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CNET
a day ago
- CNET
BenQ GP520 Projector Review: Big Bright Picture, Itty Bitty Box
7.8 / 10 SCORE BenQ GP520 $1,499 at Amazon Pros Highly accurate, lifelike color Lots of light Great size Cons Contrast ratio is below average No zoom BenQ GP520 7.8/10 CNET Score $1,499 at Amazon Since the introduction of HDR, movies and TV shows have gotten brighter and more colorful, and TVs and projectors are doing the same to take advantage of this enhanced content. BenQ's GP520 is a compact, 4K projector with colors that are fantastically lifelike and accurate -- which is quite an achievement given how bright it is. The GP520 has Google TV built in, and its size should let it fit just about everywhere. Notably, it bucks the current trend of gimbal stands by offering an optional stand that lets you place and position it just about anywhere. While the GP520's contrast ratio isn't particularly good, the picture quality is still impressive. Overall, the BenQGP520 is a great projector in a fairly tiny package. Specs and such Geoffrey Morrison/CNET Resolution: 4K HDR-compatible: Yes 4K-compatible: Yes Lumens spec: 2,600 Zoom: No Lens shift: No LED life (Normal mode): 30,000 hours (ECO mode) Despite its size, the GP520 has a fairly standard set of specs for a projector in this price range. There's 4K resolution and HDR compatibility, but there's no zoom or lens shift. BenQ's own HT2060, which is only 1080p yet cheaper, has both. On the other hand, the similarly priced JMGO N1 Ultra and Xgimi Horizon S Max are both 4K but also lack zoom. BenQ's marketing suggests it doesn't expect the GP520 to be permanently mounted, nor paired with a dedicated screen, so the lack of zoom and lens shift is probably not a huge deal. Rated at 2,600 lumens, I measured 1,258 in its most accurate Cinema mode. This puts it right in the same ballpark as the JMGO, Xgimi and Anker Nebula Cosmos 4K SE. In its less accurate, and very-green Bright mode, I measured an eye-watering 2,166. This is a very bright projector. The contrast ratio, however, is below average at 369:1. That's not great, but it is in line with many of the brighter, 4K projectors I've reviewed in the last few years. The aforementioned Anker was 232:1, for example, while the more expensive Xgimi Horizon Ultra only managed 316:1. Nearly all projectors in this price range, other than Epson, use TI's DLP chips, and there are only a few variations for home projector use. So it's not too surprising to see them perform similarly in this metric. Like many new projectors, the GP520 has some automatic setup features to adjust color and keystone based on position and wall color. These features, in any projector, will reduce the image quality. I acknowledge that they can make setup easier and faster for people unfamiliar with projectors, especially if the projector is regularly moved between rooms. They're here if you want to use them, though spending a few minutes positioning the projector correctly will result in a better image. Connections Geoffrey Morrison/CNET HDMI inputs: 2 USB port: 3 (1 USB-C, 1 USB-A, 1 USB-A for service) Audio output: eARC, 3.5,mm headphone output Internet: Wireless Remote: Not backlit Two HDMI inputs seem like the right number for a projector like this. It's not that much of a stretch to assume most people might have two sources, like an Xbox and a PlayStation. If you'd prefer a different streaming service instead of the built-in Google, there's a USB connection on the back to power a streaming stick. There's also eARC if you want to send the audio back to a soundbar or receiver. Using external speakers is always a good idea, though I imagine the GP520 will be used on its own more often than not. To that end, there are two 12-watt speakers that sound quite good. Well, quite good considering the size of the box they're in. They play loud enough that you can understand dialogue, though given their physical restrictions, they don't have much bass. Picture quality comparisons JMGO N1 Ultra Xgimi Horizon S Max The JMGO N1 Ultra, Xgimi Horizon S Max and BenQ GP520 are three closely matched projectors. They're all 4K, similarly sized and equivalently priced -- the JMGO is $100 cheaper than the GP520, while the Xgimi is around $400 more. Both the JMGO and Xgimi are on gimbals, while the BenQ can instead be mounted to a stand in several configurations. I connected them all to an HDMI distribution amplifier and watched the same content on all three at the same time, side-by-side, on a 1.0-gain screen. