If you're aiming for an impressively large image in your home, regardless of lighting conditions, then a 4K ultra short throw (UST) projector is the ideal solution. Also known as laser TVs, these projectors are designed to cast expansive images from incredibly close distances to the screen. Whether you're creating a home theater in your living room or converting any space into a cinematic experience, these modern devices excel at delivering immersive visuals. Pairing a UST projector with an ambient light rejecting screen results in a dramatic television upgrade, complete with a robust built-in soundbar and streaming capabilities.
With a plethora of UST projectors on the market, you might be wondering which one suits you best. Fortunately, our team of projection experts has been rigorously comparing these devices to provide clarity to the people! Through this series of projector vs projector blog posts, we'll dissect and compare various laser TVs against each other.
In today's head to head contest, we're going to find out which UST we recommend between the Hisense PL1 Vs. the BenQ V5000i by comparing the specs and features of these two 4K projectors.
Hisense PL1
Hisense was the first electronics brand to release a reasonably priced ultra short throw projector. It was their marketing team that came up with the alternative name: Laser TV. Hisense has continued to improve on their novel idea with the release of four new ultra short throw projectors. Amongst these is the new single laser Hisense PL1. This 4K UST offers a sharp colorful image with great contrast at an affordable price.
You can read our full review of the Hisense PL1 here.
BenQ V5000i
The BenQ V5000i triple laser ultra short throw projector was built with gamers in mind offering a low lag time and 4K@120Hz gaming. Throw in the vibrancy of color that BenQ is known for an you've got the potential for a winning recipe on your hands. This UST projector features native streaming apps and a powerful built in sound system making it a true all-in-one projector.
BenQ V5000i Vs Hisense PL1
So as always, the big question we're hoping to answer is, which is the better ultra short throw projector for your needs, the Hisense PL1 or the BenQ V5000i? Read our head to head comparison of these two fantastic 4K laser ultra short throw projectors to find out who gets the crown.
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BenQ V5000i |
Hisense PL1 |
Our Thoughts: |
Brightness |
2500 |
2100 |
The BenQ V5000i offers more brightness for watching TV and movies with the lights on. |
Throw Ratio |
0.25:1 |
0.25:1 |
Both projectors sit the same distance from the screen. |
Chipset |
.47" DLP |
.47" DLP |
Both projectors use the same .47" DLP chipset. |
Light Source |
RGB Triple Laser |
X-Fusion™ Single Laser Engine |
The BenQ is a triple laser UST which gives it a wider color gamut and the light source advantage. |
Color |
98% DCI-P3 |
90% DCI-P3 |
For being a triple laser projector, the BenQ doesn't impress like other RGB laser USTs. The Hisense PL1 offers a comparably wide color gamut despite being just a single laser. |
Contrast Ratio |
1109:1 |
1804:1 |
The Hisense UST offers a much better contrast ratio and it shows when watching content. |
Image Size |
100 inches |
80 to 120 inches |
Being limited to a 100 inch screen size is a big missed opportunity for BenQ's UST. The Hisense PL1 gets a major advantage thanks to it's variable screen size. |
Input Lag |
17.9ms ms |
46.6 ms |
BenQ's ultra short throw projector is built for gaming and it shows with this super low input lag. |
HDR |
HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
|
HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision |
With support of Dolby Vision, the Hisense PL1 gets the edge when it comes to HDR. |
Audio |
TreVolo Speaker 5Wx2 & Woofer 15Wx2 |
30W (Stereo) |
The BenQ V5000i has a significantly better sounding built-in speakers. |
Price |
|
|
As a 4K UST projector under $2,000 when on sale, the Hisense PL1 is a phenomenal deal given the visual output. The price tag is significantly less than the BenQ V5000i. |
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Add to Cart
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Add to Cart
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Hisense PL1
The Pros
- Great value given the low price tag
- Vibrant picture with accurate colors
- Very sharp image
- Has a significantly wider color gamut than most other single laser USTs
- Vastly improved contrast ratio gives it one of the best on a single laser projector
- Google TV OS allows it to offer many streaming apps including Netflix built-in
- Supports Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG
- Supports image size up to 120 inches
The Cons
- Lower level of light output somewhat limits how much ambient light you can have in the room, even with an ALR projector screen
- Lacks 3D support
- Not great for gaming
- Only has two HDMI ports
BenQ V5000i
The Pros
- Ultra low lag time for gaming
- Supports 4K 120Hz content
- RGB triple laser light source
- High level of color accuracy
- 3rd best built in speakers on a UST
- Supports 3D
- Native Netflix app along with other streaming apps
- Has 3 HDMI ports
The Cons
- Limited to a 100 inch screen size
- Color gamut isn't as wide as other RGB UST projectors
- Motion handling is disappointing for a projector made for gaming
- Black levels are somewhat lacking
- Large, bulky chassis
So Which Ultra Short Throw Is Better, The Hisense PL1 Or BenQ V5000i?
