01WPRO 02 2-3k GT

7/3/05

11:51 am

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Group Test 2-3K

Key features DLP, 1,035 x 576 native resolution Brightness 1,000 ANSI Lumens Faroudja DCDi deinterlacing and scaling Native widescreen chipset Connections Composite video 2x S-video 2x Y/Pb/Pr component video 15 pin D-Sub/VESA DVI digital video Component D5 RS232 serial interface 3.5mm Niles/Xantech compatible IR repeater in 2x 3.5mm trigger output Dimensions 335(w) x 104(h) x 270(d)mm

InFocus Screenplay 5700

Verdict
Sales Web www.infocus.com
NFOCUS HAS ALREADY DONE THE BUSINESS IN this magazine with its astoundingly good Screenplay 4805 budget projector (p56). In fact, the 4805 is so good that it will be interesting to see whether the companys mid-range Screenplay 5700 can improve on it. It doesnt improve on it aesthetically, at any rate; its equally as bland. We guess some folk might appreciate the neutrality of its sandy colour scheme, plain rectangular shape and resolute refusal to include any fancy flourishes. But for us, shallow as we are, we prefer a bit more pizzazz. Connectivity on the 5700 is a sight for sore eyes, however. First and foremost, theres a digital video input with HDCP compatibility, making the 5700 a safe bet for Skys high-def services when they begin. But also to be admired is the provision of two sets of component video inputs, plus all the other AV and, indeed, PC standards.
which we mention here because activating it delivers an impressive drop-off in operating noise from the onboard fans. To be honest, wed vaguely expected the 5700s performance not to impress us too much, given its relative vintage compared to other models now doing the rounds. But we couldnt have been more wrong.

Less is more

To begin with, as with the Sim2 Domino 18 model elsewhere in this group, the 5700 more than compensates for its good rather than great contrast range with simply stunning degrees of subtlety when it comes to portraying background textures, colour blends and depth of field. Indeed, this wonderfully cinematic dexterity makes you feel like youre actually seeing more black level depth and solidity in dark Star Wars scenes like the destruction of Leias home planet than you do on other higher-contrast projectors. Another important strength of the 5700 is its suppression of DLPs traditional noise issues. Even the rainbow effect is well handled, making only the occasional appearance around some of the ships during Star Wars more epic space battles. Next on our tick list is the 5700s fine detail response. Our progressive scan feed of Star Wars from DVD looks terrifically sharp thanks to the lack of noise and its native mapping to the 5700s chipset. But we were also very taken with the resolution in high definition pictures, again proving the quality of the projectors scaling. If the 5700s pictures show their age in any way, its in the fact that they look just a teeny bit short of brightness when settings are optimised for contrast. But for us, this is a very small price to pay for the rest of the 5700s glories. And, while were on the subject of very small prices, even the small doubts raised by the 5700s brightness levels are utterly nullified by the fact that InFocus has thoughtfully shaved no less than 1,000 off the 5700s price since its original launch. Which unquestionably makes it one of the bargains of the year. H

Vertical limit

EASE OF USE LOOKS FEATURES PICTURE VALUE
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VERDICT A great projector at its original 3,000 has become an almost irresistible one at its new 2,000 price

Overall

At the 5700s heart is a Texas Instruments Matterhorn chipset. This actually isnt the latest chipset in town reflecting the fact that the 5700 actually debuted back in spring 2004. But it is useful in that its 1,025 x 576 resolution makes it ideal for unscaled display of UK PAL broadcasts though it does not permit unscaled high definition playback. Another potentially useful spec of the Matterhorn chipset is a very respectable 1000 ANSI Lumens brightness level. The quoted contrast ratio of 1,400:1 is perhaps solid rather than exemplary; but these figures sometimes have to be taken with a pinch of salt and can be affected considerably by other factors. So well hold judgment until weve actually seen the 5700 in action. The 5700 is perhaps not the easiest projector to accommodate thanks to its lack of manual lens shifting and only one plane of keystone adjustment. But it does boast a decent roster of features, allowing you to tweak all manner of picture elements. These include a low-wattage mode that reduces brightness to increase contrast and bulb life, and

