BenQ GV31 vs Epson Home Cinema 980
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Choosing between the BenQ GV31 and Epson Home Cinema 980? Both compete in the Projector segment. Here’s how they compare across the specs that matter most for your home theater.
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Looking at overall performance dimensions: The BenQ GV31 scores higher in value, form factor, room fit. The Epson Home Cinema 980 leads in video quality, gaming performance. They score similarly in ease of use.
The Epson Home Cinema 980 offers higher brightness at 4000 ANSI lumens vs 300, and different projection technologies (DLP vs 3LCD). More lumens means a brighter image, critical if you can't fully darken your room. Below 2000 lumens needs a dedicated dark room; 3000+ handles ambient light. In a dedicated dark room, contrast ratio and color accuracy may matter more than raw brightness.
These two Projector options trade wins across different dimensions. The right choice depends on which specs matter most for your room and listening preferences — review the detailed table below to decide.
For most home theaters, the BenQ GV31 is the stronger choice — it leads in 3 of 6 scored dimensions. The Epson Home Cinema 980 makes more sense if you prioritize the 2 dimensions where it leads.
Performance Overview
Scores based on specs and category benchmarks (0–100 scale)
BenQ GV31
Epson Home Cinema 980
Detailed Specifications
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | N/A | N/A |
| Native Resolution | 1080p | 1080p |
| Technology | DLP | 3LCD |
| Throw Ratio Min | 1.2 | 1.21 |
| Throw Ratio Max | 1.2 | 1.45 |
| Lens Shift V | — | — |
| Lens Shift H | — | — |
| ANSI Lumens | 300 | 4000 |
| CLO Lumens | — | 4000 |
| Contrast Ratio | 100000:1 | 16000:1 |
| HDR Support | ||
| Input Lag | 45ms | — |
| Lamp Life | 30000hrs | 6000hrs |
| Light Source | LED | lamp |
| Lens Quality | — | — |
| Tone Mapping | — | — |
| Ultra Short Throw | No | No |
| Chip Size | — | — |
| Color Depth | 24bit | 10bit |
| Zoom Ratio | 1 | 1.2 |
| Zoom Type | fixed | Manual |
| Focus Type | — | Manual |
| Noise (Normal) | 28dB | 37dB |
| Noise (Eco) | 26dB | 28dB |
| Power Draw | 45W | 349W |
| HDMI Inputs | 2 | 2 |
| HDMI Version | 1.4 | 2.0 |
| 3D Support | No | No |
| Built-in Speaker | Yes | Yes |
| Speaker Power | 4W | 2W |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Streaming Apps | Yes | No |
| Lens Memory | No | No |
| 12V Trigger | No | No |
| Ethernet | No | No |
| Frame Interpolation | No | No |
| Native Aspect | — | 16:9 |
Key Differences
- ANSI Lumens: BenQ GV31 at 300 vs Epson Home Cinema 980 at 4000. More lumens means a brighter image, critical if you can't fully darken your room. Below 2000 lumens needs a dedicated dark room; 3000+ handles ambient light.
- Power Draw: BenQ GV31 at 45W vs Epson Home Cinema 980 at 349W
- Contrast Ratio: BenQ GV31 at 100000:1 vs Epson Home Cinema 980 at 16000:1
- Lamp Life: BenQ GV31 at 30000hrs vs Epson Home Cinema 980 at 6000hrs
- Technology: BenQ GV31 at DLP vs Epson Home Cinema 980 at 3LCD
Which Should You Choose?
Choose BenQ GV31 if you want:
- + better throw ratio min
- + better contrast ratio
- + better lamp life
- + better noise (normal)
Choose Epson Home Cinema 980 if you want:
- + better ansi lumens — more lumens means a brighter image, critical if you can't fully darken your room
See Where These Rank
Check our editorial rankings to see how BenQ GV31 and Epson Home Cinema 980 compare to the rest of the field.
Best Projector RankingsRelated Calculators
Specifications sourced from manufacturer datasheets and verified against retailer listings. Prices updated hourly from authorized retailers. Scoring uses our open methodology — products are never ranked, promoted, or suppressed based on affiliate commission rates.
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