BenQ W1700 4K HDR Video Projector to Sell for Less than $2,000

[Update: The project is now for sale on Amazon for $1,499 shipped]

4K UltraHD TVs have now become affordable, with prices not that far from HD television sets for a given size. But what about 4K projectors? We first find out about development in this space with a demo for Texas Instruments 4K DLP chip in January 2016 at CES. Close to the end of that year, I had another look while writing about a $70,000 Canon 4K projector based on laser technology, and found out the cheapest true 4K projector would sell for around $10,000.

I did not pay to much attention to 4K projectors this year, but I’ve been informed that Benq has come up with an affordable 4K HDR projector: W1700 / HT2550 (US) that will start selling for 1,599 Euros including VAT (around $1,885 US) next January. This could well mean $1,600 once it is launched in countries without VAT.

BenQ W1700 specifications:

• • Projection System – 0.47” single-DMD DLP technology with 8.3 million pixels resolution [Update: AFAICT, TI only makes 0.47″ DMD up to 1080p – see comments]
  • Resolution – VGA (640×480) to 4K UHD (3840 x 2160 native)
  • Brightness (ANSI lumens) – 2200 ANSI Lumens‎
  • Contrast Ratio (FOFO) – 10,000:1 ‎
  • Display Color – 30 Bits (1,07 billion color)
  • Light Source – 240W lamp good for 4,000 hours (Normal), 8,000 hours (SmartEco), 10,000 hours (Economic), or 15,000 hours (LampSave)
  • Throw Ratio – 1.47 – 1.76 (100″ @ 3.25 m)
  • Zoom Ratio – 1.2X
  • Lens – F/# = 1.94 – 2.06, f = 15.57 – 18.67 mm
  • Keystone Adjustment – 1D, Vertical ± 40 degrees
  • Projection Offset – 110%
  • Clear Image Size – 60″ ~ 200″ (max: 30″ to 300″)
  • Horizontal Frequency – 15K – 102KHz‎
  • Vertical Scan Rate – 23 – 120Hz‎
  • Audio – 5W mono speaker, 3.5mm audio IN jack, 3.5mm audio OUT jack
  • Video Input – VGA (D-sub), 1x HDMI 2.0/HDCP 2.2, 1x HDMI 1.4a/HDCP1.4
  • USB – 1x USB 2.0 port, 1x mini USB port
  • Misc – 1x RS232 (DB-9pin) serial port,1x 12V Trigger (3.5mm Jack), 2x IR Receivers (front and top), 1x security bar
  • Special features – HDR, ISF Night/ Day, CinemaMaster Video + and Audio+2
  • Power Supply – 100 to 240V AC 50/60Hz
  • Power Consumption – Standby: 0.5W; typical: 330W
  • Dimensions (W x H x D)(mm) – 353 x 135 x 272
  • Weight – 4.2 kg

The projector also supports 3D content up to 1280×720 120Hz (Frame Sequential), 1080p24 (Frame Sequential), 1080i60 (Side by Side), and 720p60 (top bottom).

The projector will ship with a remote control, a power cord, a user manual CD, a quick start guide, a warranty card, and a lens cover. Optional accessories include a spare lamp kit and 3D Glasses.

No purchase or pre-order link for now. You may find further information on the product page.

Thanks to Harley  for the Tip

Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.

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