[Webmonkey]

Thanks for the pics btw - I sure would love to she a showdown between the W7000 and the HD83....

[Elix]

soupdragon, thanks! Looks like W7000 is the way to go for me! The only thing I was concerned about is black levels and it seems that ND filter does a great job of getting it to a competitive level. Waiting for your new shots!

[soupdragon]

Originally Posted by Elix

soupdragon, thanks! Looks like W7000 is the way to go for me! The only thing I was concerned about is black levels and it seems that ND filter does a great job of getting it to a competitive level. Waiting for your new shots!

I'm getting a DSLR camera again so I'll get some screenshots up when it arrives. The ND filter works really well, it reduces the light output from this very bright machine. It's not a magic wand though - yes it makes the blacks appear blacker but it doesn't mean it can resolve all of the shadow detail and give great depth to the scene like a JVC - it just makes it look a more cinematic when watching movies.
Some guy in Greece has got into the service menu, although I haven't tried myself yet. You press menu, go to the info section and press up-down-up-down enter and it gets you in. Hopefully this will allow iris control and give us another way to get the image the way we want it and another way to control light output.

As for 3D - its just awesome
I watched Rio 3D with my Son and the array of colours and 3D effects were just stunning. I know if I went to the cinema to watch a 3D movie now I would be so disappointed as I don't know of any cinema that would be able to do what my BenQ can do in my room - its pretty much perfect

[Elix]

I've found this info too. Can you check this?

secret service menu:

1) press "menu".
2) go to info tab.
3) press up-down, up-down, up-down (with arrows on the remote control)
4) press "enter"

Also from what I know a high contrast 0.8 screen will do good for W7000's 2D picture quality. But it will decrease brightness for 3D

What is your screen and how do you find the brightness of 3D image?

[soupdragon]

Originally Posted by Elix

soupdragon, thanks! Looks like W7000 is the way to go for me! The only thing I was concerned about is black levels and it seems that ND filter does a great job of getting it to a competitive level. Waiting for your new shots!

Hi Elix
I'm assuming that's you over on AVS under the same user name on the BenQ owners thread?
Interesting to see your comments v the JVC x30 and Epson 9000- was your demo 3D, 2D or both?

[Elix]

2D, they didn't have DLP glasses. They just scaled down projectors to fit on the same screen in an over-under format. Easy to compare.

[soupdragon]

Originally Posted by Elix

2D, they didn't have DLP glasses. They just scaled down projectors to fit on the same screen in an over-under format. Easy to compare.

Well you didn't get to see the BenQ shine at its best! 3D is excellent on this projector.

Interesting you preferred the BenQ in 2d compared to the others. For sport, gaming and general viewing the BenQ is hard to beat although I do prefer the Jvc projectors for movies. The ND filter definately helps the BenQ for movies and worthwhile getting one to help it out for those dark movies.

Let us know if you decide to buy one

[soupdragon]

Here's some screenshots - nothing spectacular, just used my compact which isn't great but I'll post some anyway. Got a DSLR coming soon and will be using my trusty nifty fifty lens with it as its great for colours and sharpness so some better shots to come.

Some 2D shots from Mission Impossible 4 - Ghost Protocol. Great film and Tom Cruise is just the man for the job again

And some 3D shots from Despicable Me. I never get tired of watching this scene - absolutely stunning. I'm a little afraid of heights and they all get on a roller coaster and when they climb to the top and look down, the 1st time I watched it I got that sickly feeling in my stomach as it captured the feeling of being high up so well. The roller coaster then takes off at breakneck speed and it really feels like your riding with them
Unfortunately a 2D screenshot will never show this as its the 3D depth that makes it come to life - however you can see the shot taken 1st as its projected and the 2nd shot through the 3D glasses - you can see how the double image gets rendered completely ghost free and this is what sets DLP 3D projectors apart from the rest - there's no chance of being drawn out of the movie with ghosted artefacts.

[soupdragon]

And a couple more:

[iamimpossible]

Just got my W7000 back with 1.03 update and yes its much much much much sharper now in hdmi!!!

Woohooo.

