The NEC P506QL is a high-resolution DLP projector with a laser light engine, priced around $4,299. It offers 4K resolution and delivers 5,000 ANSI lumens of brightness, with a long-lasting light source rated for up to 20,000 hours of use.
Designed for spaces like conference rooms, museums, and classrooms, the P506QL combines sharp image quality with low maintenance. It also supports network control for easy management.
A standout feature is its ability to display content from multiple sources at once—such as four 1080p windows—making it great for collaboration.
While it lacks some premium features like motorized lens options, edge blending, and projection mapping, the P506QL still offers strong value thanks to its 4K resolution and reliable laser performance.
| NEC NP-506QL Specs | |
|---|---|
| Price | $4299 |
| Technology | DLP Laser |
| Native Resolution | 1920x1080x4 |
| Brightness (Manufacturer Claim) | 5,000 lumens (5,200 center lumens) |
| Contrast | 500,000:1 with Light Adjust |
| Zoom Lens Ratio | 1.5:1 |
| Lens Shift | Yes |
| Lamp Life | 20,000 hours (Laser Light Engine) |
| Weight | 25.4 lb |
| Warranty | 5 years |
Overview
About a year ago, I reviewed the NEC 525UL, a solid 5,000-lumen projector that offered strong performance for around $4,300. The NEC P506QL takes things a step further by adding native 4K resolution while keeping many of the features NEC/Sharp is known for in their business projectors.
The P506QL supports 4K@60p input via HDMI or HDBaseT and displays that added detail clearly—making it a great fit for environments that demand precision, like architecture firms or design classrooms.
It uses a laser/phosphor light source rated for 20,000 hours of maintenance-free use and includes a Constant Brightness mode for consistent image quality over time.
As with other NEC P Series models, the P506QL offers manual horizontal and vertical lens shift, a 1.5x zoom lens, dual HDMI inputs, HDBaseT, and USB 2.0A to power connected devices. A LAN port is included for network management and control.
Highlights
5,000 lumens of brightness
$4,299 MSRP
4K UHD resolution (3840 × 2160)
Long-life laser light engine (up to 20,000 hours)
.47″ DLP chip with 500,000:1 contrast ratio
Manual horizontal/vertical lens shift + 1.5x zoom
Flexible installation (any angle, vertical projection)
Picture-in-Picture (PIP) support
4-source projection and digital zoom (up to 4x)
HDBaseT for long HDMI runs over CAT6 cable
Crestron, AMX, PJLink compatible
5-year warranty with NEC InstaCare replacement service
Overall, the NEC P506QL combines sharp 4K performance, strong brightness, and flexible installation options—making it a great all-around projector for professional settings.