BenQ GP520 Review | Big Screen Magic Without the Hassle? | TechManPat

Compact design and connectivity

The GP520 has a rounded, cubic design intended to suit a living room or coffee table. Its recessed lens is protected from some of the wear associated with moving a portable projector, while sensors beside the lens support automatic focusing and image adjustment.

At approximately 3.7 kg, it is compact enough to move between rooms or take away on holiday, although the external power brick is notably large. Three threaded mounting holes on different sides provide additional placement flexibility. Ports include HDMI 2.1, with one input supporting eARC, USB ports for media playback or powering devices, USB-C for video or phone charging, and a 3.5 mm audio output. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 are also built in.

Picture quality and brightness

The projector uses a single DLP chip with XPR technology to produce a 3,840 × 2,160 image. This is not native 4K, but the review found the projected image detailed and sharp. HDR10, HLG and HDR10+ are supported, while Dolby Vision is not.

BenQ rates brightness at 2,600 ANSI lumens. In testing, the GP520 remained usable in moderately lit rooms and could also be used during the day, although a darker room produced the better result. Colour coverage was described as approximately 98% of Rec. 709 and around 80% of DCI-P3, making it suitable for standard television, streaming content and games without matching the wider colour range of a dedicated cinema projector.

The LED light source is rated for up to 20,000 hours in normal mode or 30,000 hours in Eco mode. The projector also supports 3D with DLP-Link glasses. Image quality was particularly strong with good 4K HDR sources, including detailed textures in nature footage. However, dark HDR scenes could show a milky grey tint instead of deep blacks.

Automatic setup and room adaptation

Auto Cinema mode uses ambient light information and can adjust the picture for the room’s lighting and wall colour. The review also tested the projector on a coloured bedroom wall, where the image remained relatively natural with the mode enabled. BenQ says the feature has been optimised for six common wall colours.

Automatic focus, horizontal and vertical keystone correction, screen fit and object avoidance are intended to reduce setup work when the projector is moved. Autofocus was quick and generally accurate in testing. Keystone correction was useful, but substantial correction can reduce image quality, so careful positioning is still preferable.

Smart features, sound and gaming

Google TV is integrated, providing access to thousands of apps and major services including YouTube, Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video. The interface ran smoothly during testing, without reported crashes or lag. Dolby audio and Dolby Atmos decoding are supported, although the two-speaker system downmixes Atmos rather than creating true surround sound.

The built-in dual 12-watt speakers delivered clear dialogue, useful volume and some bass in a quiet room. They were considered suitable for casual use and a movie night, although an external audio system remains an option through the available connections.

HDMI 2.1 enables automatic low-latency switching. In Game mode, the review found input response very quick while playing Elden Ring. BenQ advertises approximately 17 milliseconds at 4K and 60 frames per second with Game Boost enabled, and the testing experience was responsive without noticeable delay.

Holiday and large-screen use

At a lakeside cabin, the GP520 projected an approximately 150-inch image onto a large blank wall. The result was described as bright, sharp and colourful, with the built-in speakers providing enough sound for the movie session. This use case highlights the projector’s combination of portability, automatic setup and integrated streaming.