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET Despite a wide discrepancy of claimed brightness -- JMGO's 4,000 lumens, Xgimi's 3,100 and BenQ's (closer) 2,600 -- they all measured comparably, and picture quality was similar, too. They're all bright, highly detailed and have reasonably accurate color. There's no "bad" option, but their differences do make for an interesting comparison. For instance, in their most accurate modes, technically, the Xgimi is very slightly the brightest at 1,300 lumens. The BenQ manages nearly the same brightness, just 42 lumens less, but is more accurate. It's worth noting that the BenQ is capable of more light than the Xgimi in their brightest modes. While the differences in brightness between the three aren't obvious side by side, their differences in color definitely are. The various mounting possibilities for the GP520. The stand and mount are sold separately. BenQ The BenQ is a very accurate projector. Skin tones especially look noticeably better on the BenQ compared to the others. The Xgimi is close, but many colors look a little off, including Caucasian skin tones, which look a little pasty. The JMGO is even farther from accurate, with a slightly cooler color temperature and more oversaturated colors. On their own, the JMGO and Xgimi look pleasing enough, but the more accurate a display is, the more lifelike it looks, and the BenQ has that advantage here. Where it stumbles a bit is with contrast. It has the lowest of these three, and that results in an image that, while not washed out, does look less punchy than the JMGO's 926:1. Is it a huge difference? No, but it is noticeable. Despite being less accurate and very slightly dimmer, the eye gets drawn toward the JMGO because of that higher contrast ratio. Each definitely has its strengths and weaknesses, and there's no wrong answer here. That said, between the three, I think I'd still choose the GP520 because its color accuracy does lend a more natural look. Bitty box The blue ring around the lens is quite stylish. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET Given my tepid response to the home theater-specific W2720i, it's probably a surprise (to BenQ, almost certainly) that I like the GP520 far more despite worse performance in the most important aspect of picture quality: contrast ratio. That largely comes down to intention and price. Being a projector designed for a dedicated theater, I had higher expectations for the W2720i, especially since it cost $2,000. The GP520 costs 30% less, is brighter and still looks great. It's also far smaller. Vastly different intentions, for sure, but assuming it fits in my room (remember, no zoom), I'd pick the GP520 over the W2720i. Though honestly, if fit wasn't an issue, I'd still get the short-throw X500i over both. Looking outside of BenQ, it's a little harder to say. The excellent color accuracy really sets the GP520 apart compared to the JMGO and Xgimi, both of which have roughly similar size, intent and overall performance. I didn't even bother comparing the GP520 to the Anker Cosmos 4K SE, which is basically the same price, since that projector has worse color and contrast. The BenQ's mediocre contrast ratio is a bit of a bummer, but in this class of projector, it's rare to find one with a good contrast ratio. The JMGO is the highest of these four projectors, and it's just barely above average for what I've measured. So the GP520 is bright, has great color, sounds good and is a great size. It's a very good, though not quite great, projector that will easily fit in a lot of spaces. It's a bright box of lovely colors.
