BenQ’s New CinePrime HT5550 4K Projector Hits Store Shelves

BenQ’s New CinePrime HT5550 4K Projector Hits Store Shelves​

(April 17, 2019) BenQ has officially made its all-new CinePrime HT5550 4K DLP home theater projector available for purchase. Priced at $2,499, the HT5550 costs $1,000 more than another recently launched CinePrime model, the HT3550.

Several highlights for the HT5550 include the company’s CinematicColor technology, which is claimed to cover 100% of the DCI-P3 wide color space, and support for both HDR10 and Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) High Dynamic Range formats. As discussed in our coverage of Epson’s latest projector models – the 5050UB and 5050UBe – proper tone mapping has also been placed at the forefront. In the case of the HT5550, BenQ relies on its native HDR-PRO processor to reproduce the best HDR image automatically.

One interesting aspect related to the projector's CinematicColor technology is a factory calibrated D65 white point, along with grey scale calibration, performed by THX and ISF certified engineers. This is a handy and unique feature that delivers a projector tuned to Hollywood specifications for both DCI-P3 and Rec. 709 output. Simply put: it means all HT5550 projectors can be unboxed and used without the hassle and expense of time-consuming calibration procedures.

For those of you that like to tweak output, the HT5550 can be quickly customized for both daytime and nighttime viewing using the included Imaging Science Foundation’s ISF Calibration Mode.

The HT5550 ships with dual HDMI 2.0 ports, both of which are compliant with HDCP 2.2 copy protection, 3.5mm analog and digital optical outputs, and a USB 3.0 port. And the included bulb (rated for 4,000 hours) can produce 1,800 lumens, while the 11 layer 1.6X zoom lens offers both +/- 60% vertical and +/- 23% horizontal shift.

Unlike Epson’s 5050UB projectors, the HT5550 relies on DLP technology. So, be forewarned if you’re susceptible to the rainbow effect or color image artifacts.

For more information about the HT5550, visit BenQ on the web.

 

[Isaac Sykes]

I haven't purchased my 4K projector yet, was looking at the newer JVC NX5 and 7, but this BenQ has given me pause.

 

[tripplej]

Thank for the news update on this product. Looks very promising.

 

[Todd Anderson]

I haven't purchased my 4K projector yet, was looking at the newer JVC NX5 and 7, but this BenQ has given me pause.

My only concern is that it's DLP. My eyes are super sensitive to the rainbow effect. If your eyes aren't, then it definitely looks like a great one to consider! Also give the new Epson 5050 a close look. Super - super - solid for the price!

 

[peter horvath]

Owned a bunch of Epson's, and never had an issue with any of them. This looks cool for the price, but the worry that my wife sees rainbows and with that give me grief for the next few years
would be a bummer...

 

[Isaac Sykes]

My only concern is that it's DLP. My eyes are super sensitive to the rainbow effect. If your eyes aren't, then it definitely looks like a great one to consider! Also give the new Epson 5050 a close look. Super - super - solid for the price!

Does anyone know if Epson projectors are receiving 18Gpbs for the HDR bandwidth ?

 

[Michael Scott]

My only concern is that it's DLP. My eyes are super sensitive to the rainbow effect. If your eyes aren't, then it definitely looks like a great one to consider! Also give the new Epson 5050 a close look. Super - super - solid for the price!

Lets just hope that they fixed the power supply failure that plagued the 5040 UB... I've almost bought one a half dozen times, but the PS failures made me stay my hand

 

[Todd Anderson]

Does anyone know if Epson projectors are receiving 18Gpbs for the HDR bandwidth ?

The new model is...

 

[Matthew J Poes]

This looks pretty cool. It’s one of the first DLP projectors to offer a price competitive and feature rich option against Epson. Normally they don’t offer such setup flexibility in terms of lens shift, or if they do, it’s at the expense of current features.

I still consider the approach that Ti is using for 4K to be superior and different from what Epson and prior JVC’s do. I think my main concern outside of rainbows would be: what are the blacks like compared to the Epson, and does it really meet P3 color 100%.

 

[NBPK402]

I used to be very sensitive to DLP rainbows, but we had a Bens in our house before we got the Penny ae6000, and it was barely noticeable anymore for me. If you like to move your head while watching a movie, you are more likely to see the rainbows. One word of advice do not look for rainbows or you will always be able to see them (even if they do not bother you). I like the price point on this projector, but I need a lot more lumens for my setup.

 

[Grayson Dere]

I used to be very sensitive to DLP rainbows, but we had a Bens in our house before we got the Penny ae6000, and it was barely noticeable anymore for me. If you like to move your head while watching a movie, you are more likely to see the rainbows. One word of advice do not look for rainbows or you will always be able to see them (even if they do not bother you). I like the price point on this projector, but I need a lot more lumens for my setup.

As a previous user of an older Mitsubishi DLP projector I can also agree with trying to not look for rainbows. The brain does a really good job of ignoring such phenomena : )

 

[Michael Scott]

I'm stupidly lucky to not be affected by RBE.... I don't ever notice rainbows, even on cheap DLPs

 

[Todd Anderson]

I'm stupidly lucky to not be affected by RBE.... I don't ever notice rainbows, even on cheap DLPs

I'd be lying if I said I weren't jealous. You have super powers, my friend!

 

[Michael Scott]

I'd be lying if I said I weren't jealous. You have super powers, my friend!

lol, I wouldn't say super powers, just lucky in the eye dept. It's one of the reason's I've been holding off on this one, as I was hoping to get a head to head review on it and the new Epson 5050 as I want to replace my JVC RS46

 

[mechman]

I owned a BenQ W5000 way back in the day. The DMD chip went bad shortly after warranty and I got to learn how awful support is from BenQ. That was when I switched to Epson and I've never looked back.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Did they basically tell you to go pound sand?

 

[mechman]

From what I recall, it took a while to get to a live body that could actually articulate anything in English and then yes, they more or less told me to pound sand. I think it was something like 14 or 15 months old. So 2 or 3 months out of warranty. And replacing a DMD chip is cost prohibitive.