On the subject of reviewing the follow-up to an important product, I want I used to be educated sufficient about sports activities to provide you with the proper sports activities metaphor. “Again-to-back championships are laborious,” or one thing like that. Or possibly there isn’t any connection between the 2 in any respect as, typically, an organization improves its choices yearly till some massive shift occurs that places it behind — just like the transfer to 4K, for instance. Then it both makes a leap itself, or disappears. BenQ has been in an attention-grabbing place: I reviewed the corporate’s HT2050A HD projector in 2020 and beloved it. It was already over 2 years previous at that time. By the point we final gave it an Editors’ Selection award, it had been out for 5 years. That is an eternity in tech, however such was the energy of that glorious little projector.

Enter the long-awaited substitute, the HT2060, with some critical sneakers to fill. It nonetheless sports activities 1080p decision and has roughly the identical lumen ranking. The case is modernized, classy-looking and extra boxy. Properly on BenQ’s half, it has stored the HT2050A’s lens shift, nonetheless a rarity amongst single-chip DLP projectors. The largest change is the transfer to an LED gentle supply as a substitute of a lamp. 

8.2

BenQ HT2060

$999 at Amazon

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Like

• Glorious, lifelike shade
• Respectable distinction ratio
• Vertical lens shift

Do not Like

• Brightness is relatively common
• A little bit expensive for 1080p

The projector market is not almost as fast-moving as TVs, say, however there have been some notable developments for the reason that HT2050A primary arrived. Most notable of the notables, final yr Epson launched the HC2350 with 4K decision. Initially far costlier than the previous HT2050A, its value has fallen sufficient that it is now almost the identical value as this 1080p HT2060. Has BenQ waited too lengthy to launch a follow-up? Has the market moved on? If you have not already skipped forward, the reply might shock you.

By the numbers

• Decision: 1080p
• HDR-compatible: Sure
• 4K-compatible: Sure
• 3D-compatible: Sure
• Lumens spec: 2,300
• Zoom: 1.3x
• Lens shift: Vertical +10%
• Lamp life: 20,000~30,000 hours (LED)

The HT2060 carries over a number of the options from the HT2050A: each are 1080p, have a 1.3x zoom and a small vertical lens shift of +10%. These doohickies might not appear important, however they’re much more than most DLP projectors on this value vary, which have zero. Whereas the HT2060 can settle for a 4K sign, it does downconvert it to 1080p.

The lumen spec is just barely larger than the HT2050A’s 2,200. I’d have appreciated to have seen an even bigger soar right here, particularly with different projectors of comparable costs providing much more, although lumen specs are a tough estimate anyway. I measured 985 within the Residing Room mode and solely barely much less within the extremely correct Filmmaker mode. I obtained a good 1,794 within the Shiny mode, although the latter was visibly inexperienced and probably not one thing you’d use frequently. Usually I used the Residing Room mode, regardless of being rather less correct, for its additional visible pop.

Like its predecessor, the 1.3x zoom is okay, although the HT2060’s throw distance remains to be a little bit shorter than most projectors on this vary. In case you’re changing a special projector and you have already got a ceiling mount, it is value checking throw distances on BenQ’s web site.

As talked about within the intro, the largest change is the transfer from a standard lamp to LEDs. Since these LEDs will basically final the lifetime of the projector, there’s some important lifetime price advantages to this transfer. At 4 hours an evening, even by BenQ’s decrease estimate, the LEDs ought to final about 14 years. BenQ’s substitute lamps weren’t notably costly, however over that span of time you’d have spent the identical quantity because the projector over once more ($750). Even when the HT2060 is presently costlier than its predecessor, it is nonetheless cheaper to personal long-term. There are additionally some important image high quality advantages to LEDs, which we’ll discuss later.

Connection assortment

• HDMI inputs: 2
• USB port: 1 (2.5A)
• Audio output: 3.5mm analog (1), optical (1)
• Audio enter: 3.5mm analog
• Management: RS-232
• Web: None
• Distant: Backlit

Oddly sufficient, the connections are one of many few elements that is a step again from the HT2050A, however I am OK with that. The previous mannequin had a wide range of analog inputs that simply aren’t extensively used anymore. As a substitute, the HT2060 has two HDMI 2.0b inputs, which is all you really want. 

There are analog and digital audio outputs, in case you needed to attach a streaming stick on to the projector and ship the audio to exterior audio system. Usually I might advocate a receiver and audio system to go together with a projector, however this can be a cheap choice. The projector’s inner audio system are high-quality in comparison with different projectors’ audio system, however none of them sound notably good. 

