InFocus X10 Home Theater Projector: Summary, Competition, Pros and Cons

InFocus X10
Image Quality
General Performance
Warranty
Summary, Pros, Cons

Time to wrap up the review of the InFocus X10, and also take a look how the X10 stacks up against some of the similarly priced competition!

First of all, the X10 is both bright, and sharp. No other projector can claim to produce a sharper image, or at least not enough that most could even notice (without a side by side comparison), and likely, not even then.

When it comes to brightness, this InFocus projector is one of the two consistently really bright under $3000 projectors. The other being the BenQ W5000 which measures out very similarly, in both best, and brightest modes. This makes it an excellent choice for those wanting very large screens where lots of brightness in best mode is necessary. Then there's very good brightness when you pull out the stops, for watching TV and sports with some intentional ambient light in the room!

That takes us to overall picture quality, where the X10 excels, in terms of color accuracy. Out of the box performance is one of the best, and after calibration, it's downright excellent.

What we have in the form of the InFocus X10, all considered, is an excellent entry level 1080p DLP projector, very worthy of our Hot Product Award. The X10 may suffer from the usual DLP issues: limited placement flexibility, and higher than average audible noise (fan noise), but once you get past that, it's got to be on most folks short list. Another great thing is that the X10, unlike most InFocus projectors, is available from authorized online resellers, as well as your local authorized dealers.

Let's break it all down.

InFocus X10 Projector: Pros, Cons, and Typical Capabilities

InFocus X10 Projector: Pros

• Very bright in both best, and brightest modes
• Excellent skin tones and overall color handling
• Very sharp image
• ISF certified (has two additional user savable modes for use by ISF certified calibrators)
• Support for an anamorphic lens
• Two screen triggers so a motorized screen with motorized masking system can be supported (very uncommon, but nice feature, however there are also other ways to accomplish the same, for other projectors without screen triggers)
• Good color management system
• Good menu layout
• Excellent shadow detail
• Good image processing (image noise)
• Good selection of inputs, including 2 that are HDMI 1.3 compatible
• Support for 24fps (no 3:2 pulldown, eliminates judder) and Deep Color
• Very impressive price performance

InFocus X10 Projector: Cons

• Mediocre black level performance
• Lack of a control panel on the projector (remote dependent)
• Gamma is a little low - making the image just a little flat looking (less dynamic than some others)
• Limited placement flexibility - no lens shift, and limited zoom range
• Lacking a dynamic iris to improve black level performance
• Instead of 2 HDMI inputs, one is InFocus's proporietary M1-DA. It functions just fine, but is non-standard. (An HDMI to M1-DA adapter is provided)

InFocus X10 Projector: Typical Capabilities

• Documentation
• Remote control
• Average lamp life
• Audible noise is higher than average (typical for DLP projectors)
• Warranty - 2 years parts and labor

InFocus X10 Projector: Competitive Aspects

The X10 is definitely a first class competitor in the lower prices ranges of 1080p projectors. Here are some brief thoughts on how it stacks up against a number of projectors priced +/- about $500 dollars of its $2299 price

InFocus X10 vs. Sanyo PLV-Z2000

I don't see these as really direct competitors due to the huge difference in brightness. The Z2000 is a very competent projector, with better black levels, and a huge edge in placement flexibility, but is best on 100" and under screens. I'll give the InFocus the advantage on shadow detail and skin tone handling. The Sanyo costs less, a big advantage for it.

InFocus X10 vs. Panasonic PT-AE2000U

Another 3LCD projector with great placement flexibility, and great color management tools, the Panasonic is an excellent overall consumer projector. The InFocus easily bests the Panasonic PT-AE2000U, though in terms of sharpness and brightness. Certainly I give the advantage to the X10 for people watching a good mix of movies TV, HDTV, sports, while the Panasonic is probably strongest for hard core movie watchers.

Review continues below this advertisement.

 

InFocus X10 vs. Epson Home Cinema 1080UB

Very interesting! Those of you who are regular readers of my reviews know well, that the Epson Home Cinema 1080 UB has been my favorite under $3000 projector since it came out. So, how does it stack up?

