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BenQ PE8700 by April - Apr 27, 2005
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| HD 720 (1280x720), 1000 ANSI Lumens, 16.7 lbs, $7,995 (MSRP) |
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| Personal Experience |
| Love the BenQ PE8700+ in our tiny apartment. I have owned this projector since December and have it ceiling mounted. It is used as our primary telelvision, mostly for movies, often for MSNtv (webtv) and occasionally as a monitor for a laptop. I'm very pleased, especially when I compare it to our 35 inch tube which we watch out at our house (now I need a second projector - yikes!) I just love my projector. I selected this projector after many hours of web research. We did do some in store research but found it difficult to view the projectors we were actually interested in, in person, though the shopping did give us at least some basic ideas of what to expect. I needed a short throw ratio and was between the Optoma 5700 and the BenQ8700. After having difficulty finding the Optoma at the right price, I ordered the BenQ 8700 for the same price with a bonus 12 inch LCD tv. I had serious and unusual constraints regarding a short throw ratio (wanted the largest possible picture from a short distance) so narrowed down to the BenQ8700 and the Optoma 5700 quickly. We have a dark narrow apartment so ambient light is not an issue - but since we use it also as a tv we do leave dim lights on sometimes and it's still good viewing. With a high ceiling the mount is above our viewing area - about 10.5 feet back. Fan noise is only a problem in terms of turning up the volume on the tv - a concern because of Co-Op rules, especially late at night - and I've considered getting headphones as a late nite viewing option. I was thrilled with the picture right out of the box - we watched Wimbledon - then rented the most recent Star Wars and Laurence of Arabia. I'm really happy with my BenQ PE8700+. I haven't seen any other projectors in person that I find any better. Small space theater: I'd also like to suggest that for anyone in a small ill lit big city apartment with high ceilings - a home projector with a low throw ratio is the perfect space saving solution as compared to an overpriced flat panel that still takes up space, gives a smaller picture, and doesn't offer nearly as good picture quality as a choice projector. Screen Wall: To avoid using a screen, (I know it's unorthodox, but I like to switch around between aspect ratios and find incorrect black borders distracting) I carefully skim coated the projection wall with light weight joint compound and then sanded smooth - for a great finish - then primed with PVA primer and painted white satin with a low knapp "smooth" roller to avoid a bumpy picture. If you choose to do this learn how to skimcoat first on a practice wall with a wide knife and by learning basics about drywall finishing and tapecoating from how-to sites or video tapes. Sand and reskim any problem spots. Sand smooth with a high number (120+) drywall sanding screen on a block type drywall screen holder or a fine grit sponge block sander. Then prime and paint. Good luck with your home theaters. |
| Problems |
| None so far. |
