BenQ HT2550 4K UHD HDR Home Theater Projector review

REVIEW – For many years I have had a fascination with projectors, and much more so when they became 4k capable. After much window shopping, I got the opportunity to test and review the BenQ HT2550 4K UHD HDR Home Theater Projector. Let’s see if the excitement was worthwhile or not!!

What is it?

The BenQ HT2550 HDR XPR UHD DLP Home Theater Projector uses XPR technology to project UHD 4K resolution video. It features HDR10 compatibility to produce a wide color gamut and outputs up to 2200 ANSI lumens of brightness. It has a 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio to help produce details even in dark areas of the image and a built-in 5W speaker for additional convenience.

What’s in the box

1 x BenQ HT2550 HDR XPR UHD DLP Home Theater Projector
1 x Remote Control with Batteries
1 x Lens Cover
1 x User Manual CD
1 x Warranty Card
1 x Power Cord

Design and features

Specifications:

Projection System: DLP
Native Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Brightness (ANSI Lumens): 2200 ANSI Lumens
Contrast Ratio: 10,000:1
Display Color: 30 Bits (1.07 billion colors)
Rec. 709 Coverage: 96% (Color Wheel: RGBRGB)
Speaker: 5W x 1
Aspect Ratio: Native 16:9 (6 aspect ratio selectable)
Throw Ratio: 1.47 – 1.76 (100″ @ 10.6 ft.)
Image Size: 60″ – 200″ / 300″
Zoom Ratio: 1.2x
DMD Type: 0.47″
Lamp Life: (Normal/ Economic/ SmartEco/ LampSave/)* 4000/ 10000/ 8000/ 15000 hours
Operating Temperature: 32 – 104 degrees (Fahrenheit)
Projection Offset: 110%
Resolution Support: VGA (640 x 480) to 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Horizontal Frequency: 15 – 102 KHz
Vertical Scan Rate: 23K-120Hz
Interface: HDMI-1 (HDMI 2.0 & HDCP 2.2) x 1; HDMI-2: (HDMI 1.4a & HDCP 1.4) x 1
USB Type A: (1.5A power) x 1
USB Type mini B: (service) x 1
Audio in: (Mini Jack) x 1
Audio out: (Mini Jack) x 1
RS232 in: (DB-9 pin, Male) x 1
IR Receiver: (Front & Top) x 1
Computer in: (D sub 15pin, Female) x 1
DC 12V Trigger: (3.5mm Jack) x1
Dimensions (W x H x D mm): 13.9 x 5.31 x 10.71 inches
HDTV Compatibility: 480i, 480p, 576i, 567p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, 2160p
Video Compatibility: NTSC, PAL, SECAM
Weight: 4.2 kg (9.2 lbs.)
Audible Noise Level (Normal/ Economic Mode): 33 / 29 dBA
Power Supply: VAC 100 ~ 240 (50/60 Hz)
Power Consumption: Max 385W, Normal 330W, Eco 250W, Standby 0.5W
On-Screen Display Languages: Arabic /Bulgarian/ Croatian/ Czech/ Danish/ Dutch/ English/ Finnish/ French/ German/ Greek/ Hindi/ Hungarian/ Italian/ Indonesian/ Japanese/ Korean/ Norwegian/ Polish/ Portuguese/ Romanian/ Russian/ Simplified Chinese/ Spanish/ Swedish/ Turkish/ Thai/ Traditional Chinese (28 Languages)
Accessories (Standard) Remote Control w/ Battery x 1
Power Cord x 1: (10 feet)

On the front of the projector from left to right, there is an air vent on the left and on the right the lens and the IR Remote Sensor.

On the back from left to right there is the AC Power Jack, Audio input jack and
Audio output jack,  RGB (PC) signal input jack,  HDMI input port (Version 2.0), HDMI input port (Version 1.4a),  USB Mini-B port (for firmware upgrades), RS-232 control port,  USB Type-A port (1.5 A power supply), and a 12V DC output terminal for triggering external devices such as an electric screen or light control.

