TV or projector? It’s one of the great tech debates, especially for large screen sizes. For most people, it depends on the price, and the room it’s going in. Since projectors require a large room, most people with smaller rooms get a television. However, with the introduction of ultra-short throw laser projectors, the debate is changing. These projectors are positioned very close to the screen; so, you no longer need a large room to use a projector. All you need is a wall or dedicated projector screen.
I’m reviewing the BenQ 4K UHD Home Theatre Projector (V7050i). It’s a high-end, premium ultra-short throw laser projector. It can be placed close to a screen for screen sizes ranging from 70 to 120 inches. Is this a better investment than a 4K television? Let’s find out.
Notable specs: BenQ V7050i projector
- 2500 ANSI lumens view even in mild ambient light
- Up to 120″ at 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) resolution and 16:9 aspect ratio
- Two HDMI inputs and three USB ports, Android TV dongle included
- Lamp lifetime of 20,000 hours
Design of the BenQ 4K UHD Home Theatre Projector (V7050i)
This is the first ultra-short throw projector I’ve ever reviewed. Compared to long throw projectors, it’s much bigger and bulkier. It measures approximately 20”x15”x6” (HWD) and weighs 22 lbs. On top, the power button is located on the lower right. Pressing it activates a motorized lens cover. This is by far the projector’s most visually interesting feature. It looks super cool and prevents dust from collecting on the lens when not in use. One caveat though: when the lens cover is open and the lamp it shining, don’t look directly into the light as it is very, very bright.
The left and right sides of the projector have grille vents. This allows airflow and heat dissipation so be careful not to block these. Near the back, on the right side, are two USB-A ports. One of these is required to power the Android TV dongle. More on that later.
Port options for the BenQ V7050i projector
The front of the projector houses two 5W treVolo speakers; I’ve covered this type of speaker before and I’ll talk about them below. On the back, there are two HDMI ports, a USB-A port, an RS-232 port, and a SPDIF port. One of the HDMI ports is reserved for the QS01 Android TV dongle. A sticker indicates which port is designated for the dongle.
Setting up the BenQ V7050i projector
I tested the projector in my high-tech themed Airbnb suite. There, I have a 1080p long throw projector installed on the ceiling. It faces a wall that I painted white to create a 165” screen. For the most part, this works okay with my 1080p projector. Ideally, I should review the BenQ 4K UHD with an ALR screen (more on that below).
After inserting the BenQ QS01 Android TV dongle into the back, I placed the BenQ projector on a coffee table and under the wall. Once on, I noticed the screen was uneven. I adjusted the feet up on the right side to level the screen. Using my Android phone, I followed the on-screen instructions to set up the Android TV dongle. In all, the entire setup took about 10-15 minutes.
Positioning and screen size adjustments
As mentioned, the BenQ V7050i projector can create image sizes ranging from 70”-120”. Like long throw projectors, the screen size depends on the distance from the screen. The farther the distance, the bigger the screen. With ultra-short throw projectors like the BenQ V7050i, the distance from the screen is in inches, rather than feet.
According to the manual, I needed a projection distance of 33cm from the screen to get a 120” screen size. What I soon realized is that it worked better on the ground than on the coffee table I originally had it on. With the V7050i on the ground, I was able to get a bigger screen size.
Using the BenQ V7050i projector
Once I had the projector properly positioned, I had the arduous task of watching YouTube videos from a reclining chair. My work is tough—blood, sweat, and beers went into this review. Generally speaking, ultra-short throw projectors work well in bright rooms (a fact that weighs heavily in their favour over other types of projectors). Therefore, I reviewed it in daytime conditions to assess its performance in brighter environments. I was very impressed with the image quality, especially in daytime conditions. The image was bright and the colours really popped out. Having a 1080p projector, I can see the difference a 4K projector provides. In my video review, you can see the image quality for yourself.
