InFocus 7205
Starting at: $1,409.00
CNET Editors' Review
CNET Editors' Rating
- Reviewed by: Kevin Miller
- Released on:
- Reviewed on:
The good: Accurate color decoding; solid video processing with 2:3 pull-down; independent memory per input; deep black levels.
The bad: Some visible low-level noise, internal menu system is a bit awkward, lens produces slightly soft picture.
The bottom line: A reduced MSRP and a great picture make this midrange projector's price-to-performance ratio the best in the business.
Editor's note: We have changed the rating in this review to reflect recent changes in our rating scale. Click here to find out more. The design of the 7205 is subtly smooth, although we found its look a little generic. The whole package is a rather small 14 inches by 4.3 inches by 13 inches (WHD), with the lens assembly mounted all the way on the left side of the chassis. It's finished in a neutral gray color and weighs next to nothing (9.5 pounds).
InFocus's remote control is quite small, unfortunately not backlit in any way, and somewhat awkward to use. However, we did appreciate the direct access keys for input switching and aspect-ratio control. The internal menu system, while straightforward enough, is a bit of a pain to navigate. For example, when you are in the Advanced menu, you can't back out to the first menu page; there is no Return or Back button--when you hit the Menu button, you're thrown all the way out of the menu.
As we mentioned at the outset, this projector uses Texas Instruments' HD2+ chip, which has a native resolution of 1,280x720--enough to display every pixel of HDTV sources. All other sources, including 1080i high-def, computer sources, and standard-def soures such as DVD and VHS, are scaled to fit the chip.The 7205 has a fairly comprehensive feature package as far as front projectors go. Of course, convenience features--such as PIP or even a TV tuner--are few and far between, but there are a number of cool picture-enhancing features worth mentioning. Zoom and focus controls are manual at the lens assembly. There's 2:3 pull-down in the video processing if it is selected in the Advanced menu under Film Mode. There are a number of gamma presets, with Film being the best for home-theater use. The three selectable color temperature settings are 6,500K, 7,500K, and 9,300K, with 6,500K being the closest to the broadcast standard.
Also on board is a keystone correction feature that we highly recommend you do not use; it reduces resolution and introduces artifacts in the picture. You are much better off making sure that you (or your installer) get the projector in the right place relative to the screen so that you don't have to use it.
Connectivity is fairly comprehensive on this projector, with one weird exception. The digital video connection is labeled M1-DA, and it looks like a standard DVI connector, except it's larger. Standard DVI cables won't fit; you'll need to get an M1-to-DVI or M1-to-HDMI cable or adapter ($45 and up at InFocus's online store) to use this connection with your digital video gear.
Two broadband component-video inputs are on board, as well as a 15-pin VGA connection for computers, two S-Video connections, one composite-video input, an RS-232 control port for use with Crestron and other touch-panel control systems, and two 12-volt triggers for electric drop-down-screen control. Another unusual connection, labeled D5, requires an adapter to connect to SCART, an RGB video connector used mainly in Europe.
Out-of-the-box image quality on the 7205 is pretty impressive compared to the competition. Grayscale tracking in the 6,500K setting with gamma set to Film comes quite close to ideal (see the geek box for more). Other things such as color, tint, and especially contrast are way off, but that is to be expected. Hide ReviewUser Reviews
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Most Helpful User Review
stars 6 of 6 users found this review helpful
"Great picture but multiple problems and no support" By bodorgs
Pros Very nice, realistic looking picture. True colors and great contrast
Cons Multiple probles (see details below). No technical support, not even by email! Somewhat noisy.
Summary I got my 7205 installed in December, 2004. The first unit worked fine for about three months (~40 lamp-hours), then the lamp started to turn itself off for no reason. The projector did not display any error messages, just turned off the lamp. Sometimes it required two or three full ... Expand full review
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Specifications
See full specsQuick Specs
- Projector type: DLP projector
- Resolution: 1280 x 720
- Image brightness: 1100 ANSI lumens
