BenQ - HT4550i

Literally my journey. Cheap Amazon projector as an emergency display while on the road. Lasted us a year and change at home. When the filter burned through upgraded to a BenQ 4K setup. No way my wife would have been interested in the cost for the system without testing a cheap version first.

I turned a basement room into a massive wall sized theater and the whole family is enjoying the results. But there are two things that I want to improve upon based on initial experiences. 1: Using the entire wall creates a 180" diagonal that really demands a bit more brightness, this will only become more pronounced once I add a slightly gray projector wall paint. 2: 4k gaming at 60 Hertz is really now a bummer after having played on ultrawides at 120hz and 240hz. Here's a sampler of the room: [https://imgur.com/a/XZ5rH3K](https://imgur.com/a/XZ5rH3K) My current projector is a BenQ HT4550i. It's "solid" in that it has 3D and 3200 lumens, but the 60hz gaming at 4k hurts my eyes now. I bought it open box or refurb so reselling it will not lose me much money which emboldens me to find something better. Is there a projector that performs solid at a very large screen size (high lumens needed to perform against a gray projector wall paint) and offers 4k120hz as well as 3d? Side note: I've been a projector enthusiast for almost two decades now, So, if I could ask for your help on JUST THIS QUESTION it would be very helpful. I recognize that treating the room acoustically and with paint that reduces ambient reflections is absolutely something that should be done. I also recognize that maximum performance from something like a dedicated stretched canvas screen would be better, but the size of the screen is existential to my family's enjoyment of this as a special experience... so size really does matter here. Reddit is a tremendous community of very smart individuals, but sometimes the community's intelligence and desire to "correct" the OP's question gets in the way of providing real information.

Heard, but black projectors are kinda... i won't say rare, but the options are definitely limited. I actually saved a couple grand and went for the HT4550i because it was a great PJ that was black and could be had more practically (for me).

Well blackout curtains is generally the deal breaker for anyone who isn't single. If you're fine with not only having them but them being closed often during the prime hours of the day, then yea go for it. Taken to a more committed extreme: darker paint tones, and covering shiny surfaces and objects prevents light from reflecting off of the large image surface and back onto it again as well as eliminate "distractions." If I'm honest, nobody's approval was required for my home theater, though I pray the IRS doesn't read this sub. I went with the BenQ HT4550i, I've seen it go for low $2000s but it's usually about $2800. I've been very satisfied with it. Most members of this sub are going to preach Epson, though. I went with the Elite Screens CineWhite UHD-B. Was easy to put together, received in good condition. Seems like a pretty good value, but the tensioning isn't perfect and I'd love for you to hear some other recommendations. 5.1.4 Sound system, all Klipsch Reference premier. I'd love to get two more speakers in but the left side of my theater is open to my dinning room, and there's no sensible place to put a speaker there. Controversial brand here. Lot of well deserved criticism about their marketing practices, and yet if you browse the photos it'd seem more people are buying them on sale than not. Blackout curtains, though I usually keep them open with just the blinds closed with sheers. My windows are in a shadowey ally, so my curtains are only really necessary a couple hours of the day (usually a good time for a nap early afternoon, if i'm not working anyway. Plus, I spend a lot of time here and some natural light keeps the sad away. Some custom lighting I did with basic wooden frames, LED lights and acoustic foam. Twinkle ceiling. All electronics nearly organized into a server rack. Edited to add: Avoid Optoma. Optoma is the major brand that has really struggled to make reliable 4k projectors. And products of all costs and companies sometimes break, but if it's made by a company you've never heard of before; you have to expect the RMA process is gunna be hell or a waste of time.

Looks great. Got a mate with benq 4K projector and The feeling playing at 130 inch screen is amazing. This nebula projector looks even better. Enjoy!

