BenQ W1000 1080p projector review
NOTE: This is just an initial assessment of the highly sought after BenQ W1000's performance and is in no way meant to be a highly technical review of all the bells and whistles. Honestly, we here at Sounds Great A/V haven't had time to fully experience all of them as this projector only just hit the market, and we were among the lucky few who pre-ordered and now have their hands on one of these beauties.
Due to all of the buzz and the long wait for this third contender in the under $1000 1080p market, initial stock sold out and word is the BenQ W1000 is currently on backorder. But rumor is, they should be in stock again soon within plenty of time before X-mas or the big game! Needless to say, there are a lot of people out there left wondering if the BenQ W1000 is worth the wait or will live up to the hype and buzz that it has drummed up for months now.
As of this writing, we personally have yet to fully go through all of the manual, options, or calibrations one needs to, in order to fully assess, understand, and enjoy the equipment. In total, we have only put in a few hours of use on the projector, but have tested the picture using various forms of media and connections. In addition, we have only read the reviews of others who have owned or tested the two other competing models from Optoma and Vivitek, thus we can't say how they compare.
Our initial thoughts are based on comparing the picture quality to more expensive installation grade HD projectors, movie theater experience, as well as to an average 42-55" flat panel television. We plan to update our review and add any information or opinions we find after settling in, calibrating, and getting to know the BenQ W1000 projector a little better.
Please check back for a full review. We've noticed the number of posts on other forums and blogs asking for details and reviews of the BenQ W1000 projector. And as one of the few who got their hands on this new model immediately upon release and just prior to complete sell out, we feel it's our duty to let you know what we know...even if it comes in a play by play, movie by movie form. So in order to help clear up the mystery and help answer the burning questions of others who might be considering this product, we're rushing out this assessment before we have fully come to appreciate all the technical and other aspects of the projector. Thus, we again apologize for the lack of tech or spec talk!
Out of the box, I have to say it's love at first sight. The faux finish case texture and solid construction are immediately impressive and more aesthetically pleasing, compared to many other brands and models of projectors I have seen over the years. The overall look of the lens and case, really set the BenQ W1000 apart from the Optoma and the Vivitek. At least in our book - as this was admittedly a tie-breaking factor in our decision between the three projectors. Honestly, their specs, pros, and cons all seem to be pretty even and you're likely going to get a pretty great picture with any of them.
With the BenQ, you get a pretty face too!
The amount of connections are ample and include HDMI, allowing for great HD picture and for better future proofing of this system. Ventilation is located on the sides, great for both ceiling and table top installations. Control panel buttons, lens focusing dials, and the bulb access door are all conveniently placed and easy to get to even from below. Buttons on the console and remote are large and easy to read. There are two remote sensors (front and back), so control via the user-friendly remote is a breeze when the projector is ceiling mounted dead center in the viewing area, as ours is.
Considering the projector's placement in our theater room, fan/operating noise was also a large factor in our decision, and I am happy to report that the BenQ W1000 is virtually silent. Though I would think even the loudest projector would be no match for our Onkyo receiver and Jamo 7.1 surround sound system!
Menu functions are pretty simple and easy to use, however, at this point we have yet to fully calibrate the picture settings or learn about the various special settings. The picture out of the box utilizing either the HD digital cable connection or via the blu-ray player was stunning and crisp. We have viewed a blu-ray movie, DVD, digital cable, downloaded Netflix shows, and photos via the USB on our LG blu-ray player. We yet to test the gamut of movie genres to see how black and white, animation, dark action movies, etc. compare or to fully say how great the picture is in relation to the refresh rate and black levels. Overall, the picture quality was better than expected. However when viewing some of our scenery photos from a recent trip to Hawaii, we noticed a very notably bright washout of the skies and some portraits' faces became blurred. That said, it could be the photo quality setting or the failings of an amature photographer!
In addition to the fact that we have not yet done the calibrations necessary to perfect our BenQ W1000 projector's picture, our room provides further challenges to the system...and our ability to take great photographs showing the quality of the picture in true detail. There are two sets of lights and two 4 x 2 foot skylights between where the projector is mounted and where the screen is hung. So, the environment is both accentuating the need for the calibrations and challenging the ability of the BenQ W1000 to deal with only semi-controlled ambient lighting. Even so, the picture quality and detail so far is amazing for the size of the screen! Note the above images were taken with the lights that hang right in front of the screen on with late afternoon sunlight still pouring through the skylights above...so the detail present is quite impressive.
I have read other's reviews noting a Rainbow Effect, that not all people notice, which is apparently due to the number of segments on the color wheel and how sensitive you and your eyes are. During a few of the initial testings watching digital cable programs such as CSI in HD, I did notice this rainbow effect but my husband did not. Apparently it is similar to those Magic Eye pictures - some see it, some don't. Unfortunately for me, I never see Magic Eye, but I notice the rainbow effect in my new projector. Luckily, this is not a regular occurrence - as this was not at all an issue during the entire length of a blu-ray movie watched the next day. I will continue to watch for this in the future.
