BenQ W4000i / HT4550i + Vertex
The W4000i / HT4550i only offers its HDR modes after it detects HDR10 in the signal. This guide shows the settings in the Advanced menu and why LLDV needs the Vertex HDR InfoFrame.
BenQ W4000i (Europe) and HT4550i (US), 2023, user manual V1.01 (2024). Menus differ between BenQ models; for other BenQ projectors check your own manual.
DOLBY VISION WITH THIS SETUP
No native Dolby Vision; LLDV from the Vertex only works when the Vertex adds an HDR10 InfoFrame, because the projector has no manual HDR override.
- Native Dolby Vision
- NOHDR10, HDR10+ and HLG; the manual does not mention Dolby Vision.
- LLDV via the Vertex
- YESOnly with the Vertex HDR InfoFrame. BenQ: after auto-detecting metadata or EOTF info from HDR10 content, HDR10 / FILMMAKER MODE becomes available. No menu item forces HDR.
- HDR10
- YESHDR10 on HDMI 1 and HDMI 2 (HDCP 2.2). Only HDMI 1 supports 2160p 120 Hz, which does not pass through the 18 Gbps Vertex anyway.
Before you start
1. Basic signal and picture settings
- HDMI 2.0 EDIDAdvanced menu → Display → HDMI Settings → HDMI EDIDEnhancedBenQ: Enhanced+ = HDMI 2.1 EDID (default), Enhanced = HDMI 2.0 EDID, Standard = HDMI 1.4 EDID.
- Signal rangeAdvanced menu → Display → HDMI Settings → HDMI FormatAuto (other options: Limited (16-235), Full (0-255))Auto follows the incoming signal.
- HDMI EqualizerAdvanced menu → Display → HDMI Settings → HDMI EqualizerLeave at default; change per port (1-32) only with long cables or dropoutsHelps transmission stability.
- 24p filmsAdvanced menu → Display → 24P True CinemaOn for 24p HDR filmsBenQ: accepts high definition sources at 24 fps without judder in HDR mode.
2. Settings for LLDV from the Vertex
First enable the HDR InfoFrame on the Vertex; the steps below only work once the projector detects HDR10.
- Picture modePicture → Picture ModeHDR10 or FILMMAKER MODEOnly selectable after the projector detects the HDR10 InfoFrame from the Vertex.
- HDR brightnessAdvanced menu → Picture → Advanced Color Settings → HDR Brightness0 to start (range -2 to 2)BenQ: adjusts the brightness of HDR images.
- Wide colourAdvanced menu → Picture → Advanced Color Settings → Wide Color GamutOnBenQ: engages the colour filter for DCI-P3; only selectable when HDR10 or HLG is active.
Vertex settings for this setup
- LLDV: this display only switches to HDR when it receives an HDR10 flag, which LLDV does not carry. Turn on the Vertex Enable Custom HDR (part B2, route 2) and switch it off again for SDR.
- Connect the projector to a Vertex output; if a Dolby Vision TV is also connected, the TV must use the BOTTOM output, so put the projector on TOP.
- The Vertex HDR InfoFrame is required: without it the HDR10 and FILMMAKER MODE picture modes are not offered.
- The Vertex 'Enable Custom HDR' setting stays on until you switch it off, so SDR content is then also flagged as HDR (Vertex manual p.32, p.77).
- Keep the Vertex scaler in passthrough (No Scaling) for LLDV; the projector does the 4K processing.
Switch these off
- Advanced menu → Picture → CinemaMaster → Motion Enhancer 4KOptional: frame interpolation (Off / Low / Middle / High); set Off for the film look. Not required for LLDV.
How you know it works
- Information menu: Dynamic Range shows HDR10 while LLDV plays; it also lists Detected Resolution, Picture Mode and Color System.
Problems and fixes
Information → Dynamic Range shows SDR during LLDV.
No HDR10 InfoFrame arrived: enable the HDR InfoFrame on the Vertex.
No picture at 4K.
Set HDMI EDID = Enhanced, check the cable, and try the HDMI Equalizer.
NOT CONFIRMED BY THE MANUFACTURER
- BenQ does not document Dolby Vision or LLDV for this projector; LLDV works here only as an HDR10 picture triggered by the Vertex.
CHECKED AGAINST