When it involves huge display leisure, nothing delivers extra bang in your buck than a projector. Unfortunately, although, most individuals have not adopted projectors fairly in the identical approach that they’ve with TVs – whether or not that is as a result of they’re scared about setup, involved about efficiency or apprehensive about value.Thankfully, it doesn’t should be like that. The BenQ TK800 is a superb instance of the shape issue that delivers huge display motion for these on a finances, producing a picture as much as 300” in dimension that it is as simple to setup as pointing it at a white wall. All you want is a soundbar for the audio and also you’re good to go.A big display TV can price significantly extra, and nonetheless received’t be able to a picture as massive as that produced by a projector. But the TK800 can do greater than merely ship a 4K picture: it additionally helps High Dynamic Range, making it perfect for a film session, immersive gaming, and even watching the massive match. Can BenQ substitute the big-screen TV? For some people, completely.DesignIn phrases of design, the BenQ TK800 seems like a typical single-chip DLP projector, with a lens off-set to the suitable as you face the entrance, and an air vent over on the left. The chassis consists of hardened plastic, and it feels solidly constructed: which means you possibly can transfer it round with out worrying that it’s going to all of the sudden disintegrate. The unit is white, with an aqua blue end to the entrance that makes the TK800 extra eye-catching than a lot of the competitors.There’s a distant sensor to the suitable of the lens, and above it’s a recessed space the place you’ll discover handbook zoom and focus controls. There’s no lens shift, however there may be an extendable foot on the entrance of the projector, in the direction of the underside. This lets you regulate the peak of the picture, though this will introduce keystone distortions. Thankfully the TK800 has auto-correction, making it simple to put in and permitting for a fast arrange everytime you fancy some huge display motion.There’s a typical set of connections on the rear, that features two HDMI inputs: the primary is HDCP 2.2 compliant and needs to be used for any 4K/HDR sources, whereas the second is HDCP 1.4 and can be utilized for top definition. There’s additionally a PC/VGA enter, an analogue audio out and in, a 12V set off, an RS232 serial connector, and two USB ports. In the case of the latter, the primary is for service updates, whereas the second can be utilized to energy different units.There are some primary controls on a panel on the high rear of the projector, however the principle methodology of organising and working the TK800 is the included distant. This small white controller is nicely made, sensibly laid out, and crucially it has a backlight which implies you should use it in the dead of night. All the principle buttons are inside simple attain of your thumb, and total this can be a very efficient distant.OptionsThe major promoting level of the BenQ TK800 is that it helps 4K and whereas that is true, it’s price stating that the projector’s DLP chip isn’t 3840×2160 pixels. It makes use of XPR expertise, which primarily takes a 1920×1080 pixel DLP chip and flashes the picture 4 instances in extremely quick succession to create a picture with a perceived decision of over eight million pixels. Amazingly this truly works, and even with take a look at patterns the pictures seem like 4K by way of decision.The TK800 has an optical system designed for 4K decision, which implies it makes use of high-grade glass for superior picture high quality. A precision seven-element, four-group lens array permits for larger mild penetration at larger resolutions, and a low-dispersion lens coating minimizes chromatic aberrations and permits for improved readability.The sharpness of the picture is undoubtedly helped by the only chip nature of this projector, which implies there are not one of the alignment points discovered on three-chip machines. However that does imply that the TK800 has to make use of a colour wheel, and this can lead to rainbows for sure people who find themselves prone to the impact.It additionally signifies that the colour vary of the TK800 received’t be as extensive as projectors that don’t require a colour wheel. However BenQ’s progressive new 4K colour wheel is designed to ship 92% of the Rec.709 colour house with improved precision. In addition the projector’s 120 Hz refresh fee is meant to eradicate picture blur, and in consequence photos are each correct and shiny.The TK800 is definitely shiny, with BenQ claiming the projector can ship a most of 3000 lumens. That makes it perfect for rooms with white partitions or a variety of ambient mild, permitting you to ask your pals round for the massive recreation with out having to fret about plunging the lounge into pitch blackness in an effort to see the projected picture.The different huge characteristic is assist for High Dynamic Range, particularly HDR10. Thanks to BenQ’s Auto HDR Colour Rendition expertise, the TK800 can ship HDR with larger brightness and distinction vary than SDR. There are additionally picture optimisation options designed to carry out all of the element in a 4K supply.In recognition of the TK800’s goal market, BenQ has included recreation and soccer image modes. The former is unquestionably helpful, lowering the enter lag and delivering a extra responsive gaming expertise. The latter is much less profitable, boosting the colors and the processing, leading to a picture that seems too synthetic.Finally there are audio system and 5W of amplification constructed