BenQ TK800M Projector Review

0 Mixed Usages
Release year: 2019 Rating: 4.2


Anyone who likes vivid images and sharp details would find the BenQ TK800M an ideal match, particularly in medium to large living areas. This projector excels in providing 4K quality and great brightness whether you are arranging outdoor movie evenings or a dedicated home theater. It is not for everyone, however; it may not fit individuals with smaller spaces or those requiring flawless wireless streaming. Still, for consumers trying to improve their entertainment arrangements without straying into ultra-premium land, it's a convincing choice.

Our Verdict

 

The TK800M masters the fundamentals: excellent 4K resolution, vivid brightness, and solid connection. For bigger areas and laid-back entertainment, it's great; yet, it suffers with dark levels, input latency, and limited wifi choices. This is a wonderful choice if you're willing to ignore a few eccentricities and make some additional investments. It may not satisfy demanding users, but for the price, it's difficult to surpass.

 

PROS
  1. Bright and vibrant visuals
  2. True 4K UHD resolution
  3. HDR support enhances detail
  4. Low input lag gaming
  5. Sharp image clarity overall
  6. Long lamp life, economical
  7. Flexible setup and placement
  8. Good value for price

 

CONS
  • Limited black level depth
  • Noticeable fan noise
  • Lacks lens shift options
Where to buy

Specification

GENERAL

Projector Type DLP
Screen Size 30 to 300 inches
Brightness 3000 ANSI lumens
Contrast 10,000:1
Resolution 4K UHD (3840×2160)
Throw Ratio 1.50 to 1.65

IMAGE QUALITY

Resolution 4K 3840x2400 (UHD)
Brightness 2000-4000 lumens
Contrast 10000-20000: 1
Aspect Ratio 16:9
Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy
Post-Calibration Color Accuracy
Color Gamut 96% Rec. 709 coverage
Picture Mode Bright (or Dynamic) , Cinema (or Movie) , Vivid , Sports , HDR , User (Custom) , HDR10 , HLG , 3D Mode
Picture-in-Picture N/A

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 30–300 inches
Projection Distance 3.28 ft to 23.29 ft
Optional Lenses N/A
Vertical Lens Shift Yes
Horizontal Lens Shift N/A
Lens Memory N/A
Zoom Ratio
Power Zoom N/A
Power Focus N/A
24/7 Duty Cycle N/A

THROW DISTANCE AND SCREEN SIZE

Throw Ratio 1.5–1.65:1
Screen Size Range 30–300 inches
Projection Distance 3.28 ft to 23.29 ft
Optional Lenses No
Vertical Lens Shift Vertical ±10%
Horizontal Lens Shift No
Lens Memory N/A
Zoom Ratio 1.1x
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 Yes
Parental Controls N/A
Customizable Home Screen N/A
CEDIA N/A

AUDIO

Built-in Speakers Yes
Audio Power 5W Mono
Speaker Type Mono
Sound Modes Cinema, Game, Music, Sports, Football
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 Equalizer Setting
Auto Audio Sync N/A
Dynamic Range Compression N/A
Loudness Equalization N/A

PERFORMANCE

Input Lag < 50ms
Refresh Rate 60Hz
Frame Rate 60Hz
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 300.75
Dimension 13.9 x 5.31 x 10.71
Weight 4.2 kg / 9.2 lbs
Lamp Life Normal 4,000 hours SmartEco 8,000 hours Economic 10,000 hours LampSave 15,000 hours Optical
Cooling System Yes
Dust-Proof Design N/A
Shock Resistance N/A
High MTBF N/A
Warranty 1 year

RATING:

Video 4.17
Connectivity 3
Audio 3.5
Where to buy

Details Review

 

Design

The TK800M's elegant, contemporary form will initially catch your attention. Its sleek white-and-blue color combination looks fantastic in any environment—from a living room to a home theater to even a workplace. Though tiny enough to fit on a little table, it is robust enough to feel expensive.

Still, the architecture has some eccentricities. Because the ports are toward the rear, you must carefully consider cable management—especially if you are permanently putting it up. One user complained that connecting everything in a small area—especially when mounting it on the ceiling—was challenging. Another pointed out that, in smaller spaces, the fan vents may blast warm air over adjacent surfaces, which would not be desirable.

