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.

I have an HT1075 (1080p). Upgraded to a HT3550 and ended up returning it, not enough difference to justify the cost. If you’re primarily streaming there’s even less of a difference

I got a used Benq HT1075, after a year of enjoyment I bought a used ht3550.  After a week I didn’t see enough of a difference to justify it and returned.   I think unless you make a substantial jump in price it’s hard to get a huge difference in quality 

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 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 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

Around a grand isn’t going to get you but a budget projector. You’re better off with a 82” TV unless you are willing to spend around $2-3k for something like the Epson 5050UB for decent picture. If your living room is light controlled you can get away with something cheaper like a Benq HT3550, I started around the same price range and wish I upgraded sooner to the Epson.

I loved my ht3550 and it's around that price, for sure if you get a referb. Not GREAT for gaming but as long as it's not a FPS it's good. I played all of The Witcher 3 on it and had a blast. Great budget theater option IMO.

Disagree with this. I have had a HT3550 for a few years and every year something fails on it. Dead pixels, fan burn out, etc. Never the expected lamp burnout. Not returning to BenQ after this.

I cannot stress how much OLED snobbery plagues this sub. Picture quality does not matter THAT much... I game on a 110" screen powered by a 4k BenQ projector (very cheap but solid projector for gaming) and the size of the screen alone absolutely blows everything else away for the gaming experience. Size is truly king over everything else in the theater world.

Incorrect. It is picture SIZE first, then audio, then picture quality. Movie theaters have existed for 100 years with what would now be considered terrible picture quality yet they were still great experiences because of the size of the image and the immersion it brings.