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’d use an ALR screen for the best possible projection in my bedroom
I would use the projector in my bedroom and on a white wall.
Would use this projector in the living room projecting to the white wall.
I would love to put a screen in the back yard and enjoy while relaxing in the hot tub
I would reconfigure the studio bedroom area so the white wall could be used corner to corner.
This projector would fit nicely in my living room. I’d project it on the white wall over the fireplace.
We have a smaller room in our basement which would be great and we would use a blank wall for viewing.
My living room and I would get a ALR screen to take full advantage of of the equipment capacity
I would use this in my family room mostly and project it onto a beige wall.
I would use this projector in my living room because it’s nice and dark in there and I would project the image on a white wall. With the limited space I have, it’s better to make use of what I already have.
I would set this up in my basement, and use an ALR screen with it.
I would use this projector in my basement and I would project the image to a white wall.
in my living room on a white wall
I would use it in my room and project it on the wall or ceiling!
family room has a great big wall….perfect
basement rec room has a great big wall….perfect
This awesome toy would go perfect in my basement bonus room. I would set it up there and project onto the white wall. Would become my new favorite room!
I would use the projector in my bedroom and on a white wall.
I would use the projector in our living room on a white wall.
I would use this outdoors, projected onto a screen or large sheet to watch movies at night.
I’d use it in my room on my whiteish wall.
I would use this in my living room on a large wall painted white.
This would be great for outdoor movie night and everyday use in the basment
I have an white screen already, this would look great in my living room!
I would use it in our family room which is quite sunny in the daytime. I would project on the wall at the back of the room.
Garage
On an ALR screen
I’d use it in the living room on a white wall.
Would use projector in living room on the wall
I would use this in the basement on a white wall.
I would use this projector in our basement family room as it has a large white wall that we could project the image on
I’d set this up in my living-room, and use an ALR screen with it.
I’d use the projector in my apartment on a white wall. It has a textured surface, curious to see how that looks!
I would use this projector on a white wall I have in the basement.
I would use this projector in my living room and project in on the wall
I would use the projector in my basement and once in a while do an outside showing against my white garage from the lawn and put on a film for the children on the street to enjoy.
In my home I would use this projector in a family room and project the image onto an ALR screen.
I would use it on a white wall in our living room to achieve the best quality picture.
I’d probably put it in my living room with a white wall
I’d love one of these projectors for my living room. I have a nice big white wall that I’d use to project to.
I would use this projector in the living room on my white wall
I would use the projector in my basement, and project the image onto an ALR screen.
We will be using it in our basement family area and projecting movies on a flat white painted wall.
I would use this projector in the living room on a white wall.
I would use it in the bedroom, I have a big wall in front of my bed. Would work perfect.
If I had this projector I’d definitely invest in an ALR screen to get the full potential of the projector in my living room.
We are finishing our basement this year and our new rec room will have a dedicated white wall just for this purpose!
I would use this projector in the living room, on a white wall.
I would love to put this in our basement and for now (until I had the chance to upgrade!) I would simply project it onto a white(ish) wall!
I would use it in our living room on a white wall.
I would be using it on a freshly painted wall in the basement for movie nights.
I would use it in our den on the white wall as its the only open space left with no frames on it
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