The BenQ QS01 Android TV dongle is very easy to use. I was also surprised by the sound quality of the two 5W treVolo speakers. With its placement in front of the screen, the BenQ V7050i acts like a sound bar as well. In that sense, it’s a two-in-one device, both a 4K projector and mini sound bar in one—with very good audio too.
Should you get the BenQ V7050i instead of a 4K TV?
I think the BenQ V7050i appeals to tech early adopters the most but also anyone looking to create a modern home theatre experience in their home. This is new technology and fellow geeks like myself would definitely appreciate its design. Furthermore, it’s going to require some testing and adjusting before doing a permanent installation. Some people like myself, enjoy physically testing the projector’s size, distance, and optical characteristics prior to a permanent installation. Others may not enjoy that. Either way, to get the most out of it, you have to play around because every room is different. Best Buy does have services available to ensure anyone can get the most from a projector like this.
What kind of screen should you use?
If you want the best image possible, the BenQ V7050i should be used alongside an ambient light rejection screen, commonly known as an ALR screen. Unlike common screens that reflect the incoming light uniformly in all directions, the ALR screen selectively reflects light back to the audience. The projector’s light is bounced towards the audience while the other ambient light in the room is reflected back in another direction.
In my case, I’m using a wall painted a flat white. I’ve used this as my projector screen and I’m happy with the result. However, if I had an ALR screen, the image quality would be noticeably brighter in fully lit indoor settings. So if you want to do it right, get an ALR screen.
Final thoughts
Given the choice, I will always choose a projector over a new television. The new 4K projectors I’ve reviewed in the past have really impressed me. Ultra-short throw projectors give projector fans like myself more options to consider and the V7050i is a very impressive addition to any home theatre.
That said, I had a couple of issues that I would like to point out. First, I wonder why the BenQ QS01 Android TV dongle was not built into the projector like in the BenQ TK850i? Instead, having the dongle sticks out in the back seems avoidable. Second, two HDMI ports, though standard for most projectors, are not enough, especially when the dongle takes up one of them. I highly recommend getting an HDMI splitter if you need to connect multiple devices such as gaming consoles, laptops, streaming sticks, and more. That’s what I use and it makes life so easy (and easy to get delivered to your home from Best Buy).
In all, I was very impressed with how it functions as a two-in-one device. The built-in speakers are pretty good and the image quality was bright and colourful. Just remember, you will need to geek out with this before doing a permanent installation.
If you’re in the market for an ultra-short throw projector, I highly recommend you check out the BenQ V7050i 4K UHD Home Theatre Projector (V7050i).
Table of Contents
- Notable specs: BenQ V7050i projector
- Design of the BenQ 4K UHD Home Theatre Projector (V7050i)
- Port options for the BenQ V7050i projector
- Setting up the BenQ V7050i projector
- Positioning and screen size adjustments
- Using the BenQ V7050i projector
- Should you get the BenQ V7050i instead of a 4K TV?
- What kind of screen should you use?
- Final thoughts
I would use it in the basement on the wall
I would use it in my living room with a white sheet, because my walls are too colorful
I’d project on my white wall in the basement theatre room.
A white wall in the living room.
With the BenQ I could project content onto the far wall, or ceiling of my bedroom. The room is already a flat eggshell white, ready for a projector.
And the BenQ V7050i, with it’s short throw, or any other BenQ short throw projector would be ideal to use in my bedroom, as I am basically bedridden, due to health reasons. So watching TV, Sports, YouTube videos are my main distractions, entertainment.
I would use this outside on our white siding for summer movie nights!
We would love to use than QV 7050 on a beige wall in our living room
We would love to use it outside on her deck against the house
I would be using the BenQ HT2050A 3D Ready Short Throw DLP Projector in a guest room on the white wall.
we have the perfect sound proof room in the basement, we would put it on the white wall
I would be using the BenQ HT2050A 3D Ready Short Throw DLP Projector in my living room on the white wall.
I would use the BenQ HT2050A 3D Ready Short Throw DLP Projector in my bedroom and project on a white wall.
