[dreamer]

Try setting Display>Silence to "ON".

If this works, does the resulting 2D 1080P image have better contrast than the 4k image with XPR enabled ? I am wondering how much of the contrast drop is due to XPR overlapping pixels and how much is to the smaller DMD and relatively larger pixel gap.

 

[sage11x]

If this works, does the resulting 2D 1080P image have better contrast than the 4k image with XPR enabled ? I am wondering how much of the contrast drop is due to XPR overlapping pixels and how much is to the smaller DMD and relatively larger pixel gap.

I will test for this and post pictures of my results— but it probably won’t happen until tomorrow evening as I’m out for the night.

 

[dreamer]

Edit: I just noticed something about your pictures. Is it me or is the tree line completely absent in the pictures of the Epson on the right? (Over Brad Pitt's right shoulder) Is this because the Epson is crushing white or is the picture over exposed?

It looks like the Epson pic is from several frames earlier -- the tank is much closer to the fence and the treeline is not in frame yet. Personally, it looks to me like the Epson is missing quite a bit of shadow detail in that pic, and the W1700 like the gamma is set low or brightness too high. These are the problems of Kraine taking two different pictures instead of the same image split to both projectors with half the lens covered on each. Even using the "projector position" so the two are showing mirror images of each half frame is useful. Compositing two projectors on the screen at the same time for a single photo is the only way to be sure room lighting, camera, and screen conditions are the same.

 

[dreamer]

Edit: those shot of The Martian were taken with two different discs— the Blu-ray and the uhd Blu-ray— with two different players. The 4K shots are sent directly from the X800 to the HT2550. The 1080p shots are sent from my Sony 6500 though my receiver to the HT2050A. I had problems whenever I put anything in line with the HT2550. I solved that by running direct to the projector.

Here is a comparison between the HT2550 and the HT2050A. The HT2550 is on the left (you can see the light border) and the HT2050A is on the right. I had previously posted these in the HT2550 thread so didn’t think to include them here. Sorry.

No, I missed those. I have only been keeping up sporadically with the other threads. Thy have bogged down and sidetracked a bunch.

Those split screen shots do show a definite difference in brightness and contrast. It is unfortunate that the HDMI signal could not be split to eliminate variables like players and bluray vs uhd BD sources. I find "shootout" comparisons more valuable than photos taken at different times because too many variables may have changed besides the projector. As long as two projectors are on hand at the same time, may as well take advantage by keeping all other variables constant IMHO.

You might see if using just the bluray player and disc makes it through the HDMI splitter to both projectors. If the HT2550 doesn't get an HDMI handshake offering 4k, then you might get the same 1080P source to both. The HT2550 would then be upscaling to 4k, which is probably of interest to people with large libraries of bluray and only a few 4k titles as yet. Or none, and no 4k player yet, like me.

 

[sage11x]

No, I missed those. I have only been keeping up sporadically with the other threads. Thy have bogged down and sidetracked a bunch.

Those split screen shots do show a definite difference in brightness and contrast. It is unfortunate that the HDMI signal could not be split to eliminate variables like players and bluray vs uhd BD sources. I find "shootout" comparisons more valuable than photos taken at different times because too many variables may have changed other than the projector. As long as two projectors are on hand at the same time, may as well take advantage by keeping all other variables constant IMHO.

Well the Star Wars split screen showing the difference in contrast/ black level was taken from the same source (Blu-ray played from my Sony 6500) at the same time using the extra output on my receiver with me blocking half of each projector lens. (Although, sorry I could find any wood so I used felt wrapped cardboard. ).

The Martian shots displaying the resolution difference were taken one right after the other on the same screen but using the x800 for the uhd copy and 6500 using the standard copy. I have quite the setup here.

 

[dreamer]

The first being the comparison facing a 1080p projector, here are some visual examples of the poor contrast of the BenQ W1700 (Ansi measured at 150:1!) facing a small 1080p LCD projector, the EPSON EH-TW5400.

It would be more useful if the two pictures were of the same frame from the movie. Lighting conditions can change significantly, so taking two photos a hundred frames apart is almost worthless. How many other things were changed ? The room lighting, the cables, the player, the source disc ? How can anyone know unless the two projectors are sharing a split HDMI signal and showing on the screen simultaneously with half of each lens blocked ?

Comparing those two, I would be left with the impression that the Epson is missing shadow detail -- that the two tie straps on his jacket collar simply disappear into a dark blob -- until I see they clearly attach to two different points within the collar on the W1700. Or maybe the Epson would show those details if it was showing the SAME FRAME as the W1700. Nobody will ever know based on your pics.

 

[dreamer]

Well the Star Wars split screen showing the difference in contrast/ black level was taken from the same source (Blu-ray played from my Sony 6500) at the same time using the extra output on my receiver with me blocking half of each projector lens. (Although, sorry I could find any wood so I used felt wrapped cardboard. ).

The Martian shots displaying the resolution difference were taken one right after the other on the same screen but using the x800 for the uhd copy and 6500 using the standard copy. I have quite the setup here.

Well, you say that, but you just admitted to a shortage of precision blocks of wood, so ...

