BenQ W1200 HD DLP projector
End of the rainbow?
Review BenQ’s W1200 Full HD projector is shocking. Shockingly good that is. I’ve seen plenty of inexpensive single chip DLP projectors over the past few years, and while I’ve admired their functionality I’ve never hankered after a single one. Typically, they’re noisy to run, prone to rainbow colour fringing – that DLP exclusive image artefact seen around objects of high contrast – and just don’t have the chops for serious AV.
Lost halo: BenQ's W1200
But the W1200 is different, and after running one for a couple of days I actually pondered downsizing from the projector I currently own (which is more than three times the cost of this model). The W1200 is priced around £1200, but can be bought for less.
The model itself is just under 340mm wide and finished in trendy white. It’s small and light enough to pull out of a cupboard when you want a big screen fix, and at just 3.6kg it won’t put any great strain on your ceiling should you fancy a more permanent installation.
The connectivity covers most bases. There are two HDMIs, component and S-Video inputs, phono AV, PC D-sub input, a type B USB connector, RS232 port, 12V trigger (allowing you to automatically sync with an electric screen) and PC monitor output.
Analogue and digital connectivity
Some of this connectivity will allow the W1200 to function quite happily in a corporate AV environment, but my interest here is purely in its home entertainment talents. The projector comes with a smart, backlit remote control. Optional accessories offered by BenQ include a ceiling mounting kit and carry case.
Next page: Path to enlightenment
COMMENTS
Shockingly good
A product as good as rivals costing three times more. And therefore a score of...80%?
What is it with Reg reviews that everything comes in between 60-90%, with the majority at 70 or 80? Just get rid of the %'s and use stars out of five.
£1,000 is budget priced
I think £1,000 is perfectly reasonable for a budget projector of this specification.
Clarification
Under Resolution, you listed the supported resolutions, but not the native resolution. I mention this because the company I work for has had more than a few projectors that "support" HD resolutions but are actually 800x600 projectors -- and their downsampling is really crappy.
Fortunately, that's not the case here. From BenQ's product site:
Native Resolution 1080p (1920 x 1080)
So which is it?
1080 lines or 1200 lines.
The spec list says 1200 whereas your text says 1080.
I had to laugh at the 'light controlled dark room' :) :) :)
Nearly 3 years ago Optoma briefly sold a projector with similar specs and for the same price. I'm lucky to have been in the market for one and snapped it up. It has taken that long for prices to drop to what I call more reasonable levels.
Oh, and a Canon Xeed does not cut the mustard. I've compared the Optoma and the latest Xeed and its chromatic abboration is truly awful. For a company that makes optical kit I am very surptised.
This seems like a nice bit of kit.
It is a real pity that there is nowhere in the UK where you can actually go and see a whole load of projectors side by side and compare them for the sort of use you are going to make of them. You basically have to buy sight unseen.
If El Reg knows of a place, please let us know.
Got excited by the W in the model name
I thought El Rej had leapt to the the forefront of cutting edge tech and were reviewing a Wireless projector but alas not
Any chance of you doing one?