Also found a cheap place to get draper react II screens have ordered a 117" tab tension.

But from the distance im placing the pj the max I can get is 108".

Might sell and go for a Epson 9000 as its got a bigger zoom....but.....lol im confused...this is a very smooth pj and the 3d is one of the best.

[soupdragon]

Originally Posted by iamimpossible

Just got my W7000 back with 1.03 update and yes its much much much much sharper now in hdmi!!!

Woohooo.

Also found a cheap place to get draper react II screens have ordered a 117" tab tension.

But from the distance im placing the pj the max I can get is 108".

Might sell and go for a Epson 9000 as its got a bigger zoom....but.....lol im confused...this is a very smooth pj and the 3d is one of the best.

Nice one - thanks for the update. How long to turn it around and how much did it cost inc postage?
I'm not sure whether to get mine done now or after Euro 2012.
Is 3D any different? - mine looks sharp as it is now...

[iamimpossible]

deffo get it updated, cost £35 including postage. not checked 3d but so far its a lot sharper.

After they received it I got mine back in 2 days.

[soupdragon]

Originally Posted by iamimpossible

deffo get it updated, cost £35 including postage. not checked 3d but so far its a lot sharper.

After they received it I got mine back in 2 days.

Great turnaround time. I've filled the form in and will get it updated as soon as I can

[soupdragon]

Originally Posted by iamimpossible

deffo get it updated, cost £35 including postage. not checked 3d but so far its a lot sharper.

After they received it I got mine back in 2 days.

I got an e-mail to say the 1.03 firmware is available 'soon' but does not fix the pixel mapping issue. Not sure what communication you had but I'm assuming you sent yours off to BenQ UK and that 1.03 does fix the pixel mapping?

[iamimpossible]

yes it does
i had the same issue and had to send them an email i got from the head engineer from Benq.

confirming that it does in fact fix the issue.

[iamimpossible]

it wasn't Scott Ratcliffe who sent you the response was it? as iv been over this with him and he knows that it does fix the problem.

[soupdragon]

Originally Posted by iamimpossible

it wasn't Scott Ratcliffe who sent you the response was it? as iv been over this with him and he knows that it does fix the problem.

Thats the very man! We've exchanged a couple of mails and the last one I sent was to request arrangements for a return to BenQ and how to make the £35 payment so hopefully he'll come back before the days out. I think I'll send it next Wednesday as with the bank hols, it will only be sat in transit collecting dust.

[iamimpossible]

forward him this email. worked for me.

Hello,

FW 1.03 is the latest FW release from HQ. I have confirmation this in fact addresses the 1:1 pixel mapping issue. Please accept our apologies for the mis-information.

Thank You,
Andy,
BenQ America Corp

[soupdragon]

Originally Posted by iamimpossible

forward him this email. worked for me.

Hello,

FW 1.03 is the latest FW release from HQ. I have confirmation this in fact addresses the 1:1 pixel mapping issue. Please accept our apologies for the mis-information.

Thank You,
Andy,
BenQ America Corp

Thanks- looking forward to the update being loaded onto mine sometime soon

[zombie10k]

hi guys, this is zombie10k from the US site. I'm the fellow that got this all sorted out with BenQ (the 1:1 mapping issue). It took almost 2 months, but I was determined to get this resolved since the W7000 is the only High Power 'friendly' 3D DLP out right now. I use it at near eye level for max gain on my 142" 2.8HP.

I definitely recommend getting the 1.03 firmware. I'm glad to see it made it's way around the world.

I just received the latest set of BenQ glasses, but finding that they don't block the red flash as well as the Optoma ZD201's. I am very sensitive to this, maybe due to the high brightness in 3D mode with the HP screen. The W7000 is around 1100 lumens in 3D mode x 2.8 = I can see the red flash easily through the glasses (if the glasses allow it to pass). For some reason, the ZD201's are perfect in this regard. I have some more testing to do, but for now still recommend the ZD201's for best performance with the W7000.

The True Depths are also a good choice, they perform well (minimal Red Flash leakage) and are quite cheap here in the US, not sure if they are avail in the UK. We only have 1 place in the US that imports the ZD201's, the price is around $105 US.

