Makers of some of the top-selling home theater projectors, BenQ just unveiled details on their newest 4K home theater projector, the HT4550i ($2999). The long throw front projection unit features full 4K Ultra HD resolution, HDR10+ and HDR Pro processing to make the most out of 4K content on Ultra HD Blu-ray and streaming services. It uses Texas Instruments DLP technology to create the image combined with LED lighting for enhanced brightness, improved power efficiency and longer lifespan.
The HT4550i 4K Home Cinema Projector features a bright 4-element LED lamp (4LED) which enables the unit to max out at 3,200 ANSI Lumens of brightness. By using separate lighting elements for each of the primary colors (red, green and blue), the projector does not need a color wheel. This should minimize the RBE (Rainbow Effect) present on some DLP-based projectors. The 4LED lighting unit is expected to last at least 20,000 hours with regular viewing, or up to 30,000 hours in economy mode.
BenQ says the projector can attain 100% of the DCI-P3 color spectrum, an impressive feat to be sure. In addition to HDR10 and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) HDR, the HT4550i is one of the first projectors we’ve seen that supports HDR10+, an advanced form of HDR (High Dynamic Range) which uses dynamic metadata to adjust the image on a scene by scene basis. HDR10+ content is available on Ultra HD Blu-ray as well as select streaming services, such as Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV+, Paramount+ and Hulu.
The projector also boasts improvements to its tone mapping. Effective HDR tone mapping is extremely important on a projector as most projectors can’t come close to the maximum brightness of a flat panel LED/LCD or OLED TV. With BenQ’s HDR-Pro processing, the projector can adjust its brightness scale to map the incoming luminance values in the content to match the actual brightness capabilities of the projector. This can help preserve fine details in both the brightest and darkest scenes, and everywhere in between. Good HDR tone mapping prevents black crush and loss of bright highlights.
Ideal for Home Theater… and Already Calibrated!
The HT4550i’s high brightness means it could be used in a living room, but BenQ recommends it be used in a light controlled home theater room for maximum performance. The projector offers a 1.3X zoom lens as well as both horizontal and vertical lens shift for flexible placement options. For those who don’t want to bother with calibration, BenQ is actually doing that at the factory for each individual unit. Each projector comes with its own calibration report to ensure 100% Rec.709 Delta E<3 and total grayscale tracking within Delta E<2 with optimized Rec.709 color table for true Hollywood colors. Of course, for the calibration to mean anything, you’d need to pair with with the same screen that BenQ used, but at least you know the specific unit you’re buying meets factory specs.
The HT4550i includes a Google-certified Android TV dongle so you’ll find Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and all your other favorite streaming services on board. The dongle is controlled by the projector’s remote control. It also includes two HDMI ports with HDCP 2.2 compatibility, one of which supports eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) for uncompressed multi-channel audio passthrough. The unit also supports 3D content if you add a pair or two of the optional DGD5 active 3D glasses (or third party 3D glasses compatible with DLP-Link).
Full Specifications:
- Projection System: DLP with 4LED light source
- Brightness (ANSI lumens): 3,200
- Native Resolution: 4K UHD (3840×2160)
- Native Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Contrast Ratio (FOFO): (w/ Lightsource Dimming), 2,000,000:1
- Display Color: 30-bit (1.07 billion colors)
- Light Source: 4LED
- Light Source Life:
- Normal 20000 hrs,
- ECO 30000 hrs,
- SmartEco 20000 hrs
- Throw Ratio: 1.15 ~ 1.50
- Zoom Ratio: 1.3x
- Lens: F/# 1.8 – 2.25 mm, f 17.02 (Wide)~22.21(Tele)
- Projection Offset (Full-Height): 100%
- Keystone Adjustment: 2D, Vertical ± 30 degrees; Horizontal ± 30 degrees
- Lens Shift Vertical: Vertical 0%-60% (@ Horizontal 0%)
- Lens Shift Horizontal: Horizontal max. ±15% (@ Vertical 20.9%)
- DCI-P3 Coverage: 100%
- Rec. 709 Coverage: 100%
- Picture Modes: 3D, Bright Cinema, Cinema, FILMMAKER MODE, FILMMAKER MODE HDR, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, ISF Day, ISF Night, User
- Input Lag: 17.9ms (1080P 60Hz), 17.9ms (4K 60Hz), 21ms (1080p120Hz), 8.7ms (1080P 240Hz)
- Resolution Support: VGA (640 x 480) to 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
- Horizontal Frequency: 15K~135KHz
- Vertical Scan Rate: 23~120KHz
- HDMI in (x2), HDMI-1 (2.0b/HDCP2.2), HDMI-2 (2.0b/HDCP2.2), HDMI-Internal (2.0b/HDCP2.2)
- USB Type A Port (x2): USB Type A-1 (2.0/Power Supply2.5A/Service), USB Type A-2 (2.0/Power Supply1.5A/Reader)
- RS232 in (DB-9pin): 1
- DC 12V Trigger (3.5mm Jack): 1
- Audio: Built in Speaker (5W) (x1)
- HDMI Audio Return: Yes (HDMI 2 input): eARC, Dolby Atmos passthrough
- Audio out (S/PDIF): 1
- Operating Temperature: 0~40℃
- Power Supply: AC 100 to 240 V, 50/60 Hz
- Typical Power Consumption (110V): 380W
- Stand-by Power Consumption: <0.5W
- Network Stand-by Power Consumption: <2W
- Acoustic Noise (Typ./Eco.): 32/28 dB
- Included Accessories: QS02 Android TV dongle, Remote Control w/battery, Power Cord (3 meter), Quick Start Guide, Lens Cover
- Optional Accessories: Active 3D Glasses (DGD5), Universal Ceiling Mount (CM00G3)
- Smart System: Android 11.0 OS
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4G/5G)
- Wireless Projection: AirPlay, Google Cast
- Dimensions: (WxHxD): 420.5 x135 x 312 mm; 16.54 x 5.31 x 12.28 inches
- Weight (kg): 6.6 kg; 14.55 lbs.
Price & Availability
The BenQ HT4550i will sell for $2,999 (MSRP) and is expected to begin shipping later this Spring.
More Information on ProjectorScreen.com
HT4550i Home Theater Projector (ProjectorScreen.com)
David Wilkins
February 16, 2024 at 4:02 pm
What is the native resolution of the 0.66″ DMD Chip?