Benq 4K uhf hdr projector tk800m I would use on a blank white to project games when I play
We’d love this in our basement – would be great for a home theatre! We’d definitely need a screen too!
For now we’d use this in the living room, but we’re hoping to have a usable rec room in the basement in a couple hours that would be better.
We would use this projector in our family room. We have an old projector screen about 10′ in size we would try with it first. An ALR screen would probably end up on our family’s Christmas wishlist at some point though.
we would use it in our family room onto a painted wall
Could you imagine moving nights on this bad boy lol screw a TV
In the living room on a white wall!
We would use this projector in our basement family room and project onto the wall until we could get an ALR screen
I’d use this projector on a white wall in the family room against a white sheet hanging from our gazebo and against the white side of our trailer while camping! It would be so well used and SO loved!
I would use this projector on a white wall in the family room.
i would use this in the recroom above the garage, put it on the floor and project it onto a flat white matte painted wall.
I would put it my basement and project it on the white wall. I would likely get a screen for it shortly so the surface is perfect.
We’d use it in our front room where there’s already a good-sized flat white wall with not much on it that would have to be cleared off.
I would be projecting onto the white wall in my basement family room.
This projector would be perfect for my rec room, projecting onto my white wall.
I’d use it in my bedroom on our white wall, it would be a nice excuse to not having hung pictures on the same wall for so long lol
I would totally put this in my rec room!
I would put this in our basement and would buy an ALR screen to get the most out of it
I would place this projector in our living room and purchase an ALR screen to go with it.
The BenQ V7050i would be a great option for my bedroom where we would use it above the dresser. Would definitiely paint the wall first (currently dark blue)
I would use it in our downstairs entertainment family room! To start I’d project on the white walls and see how that goes. Maybe get a screen later if that’s better for display.
My living room has a good size white wall where i would use this and would just project from my coffee table
I would use the BenQ 4K UHD Home Theatre Projector (V7050i) in our family room & smaller bedrooms, projected onto their white walls.
The BenQ 4K UHD HDR Home Theatre Projector (TK800M) would be the perfect one for our family room to watch movies as I have 8 foot white walls in the room.
Our basement rec room has 8 foot large white walls and the BenQ 4K UHD HDR Home Theatre Projector (TK800M) would be perfect for watching a movie!
I would have to choose the BenQ 4K UHD HDR Home Theatre Projector (TK800M) because our basement rec room has 8 foot large white walls and would be perfect for watching a movie!
I would have to choose the BenQ 4K UHD HDR Home Theatre Projector (TK800M) because I would use it in our living room. Our 8 foot large white wall is perfect for watching a movie!
I would use BenQ 4K UHD in the rec room and have a couple of wall options. Thank you great prize.
I’d set up ours in the living room to watch family movies. Would have to use an ALR Screen because our walls are painted a dark color so I’d want to use a good quality screen.
I would be using the short throw projector in my living room and projecting onto my white wall.
I would use this BenQ 4K UHD Home Theatre Projector (V7050i) in our family room and ideally project the image onto an ALR projection screen to ensure the best quality picture.
The BenQ 4K UHD HDR Home Theatre Projector TK800M would be perfect in my living room on the large light wall!
I would be using it in the TV room in the basement. A nice white wall there would work great with the short throw model!
Likely in my bedroom or the utility room with a white wall since I am only renting the house and can’t do a permanent install.
I’d likely do a permanent install just below the ceiling to keep it out of the way and use a pull-down ALR screen that would slide in front of my present 60″ TV for use with movies and other big-screen events.
i would want to have the BenQ 4K UHD HDR Home Theatre Projector TK800M because it would be used to play movies in the living room on a white wall
i would want the BenQ 4K UHD HDR Home Theatre Projector TK800M because it would be used it in the living room on a white wall
i would have to choose the BenQ 4K UHD HDR Home Theatre Projector (TK800M) because I would use it in our living room, it has a large white wall up about 8 feet- perfect for a movie!
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