Following up on its recent release of the W5800 4K UHD Laser Projector that is optimized for Home Theater, BenQ has announced two new projectors that are designed for home entertainment, with an emphasis on “causal” gaming, the TK710 and TK710STi.
Shared Features
Design: Both projectors look identical from the outside and incorporate most of the same features, but there is some variation.
4K UHD Resolution: The TK710 and TK720 STi incorporate a .47-inch 1080p resolution DLP imaging chip (aka DMD – Digital Micromirror Device) from Texas Instruments. The chip contains 2.1 million pixels (very tiny mirrors). However, to display 4K, 8.3 million pixels are required.
As a result, the pixels on the 1080p chip are shifted both vertically and horizontally at 240Hz (240 times per second). This is so fast it’s classified as a 4K image once displayed on the screen.
Light Output and Color: With 3200 ANSI lumens light output, these projectors support high brightness and contrast, 95% Rec.709, and HDR compatibility. Both projectors are easy to install and can be used in both light and dark rooms for enjoying movies and gaming.
Laser Lightsource: Continuing its move away from lamp-based light sources in projectors, BenQ has equipped the TK710 and TK710STi with laser light sources. This means that instead of periodically changing out a lamp every several thousand use hours, the laser source provides 20,000 hours of use life.
Input Lag: For an immersive gaming experience, the TK710 and TK710STi each have a low input lag of 16.7ms (4K@60Hz) and 4.2ms(1080p@240Hz), making both models ideal for gaming on the big screen.
Game Modes: In addition to low input lag, both projectors include PRG (Role Playing Game) and FPS (First Person Shooter) Game modes.
Projector-to-Screen Distance: The TK710 can project a 100-inch image at a projector-to-screen distance of 8.4 feet and 120 inches at 10 feet. The TK710STi, on the other hand, can project large images within a shorter distance (100 inches at 5 feet, and 120 inches at 6 feet).
Tech Note: Both projectors include Keystone correction to aid in correcting image geometry issues. The TK710 also includes Lens Shift, but the TK710STi does not.
BenQ TK710STi
For added viewing flexibility, the TK710STi also comes with a plug-in Android TV dongle (QS02) with Netflix for streaming capabilities.
Core features of the QS02 Dongle include:
- Powered by Android 11
- Compatible with 4K HDR streaming content (contingent on internet speed)
- Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and access to all the latest Android apps.
- Multi-platform wireless casting for Android, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows computer, or Chromebook
- Google Voice Search and Google Assistant support.
From Houston Wei, senior director of BenQ North America: “We recognize the need for dynamic, easy-to-use and versatile projectors,…With the TK710 and TK710STi, gamers and movie buffs can experience stunning imagery and fast-paced gaming in virtually any environment.
Comparison
| TK710 | TK710STi | |
| Price | $1,799 | $1,999 |
| Projection System | DLP | DLP |
| Light Source | Laser | Laser |
| Light Source Hours | 20,000 | 20,000 |
| Resolution (via Pixel Shift) | 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) | 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) |
| Light Output (ANSI Lumens) | 3200 | 3200 |
| Native Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | 16:9 |
| Contrast Ratio (Full On/Full Off) | 600,000:1 with Light Source Dimming | 600,000:1 with Light Source Dimming |
| Color Display | 30-bit (1.07 billion colors) | 30-bit (1.07 billion colors) |
| Throw Ratio | 1.15~1.5 | 0.69~0.83 |
| Zoom Ratio | 1.3x | 1.2x |
| Lens Specs | F / # = 2.48 ~ 2.78, f = 16.88~21.88 mm | F / # = 2.53~2.73, f = 10.2~12.24 mm |
