BenQ’s Serious Home Theater Projector – The New HT6050

What better time to tell you about BenQ’s sleek new flagship home theater projector, the HT6050, than as I’m heading to CEDIA.

Here’s a twist, BenQ won’t be exhibiting at CEDIA this year. Officially, the HT6050 was first announced mid-July,  Still, now is when home theater enthusiasts are “paying attention” due to the other announcements at the show.

Let’s start with the basics – single chip DLP projector, boasting 2000 lumens, multiple lens options and 1080p resolution.

In terms of pricing, I didnt have any info when I first posted this, but have learned since that it will be about $3800.  It is on my (fairly long) short list to review.  BTW, I suspect that the HT6050 may be sold in other parts of the world as the W8000.

Very Interesting for BenQ!  This BenQ is a step above previous models.  First of all, we’re talking about a the HT6050 offers a full selection of interchangeable lenses, lots of vertical lens shift, and even some horizontal shift, for excellent placement flexibility.  Don’t however, expect this to be another under $3000 DLP projector for home.

Projectors that offer interchangeable lenses are never that inexpensive, in fact some lenses are usually a couple of thousand dollars. BenQ has at least five, including an anamorphic lens for wide screens.

BenQ is selling the HT6050 through authorized integrator/dealers – you know, the folks that can install it, even perhaps calibrate it for you, not just hand you a box and wish you the best of luck.  BTW the HT6050 isn’t your typical small, sub-10 pound projector, rather it’s medium sized and weighs in just under 20 lb. (8.8kg) with the standard zoom lens.

Not only is the HT6050 ISF certified, with all the controls needed by those ISF trained projector and HDTV calibrators, but it is also the first single chip DLP projector to be THX certified as well.  That’s good stuff.  Of course, at the end of the day, it’s not the certifications that count but the picture on the screen.  Otherwise who would need reviewers like myself.  No surprise that BenQ is its release info and brochure is all about talking up accurate REC709 color space, aka, great color.

Lamp life is respectable, 2500 hours at full power and up to 6000.  That’s not great, but brighter projectors tend to have shorter lamp life claims.  Still, very reasonable. Audible noise is typical, which means many will favor the slight loss of brightness for longer lamp life and a quieter viewing experience.

This BenQ HT6050 supports the usual 3D formats and comes with a pair of active 3D glasses.