MX501/MS500/MX501-V/MS500-V Digital Projector User Manual Welcome
Table of contents Important safety instructions .........................3 Introduction........................7 Projector features .................................. 7 Shipping contents.................................. 8 Projector exterior view .......................... 9 Controls and functions ....................... 10 Positioning your projector13 Choosing a location............................. 13 Obtaining a preferred projected image size ........................................................
Important safety instructions Your projector is designed and tested to meet the latest standards for safety of information technology equipment. However, to ensure safe use of this product, it is important that you follow the instructions mentioned in this manual and marked on the product. Safety Instructions 1. Please read this manual before you operate your projector. Save it for future reference. 2. Do not look straight at the projector lens during operation.
Safety Instructions (Continued) 7. 10. The lamp becomes extremely hot during operation. Allow the projector to cool for approximately 45 minutes prior to removing the lamp assembly for replacement. 8. Do not operate lamps beyond the rated lamp life. Excessive operation of lamps beyond the rated life could cause them to break on rare occasions. 11. Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand, or table. The product may fall, sustaining serious damage.
Safety Instructions (Continued) 13. Do not place this projector in any of the 14. following environments. - Space that is poorly ventilated or confined. Allow at least 50 cm clearance from walls and free flow of air around the projector. - Locations where temperatures may become excessively high, such as the inside of a car with all windows rolled up. - Locations where excessive humidity, dust, or cigarette smoke may contaminate optical components, shorten the projector's life span and darken the image.
Safety Instructions (Continued) 17. Do not step on the projector or place any objects upon it. Besides probable physical damage to the projector, doing so may result in accidents and possible injury. Ceiling mounting the projector We want you to have a pleasant experience using your BenQ projector, so we need to bring this safety matter to your attention to prevent possible damage to person and property.
Introduction Projector features The projector integrates high-performance optical engine projection and a user-friendly design to deliver high reliability and ease of use. The projector offers the following features.
Shipping contents Carefully unpack and verify that you have all of the items shown below. If any of these items are missing, please contact your place of purchase. Standard accessories The supplied accessories will be suitable for your region, and may differ from those illustrated. *The warranty card is only supplied in some specific regions. Please consult your dealer for detailed information.
Projector exterior view 1. Front/upper side 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 6 7. 7 8. 8 9. 10. 9 11. 12. 13. 2 5 3 4 14. 15. Rear/lower side 16. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17. 18. 19. 20. 10 External control panel (See "Controls and functions" on page 10 for details.
Controls and functions Projector 1 8 2 8. TEMPerature warning light 9. Lights up red if the projector's temperature becomes too high. POWER indicator light 10. Lights up or flashes when the projector is under operation. AUTO 9 3 4 5 10 11 12 6 13 7 14 11. 11 Focus ring 2. Adjusts the focus of the projected image. 12. Zoom ring 3. Adjusts the size of the image. LAMP indicator light 4. Indicates the status of the lamp. Lights up or flashes when the lamp has developed a problem.
Remote control 8. 7 1 2 3 4 11 12 10. 11. When the On-Screen Display (OSD) menu is activated, the #3, #8, and #10 keys are used as directional arrows to select the desired menu items and to make adjustments. SOURCE 12. Displays the source selection bar. MODE/ENTER 13 14 15 1. POWER / Automatically determines the best picture timings for the displayed image. Right 8 6 Up, 9. 10 5 / Manually corrects distorted images resulting from an angled projection.
Remote control effective range Infra-Red (IR) remote control sensor is located on the front of the projector. The remote control must be held at an angle within 30 degrees perpendicular to the projector's IR remote control sensor to function correctly. The distance between the remote control and the sensor should not exceed 8 meters (~ 26 feet). Make sure that there are no obstacles between the remote control and the IR sensor on the projector that might obstruct the infra-red beam.
Positioning your projector Choosing a location Your projector is designed to be installed in one of four possible installation locations: 1. Front Table Select this location with the projector placed on the table in front of the screen. This is the most common way to position the projector for quick setup and portability. 3. Rear Ceiling Select this location with the projector suspended upside-down from the ceiling behind the screen.
