BenQ Mx501/ms500/mx501-v/ms500-v Digital Projector User Manual

							We l c o m e
MX501/MS500/MX501-V/MS500-V
Digital Projector
User Manual 
						

							Table of contents 2
Ta b l e  o f  c o n t e n t s
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 ........................................................ 14
Connection ....................... 15
Connecting video source devices........ 16
Operation ..........................17
Starting up the projector ..................... 17
Adjusting the projected image ............ 18
Using the menus .................................. 20
Securing the projector ......................... 21
Switching input signal ......................... 23
Magnifying and searching for details . 24
Selecting the aspect ratio ..................... 24
Optimizing the image.......................... 27
Setting the presentation timer ............ 30
Remote paging operations .................. 31
Freezing the image............................... 31
Hiding the image ................................. 31
Locking control keys ........................... 31
Operating in a high altitude 
environment ........................................ 32
Creating your own startup screen (only 
for MX501/MX501-V) ........................ 32Adjusting the sound ............................. 33
Shutting down the projector ............... 33
Direct power off ................................... 34
Menu operation ................................... 35
Maintenance......................44
Care of the projector ............................ 44
Lamp information................................ 45
Troubleshooting ...............51
Specifications ....................52
Projector specifications........................ 52
Dimensions........................................... 53
Ceiling mount installation................... 53
Timing chart .........................................54
Warranty and Copyright 
information .......................56 
						

							Important safety instructions 3
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. The intense 
light beam may damage your eyes. 
3.Refer servicing to qualified service 
personnel. 
4.Always open the lens shutter (if any) 
or remove the lens cap (if any) when 
the projector lamp is on. 5. In some countries, the line voltage is 
NOT stable. This projector is designed 
to operate safely within a mains 
voltage between 100 to 240 volts AC, 
but could fail if power cuts or surges 
of 10 volts occur. In areas where the 
mains voltage may fluctuate or cut 
out, it is recommended that you 
connect your projector through a 
power stabilizer, surge protector or 
uninterruptible power supply (UPS). 
6. Do not block the projection lens with 
any objects when the projector is 
under operation as this could cause 
the objects to become heated and 
deformed or even cause a fire. To 
temporarily turn off the lamp, press 
BLANK on the projector or remote 
control. 
						

							Important safety instructions 4
  
Safety Instructions (Continued)
7. 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. 
9. Never replace the lamp assembly or 
any electronic components unless the 
projector is unplugged. 10. Do not place this product on an 
unstable cart, stand, or table. The 
product may fall, sustaining serious 
damage. 
11. Do not attempt to disassemble this 
projector. There are dangerous high 
voltages inside which may cause death 
if you should come into contact with 
live parts. The only user serviceable 
part is the lamp which has its own 
removable cover.
Under no circumstances should you 
ever undo or remove any other covers. 
Refer servicing only to suitably 
qualified professional service 
personnel.
12. When the projector is under 
operation, you may sense some heated 
air and odor from its ventilation grill. 
It is a normal phenomenon and not a 
product defect. 
						

							Important safety instructions 5
    
Safety Instructions (Continued)
13. Do not place this projector in any of the 
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 projectors life span and 
darken the image.
- Locations near fire alarms
- Locations with an ambient temperature 
above 40°C / 104°F
- Locations where the altitudes are higher 
than 3000 m (10000 feet).
14. Do not block the ventilation holes.
- Do not place this projector on a blanket, 
bedding or any other soft surface.
- Do not cover this projector with a cloth 
or any other item.
- Do not place inflammables near the 
projector. 
If the ventilation holes are seriously 
obstructed, overheating inside the 
projector may result in a fire.
15. Always place the projector on a level, 
horizontal surface during operation.
- Do not use if tilted at an angle of more 
than 10 degrees left to right, nor at angle 
of more than 15 degrees front to back. 
Using the projector when it is not fully 
horizontal may cause a malfunction of, 
or damage to, the lamp. 
16. Do not stand the projector on end 
vertically. Doing so may cause the 
projector to fall over, causing injury or 
resulting in damage to the projector.
3000 m
(10000 feet)
0 m
(0 feet) 
						

