I’ve reviewed quite a few devices over the years, and frankly, it’s hard to remember details… especially after some time has gone by. But there are a few devices that are just hard to forget. The BenQ GV30 projector is a device that I just can’t get out of my mind, and it’s been over three years since I reviewed it. Its unique design, I think, gave it superpowers. My colleague reviewed the updated GV31 model just last year, and now I have the GV50, the most loaded projector in the series so far. The new model carries the same design language and, therefore, inherits the same superpowers. Read on for more.
Table of Contents
Design
One of the mainstays of the BenQ GV50, just like its predecessors in the GV series, is the circular design. That, along with its magnetic base, enables you to place the projector anywhere in the house and move it around as per your requirements at any time. The only requirement is a plain, light-coloured surface or wall in front to protect on. And yes, the ceiling works too — all you need to do is rotate the circular device over the base so it projects upwards instead of the front. This ingenuity is what makes it so convenient. At this point, I should also mention that the projector is portable, thanks to a built-in battery, and also has an integrated 2.1-channel speaker system. And since it’s a smart projector that runs Google TV, it can work standalone and doesn’t need an input device attached to it.
The circular body of the projector comes clad in white and has grilles on both sides. A flat portion on top has a few buttons to control power, volume, sleep timer, etc. There’s a small joystick to navigate through menus, and also a zoom lever to adjust the size of the picture. A small leather loop is provided for carrying it around. On the left side, there are a bunch of ports — an HDMI port to connect an external source, a USB Type-A to plug in a flash drive, a Type-C port with DisplayPort and PD in/out features, a 3.5mm audio output and a port for the barrel connector of the included power adapter. The base is removable and can also be tilted on one side to enable projecting on the middle of the ceiling with the projector sitting on the side of the bed.
Specs and features
The BenQ GV50 is a laser projector that offers 500 ANSI lumens of brightness and 1080p (FHD) resolution. The light source life is rated for 20,000 hours in normal and 30,000 hours in Eco mode. Weighing 2.1kg, it measures 130 x 211 x 191mm, and includes two 4W speakers and a 10W woofer. It can even be used as a Bluetooth speaker for playing audio from a paired smartphone or laptop. The projector runs Google TV, and comes with Bluetooth 5.0 and dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity, with support for both AirPlay as well as Google Cast. A full-featured wireless remote control is included.
The GV50 promises to give you a personal cinema experience, positioned 8 feet away from the screen and offering screen sizes ranging from 30 to 120 inches. You have various options at your disposal to adjust the image size and position, as per your preferences, depending on the space available, and to get the best possible image output. Apart from image rotation and zoom adjustments, features like auto focus and auto 2D keystone correction make image adjustment super simple.
Usage and performance
The image quality offered by the BenQ GV50 is extremely good, and the device works best in a dark room. Of course, a plain white wall or ceiling is ideal for the best output, though any light-coloured surface can work. Thanks to its design, shape and the stand that tilts on one side, the device can be placed anywhere inside the house, and since it works standalone (courtesy the in-built speakers and the Google TV platform), there’s no need to connect anything else. The auto focus and keystone adjustment features make things extremely convenient, without having to fiddle around with menus and buttons to tweak the image each time you move the projector around.
The Google TV platform works smoothly and without any lag, though app load times and menu navigation aren’t the fastest. You can just use the device standalone to run and stream your favourite OTT content across apps like Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, JioHotstar, Apple TV+ etc. Of course, you can download any of the apps and games available on the Play Store as and when you want. An external source, like a laptop or a gaming console, can be connected via the HDMI port. The built-in speaker system offers rich and clear sound, but I find it to be lacking a bit in terms of loudness, which is where that 3.5mm audio out port comes in handy. Connecting an external speaker helps deliver a more immersive experience, especially while watching movies. Speaking of, the battery life isn’t great, and you’d barely be able to watch a full-length movie on a single charge.
A full-featured remote controller comes bundled and looks similar to most remotes that come with TVs and streaming devices running Google TV or Android TV. You get a 5-way circular key for navigation and selection, and keys for power, home, back, settings, and a volume rocker. In addition, there are keys to adjust zoom, activate autofocus, and dedicated shortcut keys to launch YouTube, Netflix and Prime Video.
Verdict
The Rs 89,990 price tag for the BenQ GV50 does seem on the higher side, but you can get hold of it for Rs 69,990 during the pre-booking period until April 22nd. It has a couple of minor issues, mainly the battery life and loudness of the speaker system. It does, however, make up for these with the image quality it offers, and above all, the flexibility and convenience it provides in terms of its placement. If these are aspects that appeal to you, the BenQ GV50 is worth a closer look.
Editor’s rating: 7.5 / 10
Pros:
- Good image quality
- Can be placed anywhere
- Standalone usage
- Auto focus & auto keystone
Cons:
- Sound quality could be better
- Battery life needs improvement
- Priced on the higher side
