BenQ, known for its professional-grade monitors and projectors, is now making a foray into the gaming market with its ZOWIE sub-brand. We spoke with Rajeev Singh, Managing Director of BenQ India and South Asia, to discuss this expansion, their latest 540Hz monitor, their partnership with Google in educational technology, and the burgeoning home theatre market in India.
BenQ has a history of catering to professionals and cinema enthusiasts. Their recent expansion into the gaming market, specifically with the ZOWIE sub-brand, is not a sudden shift but a natural evolution of their expertise in visual technology. Their strong reputation in creating premium visual experiences has laid the foundation for meeting the demands of gamers. BenQ’s pioneering role in gaming monitors is evident in their launch of the world’s first RTS (Real-Time Strategy) gaming monitor, the RL2240H, back in 2011. They have been actively involved in eSports through ZOWIE and are now pushing boundaries with innovations like their 540Hz refresh rate monitor, a first in India. This builds upon the success of their 360Hz monitor, showcasing their dedication to fulfilling the needs of esports professionals for speed and precision.
Developing fast-paced gaming monitors with excellent color performance is challenging. Many monitors with 240Hz refresh rates struggle with color accuracy. Yet, BenQ has ventured into uncharted territory with their 540Hz monitor. Their dedication to providing the best possible in-game experience for FPS players fuels this venture. BenQ understands that for professional gamers, clear target visibility and winning are paramount. Their 540Hz monitors with new Fast TN panels boast Vivid Color Film, enhancing color performance by 35%, meticulously balancing unprecedented speed with exceptional visual quality. This innovation is a testament to BenQ’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of gaming technology for the esports market.
From a technical standpoint, developing the 540Hz monitor posed significant challenges. Traditional TN panels, renowned for speed, often compromise on color accuracy and viewing angles. BenQ’s engineers overcame these limitations while maintaining the blazing-fast 540Hz refresh rate. Their vision is to strive for perfection and create monitors that genuinely empower gamers to achieve victory while ensuring a smooth and comfortable in-game experience.
BenQ has been at the forefront of integrating Google’s Enterprise Device Licensing Agreement (EDLA) technology into their interactive flat panels, particularly for rural education initiatives. This collaboration has been transformative. Their EDLA-enabled panels provide direct access to Google’s education suite, including Google Classroom, Docs, and Sheets, without the need for additional devices. This has significantly enhanced the learning experience in rural schools, where access to multiple devices can be limited. The initiative has been well-received by both educators and students. Teachers appreciate the seamless integration of familiar Google tools, reducing the learning curve and allowing them to focus on content delivery. Students benefit from a more interactive and engaging learning environment, with access to a wealth of educational resources through the Google Play Store. BenQ has observed improved collaboration and productivity in classrooms using these panels. The cloud-based nature of Google services has also enabled better continuity of learning, allowing students to access materials and work on projects beyond the classroom. While challenges remain in ensuring consistent internet connectivity in some rural areas, the overall impact of this initiative has been extremely positive, bridging the digital divide in education.
Achieving precise color accuracy is crucial across various fields, from photography and design to cinema and gaming. BenQ has developed two specialized tools: Palette Master Ultimate for monitors and BenQ QColor for projectors. These solutions are designed to maximize the capabilities of their displays, particularly their SW series monitors and flagship home theatre projectors. The software provides a seamless calibration experience, tailored to meet the needs of both beginners and professionals. For monitors, Basic Mode offers intuitive calibration, while Advanced Mode allows meticulous control over RGB primaries, white point, luminance, gamma, and black point settings. For projectors, the focus remains on enhancing color performance for flagship models, ensuring an authentic cinematic experience through precise calibration with BenQ QColor software. By developing their own software, BenQ ensures perfect compatibility and continually refines their calibration processes based on user feedback and technological advancements. This dedication results in a cohesive, optimized color management ecosystem that professionals and cinephiles can rely on for true-to-life color representation.
The Indian home theatre projector market has seen remarkable growth post-pandemic, driven by increased streaming and 4K content availability. Consumers are opting for high-end 4K projectors to recreate cinematic experiences at home, boosting demand for superior image quality. BenQ is a market leader in the 4K Projector Segment in India, with a 46% market share in Q1’24 (according to FutureSource Consulting Report Q1, 2024).
Customers should consider investing in a home theatre setup with a projector and screen instead of a large TV when they want to elevate their viewing experience. Projectors offer unparalleled screen size flexibility, easily reaching 120 inches or more, creating a truly immersive, cinema-like atmosphere at home. Projectors also provide excellent value per screen inch compared to large TVs. For the price of a premium 80-inch TV, you could potentially set up a projector system with an even larger screen and have budget left over for a quality audio setup. Projectors offer unique advantages in terms of space utilization and eye comfort. Unlike bulky large-screen TVs, projectors can be discreetly mounted and screens can be retracted when not in use. Additionally, the reflected light from projector screens tends to be gentler on the eyes during extended viewing sessions compared to the direct light emission of TV displays. In today’s time, when screen time has increased exponentially, this benefit of projectors over TVs counts a lot more. While both projectors and large TVs have their merits, consider a projector setup when you want to create a truly theatrical experience at home, desire maximum screen size for your budget, or need flexibility in your living space. The immersive viewing experience and versatility offered by modern projectors can transform your home entertainment in ways that even the largest TVs struggle to match.
