This Projector Changed My Life - BenQ HT2050A Review

[@fanboydee]

Got a projector during the pandemic, and it's probably my favourite thing I've ever bought. Basic and cheap, and I'm still in love with it. I'll never be without one again.

[@chrisrask400]

I wouldn't dismiss the 3D option that easily. I highly recommend you pick up a pair of 3D glasses and check it out -- 3D on a (bright) projector is unlike anything else. Rewatch Mad Max: Fury Road or that one culturally relevant film in that format and you won't be disappointed!

[@davechensky]

It’s a dead format though. They are making very few new 3D discs these days

[@andrewelphick2304]

@@davechensky yes that’s very true, but if you can pick up a few 3D blu rays you’d find yourself well rewarded. Warner released Dune as a 3D disc. People are trying to keep 3D blu ray alive and a projector is really the only way to experience. If you ever get the chance, the 3D version of guardians of the galaxy is pretty spectacular.

[@mickster1780]

3D is awesome on this projector!

[@mikeygiannoni]

I highly recommend looking into the 3D Film Archive's work. I think 3D was abandoned way too soon by television manufacturers.

[@cp-ul4bz]

I just got this projector. What 3d glasses would work best with this one?

[@AlexanderRay92]

The best way to do audio on these budget projectors is to have your media sources going into an A/V receiver that does video out to the projector. I have this with a roku into a soundbar into the projector. Only issue is that the soundbar and projector are on opposite ends of the room, so I had to run a 50' hdmi cable in a cable raceway around the ceiling, which took about an hour.

[@zukacs]

ive had 1080p 120 inch projector and 5.1 for ages now. i dont even mind skipping movie release its so good

[@monsG165]

I’ve been thinking about getting a projector, this looks like a solid choice

[@KapitalElement]

Got the HT2050a a few weeks ago and I I love it. The bulb lifespan-anxiety is real though! Stresses me out every time my wife just leaves it on in the background. Great review

[@GuillaumeLavoie]

upgrading to a propper screen over the white wall will blow improve the quality of the image A lot. Surprisingly a lot

[@suryadnb]

Hope you'll add some better speakers. A big image deserves big sound. Bigger then that sound bar can offer :) I'd say great stereo sound should be preferred over mediocre surround.

[@Makaveli6103]

Agreed

[@trendyprojectors4743]

Thank you for reviewing this projector.... how is the fan noise? Does it run quietly?

[@tripas421]

Regarding light bulb life, my HT2050A is at 7,100 hours on the original bulb and the image is still awesome even though it has technically become less bright with time as the bulb is older, but even with that condition in mind the image is super bright and the colors are still amazing. I do already have the bulb replacement on the side lol just waiting for the bulb to give out any time now lol and no, I haven't ran EcoMode on the projector for too much. My EcoMode hours are 110hrs

[@paulvail7926]

This projector is based upon their W1070 from over a decade ago. BenQ has maintained the same connectors, throw distance, and zoom on this design so that people can upgrade without having to replace all their cabling. When you know that, you understand why they have the cable connections they do. In my case, I had the older W1070. I enjoyed the 3D for some content, but mostly watched 2D on a 161" screen. I started with component video HD, but have since upgraded to HDMI. I still use RS232 to power the projector on/off with my RF remote control system. This is a common feature on almost all quality projectors across the board. The big takeaway is that this home theater. It's not TV. What theater have you been to in your lifetime that has large windows in it and has a bunch of lights on? You know the answer is ZERO, so that's not a negative. It's the reality of theater. Lights are off, projector can be on. But, there are some solutions, they mostly suck. But, having spotlights towards the rear of the room can actually allow a great on-screen image with a lot of light in the room. It just can't be near the projector. As it is, most reviewers (myself included) agree that the HT2050a is one of the best value, best performing, most cinematic 1080p projectors on the market today. The big contender against it is likely the BenQ X1300i which is a high brightness LED model (over 2,000 real world lumens) with some integrated smart functionality. It's more about the light engine than anything else, and I think it has a ARC connection for audio which can be used... maybe digital audio. The reality remains that these products have always been designed to connect to proper surround sound systems. Though Bluetooth is showing up on more and more of them and we are finally seeing ARC and even eARC on some projectors. The X1300i is a few hundred more than the HT2050a, but no lamps to replace. So, tradeoffs. Like your assessment of things! Thanks for posting.

