Yet, despite the extra blackness, there seems to be more subtle shadow detail in dark corners, which helps images maintain a greater sense of realism and scale. This is perhaps thanks to the way the DarkChip4 system allows greater black level depth to co-exist with enhanced brightness levels.

To my eyes, though, the InFocus IN83 sings not through its black levels, but its colour fidelity, aided
by Texas Instruments' BrilliantColor system for improved colour vibrancy and saturation.

When up and running, the tricky jungle hues of Apocalypto on Blu-ray are rendered sublimely, combining an expansive-but-subtle palette with the sort of immaculate blends I'm coming to expect from the most high-quality Full HD video displays.

Cinematic colours

I've seen the vast majority of sub-£4k projectors on the market right now, and I don't think any of them can hold a candle in colour terms to the IN83.

In fact, so accurate and cinematic is the IN83's combination of greyscale and colours that it's
difficult to believe you can get hold of one for just £3,500.

Hi-def image clarity is outstanding. Every pit, pore, jungle leaf and strand of panther fur shines through on the exceptionally-sharp Apocalypto platter.

Motion resolution is also excellent, pictures look sharp and fluid, and, as a final feather in the IN83's cap, it does a cracking job of upscaling standard-definition sources, with great sharpness, and natural colour retention.

The Speeder chase from the Star Wars: Episode 1 DVD, for instance, is rich with detail and colour.
But just as with great power comes great responsibility, with great contrast comes great... rainbowing.

Eye of the beholder

While the issue of colour shift on single-chip DLP is very much a matter of taste and susceptibility (some people seemingly don't spot it all), it has become less of an issue of late. I've auditioned excellent DLP models using DC2 and DC3 chipsets where it merits only a passing comment. But with the arrival of this DC4 model, it once again dominated conversations in our Tech Labs.

First, even though the InFocus IN83 employs a seven-segment colour wheel, it would appear that
the ultra-high contrast delivered by the IN83 rather exacerbates the rainbow effect, where stripes
of colour flit around over extremely bright (usually black and white) parts of the picture.

The first reel of Batman Begins (Blu-ray) became a kaleidoscopic torture test for the projector. From the flipbook monochrome DC opener to Bruce Wayne's tumble into the family well, and the subsequent 'rock' sequence, chroma fringing is rampant. This left some of the team wondering just how desirable super-high levels of contrast on a single-chip DLP projector actually are.

Our advice is it to close down the iris to minimise the effect. More importantly, make sure you get
a full-on demonstration of the InFocus to see if DLP rainbow is an issue for your peepers.

Also, in keeping with other projectors in the IN series, the IN83 runs rather noisily (at around 30dB), making it something you may need to contain in a soundproof housing if it has to go near your seating position.

See for yourself

There's no doubt that the InFocus IN83 is an outstanding performer. The model offers breathtaking detail and creates images with tangible, almost three-dimensional depth.

As a high-performance PJ, it absolutely demands an audition. That said, we suspect we'll be returning to the issue of brightness and single-chip rainbows again, as more models come to market sporting DC4 technology.