BenQ W500 1280 x 720 3LCD 720p Home Theater Projector With HDMI 1100 lumens 5000:1

Excellent Projector

Reviewed By: on 7/4/2007

Tech Level: average - Ownership: 1 week to 1 month

This user purchased this item from Newegg

Pros: This projector compared to my Hd1000u is a full step up in quality.
Color is better
Sharpness is better
The Brightness seems about the same but in dynamic mode it almost seems brighter than the Hd1000u

Fan noise is very quiet

The HQV processing does an excellent job on SD material the picture looks much better than my Oppo 981 was able to put out.

Black levels are good but I wouldn't say excellent but there equal to the Mits or better with the iris on or off (this is in standard lamp mode )

In cinema mode with the iris on they are very good and inky.

Cons: None so far

Other Thoughts: This is definitely one of the better projectors I have seen. I have owned and Sp4805,In72,HD70,Hd1000u
and seen The Epson 400 and a couple of others perform and while I would say the W500 out performs the others mainly because of the HQV processing which at this price point I never expected to see.

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Reviewed By: Joel on 9/15/2007

Tech Level: somewhat high - Ownership: 1 month to 1 year

This user purchased this item from Newegg

Pros: * The picture is very sharp and the colors seem very accurate without adjustment. After a few tweaks (via extensive menu options), the image borders on spectacular.

* The machine operates quietly.

* Manual Lens Shift makes installation/placement VERY easy in almost all settings.

* CHEAP replacement bulbs available

* Onboard HQV scaler is excellent for upconverting standard def content

Cons: * While the contrast specs are decent for a projector at this price, contrast within a particular scene occasionally suffers. Blacks and greys blend without much differentiation.

* I wish the warranty were a bit longer

Other Thoughts: This is my second projector. I've upgraded from the Infocus sp-4805 and the improvement in picture quality is striking, despite the fact that the sp-4805 throws a very nice image.

I've noticed very little in the way of video noise, jaggies, artifacts, and whatever else occasionally happens when a display isn't processing video well. This projector handles everything I've thrown at it - an old DVD player, a Dish Network VIP-622 receiver, and my precious D-Link DSM-520 Media Lounge. I'm VERY happy with this purchase.

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Durable!

Reviewed By: edsiajb on 6/14/2009

Tech Level: high - Ownership: more than 1 year

This user purchased this item from Newegg

Pros: Very durable (see "other thoughts"). Bright, clear image...even after 450 hours of usage. Easy set up; lens shift is a great feature.

Cons: Fan noise, but it's no louder than other projectors I've been around.

Other Thoughts: This projector sits on a shelf 9 feet above a concrete floor. This past weekend, my son climbed a ladder to connect another device and accidentally knocked it off the shelf. After a 9 foot fall, it still powered on. The case was unhurt, and the lens bezel was bent slightly.
Yes, even the bulb survived.

Now back on the shelf, it works as good as always. I don't recommend letting yours fall to the floor in a like manner.....the incident left my son very shaken and myself very impressed!

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YES!

Reviewed By: Jetscram on 5/27/2009

Tech Level: high - Ownership: 1 week to 1 month

This user purchased this item from Newegg

Pros: Looks Great, good inputs, hangs upside down well from the Vantage Point C 6" Mount. I have it projecting at 190" and it looks great. The positioning nozzle is great, and the digital tilt adjustment works nicely. No setup turn it on and plugged my laptop into and bam.

Cons: My place is well lit, a loft with two sliders for windows, during the day it is still visible but of course looks best when dark.

Other Thoughts: I use this as my conference room projector, attached to a mac mini and cable box. Great Buy. Wish the projectors physical size was smaller. I was worried as this was my first projector, it wont be my last.

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BenQ W500

Reviewed By: Mike on 5/13/2009

Tech Level: average - Ownership: 1 month to 1 year

Pros: Incredible HDMI picture in dark room, quiet, simple to use/configure

Cons: Semi-Dark room required but can use win lit room with recognizable picture

Other Thoughts: First one I ordered Malfunctioned within a month. Newegg replaced it within a week with no question asked. replaced product works perfectly with 0 issues.

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