BenQ MX518

As the middle-resolution model of three recently released budget BenQ DLP data projectors, the BenQ MX518 has much in common with the BenQ MS517 and BenQ MW519: respectable brightness; a good price for the resolution; data image quality suitable for typical classroom presentations and video suitable for shorter clips; feeble audio; a good assortment of ports, 3D compatibility (you supply the glasses), and a variety of eco-friendly features. Like its siblings, it's a solid choice as a low-priced educational (or business) projector.

The MX518 provides XGA (1,024 by 768 pixel) resolution, between the MS-517's SVGA (800 by 600) and the MW519's WXGA (1,280 by 800) resolution. Like the other two models, it's rated at 2,800 lumens of brightness.

The MX518 is all black, with rounded corners and a slightly bowed top. It has a very modest manual zoom (1.1:1), and the focus was fairly responsive. At 8.7 by 11.9 by 4.4 inches (HWD) and 5.1 pounds, the MX518 is quite portable, though it lacks a soft carrying case. It should be easy enough to tote within a school or on trips.

The MX518 has a good selection of ports for a low-priced projector, including HDMI; composite video/audio; S-video; two VGA inputs to connect with computers and one to connect with a monitor; an audio-out jack, an RS232 jack, and a USB type B connector for connecting with a computer.

Testing
The image filled our test screen (about 60 inches on a diagonal) with the projector about seven feet away from the screen. As befitting its 2,800-lumen rated brightness, it was able to stand up to considerable ambient light without it looking degraded.

In data testing, I ran our standard suite of DisplayMate tests over a VGA connection, and then over an HDMI connection. With VGA, when I first loaded the tests using default settings, I saw extensive pixel jitter?moving, thin dark lines appearing to flicker across the screen. I went into the menu and adjusted the Phase setting, and only a trace of the jitter remained. When I switched to HDMI, the jitter completely disappeared.

In our type test, text was slightly blurred at the second smallest white-on-black size, and barely readable at the smallest. As for color, there was some mild green tinting to gray images in both VGA and (to a lesser extent) HMDI. Colors, most notably reds and yellows, generally looked somewhat dull, regardless of the projector's mode or connection type.

One issue that I noted, which is often an issue in DLP projectors, is the rainbow effect, in which bright areas seen against dark backgrounds seem to break up into little red-green-blue rainbows. As is typical, in data images it wasn't severe enough to be problematic, even to people who are sensitive to it.

Video
The rainbow effect was also visible in video images. Rainbow artifacts were apparent enough in some scenes that people who are sensitive to the effect are likely to be distracted by it, making this projector best for relatively short clips as part of a presentation or lecture. Another issue I encountered was posterization, rapid changes in color from one part of an image to another where they should be gradual.

Another impediment to video is this projector's feeble 2-watt audio system. It makes the MX518 best for a small room or if you're sitting quite close to the projector. It does have an audio-out port, so you could always hook it to powered external speakers if need be.

The MX518 has several eco-friendly features that can conserve power and help extent lamp life, up to a claimed maximum of 6,500 hours. EcoBlank mode lets teachers easily take a break from a presentation, blanking the screen out and lowering energy consumption up to 70% while paused. The projector will also automatically enter EcoBlank mode after 3 minutes without a signal. SmartEco mode automatically adjusts lamp brightness depending on lighting conditions.

The MX518 is 3D-capable, with support for 3D Blu-Ray via HDMI as well as NVIDIA 3DTV Play, enabling it to display 3D content from NVIDIA 3D Vision. The active shutter 3D glasses are not included, and can cost up to $70 per pair, so equipping a class with them could prove a pricey proposition.

The Editors' Choice Epson PowerLite 93+ is not 3D capable, but being LCD based, it is immune from the rainbow effect. It provides superb audio and video quality, and loud audio, too. Another XGA projector, the ViewSonic PJD5234, is very similar to the MX518 in features and performance.

All three of the new BenQ budget data projectors are capable of handling the demands of a classroom, providing multiple connection choices, solid data image quality, and good enough video for typical school use. They're 3D capable, with eco-friendly features that should prolong lamp life. On the downside are very soft audio and the rainbow effect. Choosing between them mostly depends on the level of detail you need to display?for typical presentations, the BenQ MX518 should do fine?and how much you're willing to spend.

The MX518 is 3D-capable, with support for 3D Blu-Ray via HDMI as well as NVIDIA 3DTV Play, enabling it to display 3D content from NVIDIA 3D Vision. The active shutter 3D glasses are not included, and can cost up to $70 per pair, so equipping a class with them could prove a pricey proposition.

The Editors' Choice Epson PowerLite 93+ is not 3D capable, but being LCD based, it is immune from the rainbow effect. It provides superb audio and video quality, and loud audio, too. Another XGA projector, the ViewSonic PJD5234, is very similar to the MX518 in features and performance.

All three of the new BenQ budget data projectors are capable of handling the demands of a classroom, providing multiple connection choices, solid data image quality, and good enough video for typical school use. They're 3D capable, with eco-friendly features that should prolong lamp life. On the downside are very soft audio and the rainbow effect. Choosing between them mostly depends on the level of detail you need to display?for typical presentations, the BenQ MX518 should do fine?and how much you're willing to spend.

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