Last year, I set up a projector in my basement using a 110 inch screen. I first tried the BenQ 3560 and it was OK for its price, but I wanted better. So I went ahead and picked up the BenQ 4550i. While it was brighter then the 3560 and colors were a little better, the contrast was better then the 3560 but still meh. So, I then picked up the epson 5050ub because of all the fantastic reviews. Well, the Epson 5050ub crushed the other 2 projectors in CONTRAST. While, even the BenQ 4550i looked like mud in space scenes and any dark scene. The epson is brighter in HDR, and the black floor as well as blacks are just so much better. Maybe the DL] with 4k pixel shift was a little sharper and the 4550i had slightly better color in HDR BUT it doesnt matter because the epaon 5050ub 3lcd was much better in where it really counts. I would get a 5050ub if you can snag one for cheap. I sent all the other projectors back and I kept the epson.

Yep, I had a 3560, 4550i, and an Epson 5050ub in my house and I ended up keeping the 5050ub because of RBE and also because the epson crushed the other 2 in contrast.

If this helps you. About 2 years ago, In my house I had a BenQ 3560, BenQ 4550i, and an Epson 5050ub. I compared these 3 for about a week, and I ended up keeping the epson 5050ub because the contrast ratio of the epson was light years better then the other 2 projectors. Yes, the 4550i had better color and was a little sharper but overall the epson had a much more engaging picture because of the contrast. The 3560 was meh. Also, my wife was bothered by the rainbow effect of the dip.

Thanks man. While the ub5050 is dated and is not 4k, It gets me 90% there. I paid $1800 new, so I am happy! I noticed the biggest factor is what you feed it. Highly compressed files, and it looks terrible. 4k disc's, and it looks very sharp. I had a 4k pixel shift. BenQ 4550i and while it was a little sharper, I sent it back, and I kept the 5050ub because the contrast was much much better. Contrast is king.

That’s good news. The w4000i has very good contrast for a DLP. Not the deepest black levels but the HDR tone mapping does a lot of work— this is actually the first projector besides a JVC I would consider viable for HDR. Where did you see these two back to back?

The X500i has ridiculously good contrast. It’s the 4K version of the HT2060/TH690ST— while I never reviewed the 500 I did review the two 1080p models and both approach 2000:1 native FOFO. This is largely thanks to a deep black level that I’ve never seen any other DLP match. The flip side of these models is they are not especially bright. 100” is probably as large as I would recommend. 120” if you have a man cave. I doubt any other DLP will have as good of contrast as the X500. That said, I have an HT4550i (w4000i) as well and while it’s black level isn’t as good it’s over all presentation is arguably superior. It’s much, much brighter which enhances the dynamic range and lends a lot of authenticity to HDR content. My hope is the w2720i would be a ‘baby brother’ w4000i…

Not expecting the replacement w4100i until sometime later in the year. It’s a shame the 4550i was a killer projector and one of the few home theater options at its price point. But it seems there were foundational issues with this model— my reviewer sample got the dreaded gray screen of death after a time. If you’re stateside the w2720i is just launching. Review samples are going out now and so you should see a lot more info posted soon. I’ll be reviewing this unit myself over the next couple weeks.