WHAT PROJECTOR

291WV09 Infocus 5700

11/1/05

2:18 pm

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FACT FILE
q DLP projector q Native widescreen

resolution

q Faroudja deinterlacing q 1,000 ANSI lumens q 1,400:1 contrast ratio

Infocus Screenplay 5700

nfocus Screenplay started life as a manufacturer of business projector, but has gone on to establish a well-specified and affordable home cinema portfolio. The 5700 is based on one of Texas Instruments better DMD optical chipsets, the Matterhorn, which has a native widescreen resolution of 1,024 x 576 pixels. This means that no scaling (resolution translation) is required for normal DVD playback. The Matterhorn uses 12 deflection mirrors, which means increased contrast compared to the previous generation DMDs, but technology marches on, and this chipset is no longer top of the tree. Nevertheless, this is still a well-specified projector which, since it first appeared, has acquired a new lens (from Carl Zeiss) with new optical coatings and a narrower throw range. The 5700 is equipped with a broad range of inputs, including two S-video sockets. It doesnt stretch to the latest all-singing HDMI, but it is equipped with an M1-DA socket which will accept analogue or digital content with HDCP encryption (like HDMI). With appropriate adaptor leads, it can be connected to encrypted DVI and HDMI-equipped sources typically computers or DVD players. The 5700 comes out of the box with its colour balance set to D65 colour mastering standards (an accepted industry standard) and a colour temperature of 6,500 Kelvin. The only setting up required is the level of lamp power (normal or high) and, if you really insist, a little tweaking to adjust for personal taste. The menu system is comprehensively kitted out with picture adjustments, and you can assign three

DLP projector 2,200

FEATURES Single TI Matterhorn DMD 12 native wide 16:9 1,024 x 576 pixel DMD; 1,000 ANSI Lumens full power / 800 ANSI Lumens normal power; 1,400:1 max contrast ratio; Carl Zeiss 26.7 36.8mm zoom f2.5 f3.1 lens; Faroudja DCDi deinterlacing and scaling; proprietary five speed, six segment colour wheel calibrated to D65 colour mastering standards; throw ratio 12.08:1 2.60:1 (distance to screen/picture width); 220/250W UHP lamp; supported TV formats: component; RGB and interlace, 480i/p, 576i/p, 720p, 1035p, 1080i; computer scaled up to 1,280 x 1,084 pixels; dimensions: 351(w) x 110(h) x 325(d) mm; weight: 4.3kg SOCKETS Composite; 2 S-video and 2 component video inputs; VESA input; 15-pin D-Sub input; RS232 serial interface; 3.5mm wired IR repeater (Niles and Zantech compatible); 2 3.5mm trigger outputs for 16:9 screen drop and 4:3 masking CONTACT 01423 359054; www.infocushome.com
groups of optimised settings (film, video and Sky, for example) to three user presets. The projector will auto-seek a video input if required, or you can select it manually using the well laid out control panel on top of the unit, or the remote control.

PERFORMANCE

Even at the normal power setting, output brightness is rated at 800 ANSI Lumens, which is as much as many DLP projectors are able to deliver at full power. In this case, full power is a rated 1,000 ANSI Lumens just enough to get away with daytime use with the curtains drawn. In other words, the 5700 could just about replace a glass screen TV. Although not a brand new design, the 5700 is still an exacting performer, and capable of genuinely cinematic picture quality. Given a strong blackout and a quality screen (for this test, the picture was blown up to about two metres wide and viewed on a white Draper screen with a gain of 1.3), the whites were punchy if not overwhelming, and the blacks were reasonably close to a true black, with plenty of subtle shadow detail at the normal lamp brightness setting. In this mode, the lamps life span is maximised, and noise from the colour wheel and the cooling system is minimised, though it is always low. Colour reproduction is also enhanced, the mid-tones especially almost glowing. Skin tones are natural, and video noise levels low, though they increase at full power. Greens can look rather blotchy. There is little discernable colour spread, and at an average viewing distance say three metres or more in the test system,
there is no visible pixel grid structure. The Faroudja deinterlacing was difficult to catch out, except sometimes with vertical scrolling titles. The 5700 was launched around two years ago priced at 3,000, and was widely regarded as something of bargain. Now, as it approaches its natural lifespan, the price has been reduced to 2,200, which makes it a solid proposition. Yes, the average standard of hardware has increased in the interim, but for now at least its worth considering. Dont wait too long, though, as this cut-down price may not last too much longer Alvin Gold

WHATS GOOD

Subtle, life-like colour; good resolution; freedom from visible pixel grid and motion artefacts; strong range of set-up options

WHATS BAD

Decent but not outstanding contrast performance which is limited by the reflective inner lens construction
PICTURE FEATURES EASE OF USE VALUE ALSO CONSIDER.

77777 77777

THEMESCENE H30 A stripped down DLP marvel with HDTV compatibility for just 1,195 Reviewed: Jun 04 PANASONIC PT-AE500 Its LCD but the performance is comparable and the price a couple of 100 lower Reviewed: Apr 04

OVERALL VERDICT

Screenplay has reduced the price of this impressive mainstream DLP models to an all time low
A well laid out, uncluttered remote

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