[@klel68]

I have a Benq projector that I bought in 2011 and I still have the same bulb and I’ve used it a lot

[@robbiepatin9402]

Another benefit of projectors that a lot of people don’t even consider is that they are much much easier on the eyes since there is no light coming toward you. My wife and I live in a tiny house and are buying this projector to mount on the wall directly behind our bed and have a 80 inch image at the foot of the bed That will not completely destroy your eyes like a TV will.

[@davechensky]

Good point!

[@al_kaloid]

I absolutely love my HT2050A (W1120 in Europe). That being said, while there might be benefits in terms of eye strain due to the indirect path the light takes to reach your eyes vs. a TV (technically the light is still coming toward you ofc - otherwise you wouldn't be able to see the picture) at least with DLP projectors the inherent rainbow effect might outweigh that benefit for more sensitive individuals (leading to headaches and.. well, eye strain). I still think the HT2050A outperforms every LCD projector in its class (don't know about laser). I also don't know why anyone would set their TV to max intensity/brightness in a dim setting like that (except for HDR content). Excuse the ramble.. hope your projector is still going strong!

[@sonofevil77]

I love this projector! I've had it for 2 years and now I'm upgrading to the tk700sti.

[@Bender133723]

Please, tell me is the image quality better with the tk700sti in 1080P? is 4k really better than 1080P content? was it worth it?

[@Socraz6]

Great info. Helped me make a decision about upgrading to a bigger tv vs projector.

[@uritamminga1]

Thanks David! Awesome info we’ll definitely consider this one!

[@jcmelon5771]

With the projector that I owned it wasn't so much that the bulb burned out, but that it slowly got dimmer as time went on, so the bulb will have increasingly substandard performance over time, until you reach a point where you can't tolerate it anymore.

[@ChristiBalisti]

This is a great review! Thanks for sharing. I’m definitely considering getting this one 🤔

[@DanboShaw]

I remember Dave a few years ago you mentioned on the Filmcast that you had purchased a Coke can-sized projector that allowed you to shine images onto your bedroom ceiling. I take it from the fact you didn't mention this earlier technology that this BenQ blows it away? In any event this review was very informative and has started me thinking about options.

[@davechensky]

Correct.

[@ashleighradsyn2576]

Hi David, are you able to watch movies directly from a hardrive using this model? (I.e p.c less)?

[@shink303]

no amazon referral link in the desciption?

[@MrGenie23432]

BENQ TH685i is very similar but much brighter so can be used with some light. It also has ARC out. As is common with bright projectors you do sacrifice some image quality but you also gain 4K input with HDR which helps improve the image when watching HDR content.

[@DrBrunoDzogovic]

There's nothing better than when a thing delivers a best bang for the buck

[@robertov9738]

An Ultra Short Throw projector with a laser light source projected on an Ambient Light Rejecting Screen (screen is very important) would address a lot of the disadvantages you mention here: -Can be inches from the screen while projecting a full size image (120-150 inches) -Up to 30,000 hour life span with no bulb replacement needed -Watchable in moderately lit room -Speakers built into the front are directly beneath the image Most UST projectors are gonna cost over $2,000, although Xiaomi makes a 1080p UST that recently was on sale for $1100 on Amazon.

[@huetuber1204]

Screen is $$$$$

[@arbr_i]

Hey, thank you for your experience with this projector. I’ve been on the fence of buying this due to the audio. How are you connecting your audio?

[@MattHaynie]

Genuine question from someone who won't give projectors a chance because I've never seen one that will give anything close to deep blacks or white whites. There's always a slight even-layer of mute across all colors. Very slight, but it's undoubtedly there. However, I'm always willing to be wrong in the name of personal progress... So I'm genuinely asking: Is this something projector fans don't mind because the picture's so huge? Is this an acceptable trade-off to them? Or has tech improved in the last 5-10 years that I haven't heard about, and they have reduced the crappy contrast ratio? I don't hear anyone talking about it. That lack of contrast is worse than an LED (which are admittedly pretty good actually; we've come so far and I love it). OLED>LED>Projector.