Obtaining a preferred projected image size The distance from the projector lens to the screen, the zoom setting, and the video format each factors in the projected image size. For example, if you are using an 120-inch screen, the recommended projection distance is 4755 mm and the vertical offset is 91mm or 183 mm. If your measured projection distance is 6.0 m (6000 mm), the closest match in the "Distance from screen (mm)" column is 5943 mm. Looking across this row shows that a 150'' (about 3.
Connection When connecting a signal source to the projector, be sure to: 1. 2. 3. Turn all equipment off before making any connections. Use the correct signal cables for each source. Ensure the cables are firmly inserted. • In the connections shown below, some cables may not be included with the projector (see "Shipping contents" on page 8). They are commercially available from electronics stores. • The connection illustrations below are for reference only.
• The D-Sub output only works when an appropriate D-Sub input is made to the COMPUTER 1 jack. • If you wish to use this connection method when the projector is in standby mode, make sure the Monitor Out function is turned on in the SYSTEM SETUP: Advanced menu. See "Standby Settings" on page 42 for details. Connecting video source devices You need only connect the projector to a video source device using just one of the connecting methods, however each provides a different level of video quality.
Operation Starting up the projector 1. Plug the power cord into the projector and into a power outlet. Turn on the power outlet switch (where fitted). Check that the POWER indicator light on the projector lights orange after power has been applied. Please use the original accessories (e.g. power cord) only with the device to avoid possible dangers such as electric shock and fire. 2. Press POWER on the projector or ON on the remote control to start the projector.
Adjusting the projected image Adjusting the projection angle The projector is equipped with 1 quick-release adjuster foot and 1 rear adjuster foot. These adjusters change the image height and projection angle. To adjust the projector: 1. Press the quick-release button and lift the front of the projector. Once the image is positioned where you want it, release the quick-release button to lock the foot in position. 2. Screw the rear adjuster foot to fine-tune the horizontal angle.
Correcting keystone Keystoning refers to the situation where the projected image is noticeably wider at either the top or bottom. It occurs when the projector is not perpendicular to the screen. To correct this, you will need to manually correct it following ONE of these steps. • Using the remote control Press / on the projector or remote control to display the Keystone correction page. Press to correct keystoning at the top of the image. Press to correct keystoning at the bottom of the image. Press / .
Using the menus The projector is equipped with On-Screen Display (OSD) menus for making various adjustments and settings. The OSD screenshots below are for reference only, and may differ from the actual design. Below is the overview of the OSD menu. Main menu icon Main menu DISPLAY Off Wall Color Auto Aspect Ratio Keystone Position Sub-menu Status ENTER Phase 0 H.
Securing the projector Using a security cable lock The projector has to be installed in a safe place to prevent theft. Otherwise, purchase a lock, such as the Kensington lock, to secure the projector. You can locate a Kensington lock slot on the rear side of the projector. See item 20 on page 9 for details. A Kensington security cable lock is usually a combination of key(s) and the lock. Refer to the lock’s documentation for finding out how to use it.
If you forget the password If the password function is activated, you will be asked to enter the six-digit password every time you turn on Password Error the projector. If you enter the wrong password, the Please try again. password error message as pictured to the right displays lasting for 3 seconds, and the INPUT PASSWORD message follows.
Changing the password 1. 2. 3. 4. Open the OSD menu and go to the SYSTEM SETUP: Advanced> Security Settings > Change Password menu. Press MODE/ENTER. The message “INPUT CURRENT PASSWORD” appears. Enter the old password. i. If the password is correct, another message “INPUT NEW PASSWORD” displays. ii. If the password is incorrect, the password error message displays lasting for three seconds, and the message “INPUT CURRENT PASSWORD” displays for your retry.
To select the source: 1. 2. Press SOURCE on the projector or remote control. A source selection bar displays. Press / until your desired signal is selected and press MODE/ENTER. Once detected, the selected source information will display at the corner of the screen for seconds. If there is multiple equipment connected to the projector, repeat steps 1-2 to search for another signal.
