BenQ was one of the first companies to bring true 4K resolution to the home theater market. With the release of the BenQ HT3550i, they added the convenience of direct streaming and wireless casting to this impressive image quality, with a user-friendly interface and compact design that make it a great fit for many homes. On the whole, we’d say the HT3550i is a fantastic choice for dedicated home theaters, but might not be the best choice for multi-use spaces where it’s hard to control the light level. In this BenQ HT3550i review, we’ll take a closer look at the technology and features that go into this projector so you can see if it’s a good choice for your home. (>>> Check current price on Amazon)
BenQ HT3550i Review of Main Specs:
| BenQ HT3550i | |
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| Resolution | 3840x2160 |
| Brightness (Lumens) | 2,000 ANSI |
| Contrast Ratio | 30,000:1 |
| Zoom | 1.3x manual zoom |
| Throw Distance | 3.2' - 16.4' |
| Screen size | 30" - 200" |
| Speakers | 5.0 Watts × 2 |
| Price | BHPhotoVideo.com |
Installation
The plug-and-play operation of the BenQ HT3550i means you can use it right out of the box, no updates or system set-up required. You will need to physically install the projector before you use it still, of course. Its standard throw lamp needs around 8 to 10 feet of distance for a 100” screen, so depending on your space you may need to mount it on the wall or ceiling.
In terms of installation flexibility, we’d say the BenQ HT3550i is good but not exceptional. It has a good variety of image adjustment features, including manual 1.3x zoom, 10% vertical lens shift, and vertical keystone correction. What limits its flexibility is the lamp brightness. At 2,000 lumens, it’s designed for darker spaces and that’s where it’ll perform the best. Low ambient light levels won’t disrupt the picture quality, but it’s not the best option for bright rooms with lots of windows.
Picture Quality
Pros
- Wide color gamut (95% of DCI-P3 color space)
- Dynamic Iris increases contrast
- High frame rate reduces blur and choppiness
- Android TV interface with Google Assistant voice search
- Supports screen mirroring through AirPlay and Chromecast
Cons
- Not ideal for well-lit rooms
- Voice control capabilities are limited
The BenQ HT3550i has true 4K resolution, with 8.3 million distinct on-screen pixels. Thanks to that, the picture is detailed and crisp at all image sizes, with an excellent texture and realism that makes it easy to get immersed in what you’re watching. The high contrast ratio helps here, too. It uses Dynamic Iris technology to optimize the light production, giving you rich black levels and better overall image clarity.
The color technology of the BenQ HT3550i is equally impressive. BenQ’s certified technicians calibrate the projectors to ISFccc standards and each one comes with a calibration report to prove it. Support for technology like HLG and HDR10 ensures the accuracy of on-screen hues. It has a wide color gamut, too, with coverage for 95% of the DCI-P3 color space, which is about 50% broader than the Rec. 709 spectrum used by many projectors.
Streaming and Voice Control
This is where the BenQ HT3550i has a leg-up over other mid-range 4K projectors. The Android TV interface on this projector is connected to the Google Play store, giving users access to more than 5,000 apps, including most popular content streaming apps. You can also mirror content from phone or tablet through Chromecast or AirPlay, so there are a lot of ways to wirelessly watch shows and movies.
The BenQ HT3550i is also compatible with Google Assistant, although in a somewhat limited capacity. Mostly this function is for Google voice searches, which is a helpful addition and a much quicker way to find shows than typing in the title. It lacks support for playback controls, however, and can’t be integrated into smart home routines as easily as other models.
In Conclusion: BenQ HT3550i Review
As a mid-range home theater projector, the BenQ HT3550i is a top option. Its sharp resolution, vibrant color, and easy built-in streaming are all points in its favor. Just make sure your viewing area will work with the brightness and throw distance before you buy it to avoid frustration down the line. (>>> Check on Bhphotovideo)