BenQ

If you want a big screen, 4K resolution is the way to go, and there's no bigger screen than a projector. Until recently, 4K projection has been fearsomely expensive, until, that is, the $1,499 BenQ CineHome HT2550. It's the cheapest model we've seen yet.

Update, Jan. 12, 2018: Optoma also announced a $1,499 projector at CES using the same DLP technology, the UHD50.

Specs-wise, the BenQ seems very similar to the Optoma UHD60, but it manages to skim $500 from the price. BenQ claims its projector is "true 4K," with over 8 million individual pixels, though it doesn't appear to be the projector's "native" resolution. Translation: it's likely there is pixel-shift or upscaling involved. BenQ did not respond to CNET's request for clarification.

THe HT2550 is capable of a brightness of 2,200 ANSI lumens‎ and a (fairly low for DLP) contrast ratio of 10,000:1‎. Inputs include one 4K-compatible HDMI port with HDMI 2.0/HDCP 2.2, plus one with HDMI 1.4a. The projector also has an analog D-Sub connection, though it has no composite or component analog ports.

Other specs include:

HDR10



0.47-inch TI DLP single-DMD chip

Images up to 300 inches

BenQ CinematicColor technology and a RGBRBG color wheel

96 per cent of Rec. 709 color gamut

Auto keystone correction and 1.2x zoom

USB type A (1.5-amp power) plus type B for firmware updates

3.5mm audio in and out

5-watt speakers

Lamp life up to 15,000 hours

3D compatible

As the first truly affordable 4K projector we look forward to seeing more from the CineHome HT2550 -- and hope this model spurs further competition for budget-focused home theater.

The BenQ CineHome HT2550 retails for $1,499 and is now available for preorder from Amazon until Jan. 14 and at BenQ Direct.