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?)