I see the InFocus as a serious contender. Overall, if I had to live with one over the other, and if placement flexibility was not an issue, I would still go with the Epson, but I can see that many people may prefer the X10. I love the black levels of the Epson - there's no contest. The X10, though has more brightness in best mode, and isn't that far behind in brightest mode. The InFocus definitely has the sharper image, and is more film-like. The Epson though has a lot more punch, I'd say it's more fun. If it wasn't for the huge difference in black level performance, it might shake out differently, but great black levels really add something, and Epson has them. By comparison, I'd say that InFocus's top end model, the IN83, to be my pick over the Epson, but the IN83 has very good black levels, rather than the X10's mediocre ones. If you aren't a movie person, - primarily sports, HDTV, then sure, The InFocus may well, come out on top.

InFocus X10 vs. Optoma HD803

OK, here we have two projectors both similar in price, both DLP's with 1.2:1 zoom lenses, and no lens shift. The Optoma gets a slight edge in black levels thanks to a dynamic iris, but I favor the InFocus overall. The Optoma is fairly bright, and the InFocus brighter still. The InFocus I would say does better skin tones, and the Optoma image has a more dynamic look. I do give the X10 the advantage in film-like naturalness, and overall, it gets my pick.

InFocus X10 vs. BenQ W5000

Direct competitors, for sure, with similar pricing. Both DLP's with the same old 1.2:1 zoom lens, but the BenQ does have lens shift, which means it can be shelf mounted - a plus for many. The BenQ W5000 definitely wins the black level performance battle, but suffers from a bit too much image noise, which BenQ is "working on solving".

Tough call here. If BenQ ever straightens out the image noise issue, I would give it the advantage - as it stands, it's a pick and choose, the lessor of two evils (black levels vs. image noise). Both are very good choices, though. Don't let me scare you off.

InFocus X10 vs. Mitsubishi HC5500

The Mitsubishi HC5500 has only some of the usual 3LCD advantages - it does have a limited zoom lens (cost saving we guess), like the InFocus. Black levels on both are close enough - neither is impressive in this area. The Mitsubishi is also extremely quiet. The InFocus though has far more brightness, and when it comes down the the bottom line, it produces the better overall image. The InFocus X10 gets my vote, and should be the favorite of most considering the two.

InFocus X10 Home Theater Projector: Summary

The big picture is that the InFocus X10 is in most ways one of the best lower cost projectors out there. I think it's great choice for those wanting larger screens, and definitely for those who are less movie fanatics, and more general purpose viewers - valuing HDTV and especially sports, as much, or more than movies. We reviewers and enthusiasts tend to be hyper critical, and this is no exception. The black level performance is one area where the average consumer would be perfectly satisfied, but the enthusiast demands a little more.

Color handling, sharpness and brightness are its strong points, placement flexibilitye (and black levels) its areas of minor weakness. Menus are good. The lack of any automatic ability to adjust aspect ratio to the source, is an inconveninece, but a minor one.

Perhaps most importantly, it stacks up favorably against virtually all the comparable projectors in price.

Review continues below this advertisement.

 

InFocus X10 Projector: Bottom Line

 

The real bottom line, is whether the X10 is the best choice for you. For many, with an under $2500 budget, it may well be. There are trade-offs to be sure, but with only two exceptions that quickly come to mind, the X10 stands out above the rest of the competition. It also has the real advantage of having some of the best color accuracy right out of the box, of any projectors out there. Traditionally I've considered InFocus projectors to be pricey for their performance, but am most pleased to report that the X10, is, instead, a more attractive projector for its price, than the bulk of the competition.

I'm impressed with the X10. Mind you, I'm not nearly as impressed with the X10 at its price point, as I am for the IN83 at its. The InFocus X10 definitely offers very good price/performance, however, I must say, despite being roughly twice the price, the InFocus IN83 is an even more impressive value. Looks like InFocus is on a roll.

Considering InFocus was very late in introducing their first generation 1080p projectors, they have more than compensated. This one's a top pick, and that's why we are pleased to give it our Hot Product Award.

InFocus X10
Image Quality
General Performance
Warranty
Summary, Pros, Cons