystone correction and digital zoom were handled admirably, but still far from perfect, with aliasing effects fairly noticeable.

For £2,990, the InFocus LP530 offers a superb image and a well-rounded feature set. However, a media card slot for self-executing presentations and a more powerful zoom would have been nice. The proposed enhancements to video viewing appear to have been achieved, although the new DCDi technology is almost overshadowed by the simple richness and brightness generated by the light engine in the first place. With insurance on your investment built in, thanks to the connector module design, the price shouldn't be considered too prohibitive and, if you're in the market for spending around £2,000, you may find that paying the extra thousand for the LP530 is a more future-proof investment.

Author: Ian Robson