The affordable home theater projector category has been dominated by BenQ, Epson and Optoma, while Sony and JVC have been innovating in the high-end projector range beginning around $10K. However, as technology improves BenQ has become the top-selling consumer projector brand by maintaining a steady value proposition. With that in mind, BenQ has announced the launch of its newest 4K home theater projector, the W5800.
What is the BenQ W5800 and Who is it For?
The BenQ W5800 is a 4K Ultra HD Laser projector that is targeted to the dedicated home theater enthusiast for use in a dark room. The W5800 incorporates DLP technology with support from a Laser/Phosphor Light Engine to project images ranging from 60 to 200 inches in size.
Priced at $5,999, the W5800 is now BenQ’s most expensive home theater projector, and double the price of its predecessor, the HT5050 which was a lamp based projector. Is the W5800’s laser light engine and higher brightness worth the extra cost? Let’s dig into the details.
BenQ W5800 Features
4K UHD Resolution: The W5800 incorporates a .47-inch 1080p resolution DLP imaging chip (aka DMD – Digital Micromirror Device) from Texas Instruments. The chip contains 2.1 million pixels (very tiny mirrors). However, to display 4K, 8.3 million pixels are required. As a result, the pixels on the 1080p chip are shifted both vertically and horizontally at 240Hz (240 times per second). This is so fast it is classified as a 4K image once displayed on the screen.
Laser Light Source: To project the 4K UHD resolution images onto a screen (or a wall) the Benq W5800 incorporates a Laser/Phosphor Light Engine which delivers up to 2600 ANSI lumens of light output for bright large screens. With the ability to project images on up to a 200-inch screen, the W5800 provides more than enough light for home theater viewing.
Screen Size: With a 1.6:1 zoom ratio users can view a 150-inch image with the projector placed 16.6 feet from the screen. If you want the maximum recommended screen size of 200 inches the minimum required projector-to-screen distance is 22 feet.
Projector Position: The W5800 can be mounted on a table or shelf or on the ceiling at the front or rear of the screen (provided the screen is compatible with rear projection). To aid in projector setup, the W5800 has both vertical and horizontal keystone correction and 2D motorized lens shift. Lens shift allows users to move the projector’s lens physically without affecting image clarity and is preferred over the use of keystone correction. However, there may be setup situations that require the use of both options.
Tech Note: The W5800 does not have Lens Memory that would allow it to automatically detect and adjust content aspect ratio while maintaining Constant Image Height. This means that the aspect ratio and image height must be changed manually.
CinematicColor: This feature offers color accuracy with enhanced visual details that allow the W5800 to achieve 100% DCI-P3. Color standard.
Factory Calibration: Calibrating a projector to get reference performance can be intimidating for those who don’t want to spend the extra money to get it done. With that in mind, BenQ provides calibration at the factory for each projector and provides buyers with a calibration report. This supports users with 100% Rec. 709 Delta E<2, grayscale tracking Delta E<2, and an optimized DCI-P3 color table for more accurate color right out of the box.
HDR-Pro Technology: This feature provides enhanced dynamic contrast through a variety of technologies.
- Blue Laser Dimming and Dynamic Black Technology increase contrast range in HDR mode, making light and dark scenes more dynamic and vivid.
- Local Contrast Enhancer automatically adjusts the gamma for each independent scene, improving 4K HDR imagery.
- HDR10+ technology adds dynamic metadata to HDR10 source files, which is used to optimize each frame of the HDR video.
Tip: Projection distance and placement can vary from screen to screen. To compensate for this the W5800 features a HDR brightness function that allows for customized brightness levels depending on the projection size.
Filmmaker Mode: This feature supports 24P playback that accepts high-definition sources at 24 fps without judder in HDR mode to preserve consistent image quality.
From Houston Wei, senior director of BenQ North America: “The W5800 captures the essence of display with our CinematicColor technology, guaranteeing that colors are accurately reproduced as presented,…BenQ is thrilled to deliver an unparalleled experience by creating an immersive and captivating experience for our users with a projector that achieves 100% coverage of DCI-P3 color gamut with CinematicColor and HDR-PRO technologies.”
Audio Support
While a growing number of projectors incorporate a modest speaker system, the W5800 does not have this feature. As a home theater projector, it is expected that users would most likely have a soundbar or AV receiver/speaker setup. To feed audio from the projector to an external audio system the W5800 incorporates HDMI-eARC and Digital Optical (S/PDIF) outputs.
BenQ W5800 vs HT5550
According to BenQ the W5800 is the successor to the HT5550 which was originally released in 2019. After 5 years it was time for an update.
Some of the new features on the W5800 over the HT5550 include:
- Laser/Phosphor light source instead of lamp light source
- Filmmaker Mode to further optimize movie viewing
- HDR10+ expands HDR capabilities
- Horizontal Keystone provides an additional image setup adjustment
- Factory Calibration provides desired mage performance out of the box.
