BenQ TK800 4K Projector Review

0 Mixed Usages
Release year: 2018 Rating: 4.1

The BenQ TK800 is a 4K projector that promises a high-quality viewing experience, and I got the chance to use it for a few months in different settings. If you’re someone who loves movie nights, sports events, or casual gaming, and you have a medium to large-sized living room or backyard, this might be the projector for you. It’s bright, easy to set up, and delivers stunning visuals.

Our Verdict

The BenQ TK800 is a solid 4K projector with a lot going for it—vivid visuals, portability, and ease of setup. It’s great for occasional use, especially in outdoor or well-lit environments. However, it’s not perfect. The lack of wireless connectivity and average contrast hold it back from being exceptional. For the price, it’s a good pick, but it’s not for everyone. If you’re someone who can work around its quirks, it’ll serve you well. Otherwise, consider what features matter most to you before diving in.

PROS
  1. Bright 3000 lumens display.

  2. Stunning 4K resolution quality.

  3. Compact and portable design.

  4. Easy and quick setup.

  5. Great for outdoor viewing.

  6. Compatible with many devices.

  7. Vivid, colorful image output.

  8. Keystone correction is handy.

CONS
  1. Noticeable input lag.

  2. Average contrast in dark scenes.

  3. No wireless connectivity options.

Where to buy

Specification

GENERAL

Projector Type DLP
Screen Size 60" to 200"
Brightness 3000 ANSI Lumens
Contrast 10,000:1
Resolution 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Throw Ratio 1.47 - 1.76

IMAGE QUALITY

Resolution 4K 3840x2160 (UHD)
Brightness 2000-4000 lumens
Contrast 10000-20000: 1
Aspect Ratio 16:9
Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy No
Post-Calibration Color Accuracy No
Color Gamut Rec. 709 Coverage: 96%
Picture Mode Bright (or Dynamic) , Cinema (or Movie) , Vivid , Sports , HDR , User (Custom) , 3D Mode
Picture-in-Picture

PROJECTION TECHNOLOGY

Illumination Technology Lamp (Bulb)
Display Technology DLP
Geometric Correction Yes
Edge Blending N/A
DICOM N/A
Frame Interpolation N/A
Anamorphic Ready N/A

THROW DISTANCE AND SCREEN SIZE

Throw Ratio Standard Throw
Screen Size Range 60” to 200”
Projection Distance 3.25 meters
Optional Lenses N/A
Vertical Lens Shift N/A
Horizontal Lens Shift N/A
Lens Memory N/A
Zoom Ratio 1.2x
Power Zoom N/A
Power Focus N/A
24/7 Duty Cycle N/A

THROW DISTANCE AND SCREEN SIZE

Throw Ratio 1.47 - 1.76
Screen Size Range 60” to 200”
Projection Distance 3.25 meters
Optional Lenses No
Vertical Lens Shift No
Horizontal Lens Shift No
Lens Memory N/A
Zoom Ratio 1.2x
Power Zoom N/A
Power Focus N/A

SMART FEATURES

Wireless Screen Mirroring
Wireless Casting
Streaming Apps Built-in no
Voice Control
Smart Calibration N/A
Auto Keystone Yes
Smart OS N/A
Automatic Lens Cover N/A
Ambient Light Sensor N/A
Dynamic Image Adjustment ( N/A
User Profiles/Personalized Settings Yes
Crestron RoomView N/A
Close-Captioning N/A
Parental Controls N/A
Customizable Home Screen N/A
CEDIA N/A

AUDIO

Built-in Speakers Yes
Audio Power 5W
Speaker Type Chamber speaker
Sound Modes No
Dolby Audio Support No
Dolby Digital N/A
Dolby Digital Plus N/A
Dolby Atmos N/A
DTS Audio Support N/A
DTS-HD Master Audio N/A
Audio Formats Supported
Audio Enhancements
Auto Audio Sync N/A
Dynamic Range Compression N/A
Loudness Equalization N/A

PERFORMANCE

Input Lag < 50ms
Refresh Rate
Frame Rate
Eco Mode Yes
Full Power Mode Yes
Standby Mode Yes
Manual Keystone Adjustment Yes
Auto Keystone Yes
4-Point Keystone N/A
Keystone Vertical (Keystone Vert) Yes
Keystone Vertical + Horizontal (Keystone V+H) N/A

CONNECTIVITY OPTIONS

Bluetooth N/A
Bluetooth Audio Support N/A
HDMI Yes
HDMI (MHL) N/A
HDMI (HDCP 2.2) Yes
HDMI (HDCP 2.3) N/A
HDMI 2.1 N/A
USB-C N/A
USB-A Yes
VGA Yes
USB Media Player N/A
Ethernet N/A
DVI N/A
SD Card Slot N/A
Optical Audio Output N/A
Wi-Fi N/A
Wi-Fi Direct N/A
Wi-Fi Connectivity N/A
RS232 (Control Port) Yes
3.5mm Audio Out Yes
3.5mm Audio In Yes
Multi-Room Audio Support N/A
RCA Composite Video N/A
Component Video (YPbPr) N/A
S-Video N/A
12V Trigger Yes
Microphone Input N/A
HDBase T N/A
3-RCA Component N/A
3-BNC Component N/A
5-BNC RGBHV, Comp N/A
Microphone Input N/A

