BenQ GV30 is portable projector designed to display your favorite content in exceptional big-screen images along with 2.1-channel audio system. Supporting wireless projection for multiple OS and devices, GV30 lets you cast any content from your smartphone, tablet, gaming console or laptop onto the big screen without cables or setup.
The BenQ GV30’s adds lots of flexibility. It’s designed to be an all-in-one, standalone device and packs a projector, an Android TV streamer, a 2.1 audio system, and a Bluetooth speaker making it a great entertainment device. It even packs in a battery for portable or even outdoor use.
Highlights
- Bluetooth Speakers
- 135° Projection Angle
- Auto Focus & Vertical Keystone
- HD 720p & 300 ANSI Lumens
- HDMI & USB-C Connectivity
- Android TV and Wireless Casting
Specifications
| Brightness | 300 ANSI lumens |
| Contrast Ratio | 100,000:1 |
| Display Color | 24-bit (16.7 million colors) |
| Light Source | LED |
| Native Resolution | 720p (1280 x 720 pixels) |
| Image Size | 30″~100″ |
| Throw Ratio | 1.2 |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Lens Control | Fixed |
| Ports | HDMI 1.4b USB-C |
| Built-in Speaker | 4W x 2 + 8W woofer 2.1 Channels Speakers |
| OS | Android 9.0 |
| ROM/RAM | 32MB/512MB |
| Wireless | IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4GHz/5GHz |
| Product Dimensions (WxHxD) | 120.0mm x 195.8mm x 185.0mm |
| Product Weight | 1.6 kg |
| Keystone | 1D, (Auto) Vertical ± 40 degrees |
Packaging
The BenQ GV30 comes in a cardboard box with product graphics and logos on the sides. The contents of the package include a magnetic swivel stand, carry case, remote control, power cable and a Android TV dongle.
Design & Build
The projector is compact, measuring just 120.0mm x 195.8mm x 185.0mm and weighing about 1.6 kg.
The shape and build quality of the GV30 is excellent. It’s sturdy, and has just the right amount of weight for a portable projector without feeling cheap. The projector can be clamped into the included magnetic swivel and can be rotated on a 135-degree axis to help find the right viewing angle.
The GV30 comes in a white, circular chassis, with a mesh on both sides. The front sports the projection window and has four buttons (power, volume up, volume down, and Bluetooth).
Closer to the base is an HDMI port, a Type-C port, a 3.5mm audio out and a port for connecting the power adapter. The Type-C also supports DisplayPort that can be used to connect compatible laptops or to connect USB drives for direct video playback. The port also supports PD provided the adapter or power bank output at least 45W PD.
The mesh cover on the right houses the Android TV dongle that comes connected to a HDMI port and a micro-USB port to draw power.
The GV30’s design complements the included magnetic swivel base. This allows users to position the projector, which makes viewing on walls and ceilings as easy using the swivel with a radius of 135 degrees.
Features
The BenQ GV30 comes with a native output resolution of 720p and 300 lumens brightness, with the LED life rated at 20,000 hours in normal mode.
As far as audio is concerned, the GV30 packs two 4W speakers and an 8W woofer, along with a DSP amplifier. The projector be used as a Bluetooth speaker, you can even output the projector’s audio to an external Bluetooth speaker, headphones or TWS earphones. And there’s the 3.5mm line-out for connecting external speakers using a cable.
The HDMI port on the and the Type-C port give you a lot of flexibility to connect sources like laptops, gaming consoles too. The BenQ GV30 also supports both Google Chromecast as well as Apple AirPlay, so you can even wirelessly mirror your iPhone, iPad or Mac. The included streaming dongle provides access to a range of apps you can use to view online streaming content. Powered by Android TV, the number of apps available is actually quite impressive. While Netflix is missing, the GV30 more than makes up for it with Google Play Store support, which will allow you to download apps like Prime Video, Disney Plus, Apple TV, and more.
If you insert streaming media such as “Amazon Fire Stick” into HDMI, you can use it properly with Android TV. However, keep in mind that streaming media requires a separate power supply.
In terms of battery life – the GV30 is rated for about 2.5 hours of continuous playback, but in our usage, we got closer to 1.5 hours, which might not even be able to get through an entire movie on a full charge. We definitely recommend investing in a power bank to increase its wireless battery time.
Performance & Battery Life
At 720p resolution and with a 24-bit color depth, the GV30 doesn’t have the sharpest or most colorful display quality. But despite the relatively low resolution, the image appears clear enough to be displayed at any angle. And thanks to the effective auto keystone, the projector can reliably adjust to find the best viewing angle most of the time.
Unfortunately, the quality of the image is affected by one of the GV30’s biggest drawbacks – the low brightness. At 300 ANSI lumens, the GV30 is mostly unusable in bright environments. Typically, the edges of the screen were especially hard to make out and you will certainly want to use this projector in a darkened room for best results.
The built-in 2.1 channel features dual 4W midrange tweeters with a powerful 8W woofer. The GV30’s 2.1 channel audio delivers resonant bass, solid mid-range, and crisp treble. Dialogue, music, and subtle effects all come through clearly and the projector also doubles as a portable Bluetooth speaker.
Verdict
The GV30 may not be one of the best projectors, but it is a decent choice for casual entertainment. The GV30 lets you achieve the optimal screen size and viewing distance with ease and you can easily stream to your projector right from your mobile, table or laptop device.
The build quality is great and while that resolution isn’t super high, the image quality remains sharp and readable. And unlike a smart TV, you can move it to anywhere that you want without hassle.
