InFocus IN2128HDx Projector Review – Hardware

InFocus IN2128HDx Projector Review – Hardware: Overview, Inputs and Control Panel, Lens, Menu and Setup, Remote Control

The IN2128HDx is a nice compact design, weighing in at 5.1 lbs and standing at 3.9 inches tall, with a width of 11.5 inches and length of 8.7 inches.  It feels tough, as InFocus has managed to really create a condensed design here and it just has a real solidly made feel to it.  This is great if you plan to be using this projector on the go and you expect some bumps along the way.
When combined with the powerful 10 watt speaker located on the left side of the projector, you have a unit that serves all your biggest needs when you’re traveling and presenting.

There is a recessed lens, the input panel is located in the back of the projector and though there appears to be all your necessary components, I was disappointed to see that there was only one HDMI port.  Not a necessity to have two HDMI ports I suppose but as someone who has experience using multiple sources within a presentation, two HDMI’s would be more ideal.  So all that said, lets take a closer look at the IN2128HDx.

Starting off with the input panel on the back of the projector, you will find all the requisite ports you need to successfully present in this day and age.  To start, in the bottom left corner, you will find your power connection.  Above that and to the left is where you will find all 3 audio ports, with audio in 1, audio 2, and audio out stacked from top to bottom respectively.  Moving over, you have an S-Video cable input right above a composite video input.

To the right of the video inputs, you have two computer/vga cable inputs stacked on top of one another.  Next to the right you have your monitor out input, followed by the single HDMI input, which is then followed by the RS-232 port, a single USB-B port, a single USB-A port, and lastly a Wireless Lan Ethernet connection.  Right underneath the Ethernet port you also have your Kensington Lock location.

As you shift up above the input panel to the top of the IN2128, the projector’s control panel is located in the right half in the back of the projector.  As you can see, the buttons are pretty small/narrow, and as one might expect, this did make the buttons somewhat difficult to press.  I prefer the control panel design that InFocus had on the cheaper IN116xa that I just reviewed, those buttons were wider, and just had a much better feel when clicking.  Not a deal breaker but I expected a bit better from a $1,000 projector.

Anyway, there is 4 columns of buttons.  The power button is furthest to the left, in its own column.  In the next column, from top to bottom, you have a Menu/Exit button, an arrow button to move the cursor left, and the Blank button to a/v mute the screen.  In the next column, you have an arrow button to move the cursor up, and which doubles as a button for keystone correction.  Below that there is an Enter button, followed by an arrow button to move the cursor down plus keystone correction.  In the last column on the right side, you have a button for autosearch, a right arrow cursor button, and a source button to find the source without autosearch.

The lens is located on the front left of the projector and it is recessed, although the focus knob can protrude a bit from the projector’s casing when adjusting the focus.  Access for adjusting that focus knob is located right above the lens, and the zoom knob is located right behind the focus.  The zoom knob has a notch for easer adjustment but the focus knob does not.  Unfortunately, you will need to refocus each time you adjust the zoom knob.  A non-issue if your projector is mounted but if you’re on the go, this is just something you’ll have to deal with.  There is also a turn/screw foot for adjusting the height on your screen on the bottom right edge of the front of the projector right where you would typically find the foot.

I like the feel of this remote infinitely more than the IN116xa’s cheap credit card remote.  So obviously this was not a credit card remote.  It is not backlit.   The buttons were sometimes difficult to press or took two presses and I’m not sure if that was the remote’s fault or the IR receivers on the projector but I would prefer less hitting buttons twice.  It’s small enough that it’s great for the portability and on the go, but that also means it might be easier to lose.  It takes 2 AAA batteries.

For functionality, it can power the projector on/off.  There is a help button that takes you to a screen with some basic tips and info about the projector.  You can change color modes right from the remote, adjust volume, mute the audio, make the screen blank, freeze a frame, adjust keystone correction, toggle overscan, autosearch for sources or just pick the source you want.  Lastly, you can zoom in and out but unfortunately, you cannot use the arrow buttons to move the screen around when using the digital zoom.