Hi just a couple of notes here from BenQ direct. We’d hate for someone to miss out on this when it fits their needs.
It’s not for all, but will be awesome for plenty - we think. Here’s the scoop on it…
This projector model began shipping just over a year ago in April 2013. These are new units.
The product is industrial strength with “pro” features including the networking, interactive pen support, PC 3D support (not DVD 3D btw) and real Ultra Short Throw (UST). WXGA 16:10. It does have HDMI (1.3). & it’s bright at 3000 lumens
It was originally designed for 8hour per day usage in schools, conference rooms and creative environments where the interactive features & UST are useful.
The really unique element is the UST. It’s a huge hunk of well engineered optics you can see in the picture there. At 27" from your wall or screen, the image size will ~87" At 5 feet you’d get a whopping 196" diagonal.
Besides allowing big images in smaller depth rooms, UST let’s you get the projector up & out of the way or set on a table and placed such that it doesn’t interfere with whatever else is going on in the room.
So, can you find pure “home theater” projectors at the same price or cheaper? Yes. As some mentioned, the BenQ W1070 is one. You can find HT units that cost a lot more too.
Think of it this way, if you want the value of a heavy duty / pro product at consumer level prices - this is really an honest great deal.
It’s sort of like buying a full up top line truck at mid range SUV prices or a pro camera with a fast zoom telephoto at mid level “point & shoot” prices.
Thanks BenQ guy. I’ve read the posts and the very few reviews out there. The deal here for me is the ultra short throw. That costs big bucks usually. We want to use this outdoors by our pool, and this way the projector is very close to the screen, not us trying to shoot the picture near or across the pool, putting the projector too close to the pool. Definitely like the 2 10 watt speakers with the vibration control. WXGA is a quality picture, not the best, but good enough for outdoors.
Again the kicker here is the ultra short throw surpassing regular short throw projectors.