LG BU50NST 4K LASER BUSINESS PROJECTOR REVIEW - SUMMARY

LG BU50NST 4K Laser Business Projector Review – Summary: Highlights, Value Proposition, Pros and Cons

The LG business solutions BU50NST is a 5000-lumen UHD (3840 x 2160) DLP projector with laser phosphor illumination that is rated to deliver 20,000 hours of operation with no lamp replacements. The combination of high output, high resolution, and smart wireless capabilities present a great value along with a very pleasing and flexible image. Compact size, HDBaseT, horizontal and vertical lens shift backed up by 12-point geometry correction combine to provide exceptional installation flexibility in this class of projector.

While the design delivers cutting-edge technology and exceptional performance value, there are also some considerations to be made. Smart wireless capabilities are not universal. There is no support for Apple devices (AirPlay) and MiraCast is frankly a hit or miss technology. The inclusion of WebOS to access a web browser and display media is admirable but the usefulness is limited when compared to LG residential TV offerings where numerous apps can be accessed for content providers such as Netflix. There is no such access or plans to add similar convenient app functionality to the BU50NST.

When considering the competition for the BU50NST there are only a few worthwhile comparisions. Models from Optoma, NEC, and first to market BenQ offer similar technology and output capacity. All of these units will deliver a similar level of performance, however, variations in chip size and lens quality along with processing quality will vary slightly. The real comparison must be made for individual professional installations. If a more flexible installation both optically and digitally is attractive and having built-in wireless networking, screen sharing, and Bluetooth audio along with WebOS for apps and web browsing all integrated into a fresh modern design, then LG has a winning combo in the BU50NST.

With the same MSRP of $4499, this is comparable to the BenQ LK952 which excludes the smart and casting features but is Crestron RoomView^TM enabled. The NEC LK953ST is also suited to a Crestron installation and while the MSRP is $7449, the street price is in line with the BenQ and LG offerings. Optoma UHZ65LV has an MSRP of $9999 but a street price that is still ~ $1500 more than the competitors. This is the lowest value equation with only vertical lens shift and less capable geometry correction available making the placement less flexible than the others, especially the LG BU50NST.