into the TK800, however we’d positively suggest utilizing a soundbar or higher nonetheless an AV receiver and speaker package deal, to make sure you have an enormous soundstage to go along with your equally huge picture.EfficiencyThe very first thing we seen when watching 4K content material on the BenQ TK800 was how a lot element there was within the picture. The projector is likely to be making use of some visible trickery to get the perceived decision as much as the required eight million pixels, nevertheless it positively works. If we placed on the Ultra HD Blu-ray of The Revenant, the picture was extremely detailed and the brightness actually lent itself to the snowy landscapes.An excellent 4K disc like Planet Earth II was equally as spectacular, bursting with effective element, shiny highlights, and pure colours. We might inform from testing the TK800 that the colour wheel did restrict the vary of colours that it might ship, however BenQ have carried out a superb job of mapping HDR content material to the projector’s native capabilities. Stick on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2, and the movie’s riot of colour is nicely represented.It would not harm that the projector is de facto shiny, which signifies that even with SDR content material it might ship photos which have real impression, even in less-than-ideal situations. As such you should use the TK800 in a room with white partitions or huge home windows, and nonetheless take pleasure in an enormous projected picture.In reality we’d go so far as to say that the BenQ is greatest suited to rooms with mild coloured partitions as a result of after we truly put in the projector in our devoted residence cinema, issues with mild spill had been extra apparent. There was mild from the bulb escaping by means of the air vents within the chassis, and we might now see a lighter space across the edges of picture.The one space the place DLP struggles is by way of black ranges and shadow element, each of that are poor. The blacks had been extra of a darkish gray, whereas there was little element within the shadows. However provided that the TK800 is greatest suited to rooms with a variety of ambient mild, these explicit points shall be much less noticeable.What what you’re extra more likely to discover is the fan noise which, when mixed with the sound of the color wheel whizzing round, can get fairly loud. There’s no approach round this: the brighter the bulb, the extra warmth it produces, and the extra cooling is required.The TK800 has audio system built-in however they’re woefully insufficient, particularly when you think about the fan noise. Let’s be trustworthy: in case you’re projecting an enormous Hollywood blockbuster like Guardians of the Galaxy then you definately need an equally huge sound to go along with it. So we’d suggest investing in a superb soundbar just like the Samsung HW-N950, which may ship an immersive audio expertise worthy of the massive display.The Optoma UHD60 is comparable in efficiency, however considerably completely different in value.Other projectors to ponder…The finances finish of the projector market is extremely aggressive, with single-chip DLP machines obtainable from the likes of Optoma, Vivitech, and others. These all are likely to look very comparable with nearly similar options, however regardless of this the BenQ TK800 affords rather a lot for simply $1,249 (£999, AU$1,989), making it exhausting to beat.The Vivitek HK2288 is an instance of a single-chip DLP projector that provides an identical design and an nearly similar set of options. However it makes use of a bigger imaging chip for a barely higher 4K expertise, but in addition prices extra, which supplies you an thought of the competitiveness of the TK800.Another different is the Optoma UHD60 which, like thBenQ, makes use of the identical strategy to create its 4K photos and likewise helps HDR. This single-chip DLP projector boasts nearly precisely the identical options because the TK800 however far more costly, thus proving as soon as once more that the BenQ actually is a superb worth proposition.VerdictThe BenQ TK800 is well-made, has all of the connections you’ll want, and sports activities a strong set of options. It’s simple to arrange and easy to function, making it perfect for periodic use. You’ll get one of the best picture utilizing an precise display, however a white wall will suffice.Despite not truly utilizing a local 4K panel it’s nonetheless able to extremely detailed photos, and can also be very shiny – making it excellent for lower than perfect situations corresponding to a room with white partitions or huge home windows. Also anticipate glorious movement dealing with, which is nice for gaming, and it has a low enter lag which can also be excellent news for avid gamers. (The BenQ even helps 3D, though you have to to purchase the glasses individually.) On the debit aspect, the black stage and the shadow element are each poor, however that shall be much less of a problem in a room with ambient mild. The TK800 additionally makes use of a colour wheel, which restricts its vary of colours, particularly the place HDR is worried. It additionally signifies that sure folks will see ‘rainbows’, however that’s only a limitation of single-chip DLP projectors. On high of all that, it is fairly noisy because of each the colour wheel and a fan, though the latter is important given the quantity of warmth generated by the brilliant bulb.Despite a couple of damaging attributes, the BenQ TK800 is a cracking projector that delivers satisfying huge display motion for these on a restricted finances.
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