CNET
10-06-2025
- CNET
Once You Use This on a Plane, You'll Never Fly Without It Again
If you travel often, you probably already know the struggle: You're settled into your seat, ready to dive into the in-flight entertainment, only to realize your AirPods won't connect to the screen. The airline's wired headphones? Practically useless. They're uncomfortable, have no noise cancellation and let in every engine roar and crying baby within a three-row radius. For long flights, it's a recipe for a frustrating, low-quality listening experience. That's exactly why the AirFly Pro has become a must-pack item in my travel bag. It's a simple Bluetooth dongle that lets you connect your wireless earbuds (like my AirPods Pro) directly to the airplane's entertainment system, no adapters or wired workarounds required. Since I started using it, I've stopped dreading in-flight audio and finally get to enjoy movies the way they were meant to be heard. If you fly often, this little gadget might completely change how you travel. The AirFly Pro lets me truly enjoy in-flight entertainment The AirFly Pro from Twelve South is a minimally designed dongle that lets me connect to the 3.5mm headphone jack on my flight to listen to in-flight entertainment on my noise-cancelling earbuds. All I have to do is pair the AirFly Pro with whichever Bluetooth headphones I'm using, like my AirPods Pro, plug the AirFly Pro into the display in front of me -- and I'm all set. I don't even need to use my phone to connect the two devices. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET There are four versions of the AirFly: the AirFly SE, which costs $35 on Amazon and connects to just one set of headphones; the AirFly Pro ($55); the Pro V2 ($60), the newest version of the Pro; and the Pro Deluxe ($62), which comes with an international headphone adapter and a suede travel case. I use the AirFly Pro, and it's been a game changer for me on flights. I've never had to worry about battery life -- the AirFly Pro lasts for more than 25 hours and can fully charge in 3 hours. I can also pair two separate pairs of headphones to a single AirFly Pro, in case I'm with someone else on a flight and want to watch the same movie or show. And if that's not enough, the AirFly Pro also doubles as an audio transmitter, so I can turn any speaker with a headphone jack, like my old car stereo, into a Bluetooth speaker. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET The AirFly Pro makes a great gift With Father's Day right around the corner, you might be shopping for the father figure in your life. The AirFly Pro is the perfect present to give to someone who's planning to travel this year. Besides my Anker MagSafe battery pack, the AirFly Pro really has become my most treasured travel accessory when I fly, which is why I consider it to be one of those can't-go-wrong gifts. For more travel gear, here are our favorite tech essentials to travel with and our favorite travel pillows.
CNET
10-06-2025
- CNET
I'll Never Go on a Long Flight Again Without This Game-Changing Bluetooth Dongle
I travel a lot, and when I'm flying, I usually bring my AirPods Pro so I can listen to music from my phone or watch something I've downloaded on my tablet. But sometimes I really want to take advantage of the in-flight entertainment, and I'm not a big fan of the flimsy airline headphones that the flight attendants hand out at the start of each flight. What's worse is that it's in an environment that's already difficult for listening in general, and the in-flight headphones definitely don't have noise cancellation. They're tiny and let all the outside sounds bleed in, including loud engine sounds and crying babies, so I can barely hear anything. That's where the AirFly Pro comes in. The AirFly Pro lets me truly enjoy in-flight entertainment The AirFly Pro from Twelve South is a minimally designed dongle that lets me connect to the 3.5mm headphone jack on my flight to listen to in-flight entertainment on my noise-cancelling earbuds. All I have to do is pair the AirFly Pro with whichever Bluetooth headphones I'm using, like my AirPods Pro, plug the AirFly Pro into the display in front of me -- and I'm all set. I don't even need to use my phone to connect the two devices. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET There are four versions of the AirFly: the AirFly SE, which costs $35 on Amazon and connects to just one set of headphones; the AirFly Pro ($55); the Pro V2 ($60), the newest version of the Pro; and the Pro Deluxe ($62), which comes with an international headphone adapter and a suede travel case. I use the AirFly Pro, and it's been a game changer for me on flights. I've never had to worry about battery life -- the AirFly Pro lasts for more than 25 hours and can fully charge in 3 hours. I can also pair two separate pairs of headphones to a single AirFly Pro, in case I'm with someone else on a flight and want to watch the same movie or show. And if that's not enough, the AirFly Pro also doubles as an audio transmitter, so I can turn any speaker with a headphone jack, like my old car stereo, into a Bluetooth speaker. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET The AirFly Pro makes a great gift With Father's Day right around the corner, you might be shopping for the father figure in your life. The AirFly Pro is the perfect present to give to someone who's planning to travel this year. Besides my Anker MagSafe battery pack, the AirFly Pro really has become my most treasured travel accessory when I fly, which is why I consider it to be one of those can't-go-wrong gifts. For more travel gear, here are our favorite tech essentials to travel with and our favorite travel pillows.