- HDMI-ARC/eARC makes connecting to an external soundbar or home theater audio system easier.
Comparison
| CinePrime W5800 | CinePrime HT5550 | |
| Price | $5,999 | $1,999 |
| Projection System | DLP | DLP |
| Light Source | Laser/Phosphor | Lamp |
| Light Source Life Hours | 20,000 (normal) 25,000 (eco) | 4000 hrs (normal) 10000 hrs (SmartEco) 15000 hrs (LampSave) 10000 hrs (ECO) |
| Resolution (Via Pixel Shift) | 4K UHD (3840×2160) | 4K UHD (3840×2160) |
| Light Output (ANSI lumens) | 2600 | 1800 |
| Native Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | 16:9 |
| Contrast Ratio (Full On/Full Off) | 2,000,000:1 (with Light Source Dimming) | 100,000:1 |
| Color Display | 1.07 Billion (30 bit) | 1.07 Billion (30 bit) |
| Throw Ratio | 1.52~2.45 | 1.36 ~ 2.18 |
| Zoom Ratio | 1.6x | 1.6x |
| Lens Specs | F/# 2.1 ~ 3.0 , f 16.0 (Wide) ~25.7 (Tele) mm | F/# = 1.81 – 2.1, f = 14.3 – 22.9 mm |
| Projection Offset (Full-Height) | 0% | 0% |
| Keystone Correction | Vertical ± 35 degrees; Horizontal ± 35 degrees | Vertical ± 40 degrees |
| Lens Shift | Vertical ±50%Horizontal ±21% | ± 60%± 23% |
| DCI-P3 Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Rec. 709 Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Picture Modes | 3D, Bright, Bright Cinema, Cinema, HDR, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, ISF Day, ISF Night, User | 3D, Bright, Cinema (Rec.709), D. Cinema, HDR, HLG, ISF Day, ISF Night, Silence, User, Vivid TV |
| Filmmaker Mode | Yes | – |
| HDMI Input | 2 HDMI-1 (2.0b/HDCP2.2), HDMI-2 (2.0b/HDCP2.2) | 2 HDMI-1 (2.0a/HDCP2.2), HDMI-2 (2.0a/HDCP2.2) |
| LAN (RJ45) | 1 (10/100 Mbps) | 1 (10/100 Mbps) |
| 3D Sync Out (VESA Standard) | 1 | – |
| USB Type A | 2 | 3 |
| USB Type B | 1 (for service only) | 1 (mini – service only) |
| RS232 | Yes | Yes |
| Wired Remote In | No | Yes (3.5mm Mini Jack) |
| DC 12V Trigger | No | Yes (3.5mm Mini Jack) |
| Speaker | No | – |
| HDMI-ARC/eARC | Yes | – |
| Digital Optical (S/PDIF) | Yes | Yes |
| Operating Temperature | 0~40℃ | 0~40℃ |
| Power Supply | AC 100 to 240 V, 50/60 Hz | AC 100 to 240 V, 50/60 Hz |
| Typical Power Consumption (110V) | Max 450W/ Normal 380W/ ECO 240W | 330W |
| Stand-by Power Consumption | <0.5W | <0.5W |
| Network Stand-by Power Consumption | <2W | <2W |
| Acoustic Noise | (Typ./Eco.)(dB)30/27 | Typ./Eco.)(dB)32/26 |
| Dimension (HWD – mm) | 525.2 x 145.7 x 392.2 | 349 x 168 x 492 |
| Dimension (HWD – inches) | 20.7 x 5.7 x 15.492 | 13.74 x 6.61 x 19.37 |
| Net Weight (kg) | 10.5 kg | 6.5 kg |
| Net Weight (lbs) | 23.1 lbs | 14 lbs 5oz |
| Included Accessories | Remote Control (RCV024) w/ Battery: Power Cord 1.8m (by region): HDMI cable: 3.0m Quick Start Guide: Warranty Card (by region) Lens cover | Remote Control (RCV016) w/ Battery Power Cord 3.0m (by region) User Manual CD Installation Guide Warranty Card Lens cover Universal Ceiling Mount (CM00G3) |
Initial Impression
The BenQ W5800 is designed to appeal to home theater enthusiasts. Several significant image quality features are designed to enhance the movie viewing experience, such as a bright Laser/Phosphor light engine, ISFccc certification, factory pre-calibration, HDR10+, and Filmmaker mode. The W5800 even includes 3D display capability (3D sync receiver and glasses are optional).
However, it is interesting that the W5550 does not include Lens Memory, which would be of benefit making automatic aspect-ratio adjustments. BenQ doesn’t seem to be pushing the W5800 as a gaming projector as they have not included gaming information (such as response time) in their promotional material.
Pricing & Availability
The BenQ W5800 is available for $5,999 at BenQ, and we expect more retailers to start carrying it soon.
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