Occasionally, during the CSI viewing I did note a horizontal line that ran down the image. I cannot say for sure if this was a matter of the projector "breaking in", the cable connection, or otherwise. This too, I will be keeping an eye on. It is noteworthy to say that the projector did VERY well with the notoriously dark and fast imagery used on the show CSI.
The following is a short video segment of a holiday HD screen saver to help demonstrate the quality of the picture. Keep in mind the lack of calibration, lighting issues, and amature videographer status!
I assure you, the picture is much more impressive in person.
So all in all, the first impression after the unboxing and set up is that the BenQ W1000 was worth the wait - delivering the kind of quality picture one would expect to see in high end home theater projectors, but at a fraction of the cost.
If you are considering the BenQ W1000 projector, but getting impatient and reconsidering the Optoma or Vivitek, we offer you this advice: WAIT! There are many others out there like us here at Sounds Great A/V that have one of these projectors, and most of us just got them. In the short weeks to come, we will be testing our BenQ W1000 projector and updating our review here. Other owners will likely soon be posting their opinions on blogs, forums, or the sites you can purchase the BenQ W1000 online. So practice a little more patience, wait to see what a bunch of us have to say and then decide which of the three 1080p projectors under $1000 is for you.
Please feel free to contact us or post any questions you might have and we will do our best to answer them or update the review as often as possible.
If you happen to live in the Pacific Northwest - particularly in Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Portland or anywhere in between, please check out our website @ www.soundsgreatav.com. At Sounds Great A/V we offer easy all-inclusive audio video packages at affordable prices, making home theater, surround sound, and whole house audio as simple as can be. We are currently offering great deals on projection/surround sound packages and whole house audio systems.
While we might not be able to beat Black Friday electronics deals the big guys offer, we at Sounds Great Audio Video, can often compete on the latest LCD, Plasma, or LED televisions, so call us before buying elsewhere and we'll let you know if we can beat the price you've found. In addition, we offer professional installation and service calls for any equipment you bought elsewhere yesterday or invested in years ago. So, whether you are interested in the latest 1080p projection system, or 5.1 surround sound or simply need a cable outlet moved or a connection troubleshot, give us a try.
We pride ourselves on our small-town, honest, and attentive customer service and look forward to helping you better understand and truly enjoy the digital age!
Contact us with any questions or comments. THANKS FOR READING!!!
NOTE: This is just an initial assessment of the highly sought after BenQ W1000's performance and is in no way meant to be a highly technical review of all the bells and whistles. Honestly, we here at Sounds Great A/V haven't had time to fully experience all of them as this projector only just hit the market, and we were among the lucky few who pre-ordered and now have their hands on one of these beauties.
Due to all of the buzz and the long wait for this third contender in the under $1000 1080p market, initial stock sold out and word is the BenQ W1000 is currently on backorder. But rumor is, they should be in stock again soon within plenty of time before X-mas or the big game! Needless to say, there are a lot of people out there left wondering if the BenQ W1000 is worth the wait or will live up to the hype and buzz that it has drummed up for months now.
As of this writing, we personally have yet to fully go through all of the manual, options, or calibrations one needs to, in order to fully assess, understand, and enjoy the equipment. In total, we have only put in a few hours of use on the projector, but have tested the picture using various forms of media and connections. In addition, we have only read the reviews of others who have owned or tested the two other competing models from Optoma and Vivitek, thus we can't say how they compare.
Our initial thoughts are based on comparing the picture quality to more expensive installation grade HD projectors, movie theater experience, as well as to an average 42-55" flat panel television. We plan to update our review and add any information or opinions we find after settling in, calibrating, and getting to know the BenQ W1000 projector a little better.
Please check back for a full review. We've noticed the number of posts on other forums and blogs asking for details and reviews of the BenQ W1000 projector. And as one of the few who got their hands on this new model immediately upon release and just prior to complete sell out, we feel it's our duty to let you know what we know...even if it comes in a play by play, movie by movie form. So in order to help clear up the mystery and help answer the burning questions of others who might be considering this product, we're rushing out this assessment before we have fully come to appreciate all the technical and other aspects of the projector. Thus, we again apologize for the lack of tech or spec talk!
Out of the box, I have to say it's love at first sight. The faux finish case texture and solid construction are immediately impressive and more aesthetically pleasing, compared to many other brands and models of projectors I have seen over the years. The overall look of the lens and case, really set the BenQ W1000 apart from the Optoma and the Vivitek. At least in our book - as this was admittedly a tie-breaking factor in our decision between the three projectors. Honestly, their specs, pros, and cons all seem to be pretty even and you're likely going to get a pretty great picture with any of them. With the BenQ, you get a pretty face too!