							Important safety instructions 6
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.
18. Do not place liquids near or on the 
projector. Liquids spilled into the 
projector may cause it to fail. If the 
projector does become wet, disconnect 
it from the power supplys power outlet 
and call BenQ to have the projector 
serviced.
19. This product is capable of displaying 
inverted images for ceiling mount 
installation.
Use only BenQs Ceiling Mount Kit for 
mounting the projector and ensure it is 
securely installed.
20. This apparatus must be earthed.
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.
If you intend to mount your projector 
on the ceiling, we strongly recommend 
that you use a proper fitting BenQ 
projector ceiling mount kit and that 
you ensure it is securely and safely 
installed.
If you use a non-BenQ brand projector 
ceiling mount kit, there is a safety risk 
that the projector may fall from the 
ceiling due to an improper attachment 
through the use of the wrong gauge or 
length screws.
You can purchase a BenQ projector 
ceiling mount kit from the place you 
purchased your BenQ projector. BenQ 
recommends that you also purchase a 
separate Kensington lock compatible 
security cable and attach it securely to 
both the Kensington lock slot on the 
projector and the base of the ceiling 
mount bracket. This will perform the 
secondary role of restraining the 
projector should its attachment to the 
mounting bracket become loose.
Hg - Lamp contains mercury. Manage in 
accordance with local disposal laws. 
See www.lamprecycle.org. 
						

							Introduction 7
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.
•  3D function to enjoy the 3D movies, videos, and sporting events in a more realistic way 
by presenting the depth of the images
•  Filter free design to lower maintenance and operating costs
•  Brilliant color / VIDI to provide truer, more vibrant colors in picture
•  Closed captioning to display the dialogue, narration, and sound effects of TV programs 
and videos
•  Wall color correction allowing projection on surfaces of several predefined colors
•  Quick auto search speeding up the signal detecting process
•  Selectable password protected function
•  3D color management allowing color adjustments to your liking
•  Selectable quick cooling function making the projector cool in a shorter time
•  Presentation timer for better control of time during presentations
•  One-key auto-adjustment to display the best picture quality
•  Digital keystone correction to correct distorted images 
•  Adjustable color balance control for data/video display
•  Ability to display 16.7 million colors
•  Multi-language On-Screen Display (OSD) menus
•  Switchable normal and economic modes to reduce the power consumption
•  Built-in speakers providing mixed mono audio when an audio input is connected
•  Component HDTV compatibility (YP
bPr)
•  The apparent brightness of the projected image will vary depending on the ambient 
lighting conditions, selected input signal contrast/brightness settings, and is directly 
proportional to projection distance.
•  The lamp brightness will decline over time and may vary within the lamp manufacturers 
specifications. This is normal and expected behavior. 
						

							Introduction 8
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.
Pull the tab before using the remote control.
Optional accessories
Projector Power cord VGA cable
Quick start guide User manual CD Warranty card*
Remote control with battery
1. Spare lamp kit
2. Ceiling mount kit3. RS232 cable 
						

							Introduction 9
Projector exterior view
1. External control panel
(See Controls and functions on page 10 
for details.)
2. Lamp cover
3. Vent (heated air exhaust)
4. Quick-release button
5. Focus and Zoom ring
6. Vent (cool air intake)
7. Speaker grill
8. Front IR remote sensor
9. Projection lens
10. AC power jack
11. USB port
12. RGB signal output jack
13. RGB (PC)/Component Video (YPbPr/ 
YC b Cr )  s i g n a l  i n p u t  j a c k
14. RS232 control port
15. S-Video input jack
Video input jack
16. Audio input jack
Audio output jack
17. Ceiling mount holes
18. Front adjuster foot
19. Rear adjuster foot
20. Kensington anti-theft lock slot
5
Front/upper side
3
4
6
2
8
9
7
1
Rear/lower side
17
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10
16
20
18
13
19 
						

							Introduction 10
Controls and functions
Projector8. TEMPerature warning light
Lights up red if the projectors 
temperature becomes too high.
9. POWER indicator light
Lights up or flashes when the projector is 
under operation.
10. AUTO
Automatically determines the best picture 
timings for the displayed image.
11. Keystone/Arrow keys ( / Up,  /
Down)
Manually corrects distorted images 
resulting from an angled projection.
12. POWER
Toggles the projector between standby 
mode and on.
13. Right/
Increases the projector volume.
When the On-Screen Display (OSD) 
menu is activated, the #5, #11, and #13 
keys are used as directional arrows to 
select the desired menu items and to make 
adjustments.
14. SOURCE
Displays the source selection bar. 1. Focus ring
Adjusts the focus of the projected image.
2. Zoom ring
Adjusts the size of the image.
3. LAMP indicator light
Indicates the status of the lamp. Lights up 
or flashes when the lamp has developed a 
problem.
4. MENU/EXIT
Turns on the On-Screen Display (OSD) 
menu. Goes back to previous OSD menu, 
exits and saves menu settings. 
5. Left/
Decreases the projector volume.
6. MODE/ENTER
Selects an available picture setup mode.
Activates the selected On-Screen Display 
(OSD) menu item.
7. BLANK
Used to hide the screen picture.
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5
10
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8
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4
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11
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