The BenQ TK700 uses a single Texas Instruments (TI) Digital Light Processing (DLP) chipset with an arrangement of highly reflective aluminum micromirrors known as the DMD to deliver 4K UHD (3840x2160 pixels) displayed resolution.
The Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® states that 4K UHD must produce 8.3 million distinct pixels on the screen, which is four times the resolution of Full HD 1080p. The CTA states, “With more than 70 committees, subcommittees and working groups and roughly 1,100 participants, the CTA Technology and Standards program maintains an unmatched reputation as a credible and flexible standards-making body accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).” So, I am comfortable with the CTA’s explanation on 4K UHD and setting industry standards with a well-written statement like that.
XPR TECHNOLOGY
The BenQ TK700 utilizes TI’s pixel-shifting XPR technology in attaining 4K resolution on-screen with 8.3 million distinct pixels.
The XPR Technology found in the TK700 allows it to display a 4K image. BenQ states that “XPR Technology achieves true 4K by producing 8.3 million distinct pixels regardless of the DMD chip’s number of native pixels. XPR quadruples the 0.47-inch DMD chip’s native1920x1080 pixels to generate true 4K, 8.3 million pixels with lightning-fast pixel shifting speed”; hence the 1920x1080x4 native resolution I previously listed.
More pixels mean the more vivid the picture and content will be. The CTA’s statement above explains that the TK700’s pixel-shifting achieves true 4K resolution on-screen with 8.3 million distinct pixels thanks to TI's pixel-shifting technology.
2D KEYSTONE
The TK700 has a 2D Keystone to assist with alignment. 2D keystone eliminates trapezoid effects when projecting from numerous locations to help lessen anxiety when setting the projector up. Adjustments include Auto Vertical & Manual Horizontal ± 30 degrees. This image adjustment might impact latency in Game Mode. BenQ suggests setting the 2D Keystone values to zero to enjoy low latency gaming. Setting the 2D keystone to other values will turn Fast Mode off.
FPS GAME MODE
BenQ’s TK700 has a preset FPS gaming mode with audio, visual, and optimized latency settings for fast-paced games. If you are a gamer, you know that it is critical to quickly recognize the enemy in some games. Let’s not forget that BenQ states the TK700 has True 4K UHD graphics with a speedy 16.67ms input lag at 60Hz and 4.16ms input lag at 240Hz when set to display 1080p.
BLACK DETAIL ENHANCEMENT
With BenQ’s Black Detail Enhancement, the gamer can detect and react faster to approaching dangers by quickly mapping out details in the dark. The TK700 refines its projected image to help disclose movements and details in dark scenes. Hence, you are less likely to be taken by surprise. In addition, black detail enhancement reveals delicate details in dark scenes without sacrificing color performance in brighter areas.
HDR GAME, HDR10, and HLG
The TK700 supports HDR Game, HDR10, and HLG. Explosions look brilliant with HDR.
The TK700 projector features HDR10 and HDR Game. After the TK700 auto-detects metadata or Electro-Optical Transfer Function (EOTF) info from HDR contents, HDR10 and HDR Game are available for selection. HDR10 and HDR Game mode sends static metadata to the video stream, which is encoded information on color calibration settings required to make images look more like the content creator’s intentions. HDR10 is best for displaying HDR movies, while HDR Game mode is used to activate the Game Settings menu for HDR gameplay.
4K HDR content can deliver extended color space with better shadow and highlight details. BenQ’s HDR Tone and Color Mapping functions are designed to adjust and show the best image based on the specific projector specifications. However, Tone Mapping (whether dynamic or not) requires the projector to compromise something (highlights, brightness, contrast, color, or black level). Since different devices have different specifications, the color and brightness of a projected image might differ from the original content as it was intended to be shown. BenQ says its Tone Mapping and Color Mapping functions will present the best results by taking the projector’s actual specifications into account.
The BenQ TK700 also supports Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG), the HDR standard developed for live broadcast by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), in conjunction with Japan’s national broadcaster, Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai. Unfortunately, most broadcast TV does not yet support 4K, let alone HDR. However, NBC Sports did feature 4K with HDR and Dolby Atmos sound for its 2022 Winter Olympics coverage, marking the broadcaster’s first use of the enhanced format for the Winter Olympics. With TK700, you are all set to enjoy sports and award shows when more networks decide to start broadcasting content in HDR.
HDMI AUDIO RETURN CHANNEL
The TK700 has two HDMI 2.0 ports, one with what BenQ calls “Audio Return+.”
The BenQ TK700 has a decent built-in audio system; however, many end-users may still want to attach it to an AV Receiver to take advantage of high-quality sound. The TK700 has ARC (Audio Return Channel) which BenQ calls Audio Return+. When connecting ARC compatible speakers to the projector with HDMI cables, the audio can be returned to these speakers from the TK700’s HDMI port number two. HDMI port one can output audio to external speakers via the eARC function on HDMI port two.
BenQ’s Audio Return+ supports multiple audio outputs, including 2.0, 5.1, 7.1, and Dolby Atmos, to an external audio system like a soundbar. In addition, the following audio output formats are provided to achieve your desired audio performance: LPCM supports 2 channel audio output, RAW supports 5.1 channel audio output, and RAW+ supports Dolby Atmos audio Output. To enjoy the Audio Return+ sound effect, make sure to turn on the eARC function from your soundbar.
If you do not use ARC, your only other option would be to connect audio via the audio output jack. Unfortunately, the audio output jack cannot pass the latest immersive surround formats to an external sound system.
