IN78 Remote Control and Menu System
The remote control that
comes with the IN78 is the same remote that accompanied the IN76. It is very
sleek and well-designed. Instead of direct input access, the InFocus team has
opted for a selectable 3-input direct-selection method. I'm fine with this and
it makes for a cleaner remote control. The backlighting on this remote is
gorgeous and should be a model for all remotes as far as I'm concerned (it reminded
me of the remote that comes with the Logitech/Slim Devices Transporter).
This remote offers menu access via a dedicated button and direct access to Resize (aspect ratio), Overscan, and Source (toggle) functions. You can also bring up a truly Custom function that can, for example, be used to activate blanking of the screen or freezing the frame on screen (we selected the latter for our screen shots). A Presets button offers toggle ability of stored Picture settings. The last cool thing is that the backlight is triggered from below with a trigger-like button. This is very ergonomic and a neat way to activate backlighting for the remote. I almost could forgive the lack of an auto-backlight option - which I feel should be standard for a device like a home theater projector (when are you NOT going to use a 1000 lumen projector in the dark?) OK, think that's cool? Press and HOLD the backlight button and you activate the LED flashlight option. I thought the LED at the top of the remote was IR until it turned on. This is pretty cool indeed, especially if you need to root around in the dark for something.
The Menu System
We told you that the IN78 was new. How new? So new that it doesn't have its own User Manual or Reference Manual yet. No, it still shares the manual for the other IN72/74/76 projectors. The problem is that the menu is slightly different with at least one item (Black Level Calibration) that isn't fully (or even partially) explained. The included CD doesn't have additional info either, and there are no inserts updating the user manuals for the IN78.
The menu system for the InFocus IN78 is simple but does extend to four levels in some areas (as indicated by the number of bullets at the top left of the menu screen). It has an almost miniscule top level menu that provides access to the main Picture controls as well as Settings and Source Info. It seems an extra step that doesn't need to be there.
Picture Menu
The Picture menu provides access to all the usual suspects - Contrast, Brightness, and Color - as well as aspect and alignment settings like Keystone, Image Shift, Overscan and Aspect Ratio. Presets are stored and retrieved here and Gamma can be configured in a way that replaces most "Picture Settings" on other projectors (Bright Room, Film, Video, PC, etc).
Advanced Menu
This is also the starting point for
accessing the Advanced menu which
houses a lot more functionality. In the Advanced
menu you can apply flesh tone correction (don't), engage Film Mode (do), set
Sharpness levels (Standard), Color Temperature (6500 unless you have specific
needs), Color Gamut (Auto), Noise Reduction (enable at around 50%), and Color
Control (your RGB settings - more on that later). With this amount of control
you can just about set the IN78 to any use you may run into and you can
certainly calibrate it to your needs and room/screen environment. One thing I
found missing (but that can be added manually) is a 5500K color temperature
mode for watching Black and White films. I am a fan of older films and it's nice
to be able to flip the projector into a warmer color temperature for viewing
this type of programming.
Settings Menu
Some items that stood out to me in the Settings menu included the Custom Key assignment and (user) Presets. The Custom Key assignment allows user to assign either the Blank Screen function, Freeze (frame), Source Info, Service Info or Source (input) 4 to a custom key located on the remote. I selected Freeze (frame) - and what screen-grabbing reviewer wouldn't! I also noted that the Presets menu gave access to 3 User presets, a Default setting, a Presets Off mode and also an ISF Settings function that, once unlocked, gives the user the ability to save Day and Night settings for the display. The added benefit for installers is that, once saved, users cannot delete these settings or modify them without an unlock code (and you're not going to give that to them, are you?)
Recent Forum Posts:
While everyone and their brother has put out 1080p models, they are busy upgrading their 720p lineup without a single 1080p model on the market. They continue to completely ignore the reality that many people are putting these projectors in their basement with 8 foot ceilings - often dropped to 7 feet due to ventilation or other unavoidable issues. So, while the image often reflects excellent quality, how much better, than... oh, the Optoma HD70, is this model?
With the Panasonic 1080p available for around $3K... how does this stack up?
I'm shocked that InFocus, which marvelled the world with their SP777 model seems to have forgotten what it means to be a step ahead of the competition and has simply fallen WELL behind the competition while completely ignoring the market and consumer expectations with this model.
Yes, their IN72 for under $800 is a great starting point projector... But then their stuff just seems to completely miss the target.
The lens offset is a HUGE item IMO that they tried to rationalize with me at CEDIA and just don't get. It simply doesn't matter if it is HARD to engineer a lens that can be placed at/near the top of the screen, it is something that just must be done.
The last item that bugs me, which I talked to them about was that the lens offset seems to indicate a tabletop setup preference, but their zoom range doesn't allow for close enough placement in a typical room with appropriate screen size. Grrrr... don't they have engineers who think of basic practical application???
Both LCD and LCoS are delivering incredible lens shift and zoom range, while DLP is delivering rainbows and high prices... For that type of money I would save for an extra few months to get the JVC DLA-RS1U which delivers 1080p, higher contrast, more zoom range, lens shift, and real world calibrated lumens. Otherwise, the Optoma HD70 seems to be about as good as this pprojector for a couple grand less!
