Specs and Image Quality
The world of projectors and especially gaming projectors, is a fickle one, to say the least. For over two decades I’ve been dabbling in different sizes, resolutions, bulb types, etc trying to mix the best of gaming, media, and cinema with overall mixed results. It’s been a few years since I’ve really given one a serious spin and with the BenQ TK710STi in my grubby little hands, testing it has been pure joy, to say the least.
Before we get too deep, let’s take a look at the extensive and impressive specs:
$1,999 MSRP
Single Chip 0.65" DLP Texas Instruments DMD with XPR
Blue laser phosphor light source rated for up to 20,000 hours of light source life
BenQ color allows the projector to display 84% DCI-P3 and 95% of the Rec.709 color space
4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160p) displayed resolution
Advanced color temperature tuning with various levels of white balance controls
3,200 ANSI lumens manufacturer-rated brightness
600,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio with light source dimming
5-watt (mono) treVolo tuned sound with a custom-designed speaker chamber
HDR10 and HLG support
HDMI 2.0b (HDCP 2.2)
1.3X optical zoom
Wireless Projection
3D horizontal and vertical keystone adjustment with rotation (Vertical ± 30 degrees; Horizontal ± 30 degrees, Rotation ± 30 degrees)
RS-232 control port
Dimensions (WxDxH) 11.9" x 9.1" x 4.4" (304.2 x 232.5 x 112.4 mm)
Weight 6.6 lbs (3.0 kg)
An impressive list of features and ones that I was willing to run through the gauntlet of test games, movies, and media that I was so excited to run through the paces. Overall, I can say that this projector not only had me excited as I churned through the content, but rather it was an absolute thrill to test. With absolutely stunning 4K image quality, motion stability, and impressive brightness, contrast, and HDR, most items I tested as drop-dead gorgeous.
With Blue Planet II on 4K Blu-ray, the seas shimmered and deep detail was present in every turtle, fish, and sea creature was sublime. Also, testing with the latest PlayStation 5 Pro model, Demon’s Souls PS5 Pro mode absolutely shone with fluid motion and incredible depth and contrast. No matter whether playing fast-paced FPS titles or slower RPGs, it all was a blast and detail was gorgeous even up to 100” screen size.
Gaming
As mentioned before, a lot of projectors either have issues with HDR, motion stability, and/or input lag. It truly handled everything I threw at it, especially on the PS5 Pro, with absolute ease. Games that I hadn’t played in a while had a whole new life breathed into them.
I’m pleased to say that the BenQ TK710STi is one of the smoothest, feature-rich and actually, it’s the best gaming projector I’ve ever tested. Nuff said.
Feedback and Verdict
Knocking a bit of the score would be the insanely overpriced Android TV component ($200?!) of this model in particular. Luckily you can get the next model in line that doesn’t include that module if you pair it with a Roku or other streaming device. I realize it’s handy to have it on board but not that at price IMHO. Otherwise, the only other downside I can see is the price but you may be able to find a Black Friday deal somewhere to help ease that pain.
In the end, the BenQ TK710STi is overall the best gaming projector I’ve ever had the joy of testing and handles movies and other entertainment with ease as well. It’s a beautiful time to be alive folks and the TK710STi is just further proof of that.
