InFocus LP350 DLP LCD Projector

We bought into the InFocus hype about 3 years ago, and this projector has been a nightmare. After a bulb explosion at 180 hours, the unit was returned for 'update' which was free as long as you purchased the 'new' design bulb at full retail. InFocus did offer to trade, but you would have to invest in another product from this company which I would not do. We purchased an absolutely great Sanyo, and use the InFocus anchor with the update as a backup. Supposedly the new design will extend bulb life, but after this experience, I would not buy an InFocus at any price.

I bought an LP350 about two and a half years ago. Since then, I have gone through seven lamps in two different projectors. I sent the first unit back to InFocus twice in the first year, going through four lamps in the process. The third time I sent it in, they sent me a "new" refurbished projector. The first lamp in the new unit lasted about 15 hours, a new record at the time actually... I've blown two more since then. I got at least 20 hours out of the last one, but I give up. I thought about buying one more lamp, just to be able to sell it off, but I'd feel guilty probably. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT BUY THIS PROJECTOR!

This projector lacks many features including A/V mute. It uses a propritary video cable that has broken on my unit twice. Had to order replacement cable from Infocus store at a premium price. Lamp life is really bad. Had two bulbs explode (yes explode and smoke)in the unit. Now I am having trouble getting another replacement lamp. If I want a new lamp I have to send it back to Infocus to get a power supply upgrade. This thing is a hunk of junk - nothing good to say about it. I will never buy an Infocus product again!

I bought the projector in December 2001. The projector has some quality problems.

Lamp Explosion: The original lamp that came with the new projector was exploded after about one year of use (about 400 hours). It occurred when it was projecting a movie without any indication. Other users also experienced lamp explosions with the projector.

Difficult-to-Turn-On Problem: The projector has problems with starting up the lamp. Most of the times, when I turn on the power switch of the projector, the fan will start immediately, but the lamp does not light. It does produce some encouraging sound-the noise one hears when the lamp turns on. If you switch off the projector then switch it on again, the lamp might start. However, the problem now gets really bad for me. Almost every time when I try to use the projector, I really have to switch on/off many times in order for the lamp to show any light.

Service Problems: Right after my lamp exploded, I sent the unit back to Infocus. Infocus changed the lamp and cleaned the unit for me. But the difficult-turn-on problem got worse after the service. I called them several times, the technicians told me that they did not know the cause and suggested that I try to switch off and on to solve the problem. It did work. But what a strange way to turn a projector on! This hard to turn on problem is really annoying, so I called infocus again. The technician refused to explain what the problem is, and asked me to send Infocus US$999.99 so that they can take a look at it. Of course I did not send the projector back for them to take another look.

I asked Infocus if they know any technical flaws with the projector, and I was told that there is `none.' So apparently Infocus does not know why the projectors have this difficult-to-turn-on problem. Therefore, they might have the same problem with other projectors also.

Summary: The Infocus LP 350 has quality control problem, I do not recommend this projector. Apparently Infocus is not aware of the problem; other models might also have this problem because they share a lot of parts and design. I would definitely avoid Infocus.

mike