BenQ HT2060 Overview: Return of the 1080p King

Relating to reviewing the follow-up to a fantastic 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 onerous,” or one thing like that. Or perhaps there isn’t any connection between the 2 in any respect as, typically, an organization improves its choices yearly till some huge 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 liked it. It was already over 2 years outdated at that time.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 wonderful 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 saved the HT2050A’s lens shift, nonetheless a rarity amongst single-chip DLP projectors. The largest change is the transfer to an LED mild supply as an alternative of a lamp. 

The projector market is not almost as fast-moving as TVs, say, however there have been some notable developments because the HT2050A first arrived. Most notable of the notables, final 12 months Epson launched the HC2350 with 4K decision. Initially far dearer than the outdated HT2050A, its value has fallen sufficient that it is now almost the identical value as this 1080p HT2060.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 plenty 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 simply barely larger than the HT2050A’s 2,200. I’d have favored to have seen a much bigger leap 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 Dwelling Room mode and solely barely much less within the extremely correct Filmmaker mode. I bought a decent 1,794 within the Vivid mode, although the latter was visibly inexperienced and not likely one thing you’d use frequently. Typically I used the Dwelling 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 continues to be slightly shorter than most projectors on this vary. In the event you’re changing a unique projector and you have already got a ceiling mount, it is price checking throw distances on BenQ’s web site.

As talked about within the intro, the most important change is the transfer from a standard lamp to LEDs. Since these LEDs will primarily final the lifetime of the projector, there’s some important lifetime value 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 significantly 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 at the moment dearer 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 outdated mannequin had a wide range of analog inputs that simply aren’t broadly used anymore. As a substitute, the HT2060 has two HDMI 2.0b inputs, which is all you actually need. 

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. Typically I would suggest a receiver and audio system to go together with a projector, however this can be a affordable possibility. The projector’s inside audio system are effective in comparison with different projectors’ audio system, however none of them sound significantly good. 

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

Image high quality and comparisons

It was solely truthful 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’ll quickly be discontinued. The 4K Epson House Cinema 2350 has the next MSRP, however is repeatedly discovered for simply 10% greater than the HT2060. I linked all three rivals to a Monoprice 1×4 distribution amplifier and consider 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 vivid, however grey; the BenQ HT2050A is dimmer, however punchy; and the BenQ HT2060 is like somebody dialed up the colour however saved a lot of the different elements the identical. 

Let’s speak a second about that coloration. The HT2060 is without doubt 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 sensible colours than the HT2050A. The Epson has very correct coloration too, however not fairly to the identical extent. 

The Epson’s subject, in comparison with the 2 BenQs, is a considerably decrease distinction ratio. It appears washed-out compared. Apparently, the HT2060 is decrease than the HT2050A, 1,320:1 versus 2,094:1 with my measurements. Facet by aspect, that is much less apparent than you’d assume. The Epson’s 348:1, however, could be very noticeable. Whereas the Epson is quite a bit 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 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 does not have that subject. So with sure pictures, the Epson appears sharper. On others, they appear roughly comparable if not a slight edge to the DLPs. With closeups of faces, the Epson undoubtedly appears slightly sharper but when the digital camera is transferring, the DLP does. Both means, it is quite a bit nearer than you’d count on. The HT2050A appears the worst right here, largely as a result 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.

Essentially the most disappointing facet of the HT2060 is its comparative dimness. It is not “dim,” per se, however I would name it common. In the event you needed a 150-inch display screen or one thing, the Epson is the higher selection. For a light-controlled room, the BenQ HT2060 continues to be a lot vivid.

Between the three choices, I would decide the HT2060. On paper the HT2050A has some benefits, however total the HT2060 simply appears higher. The unimaginable mild output of the Epson has its place for certain, however in case you’re in search of all-around picture high quality, the BenQ HT2060’s larger distinction outclasses the Epson.

The king is useless. Lengthy stay the king

After the whole lot you simply learn, my conclusion would possibly shock you. Sure, the HT2060 does not fairly have the identical efficiency on paper because the HT2050A. Between the 2, although, I would nonetheless select the HT2060. The picture is simply that rather more lifelike, you by no means want to switch the lamp, it activates and off shortly, and it is slightly quieter. As an total package deal, it is incredible. If in case you 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 depart the aggressive Epson? For most individuals, the Epson 2350 and the BenQ HT2060 are the 2 projectors I would suggest, and so they’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 mild, that is your go-to selection. Its distinction ratio, nonetheless, is kind of middling and a mere fraction of the BenQ’s. The HT2060 simply has a extra cinema-quality picture. It may not be as a lot of a standout as its predecessor, nevertheless it’s a standout nonetheless.