BenQ announces GV31 portable projector with 3

Perfect for ceiling projection.

BenQ has launched the GV31 portable projector featuring a FHD resolution and enough battery life for a three-hour movie session. Get ready for those winter nights.

Powered by DLP technology, the GV31 is advertised as capable of projecting from 30in up to 120in, with up to 98 per cent Rec.709 standard colour gamut and 100,000:1 contrast – though BenQ recommends sizes between 80in and 100in for optimal viewing experience. It runs a 1920×1080 resolution at 60Hz with a 45ms input delay, meaning focus is multimedia, not gaming.

GV31’s light source is rated for 20,000 hours in normal mode or 30,000 hours in eco, offering a maximum brightness of 300 ANSI lumens, with autofocus and V-Keystone adjustments. Audio is covered by a 16W 2.1-channel system comprising dual 4W midrange tweeters plus an 8W bass.

131.3mm (W) x 203.2mm (H) x 191.4mm (D) dimensions and 1.7kg weight make for an easily transportable system for outdoor use. And thanks to its shape and stand, one can also use it as a ceiling projector, which is perfect for watching a movie while in bed or as a ceiling decoration by projecting stars or rain. A rainy tropical forest video on a hot summer night gives me chills just thinking about it.

BenQ claims 180 minutes of video playtime or 300 minutes of music on a single charge. A bit on the edge, if you ask me, since some movies – The Lord of the Rings Extended Editions – go beyond that threshold, not even considering any rewinding, pauses, or longer movie nights. Obviously, there is always the possibility to hook it to the wall or external battery bank during long sessions, but that would break its appeal.

I/O comprising one USB Type-A, two HDMI 1.4b, a 3.5mm headphone jack, a barrel-type power input, and lastly, a convenient all-in-one USB Type-C port that delivers both power and data to the projector. The latter even supports power delivery for charging devices like phones or earphones. The main point of this projector will, unsurprisingly, arrive from Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 5 connections, which go hand in hand with the built-in Android TV and Chromecast / AirPlay support.

While BenQ didn’t share any pricing for GV31, looking at the brand’s portable roster, we would expect between £600 and £700, as the 720p GV30 sits at £499.