What’s smaller than a Mac Mini, weighs less
than a pound and a half, and displays images larger than six feet? Why the BenQ
Joybee GP1 Mini Projector. This class of projector has been picking up steam. With
everything from stand-alone versions like this particular unit to attaches to
portable media players, portable projectors are seen by some as the next must have
addendum to the technophile’s repertoire. But what sets the GP1 ahead of the
pack is BenQ’s drive to make this projector as self-reliant as possible.
One way in which they’ve accomplished this
feat is the USB reader which is more than capable of interpreting media files
and broadcasting them on a screen. This might not seem like much until you
consider that this essentially removes the middleman (aka laptop/netbook) from
the equation. The GP1 is capable of recognizing and playing back avi, .mp4, and
.mov files, as well as numerous image types (however, the accompanying audio
codec leaves something to be desired, though when working the 2W built-in
speakers are up to the task).
As for the projecting itself, this is where
the GP1 really shines. With a possible 858X600 resolution, as well as excellent
scaling options, and the capability to display at both 4:3 and 16:19
resolution, the GP1 is near projecting perfection. The ability to adjust the
image colours based on the colour of the surface you’re projecting onto ensures
that you’ll be getting the best possible performance no matter where you’re set
up. What’s more, the projector has a flawless automatic keystone correction,
meaning that GP1 is capable of detecting the angle at which it is projecting
and correcting the picture (i.e. making it square).
This move towards streamlining
projector-playback goes a long way towards not just accessibility but selling
the mini projector brand itself. More than a few casual users are put off by
the complexity projectors can introduce to a presentation or just leisure use.
That being said, the GP1 is always
straightforward. It does present numerous navigational flaws, namely in the
using the buttons atop the projector and the remote. Sensitivity and logical
arrangement are both issues that hamper an otherwise fine machine. And while
the GP1 is a mere 5.4 x 4.7x 2.1 inches it also requires a bulky power brick.
Those shortcomings aside, the GP1 makes not
only a strong pitch for being your top choice in mini projectors, it makes a
strong case for buying one in the first place. It’s versatile, portable, and
with its USB reading capabilities, it can stand alone with just a thumb drive.
For $500 it’s certainly worth looking into, even if you aren’t in the market
for a projector.
