Buzz
Brightness
Surrounding light is the number one enemy for projected images. This is especially true for standard throw projectors as the light output has to travel further before reaching the screen, creating more opportunities for light pollution.
BenQ HT3550, with its 2,000 lumens, performs best when used in a light-controlled room, such as a dedicated home theater space. The 3,400-lumen light source of the Optoma UHD30 is powerful enough to compete with other light sources and can even perform well in rooms with windows and natural daylight.
Brighter Projector: Optoma UHD30
Alongside its shorter throw, the BenQ HT3550 boasts a range of superior adjustment features. Most notably, it employs automatic vertical keystone correction, eliminating distortion and curvature without any user input. Additionally, there are manual controls for zooming, focusing, and lens shifting. In contrast, the Optoma UHD30 requires manual keystone correction, has narrower zoom, and lacks lens adjustment options.
Simplified setup: BenQ HT3550
Gaming performance
The primary index gamers are concerned about is input lag, especially for those playing reflex-based games on modern, deep graphics control panels. Ideally, you'd want an input lag of 30ms or less to game effectively, quick enough to avoid noticeable delay. For slower-paced games (and less serious players), it could go up to about 60 milliseconds before it seriously affects your gameplay.
The input lag of BenQ HT3550 measures an average of about 50ms - low enough for RPGs and casual gamers, but too high for most. With Optoma UHD30, the input lag is an impressive 16ms in full HD mode and only increases to around 26ms in 4K. Paired with the projector's fast 240Hz refresh rate, it ensures smooth action on screen for all types of content.
Enhanced gaming performance: Optoma UHD30
Optoma UHD30 vs. BenQ HT3550: Comprehensive Review
Optoma UHD30
Optoma UHD30
The Optoma UHD30 boasts advanced image processing capabilities and supports the signals you need for a modern home theater. Its true 4K resolution combined with UltraDetail and Dynamic Black technologies enhance contrast and image sharpness. The 8-segment color wheel delivers a wide color gamut covering the DCI-P3 spectrum. With support for HDR10 and HLG, you can trust it to display movies and TV shows as they're meant to be seen.
The Optoma UHD30 is also a high-sensitivity projector. Its 240Hz refresh rate is excellent for both home theater use and gaming, preventing blur and other image issues regardless of the display screen. Speaking of gamers, they'll appreciate the low input lag. Even at 4K resolution, it remains at a manageable 30ms for serious reflex-based gaming.
With a 3,400 lumen bulb, the Optoma UHD30 can be used in any lighting conditions without compromising image quality. It has a fairly long throw, limiting its use in smaller rooms. Its image adjustment options are somewhat limited, which may pose more difficulty in setup, especially for inexperienced users. The built-in speaker is also quite weak, so most people will want to connect it to external speakers — something to consider when planning your budget. However, once set up, its image performance and gaming capabilities are well worth your efforts.
BenQ HT3550
BenQ HT3550
The BenQ HT3550 is one of the best mid-range home theater projectors you'll find. It starts with true 4K resolution from an all-glass lens array, enhancing image sharpness and color. Its factory-calibrated colors cover 95% of the DCI-P3 spectrum, with advanced technologies like DLP display and HDR-PRO color mapping to give you a cinema-like viewing experience.
Setting up the BenQ HT3550 is also a breeze. Its throw distance is slightly shorter than other standard projectors, producing a 100-inch image with about 8 feet between the lens and the screen. Image alignment is also a quick process, with automatic vertical image correction and powerful manual image adjustment options.
Where the BenQ HT3550 falls a bit short is in its flexibility. Its 2,000 lumen lamp is bright enough for light-controlled spaces but struggles when you introduce ambient light into the environment. The input lag is also high for serious gamers, which may limit its use in multi-purpose rooms and other versatile spaces. This is why we primarily recommend the BenQ HT3550 for dedicated home theater spaces, where you can fully appreciate its impressive image quality.
Key Point
For gamers, Optoma UHD30 is clearly the best choice. If you primarily watch TV and movies, then this decision is less clear-cut. Consider your space and home theater experience. BenQ HT3550 offers quicker setup, with shorter throw distance and better sound that may reduce the number of accessories you need. Conversely, the brighter lamp of UHD30 makes it more versatile for different lighting levels. >>> Find it on Amazon
Regardless of which you buy, both BenQ HT3550 and Optoma UHD30 offer wide color gamuts and sharp resolutions and are excellent values at their price points.
