The unique feature BenQ emphasize heavily with their SP830 and SP831 DLP projectors is the ability to project video side-by-side on the screen. This could be used to perhaps show a PowerPoint slide on one side and a demonstration video on the other or display two different PC applications at the same time. Users can connect dual video sources at the same time for example, two PCs or a PC and a DVD player.

The twin differences between the SP830 and SP831 are the resolution and brightness. The SP830 has a WXGA (1280X768) resolution and maximum brightness of 3500 ANSI lumens compared to XGA and 4000 ANSI lumens for the SP831. BenQ advertise the projectors as personal/business projectors. Both the SP830 and SP831 have the lumens for large rooms with plenty of ambient light as may be encountered in business and even education. A maximum quoted image size of 300” is getting very large. For a personal projector, the lumen levels are way ahead of market competitors. The weight at 7.9lbs (3.58kg) does not put the projectors in the portable category. The contrast ratio for both of 2000:1 is adequate for the intended duty.

Easy setup is ensured with both projectors by auto keystone correction and eight present application modes. Each application mode customizes the projector output for the video source, ambient lighting level or other preferences.. Noise levels at 34/32 dB (normal/econ mode) are not the quietest on the market. Both the SP831 and SP830 have a wide selection inputs to various multimedia devices including VCRs, gaming consoles, HD DVD players, PCs and Blu-ray DVD players. Each projector is also flexible with input video format being compatible with; NTSC, PAL, SECAM, HDTV (1080i, 720p, 576p, 576i, 480p, 480i), VGA and UXGA. Password functionality and panel key lock features aimed at business users are included.

Lamp life is 3000 hrs when running in economy mode which might be most of the time if used as a personal projector.

The BenQ SP830 and SP831 have a powerful video processor in the form of a Silicon Optix HQV Video Processor. The technology uses pixel-based (rather than frame-based) motion adaptation and detail enhancement to more accurately process de-interlaced images. Standard broadcast video images are upscaled for improved viewing on a large screen.

Resources

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8 Tips to Extend Projector Lamp Life

Replacement Projector Lamps and Bulbs

User Reviews and Price Comparisons

BenQ SP830 – DLP projector – 3500 ANSI lumens – WXGA (1280 x 768) – 15:9

BenQ SP831 – DLP projector – 4000 ANSI lumens – WXGA (1280 x 768) – 15:9

Benq SP831 Lamp (MPN: 5J.J2A01.001)

Specifications for BenQ SP830 and SP831 Projectors