[Fun] BenQ MS517 Multimedia Projector staples $299.71

[FRANKIE]

seems like a good deal
SAVE $150

Valid online December 24, 2012 - January 4, 2013. Valid in-store starting December 26, 2012 - January 4, 2013. While quantities last

http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/ca...xedCode=&=&=&=

[sam100]

It's in boxing week flyer . Preety cold that's why still lots of them in stock since December 24th

[shawn8888]

Native Resolution: 800 x 600
How come staples shows "Max Resolution UXGA(1600 x 1200)"?

[pattontj]

Native Resolution: 800 x 600
How come staples shows "Max Resolution UXGA(1600 x 1200)"?

Native Resolution does not mean MAX resolution. I bought a Benq MS510 last boxing day from Staples for roughly the same price (maybe $250), and I absolutely love it. It's native resolution is 800x600, but is capable of 1080p, and looks fabulous with HiDef ShawDirect (1080i).

http://www.benq.ca/product/projector/ms517/
- It has an HDMI port
- It supports the Benq Ceiling mount (about $100 at staples)
- States it supports 3D via BluRay natively

Note: I don't know if this means the 3D actually works, or if it's like my MS510, where it's "3d ready", and you actually need something to covert the DLP single into something usable first

In any case, for someone looking for a projector with an HDMI port, that supports 1080p, I'd certainly take a hard look at this one. They are in stock in the Bedford, NS location, for those who are looking ... I'm toying with buying it as a replacement for my MS510 for when the blub eventually dies (so far so good)

Tim

[NG]

Good deal on the unit itself but how much the replacement bulbs cost would make this a hot deal or not IMO.

[shawn8888]

Native Resolution does not mean MAX resolution. I bought a Benq MS510 last boxing day from Staples for roughly the same price (maybe $250), and I absolutely love it. It's native resolution is 800x600, but is capable of 1080p, and looks fabulous with HiDef ShawDirect (1080i).

Here is what I found:

Maximum resolution is in reference to the highest video resolution input signal from a personal computer. In this case, the Optoma EP716 will accept a maximum resolution of 1400x1050 from a laptop/desktop computer. The projector still scales that signal to its native SVGA (800x600) resolution.

Source:
http://www.highdefforum.com/projecto...projector.html

IMO, this is a huge difference between native 1080p and MAX 1080p!

[Ebayonly]

not a good deal i got the mx518 in october for 300 after 50 dollar coupon
it was xga

i ended up returning it since I couldn't get true 720p out of it. picture was good for the price but meh.. ***** resolution

[aasoror]

Native Resolution does not mean MAX resolution. I bought a Benq MS510 last boxing day from Staples for roughly the same price (maybe $250), and I absolutely love it. It's native resolution is 800x600, but is capable of 1080p, and looks fabulous with HiDef ShawDirect (1080i).

This is just you avoiding buyers remorse
The projector runs at native resolution no matter what signal it accepts, 1080p capable means is it will accept 1080p input (instead of giving you "unsupported input" error) but will just scale it down to 800x600, note that this isn't even a wide screen resolution, so if you send 1920x1080 signal to it you will end up getting 800x600 letterboxed (effective resolution 800x450 after deducting letterboxing).

These projectors are meant in office/school settings used mainly for presenting graphics and power point slides, its not meant to be used for viewing videos (at least nothing above DVD quality).

BTW, your MS510 is 3D capable, you don't need anything beside $20~$30 DLP-Link 3D glasses(from ebay) and you are good to go.

[pattontj]

The projector runs at native resolution no matter what signal it accepts, 1080p capable means is it will accept 1080p input (instead of giving you "unsupported input" error) but will just scale it down to 800x600, note that this isn't even a wide screen resolution, so if you send 1920x1080 signal to it you will end up getting 800x600 letterboxed (effective resolution 800x450 after deducting letterboxing).

I don't know enough about the technical aspects of how video, resolution, aspect ratio, and all that other crap tie, together to talk too much on this topic. What I can say is that your absolutely right, the light always shows a box the size of 800x600, and the picture, depending on your video resolution fits inside that box. So you have light bars (for a lack of a better term) showing above and below the picture. However, with the case of the MS510 (all I can speak to), I have the size at about 90" (width), and you really don't notice it.

These projectors are meant in office/school settings used mainly for presenting graphics and power point slides, its not meant to be used for viewing videos (at least nothing above DVD quality).

Obviously, a 1080p native resolution projector would be ideal for home theater setups, but I haven't seen one for less then double (almost triple in most cases) than the one the op has posted. If your on a budget, but want to have 1080i/p video on a wall, that I consider very good quality, then this is the way to go until your ready to upgrade to a fancier projector. I can't speak highly enough about my MS510, to which I'm assuming this MS517 is it's big brother, so I'd hope the performance is the same.

Also, to your point, if your a business person, and you want a projector with an HDMI port to bring with you on presentations, then this is a great deal

BTW, your MS510 is 3D capable, you don't need anything beside $20~$30 DLP-Link 3D glasses(from ebay) and you are good to go.

I'm going to have to do more reading on this. The last time I looked into this, it seemed that the only way I'd ever get 3d working would be to purchase a device similar to this

http://www.optoma.co.uk/projectordet...nment&PC=3D-XL

or this

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...1408&p_id=8048 EARN CASH BACK

Thanks,
Tim

[mymuro]

cold. Got my MX518(1024*768) for around $225 after $125 coupons.

[shawshank]

MX518: Where? With what coupons?

[Ebayonly]

MX518: Where? With what coupons?

staples in late october

the price was 350 plus tax
there were many coupons flying around and some people were able to stack them

the largest coupon was 50 dollars off 100 dollars, 25 of 75 dollars, and 10 off 50 (or something like that)

mine came to 340 with tax after 50 dollar coupon

[aasoror]

Obviously, a 1080p native resolution projector would be ideal for home theater setups, but I haven't seen one for less then double (almost triple in most cases) than the one the op has posted.

True for 1080p projectors, but as many have already mentioned, WXGA and XGA can already be had at very comparable price ($250~$350).

I'm going to have to do more reading on this. The last time I looked into this, it seemed that the only way I'd ever get 3d working would be to purchase a device similar to this ...

Nope, your projector is DLP-Link equipped, it will accept 3D video without an issue (does have 3D options right in the settings menu), then it will project syncing information on the screen which can be picked up by any DLP-Link glasses (thats how DLP-Link work, no transmitter or any other extra hardware).

Here is detailed how to .. http://www.eurosell.it/repository/im...5JJ3925001.pdf
And here is compatible glasses .. http://www.ebay.ca/sch/i.html?_sacat...glasses&_frs=1

Best of luck,

[willy]

800 x 600 is terrible for computer display (ie. connecting to HTPC) as the resolution is too low. Beware ...

For video display, it's ok. DVD can be shown in native resolution. You are losing quite a bit quality from HD video. And I agree with aasoror, 4:3 aspect ratio will only make thing worse.

4:3 projector is better for powerpoint display.

[justmehereajax]

I have the MS510 and it plays videos just fine in 16:9 format.

From my HTPC, it outputs 1280x720x32x60Hz through HDMI in which the projector formats it to a 16:9 format from its native 800x600 so it outputs like "800x450" in which the top and bottom are cut off (I think I am correct).
Fine enough for me now.

800 x 600 is terrible for computer display (ie. connecting to HTPC) as the resolution is too low. Beware ...

For video display, it's ok. DVD can be shown in native resolution. You are losing quite a bit quality from HD video. And I agree with aasoror, 4:3 aspect ratio will only make thing worse.

4:3 projector is better for powerpoint display.