[@denniswhite6613]

What about the "Rainbow Effect" ? That would be a deal breaker for me

[@Nbarbieri686]

Love my BenQ HT2150ST projector, which is the short throw version of the one you have. I've got limited space, and it gives me a 100" screen with a 5' throw distance. As for audio, I think most home theater projectors are intended to be used with an A/V receiver. But it would be nice for it to have ARC (which I think higher BenQ models do have).

[@davechensky]

I don’t get out of bed for anything less than a 150” image size

[@lionintu]

@@davechensky lol

[@garyl7863]

Why don’t you have a screen? If anyone is looking at a projector for pure clarity, look at the Elite silver series at a minimum. A wall let’s you watch movies but the difference of adding a screen is amazing

[@scupking]

I have the HT2050 (got it in 2016) and it still impresses me to this day. I have had to replace the bulb once. I want to upgrade to a projector that uses laser or LED lights maybe next year. The new BengQ 690ST almost seems perfect but not sure if I can get 92" screen from 8.5 feet like my current 2050.

[@mathieupatenaude]

The 690 get 100" from around 5 feet!

[@SaxiAxi]

I just got this projector and can’t figure out how to keystone. Any guidance? Thanks!

[@michaelhaze4507]

Bulbs or lamps for replacement, also where do you get your supply ? Majors troubles for me hear unfortunately thanks.

[@JefW]

I wanted to learn how to ceiling mount this … ugh I can’t get those minutes back! 😞

[@mitorandiro3123]

I mean, isn't everyone and everything slowly burning out and eventually getting replaced? I think you could cut the projector some slack there. On a serious note, have you tried gaming with the projector? Really curious about how good - or bad - that experience would be.

[@davechensky]

It’s solid! Very little input lag

[@BenKirkpatrick]

Really similar experience when I bought a projector on a Black Friday deal 4 years ago! It was about £350 and I just took a chance on it and it’s great! 1080p looks great and it’s just projected on a flat white wall. My wife and I have movie nights on a Saturday and use a headphone splitter and 2 over ear headphones so the fan noise isn’t an issue and we don’t have to worry about speakers waking the kids up 😀

[@CinemaDemocratica]

Irony-inbound alert: I have the exact opposite problem with this model as one of your biggest points in its favour -- I can't get my bookcase any closer than 10.5 feet, and at that distance the image from this thing would be way, way, WAY too big. It would literally spill out over the door and ceiling. In the end I went with the Optoma HD142x and I love it.

[@mashtea818]

Than you for this review. Can you use this out doors and bring it in? I have a nice set up outside but would not want to leave it out side every night.

[@adamreid5901]

I’d love one of these but single chip DLP’s cause me and many other people to see horrible rainbows on the screen, I have nystagmus so whenever my eyes move (all the time) the image deteriorates.

[@davechensky]

Totally fair call out!

[@masterkc]

You gotta find dlp projectors with a 6x speed RBGRBG colour wheel. This will minimise or eliminate the rainbow problem.

[@denniswhite6613]

That rainbow effect would be a deal breaker fo r me

[@kickinghorse2405]

Thanks

[@burnhame11]

Where did you hookup the PlayStation and sound bar in the rear with projector

[@petermaguire8931]

How dark does it have to be? And do you have to position it up high or can it send the video up onto the wall from a low position? thx

[@scguy681]

Can you recommend an LED projector for outdoor vewing like around 1000 ansi? please?

[@NoahStephens]

Plus 1 for There Will Be Blood and noting the existential angst caused by the bulb life

[@CharlesNJohn]

Thank you for the education! I thought I would ask you for a quick opinion: I am planning to buy Sony VPL-VW60 Home Theater Projector for $400, looking for advice, is it worth it? It has new lamp with 200 hours on it.

[@davechensky]

$400 seems like a pretty good deal

[@CharlesNJohn]

@@davechensky Thank you very much for the reply, David! I indeed got it!!

[@i-dronep.r.692]

Can this projector receive a 4k signal , like 4k blu ray player

[@i-dronep.r.692]

I got a sony uhd blu ray player , can i play 4k disc content on this projector

[@VirtualRobotsRevolt]

180” is kinda small for being a projectors max projection size. Looks nice though.