BUILD

Screen Size 201.13
Dimension 5.31" x 13.90" x 10.71"
Weight 4.2 kg
Lamp Life Normal 4000 hours Economic 10000 hours SmartEco 8000 hours
Cooling System Yes
Dust-Proof Design N/A
Shock Resistance N/A
High MTBF N/A
Warranty 3 years

RATING:

Video 3.54
Connectivity 2.92
Audio 3.39
Where to buy

Details Review

Design

The BenQ TK800's elegant and contemporary appearance caught me first when I unpackled it. Not one of those big projectors you should conceal in a cupboard. Its fashionable appearance comes from its small scale and bright blue front. It looked fantastic hanging on the ceiling, but I kept it on a shelf.

Still, the construction seems to be plasticky. Though it doesn't flimsy either, it does not scream "premium". I would be cautious of unintentional bumps even if the light weight design made it portable and simple to tote to a friend's home for movie night. The lens is only slightly exposed; a good addition to keep it covered throughout transit would have been a lens cap.

The fan noise caught me also as something noteworthy. You will sense it, particularly if you are seated near the projector, during calm parts in a film. Though not intolerable, it is there. On well-ventilated rooms, nevertheless, it is less obvious.

Connectivity

Depending on your intended purpose, the BenQ TK800 excels or falls in this regard. The projector presents VGA, USB, audio out, and HDMI ports. The HDMI is the primary draw for most consumers. Everything ran well when I hooked in my laptop, game console, even a streaming stick.

Watching Netflix on my Fire Stick was flawless, and the HDMI handled 4K material well as well. I also linked up a PlayStation 5; while the images were amazing, there was clearly input latency. While casual gaming like role-playing was good, the delay annoyed fast-paced shooters.

A drawback is not built-in Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Having to depend only on physical connections seemed restricting; I am accustomed to projectors that can wirelessly link to a phone or laptop. To get around this, I had to buy a wireless HDMI transmitter—a nuisance and additional cost. If you are tech-savvy, you can handle; if not, it might seem like a hurdle.

Performance

The TK800 strives to defend its cost by performance. As quoted is the 4K resolution. Seeing movies on this projector was an event in itself. Projecting onto a big screen, I set up a movie night in my garden where the colors exploded. The 3000 lumens of brightness maintained the images clear even in a quite dark setting. For sports specifically, it's really fantastic. Seeing a live football game seems like entering a small theater.

Having said that, the contrast ratio is somewhat uneven. Scenes in films like "The Batman" with darkness seemed less intense than they might. The black appears more like dark grays, which somewhat lessens the immersion. On the other hand, animated movies or romantic comedies were a delight to see. They were brilliant and vibrant.

Though the sound is not particularly noteworthy, the built-in speaker is loud enough for a small to medium space. It will do for casual watching; nevertheless, you will want to connect with outside speakers if you want to see a blockbuster or engage in gameplay. It made a world of difference when I hooked a soundbar.

Playing games on the TK800 was mostly decent. For rapid games, as was already said, the input latency might be unpleasant; yet, the vivid images help to somewhat offset this. Playing "God of War" let me appreciate the color richness and minute nuances. But in competitive games like "Call of Duty," I discovered I was returning to my TV for improved reaction time.

Where and When to Use

The TK800 surprised me as rather flexible. Movie evenings, sporting activities, and casual gaming all fit this well. As long as you are not in direct sunlight, the brightness makes it usable throughout the day. It worked well in my living room when the curtains were closed. This is great for outdoor configurations. Just be sure you have a suitable screen on which to project and a steady power supply.

Unless you are displaying high-quality images, presentations or office usage calls for a little overkill. However, if you want anything that doubles as an entertainment center, you make a wise decision.

Compatible Devices

Most current gadgets run the TK800. I ran it on a laptop, Fire Stick, PlayStation 5, and even my smartphone (with an adapter). Connecting is easy; switching between devices is hassle-free. As I pointed out, however, one drawback is the absence of wireless access. You will need an additional gadget or adapter if you depend mostly on streaming from your phone or tablet.

Ease of Use

Configuring the TK800 was a walk-through. Out of the box, I needed around ten minutes to get everything operating. Simple to operate are the manual focus and zoom changes. Though rudimentary, the remote control is useful. The on-screen menu is simple, so I didn't have to search among many choices to get what I required.

If your projector isn't quite aligned with the screen, Keystone correction is useful. It worked well to correct the picture in a couple of unusual configurations. If you move the projector around often, however, having to manually change the settings every time might get taxing.

The quick power-on and power-off really liked. There is less waiting so you can start gaming or viewing right away without hassles. The projector does, however, heat really rapidly. It felt warm to the touch after two hours of movie, hence make sure there is enough airflow around it.

Cost

The BenQ TK800 is not low-cost. Although its price range offers remarkable images and adaptability, it is not without concessions. The absence of wireless capabilities and the typical contrast ratio seem like lost chances. If you're on a budget, you could find greater value in other projectors; nevertheless, for 4K aficionados seeking brightness and mobility, it's worth giving some thought.

 

 

Where to buy

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