It's honestly tough choosing whether the Hisense PL1 is the better laser TV or if it's the BenQ V5000i. Both of these 4K ultra short throw projectors shine brightly based on different aspects. That being said, either projector you buy gives you a great picture that anyone would be thrilled to have in their home. Ultimately, the choice between the two may come down to your specific needs and budget.
And that's exactly why we wrote this blog post, to give you all the ins and outs, so you can feel confident that you've picked the best one for your needs. So, between the Hisense PL1 vs BenQ V5000i the winner is the………
Hisense PL1
Why You Should Buy The Hisense PL1
When doing these projector "A" vs projector "B" comparisons, we more often than not pick the winner based on the picture quality. However with the PL1 the biggest advantage it has over the BenQ V5000i is the price. As an UST projector that's under $2,000 when on sale. Even the base price of the Hisense PL1 is about $1000 less than the BenQ V5000i.
On top of the significantly lower price you also get a comparable if not better picture from the Hisense PL1. In the 2023 Laser TV Showdown, the judges found that better contrast, black levels, sharpness and motion handling.
Another major advantage the Hisense PL1 has over the BenQ V5000i is the variable screen size. With advancements in affordable flatscreen TV technology, for projectors to achieve that larger than life experience, they need to be able to create an image larger than 100 inches. The PL1 can reach an 120 inch screen size while the BenQ is limited to 100 inches.
Support for Dolby Vision further sets the PL1 apart from this and most other ultra short throws.
Hisense is undoubtedly one of the best projector brands for producing high quality 4K USTs. The PL1 is yet another example of projection excellence.
Why You Should Buy The BenQ V5000i
Just because the BenQ V5000i didn't win this head to head matchup against the Hisense PL1 doesn't mean it's not the better choice for you.
The biggest knock against the Hisense PL1 is its limited light output. The extra brightness on the V5000i also allow you to place your projector in a more well lit room with less image degradation. This is especially ideal for gaming setups.
Speaking of gaming...
If you're a gamer, the BenQ V5000i is a no brainer! With 4K 120Hz support and a super low lag time of 17.9ms, the V5000i is a true gaming projector. In fact it has the lowest input lag of any UST projector. Having 3 HDMI ports is especially important if you've got multiple consoles.
For those of you that love 3D, the BenQ V5000i is one of the very limited number of triple laser USTs that can do 3D.
Are you planning to use the built-in sound system on your UST for audio? Well, then the BenQ ultra short throw is a much better choice for you thanks to it's vastly superior speakers.
Which Do You Think Is Better, The BenQ V5000i Or Hisense PL1?
Do you agree with our chosen winner between the BenQ V5000i and Hisense PL1? Do you own one of these UST projectors? We'd love to hear what you think in the comments below!
Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you can get notified when our video shootout goes live and other great content in our pipeline. And let us know which projectors you want to see head to head next!
If you've got any questions on these UST projectors or anything else projection related don’t hesitate to hit us up at ProjectorScreen.com. Thanks for reading and keep on projecting!
Projector Resolution: | 4K |
Brand: | BenQ |
Product Status: | Leaves Warehouse within 5-10 Business Days |
Lumens: | 2500 |
Projector Type: | Ultra Short Throw |
Light Source: | Laser |
Contrast Ratio: | 2,000,000:1 |
Chipset: | DLP |
Aspect Ratio: | 16:9 [HD] |
Throw Ratio: | 0.25:1 (D:W) |
Native Resolution: | 3840x2160 |
Standard Lens Focus: | Motorized |
Projector Resolution: | 4K |
Brand: | Hisense |
Product Status: | In Stock |
Lumens: | 2200 |
Projector Type: | Ultra Short Throw |
Light Source: | Laser |
Contrast Ratio: | 2,000,000:1 |
Chipset: | DLP |
Aspect Ratio: | 16:9 [HD] |
Throw Ratio: | 0.25:1 (D:W) |
Native Resolution: | 3840x2160 |
Input Lag: | 4K/60Hz: 46.6ms | 1080p/120Hz: 23.3ms |
Built-In Speaker: | Yes |
Warranty: | 2 Years |
Standard Lens Focus: | Motorized |
ARC/eARC: | eARC |
Operating System: | Google TV |
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