CNET
30-05-2025
- Business
- CNET
Get a 100-Inch Image for a Record-Low $498 with This Samsung Projector Deal
There are plenty of great TV deals out there, but even budget-friendly models are going to cost you quite a bit if you want a screen that's larger than 77 inches. If you want a massive, immersive display without dropping serious cash, you may want to grab yourself a projector instead. This second-gen Samsung Freestyle projector can project an image of up to 100 inches, and it's currently on sale for a record-low $498. That saves you a whopping $300, but this deal could expire at any point, so take advantage of these savings sooner rather than later. This projector is tiny -- not much bigger than a soda can -- and its design makes it easy to swivel and readjust. It's capable of creating an image up to 100 inches on the diagonal and can be used to stream shows, watch films and even play video games with a high degree of accuracy, which isn't something every projector can manage. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. In his review of the original Samsung Freestyle, CNET contributor Geoffrey Morrison wrote that he loved its design, colors and streaming capabilities but also said that the lack of a built-in battery and its dimness were drawbacks for the price. Those areas haven't been significantly addressed in the second-gen model, but this 38% discount might help you focus more on the pros than the cons, and you might even have the budget leftover for a decent USB-C battery pack or portable power station if you want to make it more portable. Why this deal matters Our reviewer had a few gripes with this projector at the original $800 list price, but at this record-low price it's a pretty undeniable value. You're getting a pretty stacked set of features for just under $500, including a 100-inch image, built-in speakers, gaming support and more.
CNET
23-05-2025
- CNET
I Tried Fujifilm's Adorable New X Half Camera and It's a Pocketful of Fun
After months of rumors, Fujifilm has finally, officially announced the X Half, a very compact camera designed to mimic half-frame film cameras and early 2000s point-and-shoots. It takes vertical photos and videos, aided by an optical viewfinder and vertical screen. I spent a few hours testing out the X Half, and it is, as Fujifilm hoped, quite fun. It's the kind of thing you'd bring on a night out with friends, kept handy in a purse or pocket, so you're able to capture moments without needing your phone. Its price might give you pause, though. Here's a little preview based on my little time with this little camera. The hardware It's positively tiny, though a bit bigger than the smallest digital cameras from the 2000s. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET 17.7 megapixels (3,648x4,864 or 7,296x4,864 for 2-in-1 images) 1-inch sensor 32mm f2.8 lens (35mm equivalent) Optical viewfinder Fujifilm film simulations 240 grams (8.5 ounces) Specs don't tell the whole story with this camera, but they're still interesting. A 1-inch sensor isn't unheard of in a camera this size. The Sony XV-1 II is basically the same size and has one, though it's even more expensive. Most have far smaller sensors, like the less expensive Panasonic ZS99. The X Half's sensor is oriented, like the rear screen, vertically. This speaks to the main design intention of the X Half. This is a camera to take photos that you can quickly and easily share on social media. Images have a 3:4 aspect ratio, as does video (1,080x1,440). The only dials are exposure and aperture. Yes, that's a film advance lever, and it actually has a use here more than retro style points. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET One of the X Half's main tricks is the ability to side-by-side images in the camera, which Fuji calls two-in-ones. You can see some examples of that later in this preview. Take a photo, "advance" the film using the retro film advance lever, and then take another photo. Both images are saved individually, but the camera also combines them into a third image where they're side-by-side, separated by a line with a style of your choosing. The same trick can be done with videos, and perhaps most interestingly, both photos and videos. The X Half next to the X100VI. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET Being Fuji, the X Half has its famous Film Simulations. These alter the image in ways that you typically'd only be able to get with significant editing. More than just a filter you can add in Instagram, these change, sometimes dramatically, many aspects of color and tone. A small secondary screen on the back shows you the active simulation mode, like you were looking at a film roll inside the camera, and you can swipe through the different modes while looking at the main screen to see how it looks. In addition, there are "Creative Filters" which are more like what you'd find in other point-and-shoot cameras, like "Toy," "High-key," "Light leak" and so on. I wasn't able to test them all, but of those that I used, some were pretty fun. Vertical screen and optical viewfinder. The secondary screen on the left usually shows the active Film Simulation. It's also a touchscreen, so you can swipe through. This works as a secondary screen for some menus and settings as well. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET There's also Film Camera Mode, which locks the camera into a Film Simulation mode of your choosing, for 36, 54 or 72 images. In this mode, there's no preview, and other options are limited. It essentially forces you to use the X Half like a film camera. I know some photographers like these kinds of limiting challenges. I'm not a fan, perhaps because I grew up with the limitations of film, but I understand how many people enjoy them. The new X Half app wasn't ready for us to check out, but it should have some interesting ways to "develop" the images taken in Film Camera mode and make/adjust the two-in-ones. The X Half uses the same battery as other Fuji cameras, has an LED flash and is Bluetooth enabled. It can also be connected to one of Fujifilm's Instax printers for instant-film prints. The camera I tested had a silver top, but it will also be available in all black or with a charcoal top. Hands (well, "hand") on The side-by-side "2-in-1" format lets you juxtapose images for any number of creative reasons. This can be done in the camera (most of the following examples), with the upcoming X Half app, or if you capture two things you really want to put next to each other during your short time with the camera and you don't have the app yet (me), you can do this in most photo editing software later. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET This is an adorably small camera. A palm-of-your-hand device that can fit in your pocket when not in use. Walking around downtown LA, I found it practically disappeared when I wasn't using it, hidden from view, cupped in my hand. When I'd see something interesting, even if I'd turned it off after the last shot, it'd be ready to go in moments. Selecting different film simulations was super easy. All you need to do is swipe the secondary screen. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET Using the X Half is surprisingly similar to using a GoPro. Almost everything is accessed via swipes and taps on the rear screen. The only dials are just for exposure and aperture. Personally, I love dials on cameras, but this was easy to navigate and probably more so for people not used to larger cameras. A switch on the side enables the built-in flash. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET The side-by-side images are a clever way to really tell a story. For instance, one image can be an establishing shot, the other a close-up. Or both can be versions of a theme, different angles and so on. Earlier, I said I didn't enjoy film camera-like challenges, but this kind of challenge I do like. I would find some interesting image, and then see if I could find some matching or contrasting image nearby. It was a different way to approach photography compared to what I'm used to, which is (here's that word again), fun. You in there, Deckard? Geoffrey Morrison/CNET Since I only had a few hours with the camera, I can't give a final verdict on the image quality. My initial impression is that it seemed decent, with good color reproduction. Low-light wasn't great, but seemed acceptable. The images you see in this preview are all unedited. One of the built-in filters lets you select a single color and strip out all the others. Not a particularly new concept, but it works well here. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET Price, availability and who this might be for 2-in-1 created in Photoshop, otherwise unedited from the camera. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET The X Half is unquestionably for a specific demographic. If you don't understand why someone would want a small, vertical camera like this, have no fear: You're not the demo. I described the camera to a friend who is likely the demo, and she got the idea immediately and wanted one. Is it possible to do just about everything the X Half does with your phone? Sure, but that's true of any camera. The trick here is being able to skip the editing process, plus the benefit of not being on your phone all the time. That, and the fact that it's adorable. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET One concern, though, is the price. At $850, this might be well beyond the budget of the very people who would enjoy it the most. While testing it out at LA's Grand Central Market, one of the shop owners took an interest. After describing it to her, she seemed really interested, but asked, "Is it expensive?" I told her the cost, and her disappointed response was "Oh, yeah, expensive." Everything is getting more expensive these days, but for only a little more money, someone could get the Ricoh GR III, our current pick for best point-and-shoot travel camera, which has a much larger sensor and is also conveniently small. However, neither the GR III nor any other camera right now has the X Half's "fun" factor. Is that worth the premium? We shall see when I test one out some more after its launch in late June. In addition to covering cameras and display tech, Geoff does photo tours of cool museums and locations around the world, including nuclear submarines, aircraft carriers, medieval castles, epic 10,000-mile road trips and more. Also, check out Budget Travel for Dummies, his travel book, and his bestselling sci-fi novel about city-sized submarines. You can follow him on Instagram and YouTube.
