BenQ v7050i Review: The Best 4K Ultra Short Throw Laser Smart TV Projector

The BenQ v7050i is an exceptional 4K ultra-short throw (UST) projector. With its laser light source and ability to cast a 100-inch or larger image from just inches away from the screen, the BenQ v7050i is a great television replacement. Its excellent color accuracy, contrast, and brightness make it a fantastic choice for cinephiles. But is this the right projector for your home theatre? Find out in our hands-on BenQ v7050i review.

BenQ v7050i 4K Ultra Short Throw Laser Smart TV Projector Review Verdict

The BenQ v7050i is a 4K ultra-short throw projector, or a laser TV. Although it’s not a true television like an OLED or LED with a built-in screen, like other UST laser projectors, the BenQ 7050i has been dubbed a laser TV because of its ability to sit on a traditional entertainment center just inches away from the screen. Capable of producing a huge 100-inch or larger image from a few inches back from the screen, I found the BenQ v7050i setup pretty easy.

The v7050i boasts a generous 2,500 ANSI lumens of brightness which I found more than enough to combat ambient lighting. Although, like most USTs, you’ll want to pair your projector with a CLR (Ceiling Light Rejecting) or ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen, the v7050i’s impressive brightness means it works well in a living room or another area that’s not light controlled.

Additionally, it handles high dynamic range (HDR) content like HDR10 and HLG videos with aplomb. I was blown away by the BenQ v7050i’s big, bright, bold image. While projectors fall behind many TVs, particularly OLEDs, the v7050i delivered extremely accurate colors with outstanding contrast and black levels. For watching movies, the BenQ v7050i wowed even with dark scenes. Scenes from “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” looked spectacular and lifelike. Animated content including “Raya and the Last Dragon” truly pops.

Live TV and sports looked smooth. 3D content like “Captain America: The First Avenger” was immersive and lifelike, showing no evidence of crosstalk. The v7050i’s high brightness helps a bunch with 3D videos which are noticeably dimmer.

Although the v7050i doesn’t include any built-in smart features, BenQ includes its QS01 Android TV streaming dongle. It works well and offers access to a bevy of streaming apps including Disney+, Hulu, Plex, and Paramount+. Unfortunately, there’s no Netflix support although you can cast from desktops and laptops. Still, we suggest using another streaming device like an Android TV box, Roku, Fire TV, or Apple TV, especially since you’ve only got two HDMI ports total.

While the v7050i is one of the best 4K laser TVs for movies, it’s not great for gaming. There’s no game mode, and input lag is staggeringly high at around 80ms. If you want to hook up a console like the PlayStation 5 (PS5) and Xbox Series X or a PC for big screen play, we suggest snagging a dedicated gaming projector like BenQ’s TK700STi or TK700. Nevertheless, the BenQ v7050i is the best ultra-short throw projector for cinephiles, and should satisfy all but hardcore gamers.

BenQ v7050i Specs

• Resolution: 4K (3840 x 2160) with pixel-shifting
• Brightness: 2,500 ANSI lumens
• 96% Rec.709 color coverage, 98% DCI-P3 color space coverage
• 3D support
• HDR support: HDR10, HLG
• Throw ratio: 0.252:1 (100-inch image from 8.7 inches away from the screen)
• Input lag: 83ms
• Image modes: Bright, Bright Cinema, Filmmaker Mode, DCI-P3, User, HDR10, Filmmaker Mode HDR
• Audio: Dual 5W speakers
• Inputs/outputs: 2x HDMI inputs (1x with ARC), 2x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.0, 1x RS232, 1x optical TOSLink
• Dimensions: 6.2 x 19 x 15.2 inches
• Weight: 22 lbs.
• BenQ QS01 Android TV dongle included

BenQ v7050i Video Quality

BenQ’s laser projector features exceptional video quality which rivals even OLED TVs. Its out-of-the-box color accuracy is phenomenal thanks to 96% Rec.709 and 98% DCI-P3 color space coverage. In my testing, I was blown away at its lifelike picture. Live action content like “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2” looked vivid with terrific contrast. Similarly, scenes from “Jack Ryan” were gorgeous with even details in darker scenes still visible thanks to the v7050i’s great black levels.

Animated content looks fantastic with punchy colors. “Raya and the Last Dragon” played flawlessly with its radiant color palate. Standard dynamic range (SDR) high-definition (HD) videos like regular Blu-rays look great, if a little soft when compared with 4K ultra-high-definition (UHD) content, but that’s a fault of the medium not the projector. Watching 1080p and 720p Blu-rays, I enjoyed the theatrical presentation.

Stepping up to 4K streams and 4K UHD Blu-rays, the v7050i really shines with a razor sharp image. Even 480p videos like re-runs of “Charmed” looked decent. Live television such as sports games from over-the-top (OTT) streaming services like YouTube TV and Hulu with Live TV or from an over-the-air (OTA) antenna looked decent.

