BenQ W10000 1080p Projector Review - General Performance 3

Posted on October 7, 2006 by Art Feierman

W10000 Projector: Lens Throw and Lens Shift

The current (12/06) manual and literature are wrong. They indicate a 1.35:1 zoom ratio, like my PE-8720. In truth, the W10000 has a much more limited (in terms of placement flexitbility) 1.15:1 zoom range (15% instead of 35%). This is due to the 1080p DLP chip. The higher the resolution, the larger the chip. If BenQ didn't want to change the lens, or redesign the unit, at the full telephoto setting (of 1.35:1) the outer edges of the image would be lost.

So, we have to live with the smaller range. For a 100" diagonal screen, the minimum distance from front of lens to the screen surface is 13 feet 1 inch, and the longest, 15 feet 1 inch. (Personally, that's a drag for me. If I upgrade to the W10000 (very likely) shortly, I'll have to extend my shelf out another 16 inches from the wall, to accommodate the more limited zoom range. My wife says OK, though...)

The W10000 would still have to be described as a moderate to long throw projector, many people will be able to shelf mount it in the rear of their rooms, especially if, to compensate for the more limited zoom range, they have the option to increase or decrease their screen size by six or eight inches to make it work.

W10000 Projector: SDE and Rainbow Effect

The combination of DLP technology, with its less visible pixels than LCD, and 1080 resolution makes the pixel structure essentially invisible at any normal seating distance. Even with my close seating - 11 feet from eyeballs to my 128" screen, the pixels are pretty much invisible even in white credits on a black background - the easiest way to spot pixels. As a result there is no Screen Door Effect issue at all!

Rainbows are another matter. This is a typical higher end single chip DLP projector, and it sports a 5X color filter wheel. That means a small percentage of the population may be able to see or sense the rainbows. I, myself, am just a little bit sensitive, only seeing them on any 5X wheel projector, when I'm really tired and or moving my head quickly.

A note about rainbows. Even if you are sensitive - like me, or more so, you aren't likely to ever spot them, on, say, a football game. They are most visible when you have a bright (white or close) object moving across a very dark background. (or to some degree, the other way around). Thus, rainbows are more likely to be detectable in dark scenes in movies than watching a sitcom, or sporting event.

Bottom line, the W10000 should be as good as any single chip DLP projector, in regards to rainbows. Hey! If you see them, and they bother you, you'll need to be shopping for an LCD or LCOS projector - neither of which use color wheels.

W10000 Projector: Light Leakage

The W10000 leaks light out the front. Don't worry though. If I didn't tell you, you'ld likely never know. The only time I can spot it on the W10000, or my PE-8720, is with no ambient light at all, and a black image (no image) being projected (I have my 8720's background set for Black, instead of the defaut purple). Even then, you better have white walls, and be looking for it. I think I had my PE-8720 setup for 3 months before I ever noticed. The same will be true for the W10000.