| Projection Offset (Full Height) | 105% | 102.5% |
| Keystone Correction | Vertical ± 30 degrees; Horizontal ± 30 degrees; Rotation ± 30 degrees | Vertical ± 30 degrees; Horizontal ± 30 degrees; Rotation ± 30 degrees |
| Lens Shift | +10% | – |
| DCI-P3 Coverage | Not Provided | Not Provided |
| Rec 709 Coverage | 95% | 95% |
| Picture Modes | 3D, Bright, Cinema, HDR10, HLG, Living Room, RPG, User | 3D, Bright, Cinema, HDR10, HLG, Living Room, RPG, User |
| HDR Game Modes | FPS, HDR FPS, HDR RPG | FPS, HDR FPS, HDR RPG |
| Input Lag | 16.7 ms (1080P 60Hz) 16.7ms (2K 60Hz)*downscaling to 1080p 60Hz 16.7 ms (4K 60Hz) 4.2 ms (1080P 240Hz) 8.3 ms (1080P 120Hz) 8.3ms (2K 120Hz) *downscaling to 1080p 120Hz | 16.7 ms (1080P 60Hz) 16.7ms (2K 60Hz)*downscaling to 1080p 60Hz 16.7 ms (4K 60Hz) 4.2 ms (1080P 240Hz) 8.3 ms (1080P 120Hz) 8.3ms (2K 120Hz) *downscaling to 1080p 120Hz |
| HDMI Input | 2 x HDMI 2.0b/HDCP 2.2 | 2 x HDMI 2.0b/HDCP 2.2 |
| USB Type A | USB Type A-1 (2.0/Power Supply1.5A/Service) | USB Type A-1(2.0/Power Supply1.5A/Service) |
| RS232 | DB-9pin x1 | DB-9pin x1 |
| Speaker | 1 x 5W | 1 x 5W |
| Android TV Streaming | – | Yes – Via Included QS02 Plug-in Dongle |
| Licensed Netflix | – | Yes |
| HDMI ARC/eARC | Yes, Dolby Atmos | Yes, Dolby Atmos |
| Digital Optical (S/PDIF) | – | – |
| Audio Out (Analog) | (3.5mm Mini Jack)(x1) | (3.5mm Mini Jack)(x1) |
| Operating Temperature | 0~40℃ | 0~40℃ |
| Power Supply | AC 100 to 240 V, 50/60 Hz | AC 100 to 240 V, 50/60 Hz |
| Typical Power Consumption (110V) | 275 W (Max); < 0.5 W (Standby) | 275 W (Max); < 0.5 W (Standby) |
| Standby Power Consumption | <0.5W | <0.5W |
| Acoustic Noise | Typical 31dB, ECO 28 dB | Typical 31dB, ECO 28 dB |
| Dimension (WDH – mm) | 304.2 x 232.5 x 112.4 | 304.2 x 232.5 x 112.4 |
| Dimension (WDH – inches) | 12 x 9.2 x 4.4 | 12 x 9.2 x 4.4 |
| Net Weight (kg) | 3.0 Kg +/- 100g | 3.0 Kg +/- 100g |
| Net Weight (lbs) | 6 lbs 10 oz | 6 lbs 10 oz |
| Included Accessories | Remote Control w/ Battery(RCV013) Power Cord (by region)x1 (1.8M) Quick Start Guide(x1) 21L Warranty Card (by region) | Android TV dongle (QS02) Remote Control w/ Battery(RCI074) Power Cord (by region)x1 (1.8M) Quick Start Guide(x1) 21L Warranty Card (by region) |
Initial Impressions
The BenQ TK710 and TK710STi are designed to provide an overall home entertainment experience for games, movies and shows. With their high light output they can be placed in both dark and semi-lit rooms, and also be used outside for those warm summer movie nights.
Thanks to their low input lag they should be suitable for “casual” gaming. Oddly neither projector supports HDMI 2.1, which would offer even better compatibility for serious gamers. Instead, each projector only supports HDMI 2.0b, which is probably why BenQ labels them as projectors for “casual gamers”.
The two projectors are identical in appearance and share features with the following exceptions: The TK71OSTi comes with a streaming dongle which expands its home entertainment capabilities and can be placed closer to the screen for large images than the TK710. On the other hand, the TK710 does include Lens Shift which is a practical placement setup tool.
If you’re looking for an all-around home entertainment and gaming projector, the TK710STi might be the better bet out of the box.
Pricing and Availability
- BenQ TK710: $1,799 at Amazon
- BenQ TK710STi: $1,999 at Amazon
Tip: These new models replace BenQ’s TK700 and TK700STi gaming projectors which use a lamp source instead of laser. Although specifications of the older models are very similar, the new laser projectors will last 10 times as long (20,000 hours vs. 2,000 hours) before needing replacement.
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