Ultimately, the BenQ 7050i is a movie lover’s dream. Despite not being a native 4K projector, and instead relying on pixel-shifting, this laser TV boasts best-in-class visual quality.

BenQ v7050i Audio Quality

The BenQ 7050i sports a pair of 5 Watt speakers. Its dual 5W speakers do a good job with audio, but don’t rival even a budget soundbar. There’s ARC or audio return channel for piping sound to a connected device like a soundbar or receiver.

I’d have preferred eARC, or enhanced ARC, since eARC lets you transmit uncompressed multi-channel surround sound tracks like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. While Dolby Atmos surround tracks from streaming services like Netflix play just fine, uncompressed multi-channel surround sound from Blu-ray discs doesn’t. Testing the BenQ v7050i with my Vizio SB36512-F6 soundbar, ARC worked flawlessly.

BenQ v7050i Setup and Ease of Use

Since the BenQ v7050i, like most laser TVs, sits mere inches away from a projector screen, it’s pretty easy to set up. I simply plopped unit on an entertainment center, plugged it in, and shifted the projector around to get as close to a rectangular image as possible.

Underneath, you’ll find four leveling feet to help you achieve a properly rectangular picture with minimal, if any, electronic keystone. What’s more, built-in rulers pull out from the back of the projector to help you figure out the correct viewing distance. And if needed, there’s automatic vertical keystone. While setting up a UST projector can be tricky, the v7050i makes the installation process as simple as possible.

BenQ v7050i Android TV Stick Streaming Experience

In the box, you’ll find BenQ’s QS01 Android streaming stick. It’s a small dongle that runs off of USB power so you don’t even need to plug in yet another power brick to your surge protector. Onboard, the QS01 runs an official version of Android TV as you’ll find on devices like the Chromecast with Google TV or NVIDIA Shield TV. Most apps and games run flawlessly including Plex, Kodi, VLC, Paramount+, Disney+, Hulu, YouTube TV, Sling TV, and Amazon Prime Video. Sadly, Netflix isn’t available, and you can’t even cast from a phone or tablet.

Although you can cast from Netflix in a Chrome browser on a laptop or desktop, it’s a cumbersome process. Particularly sine the v7050i only includes two HDMI ports and the QS01 streaming stick takes up one of those, it’s disappointing.

As is, we’d recommend using an external streaming device like an NVIDIA Shield TV, Amazon Fire TV stick, Roku, or Apple TV. Still, it’s tough to knock the v7050i of BenQ since this is an issue of Netflix being selective about device authorization. Despite the Netflix problem, the QS01 provides a snappy experience that’s simple to navigate.

BenQ v7050i Design and Build

Unlike most ultra-short throw laser TV projectors, the v7050i doesn’t have a visible lens when it’s off. That’s because the BenQ v7050i features a motorized lens cover that slides back when you power the projector on. Not only does it make the projector more attractive, but it also protects against dust accumulation on the lens. On top of the unit, you’ll fine a capacative power button, the lens, and eye protection sensors.

In front, there’s a fabric lens with an IR (infrared) sensor on the right-hand side, and a pair of dual 5W speakers concealed behind the speaker grille.

On the right side of the unit, you’ll find plenty of ventilation and a pair of USB ports, one of which powers the BenQ QS01 streaming dongle.

The left-hand side of the projector features more ventilation.

Around back, you’ll find a pair of HDMI 2.0 ports including one with ARC, a USB port, an RS232 port, an optical TOSLink SPDIF audio out jack, and a power port.

Underneath, there are four adjustable feet for getting the projector image as close to rectangular as possible before using keystone (if any is needed).

BenQ v7050i vs. The Competition

The BenQ v7050i is a terrific UST laser TV, but it’s not the only option on the market. The Formovie Theater is a great 4K triple laser projector that features Dolby Vision HDR, HDMI 2.1 with VRR, and 2,800 ANSI lumens. It lacks 3D support and features poor out-of-the-box color accuracy, so the v7050i is a better option.

AWOL Vision’s LTV-3500 is an excellent triple laser projector that boasts 3D support, 3,500 ANSI lumens, and low input lag around 34ms for gaming. In our review, we liked the LTV-3500’s insane brightness, terrific color accuracy, and gaming prowess. However, the LTV-3500 is substantially more expensive at nearly $5,500 USD standard retail price.

Xgimi’s Aura is a good value laser TV. Although it uses a single laser, the Aura features great color accuracy, solid black levels, and low input lag for gaming. However, the v7050i features noticeably better video quality than the Aura.

BenQ v7050i Review FAQs

BenQ v7050i Review – Final Thoughts

Ultimately, the BenQ v7050i is an incredible 4K ultra-short throw laser TV projector. It’s got magnificent color accuracy, high brightness, and great black levels. All told, the v7050i is a true television replacement that works as well in a living room with ambient light as it does in a light-controlled dedicated home theatre room. For serious cinema buffs, the BenQ v7050i is arguably the best way to create a cinema in your house.

Your turn: Which 4K laser TVs do YOU recommend?