BenQ PE7700
Staff writers
|
Sep 2, 2008 11:41 PM
|
BenQ | http://www.benq.com.au
RRP: $4999 (time of review)
Overall, though, this former champ now looks a touch tired.
Overall Rating: 
User Rating: No user ratings.
|
Getting on, but remains a fairly competitive buy
Formerly our projector Product of the Year, BenQ’s PE7700 is getting on a tad, and as a result it’s not the class-leading design it once was.
It hasn’t become a bad performer – it’s just that technology waits for no man, woman or projector, and newer price rivals from the likes of InFocus and Panasonic offer greater performance, even allowing for recent cuts in the BenQ’s price.
Using Texas Instruments’ HD2+ DLP chip, this large projector is well specified. Set-up is easy enough, though levelling the beast out isn’t as swift as it could be. Still, the short-throw design means this is a projector suitable for smaller spaces.
Lagging Behind
Up and running, the BenQ offers good contrast, detail and motion stability – so long as you’ve not seen the best in class, that is. Drop in Ratatouille and compare the BenQ to the latest machines, and it’s quickly apparent that it now lags behind the class best in all picture quality areas, but particularly with colour vibrancy and detail.
On a positive note, its ability with movement remains highly competitive.
Overall, though, this former champ now looks a touch tired.
If you already own this BenQ, that’s no bad thing. It was the best sub-$5,000 HD-Ready machine in its day – but now we think it might be time for a PE7700 Mk2.
For
Still a capable HD Ready design, and cheaper these days
Against
Newer rivals now offer even greater performance