BenQ HT2050A Projector Review

There is a plethora of identical models to choose from if you’re in the market for a projector costing between $500 and $1,000. The differences across brands tend to be minimal in terms of dimensions, styles, and even button arrangements. However, the BenQ HT2050A is unique in its own way. It’s the same price as the alternatives, but it’s bigger and has a more stylish, rounded shape. It looks more like a home theatre system than a recycled office projector. The superiority of this projector goes beyond its superficial improvements.

Among the greatest image quality we’ve seen at this price point, thanks to a higher contrast ratio and more accurate colors. Images that have deeper blacks and brighter whites, with true-to-life colors, are more aesthetically pleasing. Finally, the projector has a slight bit of vertical lens shift, which is practically never seen in single-chip DLP projectors and is a nice bonus for those looking for a budget option. As a result, the projector may be used by a wider audience at home. To sum up, the BenQ HT2050A is a top-tier projector that won’t break the bank.

BenQ HT2050A

Technical Specifications

pros and cons

BenQ HT2050A Projector Review

The BenQ HT2050A lacks 4K and HDR, similar to other projectors in this price range. Although the glasses are not supplied, it is 3D enabled.

2,200 ANSI lumens, according to BenQ. I am around 1,591 inches tall. Projectors frequently measure less than their stated specifications. Compared to the more recent Epson HC2250 and the Epson HC2150, this is a brilliant image.

Especially if it didn’t look as nice as it does, the BenQ HT2050A would still be competitively priced due to its inclusion of lens shift, which is uncommon in this price bracket and even more so with DLP projectors. Nevertheless, there isn’t much lens shift. According to BenQ, the vertical range is adjusted by 10%. You will therefore have a few inches of vertical flexibility depending on where you set the projector, but that’s it. However, it still makes a difference and is preferable to nothing when using the majority of single-chip DLP projectors.

However, the zooming range is simply average and falls short of the Epson. As a result, you won’t be able to locate it as near or far from the screen. It is comparable to numerous other DLP projectors in this price bracket in that regard.

The lamp life, which is 3,500 hours in Normal mode, is also average. In the SmartEco mode, which keeps the Normal mode’s maximum brightness but reduces lamp power during gloomy scenes for a better black level, this increases to 7,000 hours. Even if you occasionally see this happen, it happens quickly enough that staying in this mode is acceptable (unless you notice and hate it).

Image Quality

I contrasted the BenQ HT2050A with the Viewsonic PX727HD and the Epson HC2150. The latter is DLP, much like the BenQ. The Epson is an LCD projector, just like the rest of Epson’s models. I watched all of these on a 102-inch 1.0-gain screen after connecting them with a Monoprice 1×4 distribution amplifier.

The differences were immediately noticeable. First off, the Viewsonic lacked the contrast ratio and was much darker than the other two. Due to its poor performance, I spent the majority of my time contrasting the Epson and the BenQ.

We compared this projector with the Epson Home Cinema 2150 & ViewSonic PX727HD Projectors.

Even rising projectors from several years back cannot compare to the brightness of either projector. The BenQ’s superior black level and consequently contrast ratio are more apparent than the figures would indicate. When watching widescreen movies, this is evident because the black bars on the BenQ are much darker. Since their light outputs are similar, the HT2050A’s image appears to have a little more depth and dimension.

The striking sequence in Avengers: Infinity War where Thor and his pet rabbit assist Tyrion Lannister in forging the Stormbreaker battle axe is an excellent illustration of this. In contrast to the darkness of space as well as the shadows of the forge, Nidavellir’s colorful neutron star & magical effects stand out sharply. These images don’t look particularly horrible on the Epson, but the BenQ’s shadows are much more grey, giving it a more appealing appearance altogether.

Another benefit of the BenQ is its color. Just slightly more realistic and richer. Particularly greens appear more realistic. For instance, the grass in the Battle of Wakanda, which also appears in Infinity War, is simply a more vivid and natural-looking shade of green. Without the sky seeming like candy, the shield wall’s blue is a stronger, deeper vivid blue.

Motion resolution is another area where the BenQ outperforms the Epson. Motion blur exists on all LCD-based panels to some extent. DLP-based projectors don’t because of the way the images they produce are made. The BenQ’s ability to keep detailed when things are moving makes this particularly clear. Consider the Live Die Repeat: Edge of Tomorrow camera panning. You can still make out subtle features when Emily Blunt’s or Tom Cruise’s visages are in close-ups.

The long-standing issue with DLP, though, is rainbows. On-screen bright things are leaving these trails in a variety of colors. If you quickly move your eyes, you might also see them. They might not disturb you because the majority of people either don’t notice them or don’t find them bothersome. However, those that find them bothersome find them to be very bothersome. No single-chip DLP projector is likely to function in this situation. You must choose an LCD model like the Epson HC2150, a more expensive LCOS projector (Sony or JVC), or a far more costly three-chip DLP projector.

The HT2050A is a fantastic option for someone who is seeking to replace their TV or who wants a projector for the odd movie night because of its strong light output, exceptional for its price contrast ratio, and accurate color. The lens change is the cherry on top, allowing 2050 to fit in many more homes than the majority of projectors under this price range.

Connectivity 

The BenQ HT2050A Projector has two HDMIs, Analog RGB for PC input, 1 (1.5A power) USB port, a 12-volt trigger, RS-232 remote port, and MHL. Given that both HDMI inputs support HDCP 1.4, you can send any visual source to either input. Some rival products, however, only support HDCP 1.4 on single HDMI ports. You can immediately power a streaming stick without using any external power adapters thanks to the USB connection’s claimed 1.5 amp output.

It’s uncommon these days to find an analog video input, but the BenQ HT2050A has a few of them. You get composite video in addition to component video. Therefore, you don’t need any additional adapters if you want to immediately connect anything like a Nintendo Wii or, I dunno, a LaserDisc player or something. RCA analog audio inputs are shared by these connections.

3.5mm sound input and output are also present; the latter can be used to attach to an outdoor speaker or soundbar.

For those with more complex home entertainment systems, the RS-232 and 12-volt triggers are helpful.

An orange backlight that is not very bright backlights the remote control. The bright blue glow found on many modern projector remote controls is a good thing. Utilizing them is like creating your own B-type star while attempting to adjust inputs in the dark.

Suggested Settings (By Professionals)

• Brightness: 51
• Contrast: 41
• Sharpness: 7
• Color: N/A
• Tint (G/R): N/A
• Color Temp: Normal
• Gamma Selection: 2.2
• Brilliant Color: On
• Noise Reduction: 7
• Fast Mode: Off

Conclusion

The BenQ HT2050A’s more accurate image setting prior to calibration was Cinema, which was acceptable. Particularly with brighter photographs, its grayscale wasn’t all that near to D65. However, it was quite adaptable and simple to fine-tune for accuracy. The colors were all close to their objectives right out of the box, with the exception of magenta, which was slightly but not significantly off. Colors might be changed, much as color temperature. Additionally, they were much closer following calibration.

The 2050A does have a changeable lamp, however, it lacks an iris. Normal mode is around 33% brighter than Eco mode. For a projector in this price range, the average contrast ratio in the Normal and Eco settings was 2,094:1. Although the dynamic contrast ratio produced by the DynamicEco mode, which bases lamp power on the average picture level of the image, is nearly 50% higher than that produced by the other lamp settings, the contrast ratio inside a single image is still 2,094:1.