InFocus LP70: Just Enough Projecting Power on a Small Package

One of the biggest factors people consider when buying a new projector is the size and weight. After all, a road warrior won’t be found lugging behind a gargantuan projector all around the country. This is the exact reason why companies, such as InFocus, are developing diminutive projectors. One such projector is the LP70.

There is no question that the LP70 is a small projector. It measures only 2.5 inches x 8 inches x 6 inches and weighs only 1.1kg. It comes with a specialized cable: a combination cable with a USB connector and a VGA connector combined at one end, while the other end is for the projector itself. Aside from the usual VGA input, the LP70 also accepts S-Video connections, composite and even stereo sounds. If adding portable speakers in your luggage is not an option, the LP70 has a built-in speaker, though it’s only mono.

The LP70 is powered by a DLP or digital light processing engine. The LP70 has a rating of 1100 lumens – bright enough to present without having the need to dim the lights. It has a projection range of 1.5 meters to 10 meters. The Maximum size of the screen is 5.3 meters diagonal. The LP70 was able to achieve a score of 321:1 in contrast ratio – an excellent score that guarantees impressive high-contrast images. It also has an excellent color tracking as well as smooth color ramps. However, it still exhibited problems found on other DLP-driven projectors. Colors were quite off and the yellows were cloudy. The reds, on the other hand, were quite dark. Also, when the LP70 was put into sharp focus one-third of the image from the top was annoyingly blurred than the rest of the image.

Heat is a big problem for many ultra-portable projectors. With very little space to work on, heat doesn’t dissipate quite quickly. And to avoid overheating, the fans go into overdrive, often causing disturbing noise. Fortunately, the LP70 doesn’t have this problem. Operation was very quiet and it only had a few hotspots even after extended use. A remote control is part of the LP70’s package. It has a rollerball control and also a laser pointer. The remote control can also be used to zoom and pan the image. You can also use it as a mouse, though you have to connect both the VGA connector and USB connector. Since the two aren’t separate, you’d need to look for a computer that has the two ports close to each other.

The ultra-portable LP70 offers the comfort of a small and lightweight projector at the price of image quality. If you are more into mobility, the LP70 is more than capable of delivering.