As hybrid work redefines meeting rooms and large-screen home entertainment evolves, display and collaboration devices are becoming easier to use, more powerful, and more important. After a detailed briefing on the BenQ InstaShow VS25 wireless video conferencing solution, I spoke with Rajeev Singh, Managing Director, BenQ India and South Asia, about the company’s enterprise focus, how the VS25 differentiates itself in a competitive market, its upgrade cycle and security framework. The conversation also extended beyond boardrooms to home projectors, where BenQ sees rising demand from high-net-worth buyers and younger, mobile-first consumers. Here are the key excerpts from the interaction.
With the VS25 video conferencing solution, what specific problem are you trying to solve? You mentioned it is plug-and-play and does not require any software executable file. Is there anything particular you want to address here?
The biggest issue we needed to address was from the corporate customer’s point of view. Since this is a wireless presentation and video conferencing system designed for enterprises, it must comply with the latest corporate security protocols. Corporations will never compromise on security, especially with wireless devices.
At the same time, when you design something that supports video conferencing, it becomes challenging to make it truly plug and play. You do not want customers struggling with technical steps. Not everyone using the device will be technically skilled. It has to be simple, almost foolproof.
But while making it simple, the product still needs to be technologically advanced and work flawlessly. That was the core idea behind this product. We believe corporates always needed such a solution, but it was not previously available in this form.
How does it stack up to competing solutions in the market?
There are competing solutions, like ClickShare from Barco, which has been in the market for quite some time. However, their solution is not completely hardware-based. You still need to download a patch or software for it to function on your device, which corporations generally do not prefer.
In a corporate setup, you may have employees, visitors, or external stakeholders. You want a system that anyone can use without installation steps. With our device, you simply plug it in like a dongle or pen drive, and it starts working. It also provides full control features such as presenter selection and sequencing. But most importantly, it works immediately without lag or complex setup.
Does it work with platforms like Zoom or Meet? Is it flexible from a customer perspective?
Yes, it is flexible. It is compatible not only with modern meeting room setups but also with legacy systems, including display-based or projector-based conferencing solutions with dedicated hardware cameras. It supports what customers used in the past, what they use today, and what they may adopt in the future.
Speaking of forward compatibility, what is the upgrade cycle for this device? If a customer buys this hardware, how long before a new version replaces it?
Typically, a one-to-one product upgrade cycle is at least two years. That means a direct successor usually comes after two years or more. Of course, new models may be introduced above or below it at any time. Our previous generation product, VS20, was in the market for two years. This new model, VS25, is a significant upgrade.
The earlier version required software installation. Also, we offer a three-year on-site warranty for VS25. Once a customer buys it, they do not have to worry. If anything happens, we handle it on site. Three years is a solid coverage period for such devices. In most cases, new advancements happen within that time anyway. So practically, the product is covered for most of its usable life.
From a security standpoint, the slides mentioned several protocols. For someone non-technical, can you briefly explain what they mean?
These are standard corporate wireless security protocols. They are primarily relevant for CIOs and IT or AV procurement teams who make purchasing decisions. They need to ensure compliance. End users do not need to understand the technical details. For them, the priority is ease of use and quick connectivity. They just need assurance that the system is secure. The technical protocols are for decision-makers, not everyday users.
Are these products pitched to small-scale enterprises as well?
This particular model, i.e., VS25, is an enterprise-grade product. It is not intended for small-scale applications. We have another product, WDC15, mainly for SMBs and smaller corporate setups. But this one is designed specifically for enterprise environments.
Moving to projectors, with large-screen TVs becoming common, what is the pitch for customers considering a projector?
From a practical perspective, TVs have size limitations. Even a 100-inch TV is difficult to transport and install. Beyond that, logistics become nearly impossible.
Projectors, on the other hand, can easily create 100-inch or even 300-inch screens. Another key difference is viewing comfort. A TV is a direct light source. You are looking at emitted light from LED backlighting. With larger screens and higher brightness, prolonged viewing can cause eye strain, dryness, and fatigue.
A projector works on reflected light. The light hits the screen and reflects to your eyes, which is more comfortable. Even long viewing sessions feel less harsh. With advancements in 4K resolution and brightness, modern projectors perform well even with lights on. As projection technology evolves rapidly, this transition towards projectors will accelerate.
Where is demand coming from? Any specific city tiers?
One major segment is HNIs (High Net-worth Individuals). This segment is growing rapidly in India. They are investing in larger homes and dedicated media rooms. Many prefer recreating a cinema experience at home, often better than what they get in multiplexes, where projectors may be older.
Another fast-growing segment is millennials. Many prefer mobility and flexibility. They do not want fixed installations like large TVs. Portable smart projectors suit their lifestyle. These can project on walls or ceilings and often do not require a screen.
Even parents are choosing portable projectors for children, instead of handing them phones. Projectors use reflected light, which is easier on the eyes. Many portable models are child-friendly, with magnetic power cables and rounded, rubberised edges.
Is BenQ mainly targeting high-end customers?
For high-end home theatre setups, yes. But portable projectors start from around Rs 50,000. Until six months ago, entry-level models were around Rs 70,000. We have reduced prices to make them more accessible. We also offer EMI schemes and affordability programmes. Over time, we aim to make them more affordable without compromising performance.
Do you plan partnerships with OTT platforms like some TV brands do?
No. Projectors and OTT platforms operate independently. There is no subsidy model or ecosystem bundling like in TVs.
Do you have an offline retail presence?
Yes. We are present across India through offline retail, Amazon, Flipkart, and our own D2C platform. We are also in discussions with Reliance and Croma, targeting presence around the IPL timeframe. This will expand reach into tier 2 and tier 3 cities.
What about post-sales support?
We have over 250 service centres across India. For most projectors, we offer on-site service. Customers just call our support number, and we handle the rest. We provide a three-year on-site warranty, compared to the typical one-year warranty for TVs. Customers get complete peace of mind.
Finally, what common misconceptions do Indian customers have about projectors?
The biggest misconception is about lamp replacement costs. Earlier, projectors used lamp-based light sources with 4,000 to 5,000 hours of life. Replacements cost Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000.
Today, most projectors use solid-state light sources such as lasers or LEDs, with around 30,000 hours of life. At three hours per day, that can last nearly 20 years. There is no recurring lamp cost.
Another misconception is that projectors require dark rooms. Modern projectors are bright enough for well-lit rooms. Laser projection TVs can deliver brightness comparable to TVs, even with lights on.
Technology has addressed these earlier limitations. The old roadblocks no longer apply.
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