BenQ PB6100 DLP Video Projector

HDTV compatible (480p, 720p and 1080i), the PB1600 has component (through VGA port), S-video, and composite video ports and supports NTSC, SECAM, PAL, and NTSC 4.43 video formats. A 31 to 250-inch image size allow you to adjust the projection to best suit your environment, while selectable 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratios provide even more display options.

The PB6100 has a 1:1.2 optical zoom ratio and 10x digital zoom, and can be front, rear, table, or ceiling mounted. A picture-in-picture function allows you to display both computer and video projections on the same screen, and the remote control lets you control the projector from anywhere in the room.

The 200-watt UHP lamp has an approximately 3,000-hour lamp life (economy mode), while the optical engine lifetime is over 100,000 hours, ensuring brilliant projections for years to come. The 100 to 240 VAC, 50 to 60 Hz power supply consumes a maximum of 285 watts during normal operation, while the 34 dB noise level won't drown out presentation speeches or conversations. The PB6100 accepts both PC and Mac inputs, and comes backed with a three-year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
Projector, user's manual, remote control with batteries, video cable, S-video cable, VGA cable, manual CD, warranty information booklet, power cord and 3-2 converter

Using this for an entry level Home Theater is in my opinion the best application. As for PC, the resolution is a little lacking considering the size it will be projected to. The icons would be 6"+ depending on how big your shooting the screen.

Bulb life in economy mode extends by about 1/3 from 2000 hours to 3000. Nice considering the bulbs are 400 each. BenQ has offered a couple different promotions in the past like free bulb or 100/200 (...) (so be sure and check to make sure before you buy).

The thing that is most amazing to me is the refresh rate of 85hz (how fast it can paint the picture to the screen). That is pretty much as fast as you'll need for any application to avoid display problems, so playing games on this isnt a problem!

For more info, check projectorcentral, they do reviews on everything that comes out. BenQ PB6100 and the PB6200 (xga version) are in the top 5 list of DLP's.

Anyone planning to use this primarily on a PC, think about getting the PB6200 instead, its basically the same thing but displays the higher resolution XGA (1024x768) and for certain applications higher 1280x1024.


OK for the price but not great   October 13, 2004
techmannn (New York, NY United States)
13 out of 14 found this review helpful

I have this model and also the InFocus X1 model. Yellow colors are especially off on this Benq and you can't adjust red, green, and blue channels seperately. All you can adjust is brightness and contrast. Some folks wont notice this, but many others will. If you go to the BenQ website, they even mention that this issue with the color yellow is not fixable.

This issue is not apparent in the Infocus X1 or X2 models and in general the video output on them is superior tot he BenQ.

However those models dont support all of the HDTV resolutions that I wanted. The X2 model doesn't support 480i at all for example.

These are all fine for the price but just be aware that each model has several limitations. $1600 can get you a much better DLP projector if you shop carefully.





BenQ support   September 15, 2004
Chawket Mannai (France)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

If the overall quality of the projector is fine, such is not the case of the lamp which blew up in less than 6 weeks!!! and worse BenQ does NOT honor their international guarantee and the support center does not respond to the emails for exchanging the lamp (priced 400$!). Overall a very poor support. My last Boxlight lamp is still running after 4 years. This was my first BenQ but surely the last. A strong suggestion, Don't buy BenQ


You are Warned!   April 23, 2005
Tuque (Calgary, Alberta Canada)
5 out of 7 found this review helpful

Word of Warning. I purchased a BenQ projector and had it for a month before it started to fail and turn itself off. I sent it to BenQ for repair and have not recieved it back. That was over two months ago. I phone them every couple of days and get only lip service, they keep saying it is coming. So before you purchase a BenQ product think about the possibility of it getting repaired...or should I say never seeing it again.

You have been warned!


Great Pojector   October 25, 2004
cubsfan
4 out of 5 found this review helpful

I did a lot of shopping around for a projector on a budget. The Benq 6100 has been great so far. It is very easy to use and the menu is easy to navigate. I actually prefer the picture on the economy mode to any others. This is great because it extends the $400 lamp by 50%.
I have my theater set up in a 100% dark basement and the lumens are great. However I didn't have to add much light to see that you may not be happy if you can not control ambient light. The only complaint I have with the picture is flesh tones. They appear a bit green, but it is not enogh to be to distracting.
If you want to utilize this projector for HDTV be prepared to spend some extra money. You have to find (and good luck) a 15 pin to vga connection/conversion cable. I live in a fairly big city and had no luck finding one locally. I finally found one on ebay. A 25 foot length with shipping was about $50. This should be included with the projector but it is not. I would have rather paid $75 or $100 more at the time of purchasing the projector and not had the hassle of chasing down this cable! That is not to mention it delays you watching HDTV for a week or so.
Over all this is a great value. If you are in a budget and don't mind chasing the cable I spoke about I really recommend this projector.