BenQ TH575: FirstLook/FirstUse
100" image, amazingly sharp, and disappears when not in use!!!
Now that really large TV screens are coming down in price, we considered replacing our workhorse 46″ Sony Bravia with something bigger. However, with LED TVs, the problem is not just what to get, but where to put it.
An 80″ TV is no small thing. It is a commitment in both space and aesthetics. After some discussion, we thought that, instead of a giant TV, maybe a projector might make more sense…and the search was on!
To set our expectations, we ordered an inexpensive LED projector from Amazon so we would have a feel for the low end. While the image was acceptable, we realized we needed to level up for the World Cup and the coming Patriots season
BenQ
The RainyDayIntern was given the task of researching which projector company gave the most “bang for the buck,” with a balance between high-end picture quality and a reasonable price. He came back with BenQ.
- Good Color Accuracy: Unlike many brands that boost saturation for a cartoonish look, BenQ focuses on natural, cinematic colors that look incredibly accurate right out of the box.
- Gaming Performance: BenQ models (like the TH575 and TK710STi) are heavily praised for having ultra-low input lag and dedicated gaming modes.
- Flexible Setup: BenQ projectors offer a variety of options, including short-throw lenses (which give a massive 100-inch screen from just a few feet away) and smart projectors with built-in Google TV.
TH575
The criteria for the replacement projector are sharpness and brightness. We decided on the BenQ TH575 because it is a lot brighter than the Onoayo projector. While the TH575 is lamp-based, rather than using a solid-state light source like an LED or a laser, the bulb is rated for 6000 to 15000 hours, depending on the power mode used, and is user-replaceable.
Features and specs:
- Zoom and Focus: Manual
- Keystone Correction: Vertical ± 40° Auto Keystone, ensuring perfectly squared images regardless of projection angle
- Ports: Dual HDMI inputs (v1.4a), USB Type-A (power supply), and RS-232/Mini-USB service ports
- Audio: Built-in 10W mono speaker
- Resolution: Full HD (1920 × 1080)
- Brightness: 3,800 ANSI lumens
- Contrast Ratio: 15,000:1
- Throw Ratio: 1.49 ~ 1.64:1
- Weight: 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) [1]
Setup
The TH575 was easy to set up and configure. The menu settings were straightforward and easy to navigate, especially with the remote.
A lot of the tasks were automated (source detection, color calibration, etc). As a result, the process took just a few minutes.
- Position: Place the projector at the desired distance.
- Size (Zoom): Turn the zoom ring until the image fits the screen
- Sharpness (Focus): Rotate the focus ring until the center and corners of the image are perfectly sharp.
- Correction: Use the Auto Vertical Keystone button to digitally square the image shape.
Very easy, very clean, and the calibration took only a couple of minutes.
FirstUse
Even though both projectors are stated as 1080p, we could not get the Onoayo image to come anywhere close to the sharpness of the BenQ. The BenQ’s 3800 ANSI Lumens blew away the Onoayo’s 1000 Lumens by a country mile. The image is actually watchable during the day!
When the sun started setting, the superior contrast and brightness were even more noticeable.
Once the sun had set and the room was dark, the image was stunningly spectacular, at least to our unsophisticated eyes 🙂 We are sure that, over time, we will become more discerning, but for now, we are just excited to be able to watch the World Cup on a 100″ screen with such clarity!!!
FirstThoughts
The BenQ TH575 is not a $50 projector, and the image quality reflects that. Compared to the BenQ, the image from the $50 projector was no longer watchable. We returned the cheaper projector to Amazon and will be enjoying the BenQ for the rest of the World Cup, and hopefully the coming Patriots season.
Of course, we’ll be keeping our eye out for something better…a 4K laser one, maybe 🙂
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