I've demo'd/setup/owned a number of the current models and none perform quite as well as the W7000 does in 3D. The W7000 does a fantastic job at displaying the 3D image with no perceivable crosstalk/ghosting.

[soupdragon]

Hi Zombie - your hard work and determination has certainly be paid off and now we're seeing the benefits all around the world! Kudo's to you mate

I can't wait to get the new firmware now and once I get it back, I will be playing about with the service menu to tune the iris and also will do a full calibration on it. I didn't see the point calibrating knowing I had low hours on it and that I would be sending it back for an update. How did you find calibrating this, straightforward or awkward?

Thanks again.

[Dts007]

zombie10k is in da house! :-)

I have followed your posts for months now - top work.

"I use it at near eye level for max gain on my 142" 2.8HP"
I cannot remember but is your screen 16:9?

I am currently debating buying a HP screen too but I dont think the 2.8 is available anymore???
Is the 2.4 inferior or just different?
With the W7000 this must be bright

Thanks again

[zombie10k]

Soupdragon - Hi, getting the grey scale calibrated is straight forward. I did have some small issues getting one of the primary colors where I wanted it, I believe it was green. I still have the beta firmware they gave me, I don't know if it's the same as the 1.03 or if my beta turned into production with no further changes.

I'm always interested to hear info from others who are calibrating the W7000 as well.

DTS - The 142" is a 16:9 with the older 2.8 material. I've installed a number of 2.4 screen recently, this is still a great screen with nice gain. I was a little disappointed when they discontinue the 2.8 though. If you can get the projector very close to eye level, you can get it closer to 3.0 gain which is how I have mine setup. I like the brightness in 3D, even after the actives shutter glasses chew up a large portion of the light.

I think the 3D projectors and the HP screen are a perfect match assuming you can accommodate the setup requirements for maximum gain.

[a1blues]

Just had projector back with update 1.03 firmware.
What a difference!
Great sharpness now on hdmi, no need to wire up a vga cable to get that level of sharpness.
Good update worth having for anyone with version 1.00 like myself.

On a side note, does anyone know how I can use 3dtv play on this projector?
Only seems to select cyan glasses mode and wont go into proper 3d mode for games.

[Webmonkey]

Is there different firmware version for EU and US? I think I read one guy on the US site write that he had 1.1, and here I see 1.03? (Is that the latest??)

[soupdragon]

Originally Posted by Webmonkey

Is there different firmware version for EU and US? I think I read one guy on the US site write that he had 1.1, and here I see 1.03? (Is that the latest??)

Don't think so, think the latest is 1.03 on both sides of the Atlantic.

[Webmonkey]

Besides solving the 1:1 pixel mapping mode, did the latest firmware also affect black levels??? I saw the w7000 with 1.00 yesterday and the noise level is not so bad - I could live with it :-)

[soupdragon]

Originally Posted by Webmonkey

Besides solving the 1:1 pixel mapping mode, did the latest firmware also affect black levels??? I saw the w7000 with 1.00 yesterday and the noise level is not so bad - I could live with it :-)

No change in black levels with the firmware- you can play with iris settings in service menu however which can help.

[aoaaron]

After my research, this projector is looking like a (the) winner for a high end projector which can pull off gaming in non-light controlled envrionments. Am I right in saying this to owners?

Also can someone fill me in on the negatives + positives and if this projector is right for me?



I'll be:
1) moving it about every 3 months,
2) it'll be in rooms which aren't pitch black a lot of the time
3) it'll be used for sports, movies and gaming.
4) might be used to as in just smacking it on and playing stuff (how long doe it take to turn on/switch inputs)
5) i want to connect a PC + a PS3 or 360...
6) i'm poor stingy... how do the bulbs last etc.
7) is it thaaat noisy?

any other info appreciated..!! also any reccomendations where to purchase, what screen etc.

[iamimpossible]

average blacks (this being a problem with most high light output projectors)

excellent light output, excellent gray scale, motion handling, no artifacts, perfect 3D

best screen Si black diamond g3 1.4 gain if you cant afford that then draper react II, especially if non-light controlled room.