OK, so the Star Wars intro is a true split image with only the projectors as variable. That gives a baseline and is similar, if worse, than my comparisons to the W1070 -- worse contrast showing up as a higher black floor and dimmer stars. Although the HT2550 seems to be upscaling because the lettering is noticeably smoother even if the stars seem no sharper.

 

[sage11x]

Well, you say that, but you just admitted to a shortage of precision blocks of wood, so ...

OK, so the Star Wars intro is a true split image with only the projectors as variable. That gives a baseline and is similar, if worse, than my comparisons to the W1070 -- worse contrast showing up as a higher black floor and dimmer stars. Although the HT2550 seems to be upscaling because the lettering is noticeably smoother even if the stars seem no sharper.

Yes I knew you’d be disappointed in me.

Yes the HT2550 in it’s default operation upscales everything to 4k. The XPR is engaged all the time and the only time i saw it click off is when I manually engaged 3D. I missed the ‘silent’ option somehow or, at least, misunderstood it’s purpose. I’ll retry with the setting and see what happens.

 

[dreamer]

Yes I knew you’d be disappointed in me.

Yes the HT2550 in it’s default operation upscales everything to 4k. The XPR is engaged all the time and the only time i saw it click off is when I manually engaged 3D. I missed the ‘silent’ option somehow or, at least, misunderstood it’s purpose. I’ll retry with the setting and see what happens.

Cool if the XPR can be turned off for 1080P. You could pause the intro or some other space scene and toggle "Silent" on/off to see if contrast and black floor differ.

 

[ET34]

Thanks for a very balanced in-depth review, sage. I’m impressed by the knowledge and insight you (and others on this forum) have in AV products! As a W1700 owner I’m very much aligned with your conclusions, the W1700 is a lot of PQ for the money!

The light border is annoying due to our new frameless Elite Aeon 110” screen, so I might have to make a 4.5” wide wooden frame (w black velvet) outside the frameless screen to mask the light border. Not applauded by my architecture wife...

I have the same 3D sync issues with our W1700 exemplar, and I reported this to the online retailer I bought the PJ from a week ago, but haven’t got any feedback from them yet.

 

[dreamer]

The light border is annoying due to our new frameless Elite Aeon 110” screen, so I might have to make a 4.5” wide wooden frame (w black velvet) outside the frameless screen to mask the light border. Not applauded by my architecture wife...

As Sage kind of alluded to, another possible solution if you like the frameless look might be to add the rope LED backlighting behind the screen, then the "light border" would be invisible compared to the backlight effect.

 

[sage11x]

Thanks for a very balanced in-depth review, sage. I’m impressed by the knowledge and insight you (and others on this forum) have in AV products! As a W1700 owner I’m very much aligned with your conclusions, the W1700 is a lot of PQ for the money!



The light border is annoying due to our new frameless Elite Aeon 110” screen, so I might have to make a 4.5” wide wooden frame (w black velvet) outside the frameless screen to mask the light border. Not applauded by my architecture wife...



I have the same 3D sync issues with our W1700 exemplar, and I reported this to the online retailer I bought the PJ from a week ago, but haven’t got any feedback from them yet.

Thank ET34. Here in the states the HT2550 is going to have what essentially amounts to a warranty replacement. So you wouldn’t contact your retailer but BenQ directly. BenQ will send you out an updated replacement with functioning 3D and then you simply pack up your old one and send it back.

 

[scottyroo]

Yes I knew you’d be disappointed in me.

Yes the HT2550 in it’s default operation upscales everything to 4k. The XPR is engaged all the time and the only time i saw it click off is when I manually engaged 3D. I missed the ‘silent’ option somehow or, at least, misunderstood it’s purpose. I’ll retry with the setting and see what happens.

Yes - I can confirm that “Silent” mode disables 4K XPR shift and puts the primo hector into native 1080p mode. I confirmed with with my contact at BenQ. To my untrained eye it does seem that blacks are more punchy and contrast improves as well. I think middling contrast is something we may have to accept with .47” DMD until more advanced Iris and/or light engines are introduced. From what I have seen, that is on the roadmap for coming projectors.

Sage - I’ll say it again, I think your review is spot on. It hits on most all of the sentiments of my review. I think this projector is a great effort to bring 4K into the realm of affordability because that was its main goal. Comparing with a 2050 or 3050 is almost an exercise in futility because the 4K market is entirely different.

Now is this the be-all end-all silver bullet for 4K projectors like the W1070 was in 2013 or the HT3050 in 2016? Nope. This is a fantastic first attempt to bring affordable 4K for those who want 4K now. And I applaud the HT2550 on that regard, despite its flaws.

I fully expect BenQ and the 4K projector market to up its game considerably in the coming year... but the HT2550 is an affordable enough 4K to bridge that gap until then.

 

[sid369]

Hi all, I am new to projectors and bought the benq 2050a and the epson 3700. Comparing them side by side the epson is much brighter and has the vertical and horizontal lens shift that I very useful since I am book shelf mounting. I thought I was set on keeping the epson and returning the benq. But then when wife asked why no 4K and how much were 4K projectors, I feel like for for $300 more than the epson I couldn?t get into 4K now. I have a feeling I may have buyers remorse if I don?t get a 4K now.

