Within the projector world, there are three broad classes. At one finish are the standard projectors (lengthy throw), and so they sit round 10 ft from a 100-inch display, generally even farther. On the different excessive, ultrashort throw projectors sit just some inches from the display. In the course of the 2 are brief throw fashions just like the BenQ X500i. It sits round 5 ft from the display, doubtlessly providing coffee-table placement and larger pictures in smaller rooms.
8.4
BenQ X500i
Like
Glorious distinction
Correct colours
Brilliant
Don’t love
Costly
Quick throw not for everybody
The X500i additionally has 4K decision, a 4 LED mild engine with the potential for some severe mild output, and built-in Android TV. So the BenQ has lots going for it on paper. It additionally has a reasonably beefy price ticket of $1,700.
Impressively, the X500i justifies that worth with wonderful efficiency throughout the board. It has the most effective distinction ratios I’ve measured in a few years of testing, it has above-average brightness, wonderful element, and total creates some beautiful pictures. As a result of “legroom” required, the BenQ X500i will match solely in sure rooms, however for the rooms it does slot in, it provides spectacular image high quality.
Specs and such
The 1.2x zoom lens.
- Decision: 3,840×2,160
- HDR-compatible: sure
- 4K-compatible: sure
- 3D-compatible: sure
- Lumens spec: 2,200
- Zoom: 1.2x
- Lens shift: no
- Lamp life (regular mode): 20,000 (30,000 in ECO mode)
The X500i is a 4K HDR projector with all the standard trappings. It has 3D compatibility should you’re nonetheless and have some suitable glasses. No projector can truly take advantage of HDR content, however BenQ’s tone mapping has been respectable to now, so it would not damage to have that compatibility.
The unit does supply some extent of optical zoom, about the identical quantity as most different projectors on this vary. It is sufficient to provide you some flexibility in how far it’s essential to place the projector to fill a selected display measurement. There is no lens shift, which admittedly is pretty uncommon with DLP projectors, although BenQ’s personal, and cheaper, HT2060 and TK860i each have some.
Because it’s rated for two,200 lumens, I used to be anticipating a reasonably brilliant projector. In its most correct mode, I measured 911 lumens, which is respectable, although not wonderful. In its brighter-but-greener Brilliant mode, I used to be in a position to get 1,549. I’ve actually measured brighter projectors, notably the equally priced Xgimi Horizon Ultra, however that is lots for 100-inch screens, and even a bit bigger.
Straightforward navigation if you cannot discover the distant.
The place the X500i actually shines is with its distinction ratio. I measured a median of 1,990:1, which is one of the best I’ve measured because the $4,000 Epson LS11000 two years in the past. That is a severely spectacular quantity, over six occasions higher than the aforementioned Xgimi, and almost 50% higher than our Editor’s Selection winner, the BenQ HT2060. Solely the BenQ X300G (assessment shortly) offers its label mate a run for the cash, at 1,762:1. Just like the X300G, I believe there could be some delicate brightness ramping happening with the LED mild engine to spice up this quantity a bit, however subjectively when considered with precise content material it appears to be like as unbelievable as that quantity suggests.
Like most new projectors, the X500i eschews a mercury-filled UHP lamp and as an alternative makes use of the aforementioned LEDs. On this case, it is a 4 LED design with an additional LED on prime of the standard RGB so as to add further brightness. This configuration is rated for 20,000 hours, which is mainly the lifetime of the projector. That is almost 14 years should you’re watching 4 hours an evening.
Connections
Numerous connections and management choices. The vented field space homes the included streaming stick.
- HDMI inputs: 2
- USB port: 1 USB-C, 1 USB-A
- Audio output: audio system (5Wx2), HDMI ARC, optical, Bluetooth, 3.5mm analog
- Management: RS-232
- Web: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4G/5G)
- OS: Android TV
- Distant: backlit
The 2 HDMI inputs are literally beneficiant when you think about the X500i consists of an Android TV streaming stick which does not require HDMI. It has its personal connections, hidden behind a detachable panel on the again of the projector.
The backlit distant has all of the controls you may want to regulate the projector and the streaming stick.
The 2 5W audio system are ample. They do not have a lot bass (not shocking), however they’re clear and loud sufficient you could get pleasure from a film. With any projector, a soundbar or receiver and audio system are a worthy addition.
The distant is backlit, connects to the streaming stick by way of Bluetooth, and has quick entry to frequently used options and settings.
Image high quality comparisons
BenQ X300G
Behold the uncommon single-brand projector face-off! The TK860i is a current 4K projector that is a bit cheaper however did nicely in our testing. It is not brief throw, however it may be just a little brighter. The X300G has very related specs to the X500i and is available in a cute, dice kind however is not brief throw. I linked these three to a Monoprice 1×4 distribution amplifier and considered them side-by-side on a 102-inch 1.0-gain display.
Beginning off with mild output, the X500i and TK860i are about the identical, just a little over 900 lumens of their most correct, Cinema mode. Should you take off that restriction, they’re each able to much more of their visibly inexperienced Brilliant modes. In that mode, you may get about 25% extra mild from the TK860i. The X300G is a step behind, about 25% dimmer when all are in Cinema mode. In its greenish Brilliant mode, it is able to about 25% extra mild than the others of their correct mode, however far lower than they’ll produce of their brightest modes.
Handbook zoom and focus, however no lens shift.
What actually separates the three is distinction ratio. The TK860i’s is just a little under common. I measured round 551:1. That is not horrible, however right here it is going up in opposition to two of one of the best performers of the final a number of years. The 1,990:1 I measured from the X500i is excellent and one of the best I’ve measured in a number of years. The X300G is shut behind, at 1,762:1. In order that they each appear to have much better depth and realism than the TK860i.
The X500i’s shade can also be extra vibrant than that of the TK860i. It has wealthy, natural-looking greens, blues and reds, but in addition actually correct in-between colours that result in healthy-looking pores and skin tones, real looking variations within the greens of grass, and so forth. The X300G is analogous in that regard, although not fairly nearly as good. The TK860i is a step behind. Not unhealthy, however not as colourful nor as correct. Its shade temperature can also be rather less “true,” making the picture look barely cooler in contrast with the extra correct X siblings.
Element is about the identical throughout all three, although that is not too shocking since they’re all 4K. All three are additionally DLP, so there is no movement blur, one thing that may’t be stated about some other present show tech. So all of them look sharper than a similar-resolution LCD projector in lots of conditions.
General, the X500i simply attracts the attention greater than the others right here, with its punchy distinction, wonderful shade and above-average brightness. The additional mild output of the TK860i may come in useful in some conditions, however for all however the largest screens, the X500i would put out a better-looking picture.
Shut-up contender
The efficiency of the X500i is so good I want it wasn’t a brief throw projector. That is totally as a result of how my residence theater is ready up, making such a projector unimaginable to web site correctly. The distinction is unbelievable, it is lots brilliant, and the colour is correct and vibrant. It has all of the items of a wonderful projector, with the small caveat that brief throw projectors aren’t for everybody. The identical will be stated with “common” projectors too, in fact, but when you have already got a room arrange for a projector, it could be tough to reconfigure it for one thing just like the X500i.
There’s additionally the worth tag. With top-tier efficiency, 4K, and included streaming, the BenQ was by no means going to be low cost. Add on a commonplace (however pointless) brief throw “tax,” and immediately the X500i is trying fairly costly in contrast with another 4K projectors. Nonetheless, if in case you have a smaller room, or can solely match the projector pretty near the display, the X500i can create some completely unbelievable pictures. So unbelievable that it is price that premium of some hundred {dollars} over lesser brief throws.