With the advent of digital signal processing, digital display devices like this projector can dynamically stretch and scale the image output to a different aspect than that of the image input signal. To change the projected picture ratio (no matter what aspect the source is): 1. 2. 3. / until the DISPLAY menu is highlighted. Press to highlight Aspect Ratio. Press / to select an aspect ratio to suit the format of the video signal and your display requirements.
3. 4:3: Scales an image so that it is displayed in the center of the screen with a 4:3 aspect ratio. This is most suitable for 4:3 images like some computer monitors, standard definition TV and 4:3 aspect DVD movies, as it displays them without aspect alteration.
Optimizing the image Using Wall Color In the situation where you are projecting onto a colored surface such as a painted wall which may not be white, the Wall Color feature can help correct the projected picture’s colors to prevent possible color difference between the source and projected pictures. To use this function, go to the DISPLAY > Wall Color menu and press / to select a color which is closest to the color of the projection surface.
8. The confirmation message “Setting Saved” displays. Fine-tuning the image quality in user modes According to the detected signal type, there are some user-definable functions available when User 1 or User 2 is selected. Based on your needs, you can make adjustments to these functions by highlighting them and pressing / on the projector or remote control. Adjusting Brightness The higher the value, the brighter the image. And the lower the setting, the darker the image.
3D Color Management In most installation situations, color management will not be necessary, such as in classroom, meeting room, or lounge room situations where lights remain on, or where building external windows allow daylight into the room. Only in permanent installations with controlled lighting levels such as boardrooms, lecture theaters, or home theaters, should color management be considered.
7. 8. 9. Repeat steps 3 to 6 for other color adjustments. Make sure you have made all of the desired adjustments. Press MENU/EXIT to exit and save the settings. Setting the presentation timer Presentation timer can indicate the presentation time on the screen to help you achieve better time management when giving presentations. Follow these steps to utilize this function: 1. 2. Go to the SYSTEM SETUP: Basic > Presentation Timer menu and press MODE/ ENTER to display the Presentation Timer page.
Remote paging operations Connect the projector to your PC or notebook with a USB cable prior to using the paging function. See "Connection" on page 15 for details. You can operate your display software program (on a connected PC) which responds to page up/down commands (like Microsoft PowerPoint) by pressing PAGE UP/PAGE DOWN on the remote control. If remote paging function doesn't work, check if the USB connection is correctly made and the mouse driver on your computer is updated to the latest version.
• If you press POWER to turn off the projector without disabling panel key lock, the projector will still be in locked status the next time it is turned on. Operating in a high altitude environment We recommend you use the High Altitude Mode when your environment is between 1500 m –3000 m above sea level, and ambient temperature is between 0°C–35°C. Do not use the High Altitude Mode if your altitude is between 0 m and 1500 m and ambient temperature is between 0°C and 35°C.
Adjusting the sound The sound adjustments made as below will have an effect on the projector speakers. Be sure you have made a correct connection to the projector audio input. See "Connection" on page 15 for how the audio input is connected. Muting the sound To temporarily turn off the sound: 1. 2. 3. Press MENU/EXIT and then press / until the SYSTEM SETUP: Advanced menu is highlighted. Press to highlight Audio Settings and press MODE/ENTER. The Audio Settings page displays.
3. Once the cooling process finishes, a "Power Off Ring Tone" will be heard. The POWER indicator light is a steady orange and fans stop. Disconnect the power cord from the power outlet. • To turn off the power ring tone, see "Turning off the Power On/Off Ring Tone" on page 33 for details. • If the projector is not properly shut down, to protect the lamp, when you attempt to re-start the projector, the fans will run for a few minutes to cool down.
Menu operation Menu system Please note that the on-screen display (OSD) menus vary according to the signal type selected and the projector model you are using. Main menu Sub-menu Options Off/Light Yellow/Pink/Light Green/Blue/Blackboard Auto/Real/4:3/16:9/16:10 Wall Color 1. DISPLAY 2. PICTURE Aspect Ratio Keystone Position Phase H.
Main menu Sub-menu Options MX501/MX501-V: Language MS500/MS500-V: or The supplied languages in MS500/MS500-V may differ by region. Please contact your dealer for further information. 4.
