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    BenQ HT2550 4K HDR Projector review

    4K projectors could also be getting higher proper alongside their big-screen TV counterparts, however whereas the latter has been coming down in value, the previous has been sluggish to just accept a extra consumer-friendly price ticket.

    A minimum of, that was the case up till earlier this 12 months when BenQ introduced the HT2550 (known as the BenQ W1700 within the UK, Australia and UAE). After all, at $1,500 the BenQ HT2550 isn’t precisely low cost. It’s simply cheaper

    Is the BenQ HT2550 nonetheless an excellent beamer regardless of the slashed sticker value? We put it to the check to seek out out.

    Design

    While you first take the BenQ HT2550 out of the field, you’ll discover its design: it’s a nice-looking machine. Its design is clearly extra practical than anything, however that’s definitely not a nasty factor, in any case, nobody might be shopping for a projector just because it seems good. Nonetheless, we just like the white-and-silver coloration scheme and the refined curves, and we expect the projector ought to look proper at residence in any residence theater.

    On the again of the machine, you’ll discover your inputs and outputs. Whereas there aren’t a ton there, we expect there’s fairly every thing most will want: You’ll get two HDMI ports – one HDMI 2.Zero-compliant port that ought to be used for any 4K HDR content material, and one customary HDMI port for anything – plus you’ll additionally discover a USB port for powering a tool just like the Roku Streaming Stick+, a 12-volt set off, three.5mm audio enter and output, and a VGA enter. It’s unlucky that the USB port doesn’t help streaming information from a tough drive or USB drive, however not surprising.

    It’s not a nasty choice, however there are occasions by which it may not be sufficient. For instance, in case you have multiple 4K HDR supply you wish to hook up with the projector, you’ll wish to use an A/V receiver or HDMI swap. 

    The projector is a bit of massive, which is one thing to bear in mind. At 353 x 135 x 272 mm, it’s not unexpectedly big, however it’s your decision think about mounting it from the ceiling when you plan on holding it put in in your house, slightly than taking it on the highway. 

    Fortunately, the distant is comparatively simple to make use of and it is brightly backlit when you faucet a “mild” button on the prime of the projector, which could be very useful for darkish rooms. 

    On the prime of the distant, you’ll discover energy controls and a few image settings controls, below which is a directional pad. Underneath that, you’ll get menu controls, playback controls, and extra. Regardless of the massive number of buttons, you can choose up the controls in no-time.

    Setup

    Organising the projector is basically very simple. Merely take the projector out of the field, plug the ability wire and supply in, and switch it on. Chances are you’ll wish to modify issues like keystone, zoom, and focus, however doing so could be very simple given the comparatively easy distant. 

    In contrast to dearer projectors, the BenQ HT2550 doesn’t boast any lens shift options, so we advocate inserting the projector on as horizontal of a airplane as you probably can. (Although, the projector boasts 1.2x optical zoom and options like automated vertical keystone to assist with the setup course of, which could be very good.)  

    Generally, it’s merely not potential to put the projector horizontally, which is the place the vertical keystone can assist. There’s additionally a bit of kickstand on the underside of the projector, which could additionally assist guarantee a top quality image. 

    Typically talking, the BenQ HT2550 could be very simple to put in – although, when you plan on mounting it from the ceiling or want some electrical work executed to correctly set up it, it is smart to get skilled assist slightly than go it alone.

    The software program on the projector is primary, however practical. It seems a bit of dated, to make sure, and this isn’t a wise projector so you possibly can’t hook up with any gadgets by Wi-Fi. That mentioned, relating to software program, you’ll get easy on-screen menus so don’t go in anticipating a fancy sensible platform like the sort you see on LG, Samsung, Sony or different big-name sensible TVs. 

    Efficiency

    In testing the BenQ HT2550 projector, we set it up in a number of completely different environments that included a number of completely different lighting conditions. After all, in all equity to the projector, a lot of the testing was executed from round 11 toes away in a largely darkish room – and in that surroundings, the projector is a stunner.

    With each a 4K decision and HDR help, the HT2550 initiatives at as much as 2,200 lumens. Whereas it’s not the best brightness projector on the market, it carried out extraordinarily effectively in most of our checks. Positive, environments with extra mild merely gained’t look pretty much as good, however so long as the sunshine isn’t over-the-top, it ought to just do advantageous.

    Maybe simply as vital because the projector’s brightness, nonetheless, is its coloration accuracy: The gorgeous colours on supply in Planet Earth II have been on full show right here, as have been the small print to be present in Stranger Issues. Just about every thing we watched on this projector was detailed and clear, offered comparatively good environments.

    Outdoors of the same old specs, the BenQ HT2550 additionally has a number of of its personal methods up its sleeve. For instance, it has a singular HDR processing that’s aimed toward offering a stability between distinction and coloration accuracy. We discovered that it appeared fairly good  and whereas maybe not as gorgeous as some dearer projectors, it’s nonetheless much better than what you’ll get from primary SDR content material. 

    Regardless of the intense colours and heavy element, the distinction on supply wasn’t fairly as excessive as we’d have appreciated. You’ll see grayish letterbox bars across the picture which might be fairly noticeable, and which may be a priority for some which might be searching for solely the best high quality picture. For many, nonetheless, we expect the image will do completely advantageous.

    The BenQ HT2550 additionally boasts a built-in speaker, and it was really fairly spectacular. Now, to match the gorgeous picture on give you’ll positively wish to put money into no less than a good sound bar, if not a encompass sound system – however in a pinch the built-in audio system can convey the message with some depth, and get loud sufficient for moderately-sized rooms. 

    Talking of sound, although, there’s positively some noise emitted from the fan within the projector, however in our view it’s not too extreme. First rate audio system and sensible projector placement can assist minimize out that noise too.

    Total, for the value the BenQ HT2550 is a shocking projector. Whereas black ranges might not be as darkish as they might be, colours are vivid and element is excessive even when your front room setup permits some mild within the room. 

    Verdict

    The BenQ HT2550 could look a bit expensive to somebody used to seeing low cost 4K TVs, for the value you possibly can’t do a lot better. The projector boasts vivid, clear colours, loads of element, and a 4K decision – all at effectively below $2,000. That’s no small feat.

    The projector isn’t good – the blacks on supply aren’t as deep as we’d have appreciated, the projector nonetheless creates some fan noise and there’s additionally no lens shift – however these small downsides apart, we expect the BenQ HT2550 is a superb choice for people who need a stable, no-frills projector with help for a 4K decision and HDR content material. 

    Are there higher choices? Effectively, there’s the Optoma UHD50, which is $100 cheaper and gives most of the identical perks (although coloration accuracy isn’t fairly pretty much as good, and the BenQ projector is barely better-built) however ultimately, we expect it’s higher to spent the additional $100 for the BenQ HT2550. If you happen to do find yourself shopping for it, coupled with a good display and sound system, you gained’t be disillusioned.

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