BenQ MX711 Digital Projector
Great Expectations: Enhancing Classroom Collaboration
Clovis Unified School District Raises the Bar on Classroom Collaboration With Projection System
Product Overview: BenQ MX711
The BenQ MX711 is a digital projector designed for educational and professional environments, offering high brightness, excellent contrast, and versatile connectivity options. It supports native XGA resolution and features built-in audio capabilities.
Key Features
- Native XGA (1024x768) Resolution
- 3200 ANSI Lumens Brightness
- 5300:1 Contrast Ratio
- Built-In 10W Speaker
- Microphone-In
- LAN Control/Display
- USB Reader/Display
- 3D Ready
- Wireless Display (Optional)
Specifications
| Native Resolution | XGA (1024 x 768) |
| Brightness | 3200 ANSI lumens |
| Contrast Ratio | 5300:1 (Full on/Full off) |
| Keystone | Manual & Auto Keystone Vertical ± 40 Degree |
| Aspect Ratio | 4:3 Native (5 selectable aspect ratio) |
| Color | Full 16.7 million color palette |
| Lens | F=2.59~2.87 |
| Zoom Ratio | Manual Zoom, 1.3:1 |
| Image Size (Diagonal) | 32" to 300" |
| Throw Ratio | 1.5 to 1.97 (65"@6.56ft.) |
| Lamp | 230W 3500/5000hrs (Normal/Economic mode) |
| Computer Compatibility | VGA (640 x 480) to UXGA (1600 x 1200) |
| HDTV Compatibility | 480i, 480p, 576i, 576p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p |
| Video Compatibility | NTSC, PAL, SECAM |
| Horizontal Frequency | 31-92 kHz |
| Vertical Scan Rate | 48-120 Hz |
| Input Terminals | PC: Analog RGB: D-sub 15 pin x 2 (shared with Component), LAN Networking: RJ-45 x1 (LAN Display), USB connector: Type A x1 (USB Reader), USB Type mini B x1 (USB display). A/V: HDMI V1.3 x 1, S-Video: Mini Din 4 pin x1, Composite Video: RCA x1, Audio: Audio L/R : RCA x 1(set), Stereo Mini Jack x 1, Mic Input x1. |
| Output Terminals | PC: D-sub 15 pin x 1, Variable Audio Out: Stereo Mini Jack x1, Audio: 10W x1. |
| Control Terminal | Serial Connector: RS232 x1, RJ45 x 1 (LAN Control), USB mini Type B x1 (Page up/down shared). |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 12.24 x 4.09 x 9.6 inches (311 x 104 x 244 mm) |
| Weight | 5.94 lbs (2.7kg) |
| Power Supply | 100 to 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz |
| Power Consumption | Max 306W, Standby < 1W |
| Audible Noise | 32/27dBA (Normal/Economic mode) |
| On-Screen Languages | Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Thai, Traditional Chinese (26 Languages) |
| Picture Modes | Dynamic Mode, Cinema Mode, Presentation Mode, User 1 Mode, User 2 Mode, sRGB Mode |
Connectivity
The projector offers a comprehensive set of ports for various connections:
- RS232 (DB 9-pin): For serial control.
- HDMI V1.3: For digital audio and video input.
- Monitor Out (D-sub 15-pin): Allows loop-through video output to a monitor.
- Computer In 1 & 2 (D-sub 15-pin): For connecting analog RGB sources.
- S-Video in (Mini DIN 4-pin): For S-Video input.
- Audio In L&R (RCA): Stereo audio input.
- Audio In (Mini Jack): Mono audio input.
- Audio Out (Mini Jack): For connecting external speakers.
- LAN (RJ45): For network control and LAN display functionality.
- USB (Type-A): For USB reader functionality (e.g., displaying files from a USB drive).
- USB (Type Mini-B): For USB display functionality (e.g., connecting to a computer for display).
- Video In (RCA): For composite video input.