DLP projectors often overstate their lumen specs and Optoma tends to be especially egregious about this. I’d honestly be surprised if that 4500 lumen Optoma was putting out more than 2000 real ANSI lumens in any mode you’d actually want to watch. I’m also dubious the lamp is the issue. You say it’s acting wonky? What’s wonky? I’ve had several lamp based projectors and, yes, the lamps do go bad but they are fairly easily replaced. All that said: I really DO like DLP especially for outdoor applications. You don’t have to worry about filters or dirt getting into the light path. They are comparably compact and efficient. Lastly, there is such a wide variety of DLP make/models out there that almost everyone can find something to fit their needs. I also really like the idea of solid state. While lamp has a cost advantage we’re at the point where LED and laser projectors are getting reasonably priced and offer a substantial upgrade in terms of longevity and picture quality. The Epson you picked out seems to be a nice model for high brightness applications. But like AV said: these high brightness, business use models tend to have a reputation for pretty mediocre contrast/blacks. That extends to both 3LCD and DLP but a comparable price/performance DLP like the $1300, 1080p BenQ LH730 would probably do a bit better here and be sharper to boot. I run a projector outside on a 120” Elite screens yardmaster. But I prefer to stick with 4K these days. If I’m traveling I take a BenQ TK700STI which is a 3000 lumen (but not really) short throw, lamp based, gaming projector. I love that thing for how compact and convenient it is and how you can throw a big image without needing a lot of space. Built in wifi streaming and Bluetooth audio out in a package that weighs less than 7 lbs. At home my upstairs sometimes outdoor projector is a BenQ X3000i (replaced with the X3100i now in BenQ’s lineup). That projector is even brighter and a lot more colorful and has the benefit of LED so no lamp to fuss with. But at 15lbs and requiring more throw I wouldn’t exactly call it portable. For reference my home theater projector was a BenQ HT4550i, then an Epson 5050UB (temporarily) and I’m now using a BenQ W2720i in that space.

It kills me BenQ never released a standard throw version of the x500i. That model has better contrast/blacks than the vast majority of DLPs outside some of the new triple laser USTs (for whatever reason USTs perform well above their more conventional siblings in this area). I feel your pain. Am anxiously awaiting the W2720i to see what BenQ has done with it but I have concerns about the move back to .47” from .65” especially with their 4LED light engine. All their models so far have used the .65 to good effect. It feels a bit like the availability of affordable 98/100” flat panels has killed the middle market of home theater projectors. The X3000/X3100i (I reviewed the 3000 way back) are very bright, decent contrast— at the time I reviewed the 3000i I remarked on it’s contrast but that was when the average lamp based RGBW 4k DLP was doing around 1000:1 with poor color and around half that with accurate color. The 1100:1 of the X3000i WITH its awesome color when combined with its fantastic lumen output was a revelation. Then came along the HT2060/TH690ST. (Another model I reviewed— you can find over at AVS) Both 1080p models. Both significantly dimmer than the X3000/3100. But both with WAY better contrast/blacks. I measured the HT2060 over 1900:1 depending on picture mode. I’m still using an HT2060 in my basement home theater and prefer it for PS5 games. The contrast is simply better than everything below the UB Epsons. Despite the ability to accept 4K/HDR I run the 2060 as an Hd/rec709 unit. Then BenQ dropped the Ht4550i (W4000i). Reliability issues aside this is still my favorite DLP that has ever been released. I wept quietly when mine bit the dust a couple months ago. Contrast was a small bump over yhe X3000i (around 1300:1) but a variety of picture enhancements including the first usable application of their smarteco dimming feature, a clever ‘local contrast’ enhancer and hands down the best HDR tone mapping I’ve seen this side of a JVC— elevated it well beyond the X3000i IMO. For Bluray I would still pick the HT2060 for it’s deeper blacks but for all things 4K the 4550i was simply the best I’ve seen at it’s price especially if you could use it’s prodigious light output. Seriously this model pairs well with screen 120-150 inches. I never reviewed the X500i but every article I read seems to indicate it pairs the contrast/blacks of the HT2060/TH690ST with the HDR tone mapping of the 4550i. That’s a winner in my book. But apparently not in BenQ’s— they slapped the X ‘gamer’ label on it, equipped it with a Short throw lens and sold it as a gaming projector. Remember how I said large TVs were killing mid range home theater projectors? The X500i as well as the similar Viewsonic X series models are my chalk outline. These SHOULD have longer lenses and SHOULD be sold as bargain HT models with premium performance. But the manufacturers didnmt have faith faith to position them to the HT crowd who, they must assume, have either moved WAY up market or have given up and bought large flat panels. Pisses me off. I want a solid state 4K projector with good contrast, good HDR tone mapping and a little bit of flexibility in the lens (1.3X zoom and a 10% vertical lens shift is perfect). I don’t need a ton of lumens as I have a blacked out room. I want to pay around $2K. The X500i would be perfect with a different lens. I love love love love the 4550i but it’s $3000 and overkill for my 100” screen. The X3100i is nice— but I want better contrast/blacks. Epson has abandoned this price category and is still hawking the aging lamp based 3800 and the hilariously old 4010. Optoma has nothing in the range. Sony long ago abandoned the mid/low price tiers. JVC was never there. It sucks. It really does feel I’m being pushed to buy a big Tv. And then there’s the w2720i. Super curious on this one as it might determine my next display purchase and if I abandon front projection in the cinema.