Main menu Sub-menu Options High Altitude Mode On/Off Mute On/Off Volume Audio Settings Power On/Off On/Off Ring Tone Lamp Mode Normal/Economic Lamp Settings Reset lamp timer Equivalent Lamp Hour Change 5.
Description of each menu Function Description Wall Color Corrects the projected picture’s color when the projection surface is not white. See "Using Wall Color" on page 27 for details. There are several options to set the image's aspect ratio depending on your input signal source. See "Selecting the aspect ratio" on page 24 for details. Corrects any keystoning of the image. See "Switching input signal" on page 23 for details. Displays the position adjustment page.
Function 1. DISPLAY menu Teaching Template (only for MX501/ MX501-V) Picture Mode Reference Mode Brightness Contrast 2. PICTURE menu Color Tint Sharpness Description Provides several preset patterns for various teaching purposes. Choose Blackboard or Whiteboard first by pressing / and press / to choose the pattern you need. Press MODE/ENTER to activate the pattern. Pre-defined picture modes are provided so you can optimize your projector image set-up to suit your program type.
Function Description 3. SOURCE menu Quick Auto Search See "Switching input signal" on page 23 for details. Presentation Timer Reminds the presenter to finish the presentation within a certain time frame. See "Setting the presentation timer" on page 30 for details. Language Sets the language for the On-Screen Display (OSD) menus. See "Using the menus" on page 20 for details. Projector Position The projector can be installed on a ceiling or behind a screen, or with one or more mirrors.
Function 4. SYSTEM SETUP: Basic menu Panel Key Lock Description Disables or enables all panel key functions except POWER on the projector and keys on the remote control. See "Locking control keys" on page 31 for details. Background Sets the background color for the projector. Color Splash Screen MyScreen (only for MX501/ MX501-V) High Altitude Mode 5.
Function Baud Rate Test Pattern 5. SYSTEM SETUP: Advanced menu Closed Caption Standby Settings Description Selects a baud rate that is identical with your computer’s so that you can connect the projector using a suitable RS-232 cable and update or download the projector’s firmware. This function is intended for qualified service personnel. Selecting On enables the function and the projector displays the grid test pattern.
Function Description 6. INFORMATION menu Source Shows the current signal source. Picture Mode Shows the selected mode in the PICTURE menu. Current System Status Resolution Shows the native resolution of the input signal. Color System Shows input system format: NTSC, PAL, SECAM, YUV, or RGB. Equivalent Lamp Hour Displays the number of hours the lamp has been used. Firmware Version Shows the firmware version of your projector.
Maintenance Care of the projector Your projector needs little maintenance. The only thing you need to do on a regular basis is to keep the lens and case clean. Never remove any parts of the projector except the lamp. Contact your dealer if other parts need replacing. Cleaning the lens Clean the lens whenever you notice dirt or dust on the surface. • • • Use a canister of compressed air to remove dust.
Lamp information Getting to know the lamp hour When the projector is in operation, the duration (in hours) of lamp usage is automatically calculated by the built-in timer. See "Setting Lamp Mode as Economic" below for more information on Economic mode. To obtain the lamp hour information: 1. Press MENU/EXIT and then press / to highlight the SYSTEM SETUP: Advanced menu. 2. Press to highlight Lamp Settings and press MODE/ENTER. The Lamp Settings page displays. 3.
Timing of replacing the lamp When the Lamp indicator lights up red or a message appears suggesting it is time to replace the lamp, please install a new lamp or consult your dealer. An old lamp may cause a malfunction in the projector and in some instances the lamp may explode. Go to http://lamp.benq.com for a replacement lamp. The LAMP indicator light and TEMPerature warning light will light up if the lamp becomes too hot. Turn the power off and let the projector cool for 45 minutes.
Replacing the lamp • To reduce the risk of electrical shock, always turn the projector off and disconnect the power cord before changing the lamp. • To reduce the risk of severe burns, allow the projector to cool for at least 45 minutes before replacing the lamp. • To reduce the risk of injuries to fingers and damage to internal components, use caution when removing lamp glass that has shattered into sharp pieces.