- Microphone In (Mini Jack): For connecting a microphone.
Key Functions
- BrilliantColor™ technology
- VIDI™ technology
- 3D Color Management
- Blank Screen
- Panel Key Lock
- Auto Off
- Crestron LAN Control
- Security Password
- Closed Captioning
- HDTV Compatible
- Digital Zoom (x2)
- High Altitude Mode
- Variable Audio Out
- "Q?" Hot Key for FAQ
- Quick Cooling
- 3D Ready
- Freeze
Accessories
Standard Accessories
- Quick Start Guide
- VGA (D-sub) cable
- Manual CD
- Power cord
- Remote control w/battery
- Soft carry case
Optional Accessories
- Spare Lamp Kit (P/N: 5J.J3V05.001)
- Wireless Dongle
- Universal Ceiling Mount
Warranty
3-Year Parts & Labor / 1-Year or 2000 hours of lamp life. (Lamp life results will vary depending on environmental conditions and usage.)
Case Study: Clovis Unified School District
The following case study details how Clovis Unified School District implemented the BenQ MX711 projector to enhance classroom collaboration.
Situation and Challenge
Clovis Unified School District in Clovis, California, sought to equip its instructors with effective, future-proof, and easy-to-maintain classroom technology. Previously, teachers used a variety of brands for TVs and projectors, leading to a fragmented and difficult-to-manage environment. In 2009, the district decided to standardize on a collaborative classroom system, deploying it district-wide to over 2,000 teachers.
Chris Edmonson, Coordinator of Educational Technology and Professional Development, led the initiative. Key considerations for selecting the technology included:
- Learning curve for users
- Faculty instruction
- Total cost of ownership
- Ease of maintenance
- Maintenance responsibility
- Investment longevity
- Technology type (DLP®, LCD, or OLED)
Edmonson developed a weighted formula to prioritize these points, aiming for a solution that balanced budget, communication needs, and user realities. He focused on projector brightness and ease of use for teachers.
DLP vs. Other Technologies
Based on his research, Edmonson found that DLP (Digital Light Processor) technology, an innovation from Texas Instruments®, offered superior brightness and longer-lasting brightness compared to LCD and OLED. He also noted that LCD technology could experience color erosion over time. These factors led to the decision to adopt DLP technology.
Ease of Use
Each classroom was to feature at least three video sources (DVD player, computer, document camera), requiring the projector to integrate seamlessly with each. The complexity of switching between audio and video sources was a concern, as it could lead to instructors underutilizing or avoiding the projectors. Edmonson emphasized the need for an "easy to use and easy to learn solution," making usability a high priority to ensure the technology enhanced, rather than encumbered, teaching.
Brand Comparisons and Decision
At the ISTE conference, Edmonson evaluated numerous projector brands and models. The BenQ MX711 was selected as the best fit for Clovis' requirements. It offered a strong balance of brightness and ease of use, projecting a bright image even in classroom environments, often outperforming more expensive models. The MX711 also facilitated easy content display from classroom computers, with an optional wireless display adapter simplifying setup and reducing cable clutter.
The projector's built-in 10W speaker and microphone input were also crucial. The speaker system was designed for clear audio quality and dispersion, covering classroom spaces effectively. Edmonson noted, "The incorporated speaker system and amplifier made this a 'no brainer.'"
Cost-effectiveness was another key factor. The MX711 offered low maintenance costs, particularly regarding bulb replacement, which BenQ priced reasonably. Furthermore, its 3D capabilities provided a future-proof solution, allowing the district to adopt 3D curriculum without additional equipment purchases.
Conclusion
The BenQ MX711 projector met Clovis Unified School District's criteria for cost, performance, and usability. The deployment was highly successful, with teachers adopting the system rapidly and reporting increased efficiency and improved learning outcomes. Edmonson stated, "The teachers now say they don't know how they lived without it, and the kids are learning more efficiently, which is really what it's all about."