I have the HT4550i and I'm already on the 3rd failed unit. Serious manufacturing flaw. I heard they're manufacturing an updated version.

Yes, it was the same failure. The BenQ logo comes up and then it goes black screen. No way to power it down other than unplugging it.

Has anyone seen the same brightness-fluctuation/won't power down issue on the TK710STi that's present on the HT4550i? ([This post](https://www.reddit.com/r/projectors/comments/1hkezdv/do_projectors_reduce_brightness_if_they_get_too/) seems to be evidence of it.) My HT4550i's severe issues are driving me *nuts* and I'm putting feelers out for potential medium-throw (120" at 10.5') replacements which are going to actually do the thing I paid for. Not particularly interested in "lifestyle" projectors with their lack of lens shift and weird mounting.

> Their led projectors tend to be a little too dim My HT4550i/W4000i is ridiculously bright. (Do not buy--the model is fatally flawed! Its basically-identical successor, the W4100i, has already been released in Europe) > the 700 sti > I've noticed the company puts out projectors in the 80%-90% range Isn't the 700STi technically a golf simulator "gaming" projector? Of course its color gamut and accuracy are garbage, LOL.  The W4000i and W4100i are 100% DCI-P3. It does look like the lower-priced W2720i is only 90% DCI-P3, but I bet it looks subjectively better for movies than that one. A lot of people aren't interested in "lifestyle" projectors, with their funky-to-non-existent ceiling mounting capability, little-to-no lens shift, and not always playing nice with universal remotes--even if they do have a nice _picture_.

Pretty sweet setup. I personally like DLP for it's excellent response time for gaming and it's superior 3D. Downside is black levels. I'd wait and see if the [Benq 4100i](https://www.benq.com/en-us/projector/cinema/w4100i.html) is decent. I've got the HT4550I which is fantastic but had too many bugs at first. If the 4100i fixes that issue, it's the best price/performance for gaming and 3D, normal throw if you don't need the deepest blacks. It's honestly got far better black levels than any theater I've been to, and its colors from the LEDs are perfect and beautiful. My real concentration would be the sound though. Massive subwoofers would be first and then getting a nice LCR setup. You have a basement setup, which means LFE won't effect much outside. 4 subs that dig to 10Hz in each corner with Dirac Bass Control on a new Denon + BassEQ..... sorry, you asked. Heh.

I have a 110" ALR screen paired with my BenQ 4k projector. Space limitations kept me from the 120" screen. I still have my 40" Sony. I think we get conditioned to the TV image, and forget what being in a movie theater is like.   Are the images different? They most certainly are....and you will never get eye strain from a projector. IMO, the images are more realistic with a projector and the large screen adds to the viewing pleasure, be it your favorite film or sporting event. I love watching hockey and football!

Projectors have as many settings as a tv. Adjustments can be made to your viewing pleasure. There's no denying that ambient light is the enemy of all projectors....even in a movie theater. When the lights are "up" in your local theater, the image on the big screen is impacted....and so it is with your home set up. I have my projector set on Filmmaker mode, and laser set at Eco mode...higher settings are available, but these give me the most satisfying image to my eyes, with no worry of eye strain. Again, the images via projector are different than a tv.