BenQ - HT3550

https://preview.redd.it/amtmqhvpem3f1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b534be9f005f227cff6fa7512db2d7b6dda14b52 We have a similar room with not much length to work with so I got a used benq ht3550 and a 100 inch screen. Works perfectly even with the window. I usually black out the window with a curtain, eventually I'll have something more permanent up there, but even without the curtain as long as it's not middle of the day it's fine. (This picture was taken around noon so not the ideal lighting)

HT3550

yes and no , it uses pixel shifting tech to "scale" to 4k , you are correct in saying its not native 4k , thanks for adding this

You're not wrong on the technical details ,Epson's sub-LS11000 models use 2x pixel shifting and don't hit the full 8.3 million pixels on screen like 4x-shift DLP projectors do. But calling it "only software upscaling" oversimplifies it. Epson’s pixel-shifting is still hardware-based and does provide a visible bump over native 1080p, even if it’s not full 4K.

Yeah, 8.3 million physical pixels sounds great on paper, but it’s not the whole story. Epson’s 3LCD projectors, even with 2x pixel shift, still hold their own with better color accuracy, brightness, and no rainbow effect. A lot of the cheaper 4K DLPs use that 0.47" chip with 4x wobble, which technically gets all the pixels on screen, but can come with motion artifacts and washed out blacks. So yeah, if you’re staring at paused 4K content up close, DLP might look sharper. But for actual viewing movies, gaming, sims. Epson’s image quality often just looks better overall. It’s not all about the pixel count.

The 2060 is very similar to the 2050 but doesn’t need bumbs and has hdr and will accept 4k input (I believe). Both are very good. The 3550 has 4k pixels. It’s not as bright so only good to 120” in a dim room. All three are solid options

I have a benQ 3550 that currently has some issues. (screen starts as dark some times when booting up, light bleed during AVR menu, and the colors just "seem" off). Instead of reparing or buying a new lamp I'm ready to upgrade. Is the 2720i a significant upgrade over the 3550?

I've had the HT3550 for 3 years and it has been a great protector for the price. I've been considering an upgrade to the Epson 5050ub, but don't know that the increase in performance will be worth spending ~$2500. Looking forward to hearing more about your comparison

I agree 100% about this sub and I also have a PJ40. I pledged on Kickstarter almost a year ago for the Valerion Max and my (lamp based) BENQ HT3550 developed multiple issues so I got the PJ40 just to get me through and I have to say for the price the image quality is impressive, it is brighter than my BenQ was (even with a new lamp) it starts up within a few seconds vs about a minute and the color is good, not great but if you had nothing to compare it to you wouldn’t really have anything to complain about. The main issue with this and other lower priced PJs is how long it will last. Once the LCD gets burned out it’s pretty much e waste at that point and Reddit is littered with people saying how theirs didn’t last very long. That said if you aren’t planning on using it everyday for years and years it’s awesome gaming or watching movies on a huge screen. If you’re not ready to repair it in the next year or possibly two I’d go with a TV.

I got my 3550 for $700. I'm sad now.

I'm not actually sad. I still see it as a steal. It was a joke.

I just got a BenQ 3550. A lot of people say it's not good for daytime, but honestly it's quite good. I got it manufacturer refurbed on Ebay for $750.

I went from a 108" ht3550 to the 98" mini led from TCL. was hesitant for a while, but the brightness and colour difference is such a big jump, especially with how relatively cheap big 100ish inch tvs are getting now. Was also worried id wish it was OLED, however I'm loving the mini led. Perhaps if they were the same price or close, id be getting the OLED, but the contrast and black levels on mini led are very impressive nowadays. Gaming on the tv is fair better than the projector I had as well

Picked between those new when the difference was a couple hundred dollars and went with the BenQ and am still super happy with it years later. A bit sharper and better color, less brightness and contrast compared to the Epson.

Have you tried it? How competitive are you? I’d say input lag isn’t as big an issue as it’s made out to be. My son and I play on a BenQ 3550 which is not a low-lag gaming projector. I’m a casual gamer and my son is very competitive with his friends and it’s not noticeable. Some cheap projectors might have longer lags and if you were really competitive, I suspect you wouldn’t be playing on a projector, so best to try it out. Point is you don’t necessarily need a low-lag gaming projector to have fun playing games with a projector.

Those are both good projectors. The Benq is sharper and the epson has better blacks. Let us know your findings