On both sides of the projector, there are air vents that help to keep it very cool.

On the top rear of the projector, there are buttons that allow you the options of manually controlling the projector as opposed to using the remote.

On the top front of the projector positioned behind the lens are two controls that allow you to adjust the zoom and the focus.

Performance

The BenQ HT2550 4K UHD HDR Home Theater Projector came well packaged as is usual for BenQ equipment, and it was remarkably easy to set up. The first thing I did was to understand the average distance that was necessary to have the picture fully cover the 100″ portable projector screen that I purchased.

If you look at the chart below, you will get an idea of the requirements.

Once I placed it on the projector stand that I had previously owned but was using for another purpose, the next step was to understand the inputs and what devices and video sources could be used and how they could and should be connected.

The next chart below provides more detail about the use of the HDMI and PC connections.

For my testing and regular viewing, I used either my 4K Roku Premiere+ stick or my Amazon 4K Fire Stick, and I used them in the HDMI 1 port.

I made slight adjustments to the leveling feet, and then I turned on the projector. After a few seconds, the BenQ logo appeared on the screen. I adjusted the focus and zoom via the controls on the top of the projector until I got the sharp and crisp image that I was seeking to display. For this testing, I used the remote control for all of the setups and controlling. The remote control is backlit and includes several one-touch buttons that provide shortcuts directly to specific functions.


The projector first went through the initial setup that basically includes settings like language, etc, and then it automatically searched the inputs and found my connected Roku on the HDMI 1 port. I then selected Menu via the remote and played around with the other setting options. Keeping in mind that this projector and its overall menu has numerous settings and levels of settings, here is a basic high-level overview of the Menu that includes the most commonly used sections:
Picture Menu

•  Picture Mode
• User Mode Management
• Brightness
• Contrast
• Color
• Tint
• Sharpness
• Advanced
• Reset Current Picture Mode

Display Menu

•  Image Position
• Overscan Adjustment
• PC Tuning
• 3D
• HDR
• Silence

Installation Menu

• Projector Position
• Test Pattern
• Aspect Ratio
• 12V Trigger
• High Altitude Mode

System Setup: Basic Menu

• Language
• Background Color
• Splash Screen
• Auto Off
• Direct Power On
• Menu Settings
• Source Rename
• Auto Source
• Sound

System Setup: Advanced Menu

• Lamp Settings
• HDMI Settings
• Quick Cooling
• Password
• Key Lock
• LED Indicator
• Reset All Settings
• ISF

Information Menu

• Current System Status

Click here to download the complete user manual.

After going through the easy setup, I was ready to see this beauty perform. For my testing, I selected the 4K app from the Roku menu and wow!! the video and images were and are stunning. It is really and truly an immersive experience, and with a 100-inch screen at about 10 feet in front of me, I felt that if I had better acting skills I could just walk right into the screen and be a part of the movie. This projector produces a beautiful picture and provides an impressive overall home theater experience. The following pictures show the projector with the Roku stick attached as well as the Roku splash screen and the projection of a movie selection that I was about to play for my kids.

 

What I like

• The size
• The weight
• The amazing picture and color reproduction
• The connectivity options
• The very functional remote control

What can be improved

• To be quite honest, I like everything about this projector and it lives up to what it is designed to do

Final thoughts

I am so happy that this BenQ HT2550 was the first home projector that I have been able to test and review. I am thoroughly enjoying the experience and it is used every weekend at my home. The picture is quite amazing and in 4K I become totally immersed. The addition of a sound bar and subwoofer have completed the cinema experience and even more so since I can select modes to match the show. While I am sure that several companies including BenQ have even higher-end projectors with even more amazing features and video reproduction, for now, this one has set the acceptable standard of measurement for any and all other home projectors that I review and/or experience. Well done BenQ!! Two thumbs up!!

Price: $1399.00 (On sale for Christmas 2018 at B&H Photo Video and Amazon for $1099)
Where to Buy: BenQ Website or B&H Photo or Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by BenQ