[@davechensky]

Tell me some bigger ones! (At this price or not!)

[@slvvm4]

Will this be good for a outdoor ?

[@grantmcconnaughey]

I feel that way any time I do anything. “Well, there goes another hour. Another hour of being closer to death.”

[@davechensky]

Amen

[@BenPhelps]

Thanks, Dave. A concise and entertaining review. Watch out MKBHD, Dave2D and Devindra. Your lunch is being eaten. Also, I’m in the middle of selling my BenQ 1080p projector (Which I bought with the money we received after renting our house to the production of RAKE so they could shoot an all-day sex scene in our bedroom. True story. We call it ‘the cinema projector which TV paid for’). I digress. Anyway, I’m surprised you’d settle for 1080p given that you’re a discerning 4K BluRay guy with a 4K TV. Is this a case of trading off resolution for scale because ‘movie cinema’? I was thinking of instead leaning into a 75” Samsung Frame. Movie scale… without ugly TV-wall look.

[@jkl4055]

Hey David, I'd recommend a 3.5mm jack Bluetooth transmitter. It's not perfect, but it gets the job done if you don't want to deal with wires Love the podcast btw!

[@davechensky]

I’m too worried about latency in this scenario

[@mriley75]

@@davechensky a more expensive but effective solution is to use an Apple TV as your source to the projector, can then output audio via Airplay to a supporting speaker/soundbar

[@ytchan63]

@@mriley75 how do you do this? Using Apple TV app, then how to my Samsung soundbar? Thank you.

[@metaldreams3595]

I clicked on it cos of the title saying it changed his life...and I have to say....I wasn't 100% focused on the video as I was multitasking, but Im at 6:04 and everything has been negative or neutral. What happened to changed my life? I'm Audi 5000.

[@yohannesambaye9276]

HI BRATHER HOW YOU HOW CAN I FOUND ONLY BOARD ?

[@yenoymusic]

Nice info! Would've been better with less face time and more screen time. But thanks anyway

[@CapnJack003]

Any problem with rainbow effect with this projector?

[@denniswhite6613]

Probably because it's a DLP projector. That's a deal breaker for me

[@bluesdomo]

Was great untill you stated it needed to mounted faraway. Short throw for ever!. I have a tiny living space so i can only dream.

[@TriMuXx]

This video needs an update. There are several options in the market now that have bulbs that last more than 22,000 hours and don't need bulb replacements for 10-13 years. Also, Tri Laser or 3 LCD type projectors are WAY better than this BenQ due to each color being the same brightness as the others which creates an overall feeling of being brighter than other projectors. Also, 3,000 lumens projectors out now can combat ambient light pretty well these days or if Ambient light is REALLY an issue for you, then you can get an ALR screen to solve that problem. HiSense L9G has one that comes with the projector and the image is VERY clear with all of the lights on. One thing Flat Panel TVs cannot do is eliminate glare. Once you get to that dark scene in your favorite show/movie/game and there is ambient light (or even that one lamp on the end table next to the couch) you will see reflections of the lamp OR will be staring right into a mirror. The only way to fix that issue with Flat Panel TVs is to turn all the lights off.....which if you're turning all of the lights off, why not get a projector ANYWAYS? So there is a lot of out of date information in this video and OP needs to do more research/testing with a modern projector and come back to do a video again. Modern projectors have been so great that I only have one flat panel TV left in the house and am looking to replace it with an Ultra Short Throw projector....maybe a JMGO 01 Pro or Optoma Cinemax P2 or something...no more glarey flat panel TVs or inching up in small increments every year for the Super Bowl game, lol

[@davechensky]

Name some projectors that have these benefits you list that cost $700

[@TriMuXx]

@@davechensky name some Flat Panel TV brands that produce 110”+ image under $1,000

[@notneo7898]

@@TriMuXx grow a brain

[@commissionchairman3435]

any morden led TV is better and projector image, no matter how expensive projector is, is washed out when compared with TV

[@FlavioMarceloSousa35]

Good video but the projector didn't impress me. 4k and smart tv are almost mandatory today.

[@rogeroropeza516]

I have it and I love it, but I also hate it.. The rainbow effect really ruins the immersion..

[@duwaine96]

what about ambient light?