Please note that this is a meta-review prepared by the Simple Home Cinema team. Our meta-reviews analyse and cross-check data across multiple sources including professional reviews, user reviews and user forums to arrive at our analysis and review scores, and are useful to get an overall – and hopefully balanced – picture for a specific product. We will specifically state if we had the product tested by one of our team. Please do let us know, should you find any errors.
The short-throw gaming champion—does it strike the perfect balance for gamers and cinephiles alike?
Introduction: A Hybrid Projector for the New Era of Entertainment
The BenQ TK710STi claims to harmonize two worlds—cinematic quality visuals for movie lovers and lightning-fast response times for gamers. With a 4K HDR resolution and 3,200 ANSI lumens, it promises to dazzle in brightly lit rooms, while its 4ms input lag at 1080p/240Hz makes it a dream come true for competitive gaming. At around $1,999, this projector toes the line between affordability and high performance. Does it deliver the ultimate hybrid experience, or are there hidden drawbacks?
In this review, we’ll dissect every aspect—from specifications to real-world performance—to uncover whether the TK710STi is worth your investment.
If you are into high-end home theater, check out our Display and Audio Calibration Guides to maximize your experience.
Design and Build Quality: Portable and Practical, But Not Premium
The BenQ TK710STi sticks to BenQ’s signature compact design philosophy with dimensions of 11.98″ x 9.98″ x 4.43″ and a weight of 6.8 pounds. Its short-throw capability, which produces a 100-inch screen size from just 1.5 meters, makes it perfect for tight spaces or multi-purpose living rooms. The lightweight construction makes it travel-friendly, ideal for LAN parties, backyard movie nights, or quick setups.
While its practicality is commendable, the plasticky finish lacks the “premium” factor you might expect at this price point. The included remote functions well but is not backlit, which can be frustrating for dark-room use.
Key Features:
- Short Throw Projection: Enable a 150-inch image from 2.3 meters, giving flexibility in compact setups.
- Connectivity: Includes two HDMI 2.0b ports (one featuring eARC) and USB Type-A for power, perfect for streaming and audio setups.
- Ceiling-Mount Friendly: Vertical lens shift (10%) aids placement flexibility, though horizontal adjustments are missing, limiting install ease for imperfect placements.
Verdict:
The overall design is practical and streamlined, but some refinements to materials and the remote would elevate the user experience.
Picture Quality: Bright, Clear, and Ready for All Rooms
The BenQ TK710STi achieves its 4K UHD resolution through pixel-shifting DLP technology on a 0.65-inch DLP chip, delivering sharp visuals and precise detail. The brightness rating of 3,200 ANSI lumens stands out in ambient-light settings, making it ideal for living rooms where turning the lights off isn’t always feasible.
Strengths:
- Exceptional Brightness: The projector excels in moderately lit rooms, producing vivid and clear images even with ambient lighting—a point where many competitors stumble.
- Sharp 4K Projection: The larger 0.65-inch digital micromirror device (DMD) enables superior focus and image clarity compared to the more common 0.47-inch DLP chips at this price point.
- Color Accuracy (Post-Calibration): With 95% Rec.709 color coverage, the TK710STi achieves vibrant scenes suitable for movies and games.
- Shadow Detail: Thanks to a 600,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, the projector offers relatively fine detail in dark areas.
Weaknesses:
- HDR Limitations: Although the projector supports HDR10 and HLG, it struggles to produce deep blacks, with HDR highlights often appearing muted.
- Edge Focus Issues: Some users, like those who reviewed it on Amazon, noted that edge focus sharpness doesn’t quite match the projector’s crisp center.
Calibration Details:
Out-of-the-box, color reproduction leans red-heavy, especially using the Bright Mode. Calibrating the CINEMA mode results in much more natural whites and improved skin tones. After calibration:
- Grayscale error reduced to <1.9 DeltaE, achieving excellent accuracy.
- Full color sweeps measured at 2.9 DeltaE, which is great considering the projector’s relatively limited color gamut compared to higher-tier models.
- Best modes: Cinema Mode or HDR10-User Mode post-adjustments.
Competitor Comparison:
The Nomvdic P1000 offers sharper saturation thanks to its 125% Rec.709 coverage and RGB LED light source, but its lower brightness (2,300 ANSI lumens) limits its usability in brightly lit rooms where the TK710STi shines.
PRICE CHECK
Use the below links to check the most up-to-date product price.
| Retailers |
|---|
| Amazon.com |
| ProjectorScreen.com |
Gaming Performance: Uncompromised Speed and Fluidity
For gamers, the TK710STi stands as a benchmark of performance with 4ms input lag at 1080p 240Hz, guaranteeing ultra-smooth and responsive control. It supports 4K@60Hz for visually rich RPGs and single-player experiences while dropping latency to 8ms at 1080p 120Hz to cater to competitive FPS fans.
Why It Excels:
- 4K for Casual Players, 240Hz for Competitive Gamers: Offers next-to-zero input lag when performance counts or beautiful, rich visuals when immersion is the end goal.
- Dedicated FPS and RPG Modes: Tweaks light levels to enhance shadow detail and enemy visibility in darker game environments.
- Wide Compatibility: Works flawlessly with PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC systems across various resolutions.
Real-World Observations:
Some users, like “Colt” on Amazon, noted signal instability when HDMI switches were used, impacting streaming console setups. Connecting consoles directly improves reliability.
Sound Quality: Sufficient for Basics, Craving an Upgrade
The BenQ TK710STi’s 5W mono speaker is loud enough for casual use but fails to deliver the kind of immersive sound you’d expect for movies or gaming. Competitors like Nomvdic P1000 and ViewSonic X2-4K offer far superior sound systems with stereo imaging and Dolby Atmos compatibility built in.
Highlights:
- eARC Support: Enables true surround sound when paired with a Dolby Atmos compatible soundbar or AV receiver.
- Dedicated Sound Modes: FPS-specific sound tuning boosts gunfire and footsteps for competitive gaming.
What’s Missing:
A stereo speaker setup or better bass performance would significantly enhance the sheer scale provided by the visual experience.
PRICE CHECK
Use the below links to check the most up-to-date product price.
| Retailers |
|---|
| Amazon.com |
| ProjectorScreen.com |
Features and Convenience: Forward-Thinking Design With Caveats
The BenQ TK710STi features Android TV (via a bundled dongle), giving users access to apps like YouTube and streaming platforms. However, Netflix doesn’t work natively and requires third-party workarounds, which is unusual for a projector in this price range.
Setup-wise, the projector’s extra-wide keystone correction (+/- 30 degrees) simplifies placement, but relying on digital keystone instead of aligning the projector physically can negatively impact image sharpness.
Tips:
- Best setup: Avoid digital corrections where possible for optimal sharpness and uniformity.
- Consider HDMI streaming devices like Fire Stick or Roku for more seamless, Netflix-compatible interfaces.
Final Buyer Advice
Who Should Consider the TK710STi?
- Competitive Gamers: If input lag scares you, few projectors in this range perform better.
- Bright Room Use: Its superior brightness makes it the go-to short-throw projector for living rooms.
- Cinematic Enthusiasts on a Budget: While its HDR leaves room for improvement, the brilliant 4K resolution is hard to pass up at this price.
If you aren’t constrained by budget and need even better HDR performance, a projector like the Epson LS800 or a high-end OLED TV might suit cinephiles better.
The BenQ TK710STi achieves a fantastic balance between gaming immersion and everyday versatility, making it an excellent choice for hybrid users. Its focus on brightness, competitive latency, and short-throw precision solidify its position as one of the best gaming projectors of 2024.
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