The boxy distant has a delicate amber backlight, in addition to direct entry to a wide range of image controls. 

Image high quality and comparisons

It was solely honest to check the HT2060 to the BenQ HT2050A. As of this writing, you’ll be able to nonetheless get the older mannequin for about 25% much less, however it would quickly be discontinued. The 4K Epson Dwelling Cinema 2350 has a better MSRP, however is often discovered for simply 10% greater than the HT2060. I related all three rivals to a Monoprice 1×4 distribution amplifier and examine the projectors side-by-side on a 102-inch, 1.0-gain display screen.

For 3 pretty comparable projectors, they’re surprisingly completely different. The Epson is brilliant, however grey; the BenQ HT2050A is dimmer, however punchy; and the BenQ HT2060 is like somebody dialed up the colour however stored a lot of the different elements the identical. 

Let’s speak a second about that shade. The HT2060 is likely one of the most correct projectors we have measured. This goes past simply correct greens, reds and blues, but in addition lots of the in-between tones that make a picture appear extra lifelike. With a wide range of content material, together with HDR, the HT2060 simply has far richer, deeper, extra reasonable colours than the HT2050A. The Epson has very correct shade too, however not fairly to the identical extent. 

The Epson’s concern, in comparison with the 2 BenQs, is a considerably decrease distinction ratio. It appears to be like washed-out as compared. Curiously, the HT2060 is decrease than the HT2050A, 1,320:1 versus 2,094:1 with my measurements. Aspect by aspect, that is much less apparent than you’d suppose. The Epson’s 348:1, however, may be very noticeable. Whereas the Epson is rather a lot brighter, the black ranges are considerably larger too. Even in case you dialed again the brightness of the Epson, the black ranges would nonetheless be excessive. So side-by-side, particularly in case you’re watching one thing with a 2.35:1 facet ratio, the blacks look grey. The picture simply appears to be like flatter and extra synthetic.

What about 4K? That is attention-grabbing too. The Epson is an LCD projector, which suffers from movement blur. The DLP tech of the BenQs would not have that concern. So with sure pictures, the Epson appears to be like sharper. On others, they appear roughly comparable if not a slight edge to the DLPs. With closeups of faces, the Epson positively appears to be like a little bit sharper but when the digicam is shifting, the DLP does. Both manner, it is rather a lot nearer than you’d count on. The HT2050A appears to be like the worst right here, largely on account of some processing points that are not a giant deal on their very own, however in comparison with these two newer PJs means it is beginning to look its age.

Probably the most disappointing facet of the HT2060 is its comparative dimness. It isn’t “dim,” per se, however I might name it common. In case you needed a 150-inch display screen or one thing, the Epson is the higher alternative. For a light-controlled room, the BenQ HT2060 remains to be lots brilliant.

Between the three choices, I might decide the HT2060. On paper the HT2050A has some benefits, however general the HT2060 simply appears to be like higher. The unbelievable gentle output of the Epson has its place for certain, however in case you’re on the lookout for all-around picture high quality, the BenQ HT2060’s larger distinction outclasses the Epson.

The king is useless. Lengthy dwell the king

After every little thing you simply learn, my conclusion may shock you. Sure, the HT2060 would not fairly have the identical efficiency on paper because the HT2050A. Between the 2, although, I might nonetheless select the HT2060. The picture is simply that rather more lifelike, you by no means want to exchange the lamp, it activates and off rapidly, and it is a little bit quieter. As an general bundle, it is unbelievable. You probably have a HT2050A, must you improve? No. Wait till there is a 4K projector with nice distinction for $1,000 or much less, and the market’s not there but. 

Talking of 4K, the place does this go away the aggressive Epson? For most individuals, the Epson 2350 and the BenQ HT2060 are the 2 projectors I might advocate, they usually’re surprisingly completely different. The Epson is an absolute flamethrower — it is the second brightest we have ever measured. In a projector, that is each spectacular and an enormous promoting level. In order for you that epic 150-inch picture, otherwise you wish to watch films and TV with some ambient gentle, that is your go-to alternative. Its distinction ratio, nevertheless, is kind of middling and a mere fraction of the BenQ’s. The HT2060 simply has a extra cinema-quality picture. It won’t be as a lot of a standout as its predecessor, however it’s a standout nonetheless.

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