The catch
BenQ W4100i
A deep, fixed theater makes the shorter maximum throw and manual lens controls awkward.
Side by side
BenQ W4100i vs Epson Home Cinema 5050UB: Epson changes its lens from the seat, BenQ fits closer
Quick verdict
The W4100i suits a shorter room and brings an included streaming device and an LED light source, so there are no scheduled lamp replacements. The 5050UB suits a deeper theater that needs powered lens changes, or a viewer who is sensitive to single-chip DLP rainbows. How you work with the lens is often what decides it.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Opposite answers come from a 10.5-foot shelf and an eighteen-foot shelf
The W4100i covers about 10.0 to 13.1 feet from lens to screen for a 120-inch 16:9 picture, and the Epson covers about 11.8 to 24.8 feet. At 10.5 feet the BenQ is the model to look at, and at eighteen feet it is the Epson. Before fixing a mount at the very end of a range, check the exact tolerances.
Where this comes from
BenQ W4100i: Throw ratio 1.15 to 1.50. Epson Home Cinema 5050UB: Throw ratio 1.35 to 2.84. Lens distance = 104.59-inch picture width × throw ratio.
The catch
Epson Home Cinema 5050UB
Owning it means replacing lamps and dealing with a separate streaming source.
BenQ W4100i
- Why pick it
- The 120-inch picture has to work from 10.5 feet
- Included streaming and several external HDMI sources appeal to you
- The catch
- A deep, fixed theater makes the shorter maximum throw and manual lens controls awkward.
Epson Home Cinema 5050UB
- Why pick it
- Your deep room puts the rear shelf beyond thirteen feet
- Powered lens adjustment would be valuable in your installation
- The catch
- Owning it means replacing lamps and dealing with a separate streaming source.
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What this page compares
Choosing a movie-room projector? Compare the BenQ W4100i and Epson 5050UB on shorter-room fit, source connections, powered lens changes and lamp upkeep.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
A 120-inch image with the lens 10.5 feet out
That optical distance is within BenQ’s range alone.
- BenQ W4100i
- Better fit
- Epson Home Cinema 5050UB
- Not suitable
An eighteen-foot rear shelf for a 120-inch image
Epson’s is the only range that gets there.
- BenQ W4100i
- Not suitable
- Epson Home Cinema 5050UB
- Better fit
A mount you can’t reach and lens changes that happen often
Epson’s powered lens controls mean no reaching for the unit.
- BenQ W4100i
- Caution
- Epson Home Cinema 5050UB
- Better fit
Someone who sees DLP rainbow flashes
Epson’s 3LCD shows color simultaneously.
- BenQ W4100i
- Caution
- Epson Home Cinema 5050UB
- Better fit
In practice
Differences you will notice
Opposite answers come from a 10.5-foot shelf and an eighteen-foot shelf
The W4100i covers about 10.0 to 13.1 feet from lens to screen for a 120-inch 16:9 picture, and the Epson covers about 11.8 to 24.8 feet. At 10.5 feet the BenQ is the model to look at, and at eighteen feet it is the Epson. Before fixing a mount at the very end of a range, check the exact tolerances.
How we worked this out
BenQ W4100i: Throw ratio 1.15 to 1.50. Epson Home Cinema 5050UB: Throw ratio 1.35 to 2.84. Lens distance = 104.59-inch picture width × throw ratio.
Several sources can still share space with the included streamer
The W4100i’s QS02 connects internally, so three external HDMI inputs stay free. One external eARC connection plus two external video sources fits the published port layout. If you already have an AV receiver, this advantage matters less.
How we worked this out
BenQ W4100i: Three external HDMI inputs, internal QS02 connection and eARC on HDMI 2. Epson Home Cinema 5050UB: External source and sound system required. No included streamer is assumed.
A high, unreachable mount sets maintenance against lens controls
BenQ’s LED source spares you the lamp replacement, and Epson’s powered lens spares you from reaching the projector to adjust the lens. If you seldom change formats, BenQ’s lighter lamp upkeep may count for more. If you shift the image position often, Epson’s powered controls are worth more.
How we worked this out
BenQ W4100i: LED light source and manual optical adjustment. Epson Home Cinema 5050UB: Replaceable lamp and powered zoom, focus and shift. No service interval or cost saving invented.
Plug in your numbers
Will either projector work in your room?
This checks hard limits only. Personal preferences are left out of the math.
BenQ W4100i
Check this one yourselfWe do not have a complete verified lens range for this exact model.
Epson Home Cinema 5050UB
Does not work with your numbersFor a 120-inch 16:9 picture, the calculated lens range is about 11.77 to 24.75 ft. You entered 9.50 ft.
Measure distance from the lens to the screen. The math assumes a 16:9 picture and uses the verified throw range for each exact model.
Option A
BenQ, W4100i
W4100i
For a more settled room installation, this home-cinema 4LED projector offers optical lens shift, three external HDMI inputs and an included streaming dongle.
- Best for
- The 120-inch picture has to work from 10.5 feet
Facts we checked
- Range of optical throw: 1.15 to 1.50
- Light source: 4LED
- Lens controls: Manual optical adjustment with horizontal and vertical shift
- Streaming and inputs: Included QS02 device, three external HDMI inputs
Option B
Epson, V11H930020
Home Cinema 5050UB
Lamp-based and proven, this 3LCD theater model combines strong optical range with full DCI-P3 filtering and has no DLP rainbow mechanism.
- Best for
- Your deep room puts the rear shelf beyond thirteen feet
Facts we checked
- Optical throw range: 1.35 to 2.84
- Source of light: A lamp you can replace
- Lens controls: Powered zoom, focus and horizontal and vertical shift
- Streaming and inputs: External sources required
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | BenQ W4100i | Epson Home Cinema 5050UB | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optical throw range | 1.15 to 1.50 | 1.35 to 2.84 | A fixed shelf can eliminate one projector before you even get to picture preferences. |
| Light source | 4LED | Replaceable lamp | Upkeep over the years differs, and the data here can’t price lifetime ownership. |
| Lens controls | Manual optical adjustment with horizontal and vertical shift | Powered zoom, focus and horizontal and vertical shift | Motorized controls win if you keep repositioning the picture. |
| Streaming and inputs | Included QS02 device, three external HDMI inputs | External sources required | Add up the boxes and cables your own theater will have. |
| Imaging | Single-chip DLP | Three-chip 3LCD | No DLP color sequencing happens in the Epson. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With BenQ W4100i
- HDMI 3 takes a 4K/120 signal but shows it at 1080p/120, so this isn't a 4K/120 projector.
With Epson Home Cinema 5050UB
- Smart features, built-in audio and high-refresh 4K gaming support are all absent.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
The 120-inch picture has to work from 10.5 feet
Go with BenQ W4100i. Included streaming and several external HDMI sources appeal to you
Your deep room puts the rear shelf beyond thirteen feet
Go with Epson Home Cinema 5050UB. Powered lens adjustment would be valuable in your installation
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the home projectors we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| BenQ W4100i |
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| Epson Home Cinema 5050UB |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
BenQ W4100i
The 120-inch picture has to work from 10.5 feet
See price & reviews on AmazonEpson Home Cinema 5050UB
Your deep room puts the rear shelf beyond thirteen feet
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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