BenQ GV30 Portable LED Smart Projector Review

The second generation of BenQ GV and GS projectors has been announced. The BenQ GV30 and GS50 were recently launched at the end of Aug 2021. With the GV30 being the second generation of GV projectors, I had high expectations of the projector. The GV30 is priced at a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $599, and the GS50 has an MSRP of $799. Click here for my full review of the BenQ GS50.

The GV30 is a 720p High Definition (HD) portable LED smart projector rated at 300 ANSI lumens. The GS50 is a 1080p Full High Definition (FHD) portable LED smart projector rated at 500 ANSI lumens. BenQ stated the GV30 and GS50 are the first portable projectors to have a 2.1 channel Bluetooth speaker with “Extra Bass.” Having a built-in sound system is critical in a portable projector. Since portable projectors are used on the go, having an onboard sound system means you do not have to worry about finding a source for audio to go with the projector.

Let’s take a look at the newest GV Series projector from BenQ. A pre-production demo GV30 was sent to me from BenQ for this review. BenQ says the GV30 is the only portable 720p projector with a 2.1 channel sound system, Android TV (ATV) dongle, and support for 135-degree projection.

Also, Technical Reviewer Paul Wilkie has an article on five unique ways to use portable projectors like the BenQ GV30; click here to read Paul’s full article.

BenQ GV30 Specs
Price	$599
Technology	DLP LED
Native Resolution	1280x720
Brightness (Manufacturer Claim)	300 ANSI Lumens
Contrast	100,000:1
Zoom Lens Ratio	Fixed
Lens Shift	No
Lamp Life	20,000 Hours / 30,000 hours (Eco)
Weight	5.07 lbs
Warranty	3 year

OVERVIEW

The GV30 is a smart all-in-one High Definition (HD) 1280 x 720p portable Digital Light Processing (DLP) short-throw projector. The GV30’s brightness is rated at 300 ANSI lumens. The LED light source is rated to last up to 20,000 hours on Normal Mode and 30,000 hours on ECO Mode. The GV30 also has a built-in battery that is rated to last up to 2.5 hours. I believe BenQ has underrated the battery life expectancy of the GV30. As you will find out later in this review, I consistently got over 2.5 hours of video playback.

The BenQ GV30is now available and the MSRP for the GV30 is $799.

A power outlet is not needed to enjoy the GV30. The built-in battery makes the GV30 a handy portable smart projector because a flat viewing surface or a projector screen is all that is required for cord-free entertainment. The portability of the GV30 makes it an excellent choice for neighborhood block parties, outdoor gyms, or office retreats.

The GV30 and GS50 are BenQ’s second generation of GV and GS portable projectors. The GV30 is more compact than the GS50 and lighter, making it slightly easier for traveling. On the other hand, the GS50 is ruggedized and the heavier of the two projectors, with the bigger and heavier chassis comes the best sound of the two. Also, the GV30 is a 720P projector, and the GS50 is a 1080p projector. The GV30 is now listed as one of the best projectors under $500!

The BenQ GV30 uses a single 0.23-inch Pico DMD Texas Instruments (TI) DLP chipset to deliver HD (1280 x 720p) displayed resolution. The GS50 utilizes a single 0.23-inch Pico DMD Texas Instruments (TI) DLP chipset to display FHD (1920 x 1080p) resolution.

Both projectors have a built-in battery with video playback up to 2.5 hours. The GV30 and GS50 both come with BenQ’s QS01 ATV dongle for HDMI media streaming. The QS0I ATV dongle is easily installed into the second HDMI input port, which is concealed under a dongle cover on both projectors. The BenQ GV30 and GS50 both come with a padded carrying case made with a good-looking Heather Grey material on the exterior.

I tend to bring small projectors on the road with me since I travel a lot. Bringing small projectors like the GV30 on the road with me accomplishes one of my responsibilities as a technical reviewer. That responsibility is real-world testing of the portable projectors out of the home in a variety of environments, just as the manufacture intended.

For this review, I connected a 4K Apple TV with a 20-inch (0.5 meters) Bullet Train 18Gbps HDMI cable and a MacBook Pro with a 157-inch (4 meters) Bullet Train 18Gbps HDMI cable to the BenQ GV30, just as I do for most of my reviews. I use the same devices repeatedly in my reviews to connect to my demo projectors to minimize image and sound quality variables. As a matter of fact, I used the BenQ GV30 with my MacBook Pro to write part of this review.

The GV30 slid right into my regular traveling backpack. The included carrying case easily fit into my backpack. However, I believe most people would carry the case by the carrying handle instead of taking up space in a backpack. The Heather Grey carrying case sports a sporty yellow zipper that operated smoothly. Projector placement was made even simpler than it already was once I attached the GV30 to a tripod utilizing the threaded tripod socket located on the bottom of the projector.

BenQ states, “Projection screen size can reach from 30” to 110” depending on viewing distances. For ideal viewing enjoyment, we recommend a screen size between 80” and 100” when seated 6.9ft to 8.9ft (2.1m to 2.7m) away.”

I projected onto a 55-inch and 75-inch Elite Screens Yard Master 2 with a CineWhite® UHD-B screen for the majority of this review. The Yard Master 2 is a fast folding-frame outdoor projection screen. Its lightweight aluminum frame allows it to be set up in minutes, making the Yard Master 2 perfect for my traveling lifestyle. The CineWhite® UHD-B (Tensioned Matte White) screen on the Yard Master 2 is a 1.3 gain flexible front projection screen that is ISF certified to achieve accurate color reproduction and image fidelity. I also used my 110-inch Screen Innovations Solo Pro 2 Unity AT screen for this review to see how the projector performed on a larger screen. The Unity AT screen is a completely neutral, 1.0 gain screen material that is acoustically transparent. I, of course, enjoyed the GV30 best on the biggest screen I have, which is the 110-inch Screen Innovations Solo Pro 2 Unity screen, because bigger is better for me. I was happy that the GV30 had the power to project beautifully onto the 110-inch screen.