Positively, the lens is very recessed, which shields it from inadvertent scratches. Though they click satisfactorily and are simple to push, the buttons on top seem a little antiquated when compared to touch-sensitive controls on more recent versions.

Connectivity

The TK800M attempts to excel in connectivity, yet its performance is somewhat inconsistent. Its two HDMI connections are fantastic for those who wish to connect multiple gadgets, such as a game console and a streaming stick. Older laptops include a VGA port, and there's also a USB-A connector to run gadgets like Chromecast.

One customer related their family movie night experience with it. They plugged in a Fire TV Stick, and the configuration came easily. The picture came out crisp, and streaming was not delayed. Conversely, a player reported that, particularly in fast-paced games, they saw considerable input latency while linking their PS5. Although recreational gaming is not a deal-breaker, if you play competitively, you should take this into thought.

For some, a big drawback is no built-in Wi-Fi. Wireless streaming calls for an external gadget such as a Chromecast or Roku. The 3.5mm connector and S/PDIF optical output are useful for audio; one user complained about Bluetooth not being available for wireless speaker connection. Not exactly handy, they finally ran a lengthy audio wire across the room.

Performance

Any projector's performance is its lifeblood, and the TK800M generally provides. The visual quality is amazing with 4K UHD resolution and HDR10 capability. One user said that seeing wildlife documentaries is "like having a window to the world." Thanks to its 3,000 ANSI lumens brightness, the colors are vivid, and even in well-lit settings, the details are clear.

Said otherwise, it is not flawless. While the specialized Sports Mode improves colors and motion, a sports enthusiast noted that the image may sometimes seem too saturated. The dark levels raise yet another problem. The elements in dark scenes may vanish, which would disturb those who watch a lot of movies late at night.

Though not spectacular, the built-in speaker is really good. It lacks bass yet is loud enough for a small space. While hosting a garden movie night, a user said they had to connect outside speakers to get a cinematic experience. Still, another issue is the fan noise. Though it's not very loud, it's clear, particularly in movie quiet periods.

Though not remarkable, gaming performance is good. Although the projector supports 4K, its limit at 60Hz may not please players who are used to greater refresh rates. One player said the input latency makes first-person shooters less suitable but perfect for recreational role-playing or strategy games.

Where and When to Use

The TK800M is flexible enough for many environments. Perfect for family movie evenings, game sessions, or even business presentations is it? One customer was delighted with the immersive experience after setting it up in their basement home theater. Another used it for outdoor movie evenings; the strong output performed well even with some ambient illumination.

For quite tiny rooms or limited space, nevertheless, it is not the greatest option. The throw distance calls for some forethought, and without lens shift you will have to place it precisely. A few people also pointed out that its size and need for outside devices for streaming make it not the most portable choice.

Compatible Devices

The projector performs satisfactorily with a variety of devices. Users have linked game consoles, computers, streaming sticks, and ancient DVD players with success. Although it's restricted to 1.5A, the USB-A port is a great addition for running low-power-consuming devices.

One customer linked his Nintendo Switch and found the vivid colors and flawless performance to be impressive. Another linked it up to a MacBook for presentations and loved the clear text and finely defined photos. A user with a soundbar, however, found it difficult to synchronize the audio, which called for some configuration tweaking.

Ease of Use

Although setting up the TK800M is not totally hassle-free, it is really easy. The on-screen menu has many customizing choices and is easy to use. One customer said they enjoyed adjusting the visual settings to get the ideal balance for varying materials.

Still, the absence of lens shift and limited zoom may complicate positioning. Mounted on the ceiling, a user said it needed many tweaks to properly position the picture. The remote control, without a backlight, presents another problem. In dark environments, this may be frustrating; one user discovered this during a late-night movie viewing.

The light life is good—up to 10,000 hours in Eco Mode. One everyday user for more than a year claimed not to have seen any notable fading. Although individuals who use it in less-than-ideal surroundings may benefit from the dust-proof construction, frequent vent cleaning is still advised.

Cost

At its price point, the TK800M offers good value for money. It's more reasonably priced than many other 4K projectors, which opens a larger market. For casual use specifically, one user said it was the greatest bang for their money. Others, however, thought that the extra expenses for streaming devices and outside speakers came out to be too high.

 

Where to buy

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