So do you guys think I should return both and buy the 2550 4K.

Does it pair well with Apple TV 4K? With the benq I understand I will have to mount it. I will be sitting about 16 feet and most like get a 120? screen from silver ticket. This will be for the Basement where it will be watched at night with some ambient lights that I can control.

 

[Windex]

I will be sitting about 16 feet and most like get a 120? screen from silver ticket.

I have the Epson 3700 and it has a 1.6x zoom, which is not enough for its position from my 10 ft screen (projector is 17 ft from screen). I had to use the under scan slider in my Mac's System Preferences Display pane to get it small enough to fit my screen. Keep that in mind when deciding on whether this projector will work for your screen distance/size.

 

[sage11x]

Hi all, I am new to projectors and bought the benq 2050a and the epson 3700. Comparing them side by side the epson is much brighter and has the vertical and horizontal lens shift that I very useful since I am book shelf mounting. I thought I was set on keeping the epson and returning the benq. But then when wife asked why no 4K and how much were 4K projectors, I feel like for for $300 more than the epson I couldn?t get into 4K now. I have a feeling I may have buyers remorse if I don?t get a 4K now.

So do you guys think I should return both and buy the 2550 4K.

Does it pair well with Apple TV 4K? With the benq I understand I will have to mount it. I will be sitting about 16 feet and most like get a 120? screen from silver ticket. This will be for the Basement where it will be watched at night with some ambient lights that I can control.

This is the exact scenario I mention in the value section of my review.

In addition to having more placement flexibility due to it's horizontal/vertical lens shift and greater zoom range the Epson 3700 is also brighter (which might be overkill in a basement) and has better contrast/black levels. The difference, of course, is the 3700 is a 1080p only model and has no ability to accept or display a 4K source. The HT2550, obviously, will not only be able to accept 4K sources but will display that source with a remarkably sharp image that is 4 times the pixel count of the 3700. That's the trade off. To get something similar in terms of placement flexibility and contrast to the 3700 in 4K you would simply need to spend more.

 

[scottyroo]

Hi all, I am new to projectors and bought the benq 2050a and the epson 3700. Comparing them side by side the epson is much brighter and has the vertical and horizontal lens shift that I very useful since I am book shelf mounting. I thought I was set on keeping the epson and returning the benq. But then when wife asked why no 4K and how much were 4K projectors, I feel like for for $300 more than the epson I couldn?t get into 4K now. I have a feeling I may have buyers remorse if I don?t get a 4K now.

So do you guys think I should return both and buy the 2550 4K.

Does it pair well with Apple TV 4K? With the benq I understand I will have to mount it. I will be sitting about 16 feet and most like get a 120? screen from silver ticket. This will be for the Basement where it will be watched at night with some ambient lights that I can control.

Another one of my favorite 4K “capable” projectors is the Home Cinema 4000 from Epson. When it is on sale for $1,799 it is an interesting proposition. Contrast and placement flexibility are superior to the HT2550 but the sharpness crown goes to the HT2550 for doubling pixel count. Ht2550 also has 18.6 GBps hdmi which allows for 4K hdr gaming. Viewing from 16 feet on a 120” screen you probably won’t tell a difference in sharpness. If placement flexibility is a must the the HC4000 is worth a look.

FWIW I sent my Epson 4000 back because I found the HT2550 a better value. I benefit from the sharpness on my 160” screen and don’t need the placement flexibility. I do miss the punchier blacks, but it was a trade off for $500 less and a sharper image on the screen. The calibrated brightness is also a tad brighter on the Epson also, FYI.

 

[sid369]

Yes the epson looks better than the 2050a because it?s brighter and the lens shifts makes it very flexible. However in the Basement like you said it may be an overkill. Strongly considering the 2550. Convince me to buy it or stick with what I have.

Also, is there any way it can be mounted in a table or it won?t work? Andres if I have to mount it how close or far does it have to be mounted from the screen for 120? or 135?.

 

[sage11x]

Yes the epson looks better than the 2050a because it?s brighter and the lens shifts makes it very flexible. However in the Basement like you said it may be an overkill. Strongly considering the 2550. Convince me to buy it or stick with what I have.

Also, is there any way it can be mounted in a table or it won?t work? Andres if I have to mount it how close or far does it have to be mounted from the screen for 120? or 135?.

You could place the HT2550 in a table, yes. I do practically the same thing with my HT2050. Just keep in mind that you'll need to sit a far way back unless you want to sit off to the side.

As far as convincing you. Sorry, no. There is not a perfect projector only the perfect projector for you. You already have two fantastic projectors in your possession in the HT2050A and 3700. If you are interested in 4K and how it compares you could always purchase the Ht2550 from Amazon/BenQ as they have a good return policy and then judge for yourself.

As for distances, bookmark this site:
http://www.projectorcentral.com/BenQ-HT2550-projection-calculator-pro.htm

 

[ZenithPete]

If the light is soft enough- maybe. But not excited about putting lights anywhere near the screen when a movie is playing. That's one reason why I moved components to the back of the room.