Projectors

It could soon be time to trade up from your trusty flatscreen to an ultra-short-throw projector, if this flagship BenQ model is anything to go by. While conventional beamers require room to project, UST models are far more versatile, and with the V6050, BenQ has produced a premium cinema solution able to turn practically any space into a jaw-dropping 4K theatre.

It could soon be time to trade up from your trusty flatscreen to an ultra-short-throw projector, if this flagship BenQ model is anything to go by. While conventional beamers require room to project, UST models are far more versatile, and with the V6050, BenQ has produced a premium cinema solution able to turn practically any space into a jaw-dropping 4K theatre.

As suggested by its 'laser TV' nickname, the V6050 is a projector and sound system rolled into one. And there's next to no setup required – just add a clear white wall and you're good to go.

The hardware specs are impressive. Based around a laser light engine with a rated 20,000-hour life span, this 4K DLP projector claims to offer a colour performance reaching 98 per cent of the DCI-P3 space, and a peak brightness of 3,000 Lumens.

It's also gorgeous. A Red Dot Design Award winner, the V6050 has a contemporary dark grey aesthetic with squared-off corners (a sister model, the V6000, opts for white), and hides its front-facing speaker array behind a cloth covered grille. Those not in the know might think it some sort of space-age radiogram.

Backside Story
A peek at the back reveals a standard connections bank of two HDMI inputs (one with ARC), an optical digital audio output, powered USB port and RS232-C. There's no 12V trigger, something that BenQ includes on more affordable PJs. The remote control, which you'll always want on hand to manage the volume of the V6050's onboard sound system, is large, clearly labelled and backlit.

Setup options support front or rear configuration. For most, the former will suffice. Just park it on some low-rise furniture or cabinet, or alternatively the floor, close to a wall. From a distance of just 0.5m, you'll get a 90in image. Pull back a little further and you'll soon be staring at an image 100in across. A handy pull-out screen measuring tool pops out the rear. Focus is automatic.

BenQ sells a 100in ALR (ambient light reflection) screen as an optional extra, or bundled with the projector for a package price. Claimed to absorb 93 per cent of reflected light, this screen should deliver maximum colour performance and contrast, and improve performance in rooms with ambient light. It's the way to go to see the V6050 at its best, but most users will just opt for their wall.

The overall design here is more thoughtful than most. For example, to prevent a build-up of dust and exposing the lens to mishap, a motorised sun-roof slider rolls back when the PJ is powered up, and shuts when it's powered down. An eye protection motion sensor also kills the laser light source should anyone stick their head too close for comfort. I found this wasn't on by default, though, so check the settings and engage it pronto, particularly if you have curious youngsters.

Flipping Genius
The single-chip DLP solution used here warrants 2160p status through ingenious mirror-flipping; it's not native 4K as such. But what we have is an 8million pixel-dense picture with no visible structure – it's smooth and filmic, and completely convincing when viewed wall-sized.

BenQ's picture presets cover Bright, Living Room, Cinema with a REC.709 colour space, a DCI-P3 alternative, and a user configurable mode. In addition to standard tweaks for brightness, contrast, colour tint and sharpness, there's an advanced menu offering gamma selection from 1.8 to 2.6, plus a Lumiexpert mode allowing incremental brightness adjustment.

What's immediately striking about the V6050's performance is the colour vibrancy of its imagery. The opening of Wonder Woman (4K Blu-ray) depicts the Amazons practising their battle moves on Paradise Island, gold costumes glinting against a lush green backdrop. The Cinema mode here really pops; there's no sense of the picture being dulled or diminished, so often the case with this style of preset.

And because there's no panel alignment necessary, the picture is also consistently sharp, offering pinpoint detail precision. It's genuinely spectacular.