BenQ Joybee GP2 review

First Look

Pico Projectors are finally making their presence felt. We’ve not got an array of portable projectors with similar features and easy to use capabilities, with very little else to distinguish one from the other. When the BenQ Joybee GP2 came along, we thought it might be just another Pico Projector with perhaps good features thrown in here and there to attract users to it. One paper, it certainly doesn’t excite much – and on a first look, it looks good, but not that great. Some of the material just didn’t feel right – but overall the package looked solid and just ready to be tested. So, we unpacked it and started attaching it to whatever we could get – and the results were plain to see.

Review

As expected, the entire set-up and connectivity of the Joybee GP2 was rather easy. The panel and cables were well set up and if you insert any iPod-type device in the dock, it will project the video seamlessly to a surface that you wish to see it on. You can also connect your Blu-Ray Player, PC or iPhone as well – it does just as well a job with any of these. The resulting output video in HD plays in the 16:10 aspect ratio, but this can be changed to the conventional 16:9 as well. The remote control performed well, however, one needs to point it at the sensor for the projector to respond. the projector does not get too hot, which is a good thing and the fan located inside does well to keep the projector’s temperature in check. the Joybee GP2 does, however emit an odor when it is left on for too long, this may affect those who are sitting to close to it. While running the DisplayMate test, we noticed that for a pico projector, the brightness levels are good and greys and whites rendered well. Text is pronounced at the middle and bottom of the display, but at the top, the words start to smudge. In the intensity range check, we noticed that there was a slight cream tinge to the brightest white. Other than that the whites and greys rendered accurately.

Design and Build

When it comes to the design of the BenQ Joybee GP2, the projector can really stand out. it has a squarish design and covered in an all gloss finish. The design of this projector is good because it features a white body overall and only the top panel is finished in black. Due to the highly glossy surface, fingerprints can be easily visible on the black surface. This may take away the look of the device. An area of the projector, at the top features a textured design, which also adds to the style factor of the tablet.

Connectivity

The connectivity options are one of the main features of the projector, as it is absolutely littered with ports. The connectivity options located here include ports for USB, mini USB, PC/AV, mini HDMI, audio in, as SD card slot, a 3.5mm jack and of course the main feature of this projector, the iPod dock. Unlike most projectors where the ports are located at the rear, BenQ has fitted most of the options at the side apart from the SD card slot, which is located at the rear and the iPod dock, which is at the top.