BenQ MW855UST WXGA Ultra Short Throw Projector

BenQ MW855UST Ultra Short Throw Projector: Big WXGA Images From Centimetres Away

The BenQ MW855UST is an ultra short throw projector built for classrooms and meeting spaces where the presenter needs to stand at the screen without casting a shadow or staring into the lens. Its 0.35:1 throw ratio produces an 80 to 100-inch image with the projector wall-mounted just centimetres from the display surface. Output is 3,500 ANSI lumens at a native WXGA resolution of 1280 x 800, a 16:10 format that matches business laptops and gives documents and spreadsheets more vertical room than a 16:9 panel. The DLP projection system uses a 0.65-inch WXGA DMD chip and delivers a 10,000:1 contrast ratio with 30-bit colour (1.07 billion colours), and the lamp-based light source uses a 240W lamp. BenQ supplies the WM04G4 wall mount as standard, so the projector arrives ready for the fixed installation it is designed for.

Key features

• 0.35:1 ultra short throw ratio for 80 to 100-inch images from a wall-mounted position
• 3,500 ANSI lumens at native WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution
• DLP technology with 10,000:1 contrast and 1.07 billion display colours
• Wall mount included as standard for a complete installation package
• Dual HDMI inputs plus VGA in and out, LAN, USB and full legacy connectivity
• Two built-in 10W speakers for classroom and meeting-room audio
• Compatible with BenQ PointWrite interactive modules for touch interactivity

Why ultra short throw matters in a classroom

A conventional projector sits metres from the screen, so anyone presenting stands in the beam. The MW855UST’s mirror-based ultra short throw lens (fixed focal length 5.1 mm, F/2.5) folds the projection path so the unit mounts directly above the screen on the supplied wall mount. The presenter works at the board with no shadow across the image and no glare in their eyes, and students see an unobstructed picture. The 80 to 100-inch image range suits standard classroom boards and meeting-room walls, and vertical lens shift of plus or minus 2% helps fine-tune the image position after mounting. Two-dimensional keystone correction (plus or minus 15 degrees vertical and horizontal) and corner fit adjustments help square the picture during setup.

Picture and light source

The DLP chip’s fast micromirrors and the 3,500-lumen output keep text legible under classroom lighting, and BenQ’s colour modes include Bright, Presentation, Infographic, sRGB and Vivid settings alongside two user memories. The projector accepts signals from VGA up to WUXGA reduced-blanking (1920 x 1200) and standard video formats including NTSC, PAL and SECAM. DLP technology is resistant to the colour decay that affects some projection technologies over time, and the lamp design allows straightforward replacement when the lamp eventually reaches the end of its life, returning the projector to full brightness.

Connections and network management

Two HDMI inputs handle digital sources, while VGA input and a VGA monitor output support legacy classroom computers and pass-through to a local monitor. Composite video, RCA and 3.5 mm audio inputs, and a 3.5 mm audio output cover older equipment and external speakers. USB-A supplies power to accessories, USB-B provides service access, and the Mini USB port connects the optional PointWrite interactive module, which adds pen or finger-touch interactivity on the projected surface. An RJ45 LAN port puts the projector on the network for remote monitoring and control, with Crestron, PJLink and AMX compatibility for centralised AV management across a school or office. RS232 control is also provided. Audio in the room is covered by two 10W speakers, strong enough for video content and speech without separate amplification in a typical classroom.

Installation and running

The projector measures 287.5 x 206.9 x 373.3 mm and weighs 5 kg, within the capacity of the included wall mount. Power consumption is 320W in typical use with standby below 0.5W, and fan noise is 34 dB in normal mode and 29 dB in Eco mode, quiet enough not to compete with a teacher’s voice. A security bar and Kensington lock slot help protect a permanently installed unit.

The MW855UST is a purpose-built education and presentation projector: ultra short throw optics, an included wall mount, interactive-module support and network management in one fixed-installation package. For rooms where people present at the screen every day, that combination removes the usual compromises.