8. Use the handle to slowly pull the lamp out of the projector. • Pulling it too quickly may cause the lamp to break and scatter broken glass in the projector. • Do not place the lamp in locations where water might splash on it, children can reach it, or near flammable materials. • Do not insert your hands into the projector after the lamp is removed. If you touch the optical components inside, it could cause color unevenness and distortion of the projected images. 9.
16. Connect the power and restart the projector. Do not turn the power on with the lamp cover removed. Resetting the lamp timer 17. After the startup logo, open the On-Screen Display (OSD) menu. Go to the SYSTEM SETUP: Advanced > Lamp Settings menu. Press MODE/ENTER. The Lamp Settings page displays. Highlight Reset lamp timer. A warning message displays asking if you want to reset the lamp timer. Highlight Reset and press MODE/ENTER. The lamp time will be reset to “0”.
Indicators Light Status & Description Power events Off Off Off Off Off Off Orange Stand-by mode. Green Powering up. Flashing Green Normal operation. • Off Off Orange • Flashing • The projector needs 90 seconds to cool down as it was abnormally shut down without the normal cooling down process. The projector needs to cool for 90 seconds after the power is turned off. The projector has shut down automatically. If you try to restart the projector, it will shut down again.
Troubleshooting The projector does not turn on. Cause There is no power from the power cord. Attempting to turn the projector on again during the cooling process. Remedy Plug the power cord into the AC power jack on the projector, and plug the power cord into the power outlet. If the power outlet has a switch, make sure that it is switched on. Wait until the cooling down process has completed. No picture Cause The video source is not turned on or connected correctly.
Specifications Projector specifications All specifications are subject to change without notice. Optical Control Resolution (MX501/MX501-V) 1024 x 768 XGA (MS500/MS500-V) 800 x 600 SVGA Display system 1-CHIP DMD Lens F/Number F = 2.56-2.8 Lamp 220 W lamp RS-232 serial control 9 pin x 1 IR receiver x 1 Electrical Power supply AC100–240V, 3.2 A, 50-60 Hz (Automatic) Power consumption 322 W (Max); < 1 W (Standby) Mechanical Weight 2.4 Kg (5.
Dimensions 287.3 mm (W) x 100.4 mm (H) x 232.6 mm (D) 287.3 232.6 100.4 62 62 Ceiling mount installation Ceiling Mount screw: M4 x 8 (Max L = 8 mm) 207.6 77 76.5 34.5 Unit: mm 199.6 364.40 397.90 445.95 78 83.38 141.88 123.0 232.6 287.
Timing chart Supported timing for PC input Resolution Mode VGA_60 VGA_72 640 x 480 VGA_75 VGA_85 720 x 400 720 x 400_70 SVGA_56 SVGA_60 SVGA_72 800 x 600 SVGA_75 SVGA_85 SVGA_120* (Reduce Blanking) XGA_60 XGA_70 XGA_75 1024 x 768 XGA_85 XGA_120* (Reduce Blanking) 1152 x 864 1152 x 864_75 BenQ 1024 x 576 Notebook_timing BenQ 1024 x 600 Notebook_timing 1280 x 768 1280 x 768_60 WXGA_60 WXGA_75 1280 x 800 WXGA_85 WXGA_120* (Reduce Blanking) SXGA_60 1280 x 1024 SXGA_75 SXGA_85 1280 x 960_60 1280 x 960 1280 x 9
Supported timing for Component-YPbPr input Timing Resolution 480i 480p 576i 576p 720/50p 720/60p 1080/50i 1080/60i 1080/24P 1080/25P 1080/30P 1080/50P 1080/60P 720 x 480 720 x 480 720 x 576 720 x 576 1280 x 720 1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 Vertical Horizontal Pixel Frequency Frequency (Hz) Frequency (kHz) (MHz) 59.94 59.94 50 50 50 60 50 60 24 25 30 50 60 15.73 31.47 15.63 31.25 37.5 45.00 28.13 33.75 27 28.13 33.75 56.25 67.5 13.
Warranty and Copyright information Limited warranty BenQ warrants this product against any defects in material and workmanship, under normal usage and storage. Proof of purchase date will be required with any warranty claim. In the event this product is found to be defective within the warranty period, BenQ's only obligation and your exclusive remedy shall be replacement of any defective parts (labor included).