The amount of connections are ample and include HDMI, allowing for great HD picture and for better future proofing of this system. Ventilation is located on the sides, great for both ceiling and table top installations. Control panel buttons, lens focusing dials, and the bulb access door are all conveniently placed and easy to get to even from below. Buttons on the console and remote are large and easy to read. There are two remote sensors (front and back), so control via the user-friendly remote is a breeze when the projector is ceiling mounted dead center in the viewing area, as ours is.Considering the projector's placement in our theater room, fan/operating noise was also a large factor in our decision, and I am happy to report that the BenQ W1000 is virtually silent. Though I would think even the loudest projector would be no match for our Onkyo receiver and Jamo 7.1 surround sound system!
Menu functions are pretty simple and easy to use, however, at this point we have yet to fully calibrate the picture settings or learn about the various special settings. The picture out of the box utilizing either the HD digital cable connection or via the blu-ray player was stunning and crisp. We have viewed a blu-ray movie, DVD, digital cable, downloaded Netflix shows, and photos via the USB on our LG blu-ray player. We yet to test the gamut of movie genres to see how black and white, animation, dark action movies, etc. compare or to fully say how great the picture is in relation to the refresh rate and black levels. Overall, the picture quality was better than expected. However when viewing some of our scenery photos from a recent trip to Hawaii, we noticed a very notably bright washout of the skies and some portraits' faces became blurred. That said, it could be the photo quality setting or the failings of an amature photographer!
In addition to the fact that we have not yet done the calibrations necessary to perfect our BenQ W1000 projector's picture, our room provides further challenges to the system...and our ability to take great photographs showing the quality of the picture in true detail. There are two sets of lights and two 4 x 2 foot skylights between where the projector is mounted and where the screen is hung. So, the environment is both accentuating the need for the calibrations and challenging the ability of the BenQ W1000 to deal with only semi-controlled ambient lighting. Even so, the picture quality and detail so far is amazing for the size of the screen! Note the above images were taken with the lights that hang right in front of the screen on with late afternoon sunlight still pouring through the skylights above...so the detail present is quite impressive.
I have read other's reviews noting a Rainbow Effect, that not all people notice, which is apparently due to the number of segments on the color wheel and how sensitive you and your eyes are. During a few of the initial testings watching digital cable programs such as CSI in HD, I did notice this rainbow effect but my husband did not. Apparently it is similar to those Magic Eye pictures - some see it, some don't. Unfortunately for me, I never see Magic Eye, but I notice the rainbow effect in my new projector. Luckily, this is not a regular occurrence - as this was not at all an issue during the entire length of a blu-ray movie watched the next day. I will continue to watch for this in the future.
Occasionally, during the CSI viewing I did note a horizontal line that ran down the image. I cannot say for sure if this was a matter of the projector "breaking in", the cable connection, or otherwise. This too, I will be keeping an eye on. It is noteworthy to say that the projector did VERY well with the notoriously dark and fast imagery used on the show CSI.
The following is a short video segment of a holiday HD screen saver to help demonstrate the quality of the picture. Keep in mind the lack of calibration, lighting issues, and amature videographer status!
I assure you, the picture is much more impressive in person.
So all in all, the first impression after the unboxing and set up is that the BenQ W1000 was worth the wait - delivering the kind of quality picture one would expect to see in high end home theater projectors, but at a fraction of the cost.
If you are considering the BenQ W1000 projector, but getting impatient and reconsidering the Optoma or Vivitek, we offer you this advice: WAIT! There are many others out there like us here at Sounds Great A/V that have one of these projectors, and most of us just got them. In the short weeks to come, we will be testing our BenQ W1000 projector and updating our review here. Other owners will likely soon be posting their opinions on blogs, forums, or the sites you can purchase the BenQ W1000 online. So practice a little more patience, wait to see what a bunch of us have to say and then decide which of the three 1080p projectors under $1000 is for you.
Please feel free to contact us or post any questions you might have and we will do our best to answer them or update the review as often as possible.
If you happen to live in the Pacific Northwest - particularly in Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Portland or anywhere in between, please check out our website @ www.soundsgreatav.com. At Sounds Great A/V we offer easy all-inclusive audio video packages at affordable prices, making home theater, surround sound, and whole house audio as simple as can be. We are currently offering great deals on projection/surround sound packages and whole house audio systems.
While we might not be able to beat Black Friday electronics deals the big guys offer, we at Sounds Great Audio Video, can often compete on the latest LCD, Plasma, or LED televisions, so call us before buying elsewhere and we'll let you know if we can beat the price you've found. In addition, we offer professional installation and service calls for any equipment you bought elsewhere yesterday or invested in years ago. So, whether you are interested in the latest 1080p projection system, or 5.1 surround sound or simply need a cable outlet moved or a connection troubleshot, give us a try.
We pride ourselves on our small-town, honest, and attentive customer service and look forward to helping you better understand and truly enjoy the digital age!
Contact us with any questions or comments. THANKS FOR READING!!!
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