TV and Movie Projector for your RV

My Review of the BenQ Joybee GP1 Mini Projector:

For quite a long time I had been debating whether to replace my old "head banger" analog TV in my motorhome with a more modern flat panel TV.

I investigated different option all of which I found very expensive or had something I disliked. My motorhome is equipped to receive over the air TV broadcasts via my batwing antenna, Digital (not HD) broadcast over my Direct TV satellite dish and if the campground has cable, I can take advantage of that too.

Since I am frugal, I was very concerned with costs. For instance if I chose HD service I would have to change all of my satellite equipment $$$$ and both of my 21 inch TV's $$ and while I'm at it I might as well change out my DVD player $$ to one that supports HD movies and the video switcher to one that supports HD. The cost was just too much for my wallet to stand so I looked for a reasonable alternative.

Since HD reception, was not my primary desire I found that the most cost effective choice was a projector that would display onto a large screen. What was objectionable about this idea was the cost of having to constantly replace bulbs that I felt would not last long in a motorhome environment - especially if you are a fulltimer like me, who likes to move around a lot. I had been keeping an eye on LED based options, but did not like their size or costs. I wanted something that I could mount semi-permanently but that I could remove occasionally and take with me when the nights were cool and I wanted to share a movie with my neighbors (as in outside the motorhome).

Then along came the BenQ Joybee GP1 Mini Projector (BenQ). This is the latest lampless LED mini from BenQ. It has many features RVers will appreciate:

• The best feature is that you do not have to worry about a delicate incandescent bulb that might not like the last bump you hit on the road.
• As you know, space is always at a premium in an RV so I really appreciate its compactness. At just 1.4 Lbs and measuring 5.35 (W) X 2.24 inches (H) X 4.72 (D), it fits in the palm of my hand and I can take it anywhere.
• Installation could not be easier and with only two cords to contend with, the first a power cord and the other a cord that has a Y connection where you chose either the RGB connector for a PC or the Composite/Component Video connector.
• I was amazed at the vivid colors and high picture quality from such a small device. It has 3 - 100 lumen LED lamps, which work great in low light environments.
• Another great feature of the GP1 Joybee is that it comes with an internal speaker, a USB port, and a 2 Gig mass media storage drive that can be used to download pictures, movie files, and presentations so that the projector can work independently of a PC.

I've had the BenQ Joybee for about two weeks and have used it to see TV programs (Cable, Satellite, and over the air broadcast) with good results. My best results have been seeing movies through my regular DVD player, through the DVD player in my PC and through a mass storage drive attached to the USB port of the Joybee. I used the projector while writing this review and I did not have to wear my reading glasses to see what I was typing.

I set up the BenQ Joybee GP1 Mini in my motorhome and was connected/use in the following manner:

1. Used in a Motorhome during daylight, evening and nighttime.
2. A white bed sheet was used as the screen (we do not have a permanently mounted screen yet) at a distance of 6' 4" from the projector.
3. The BenQ projector is attached to the DVI output of my PC.
4. I have tried it on the RGB (SVGA) connection of the PC with no apparent difference in projected quality.
5. The PC is a desktop HP Pavilion Media Center PC with an EVGA 7300 series video card capable of High Definition output. It also has its own digital TV tuner.
6. The PC connects via a coax cable (RG6) to an analog video switcher that has inputs from a DVD player, commercial Cable TV, Direct TV Satellite and over-the-air broadcast signal.

I do have a few comments on how BenQ might improve the Joybee in the future. First, the Y cord is too short. A longer cord would make it easier to place the projector where you need it when you are using a PC - especially if it is a desktop. Second, while the remote works well you have to be in front of the projector to use it. It would have been better had the sensor for the remote been located at the top, back or sides of the device (or all of the above). Third, the controls to make changes to the settings are not intuitive; you have to read the instruction manual very carefully and fully understand which button to press when. It took me a while to find the volume control for the internal speaker that only works when you use the USB port. Fourth, while the 100 lumen LEDs are adequate higher rated lumen LEDs would enhance the daylight viewing experience.

I rated the performance of the BenQ Joybee on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being the worst and 5 being the best, it rates as follows:

Ease of use = 3
Overview picture quality = 5
Portability = 5
Features = 4
Value = 5

Overall, I am very pleased with the projector and will be using it to view my favorite TV programs and movies. My plans call for buying a projection screen that I can attach to the ceiling of the motorhome, some cables, and a video switching box (maybe) for thousands less than it would have cost me to replace my TV's and all the associated hardware. I may not get the full benefit of HD TV, but I'll have the next best thing. After all, I got a large picture, which was what I wanted in the first place.

Learn more about this projector at the BenQ online store. The BenQ GP1 Joybee Mini LED Projector will be available in June 2009.

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