BENQ TK700STI 4K SMART GAMING PROJECTOR REVIEW

Today, I bring you the BenQ TK700STi. BenQ proudly states the TK700STi is the “World’s First 4K HDR Gaming Projector; 4K @ 60Hz” and “Game with 16ms Lowest Input Lag Ever Paired with 4K Resolution.” In addition, it should be noted that this gaming projector comes with unique game modes for FPS (First-Person Shooter), RPG (Role-Playing Game), and SPG (Sports Game) gaming modes with audio, visual, and optimized latency settings for each type of game.

For this review, I was given access to an early model BenQ TK700STi. The TK700STi is a short-throw projector with a small rectangular shape. As a result, the projector took up only a small amount of space. The TK700STi has white plastic chassis with the front sporting a very cool-looking grey face.

The $1,699 price tag makes the TK700STi perfect for the gaming enthusiast and anyone else who wants an all-in-one, full HD 3D ready smart projector which requires only a flat viewing surface or projector screen and a power outlet to get the entertainment started with audio provided by its built-in 5-watt speaker.

BenQ TK700STi Specs
Price	$1699
Technology	DLP with XPR (0.47” DMD)
Native Resolution	1920x1080x4
Brightness (Manufacturer Claim)	3000
Contrast	000:1, 10, 10,000:1
Zoom Lens Ratio	1.2x
Lens Shift	No
Lamp Life	4,000 hours / 15,000 hours (Eco)
Weight	6.83
Warranty	3 years

The BenQ TK700STi uses a single Texas Instruments (TI) DLP (.47" DMD) chipset to deliver 4K UHD resolution. While a DLP chip does not actually have 8.3 million mirrors, it can deliver a perceived resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels (4K UHD).

The DLP chip inside the TK700STi uses a technology called pixel-shifting. DLP XPR technology leverages the immense speed of the DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) to process pixels faster than the rate of the video signal. This speed is how DLP can utilize one imaging chip to create multiple colors and multiple pixel locations.

So, while the newest 0.47″ DMD chips only have about 2.1 million mirrors, they can deliver 8.3 million pixels of onscreen resolution. As we have discussed in the past, this system works so well that it would be difficult for a viewer to see a difference in resolution when compared to a native 4K UHD (8.3 megapixels) display.

The CTA (Consumers Technology Association) states that 4K UHD must produce 8.3 million distinct pixels on the screen, which is four times the resolution of Full HD 1080p. DLP True 4K UHD Technology is Texas Instruments’ pixel-shifting technology that assists projectors in achieving true 4K resolution on-screen with 8.3 million distinct pixels.

OVERVIEW

The TK700STi has a rated brightness of 3000 ANSI lumens. An ANSI lumen is a unit of measurement developed by the American National Standards Institute to measure brightness. The light source is rated to last up to 15,000 hours.

The TK700STi can project a perfectly clear image as small as 60 inches and as big as 200 inches. If you do not mind the image being slightly out of adjustment, you could project an image as small as 30 inches and as big as 300 inches. The TK700STi DLP with XPR technology definitely helps to provide sharp images.

The “i” located at the end of the model number indicates that the TK700STi is an intelligent projector that allows media streaming with the use of an included BenQ QS0I Android TV (ATV) dongle. The QS0I Android TV dongle is easily installed into the third HDMI input port, which is concealed under the dongle cover located on the rear of the projector.

BenQ offers a less expensive gaming projector called the XI300i. The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of the XI300i is $1,299. The XI300i is a 1080p (1920 x 1080) smart gaming projector with 3,000 ANSI lumens. The XI300i also has BenQ’s “GameMaestro” preset audio-visual game modes with 8.3ms@120Hz low latency. We gave this projector a Highly Recommended award because of its good picture quality, unique LED light source, and extensive game-focused feature set.

BenQ also offers a $1,799 Home Entertainment 4K HDR High Brightness Smart Projector if you prioritize cinema-style home entertainment over gaming. BenQ states, “Our TK850i is specially designed for binge-watchers, aiming to provide an authentic home entertainment experience with its excellent 4K image quality & color performance, hyper-realistic HDR PRO technology, and the good brightness for brightly lit viewing scenarios, such as your living room. Thus, the low latency is not a top priority for people who have higher standards over these areas.”

Take a look at Philip Boyle’s review of the BenQ TK850i for additional information.

However, if you are looking for a 4K UHD gaming projector, the $1,699 TK700STi is the projector you want.

The BenQ TK700STi target customer is the individual who wants a high lumen gaming projector that is also moveable for multipurpose usage. The TK700STi provides hassle-free gaming and streaming entertainment experience. Google Play Store for Android TV, direct casting via Chromecast from an Android or iOS device, and gaming via Microsoft Xbox, Sony PlayStation, or Nintendo Switch means hours of fun-filled entertainment utilizing the TK700STi. The built-in 5-watt speaker is a nice added bonus.