BenQ W1200 ISF-Certified DLP Projector (TPV 104)

BenQ’s very affordable W1200 is capable of putting out a great looking picture, but getting there is a major chore

PERFORMANCE

Blu-ray Evaluation: Unstoppable

Detail

Choose the Real mode for optimum picture quality, as that mode provides true 1:1 1080p display with no overscan. The W1200 delivers good detail across the entire screen, and renders the film’s visible grain properly.

Color

At the default mid setting the W1200’s color saturation is way over the top. When trimmed back, however, and with the Warm color temperature mode selected, the W1200 delivers very realistic color that pretty much matches what I saw when I watched the movie on a calibrated Pioneer Elite Kuro plasma set.

Blacks

With the lower Economy lamp mode selected, the W1200 delivers very good blacks, especially noticeable with this letterboxed widescreen transfer. The lamp life in the low output mode is generously rated at 4,000 hours, and for most screen sizes the picture brightness in the low mode should be plenty.

Shadow Detail

Here the W1200 does a good job of rendering shadow detail, especially noticeable during the many close-up shots of actor Chris Pine in the train engine’s cab.

Artifacts/Noise

None noted.

Broadcast HDTV Evaluation: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon (NBC)

Detail

The W1200 delivers a finely detailed image, and on this particular episode, guitarist Dennis Coffey (one of the original Motown Funk Brothers) joins the house band. Close-ups of the guitar strings show that the W1200 does a good job of upconverting the 1080 line interlaced HD signal, with no visible jaggies.

Color

At our recommended settings, the W1200 delivers very natural flesh tones. With the Brilliant Color feature turned on, skin tones are somewhat overemphasized. It’s best to leave the feature off. 

Blacks

The house band members are nattily attired in black suits, and Mr. Coffey’s ebony black Gibson guitar is rendered very well.

Shadow Detail

On this episode, Jimmy Fallon does his “Models And Buckets” bit, where two hapless audience members face the prospect of getting doused with various gooey substances, and the backdrop behind the rows of models features a jet black curtain, properly rendered with the folds in the curtain easily visible.

Artifacts/Noise

None noted.

BOTTOM LINE:

The W1200 delivers an overall satisfying picture, once it’s properly adjusted. But, the process of getting there is maddeningly frustrating, not to mention time-consuming. It’s certainly reasonably priced, and BenQ points out that the street price of $1,500 is what consumers should expect to pay, making the W1200 the lowest priced ISF certified projector out there. Ordinarily, we’d recommend the projector given that it can put out a very good looking picture, but the W1200’s various picture adjustment foibles precludes that.

SPECS & PRICING

BENQ W1200 ISF-Certified DLP Projector

Practical Screen Size Upper Limit (10 Foot-Lamberts, 1.0 gain 16:9 screen): 155” diagonal
Pixel resolution: 1920x1080
1:1 Mode: Yes
Has Mode 1 Scaling (vertical stretch for external anamorphic lens compatibility)?: Yes
Has Mode 2 Scaling (horizontal squeeze for fixed external anamorphic lens compatibility)?: No
Video inputs: 2 HDMI, 1 component, 1 S-video, 1 composite, 1 RGB PC
Other connections: 1 RS-232C serial port, 1 USB (for external control), 1 12V trigger output, 1 3.5mm stereo audio input, 1 stereo audio input (RCA), 1 3.5mm stereo audio output, 1 RGB PC monitor output
Dimensions (W x H x D): 13.4” x 5.5” x 10.3”
Weight: 8 lbs.
Warranty:  1 year, parts & labor (90 days lamp)
Price: $2000