BenQ is releasing a relatively affordable 4K projector that is targeted towards those who enjoy watching sports matches in large groups. The BenQ Home Entertainment DLP projector will deliver true 4K resolutions with projector-optimised HDR for enhanced brightness and contrast. It has various built-in modes for adjusting the viewing experience for different types of content. These include a ‘Football’ and a ‘Sports’ mode that promises to “fully capture the excitement and thrill of watching live sports.”

Pricing and Availability

Just a few months ago BenQ came out with the CineHome HT3550 4K projector that was also meant to be an affordable 4K projector. This projector released with a price tag of $1,499 (Rs.97,500 approx.). BenQ is releasing the TK800 4K projector as a follow up to the former, and it will be available for the exact same price. The global release date of the projector has been given as April of this year.

Specifications and Features

The TK800 projector is said to produce lifelike video with 8.3 million distinct pixels. It has a projector-optimised High Dynamic Range (HDR) support in addition to its true 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution output. The projector boasts one-step image optimisation along with automatic HDR natural colour rendition. This projector utilises the similar 0.47-inch single-DMD DLP (Digital Light Processing) technology for its projection system as the previously released HT3550.

The HT3550 is more of a home theatre-centric projector which works best in a darkened room. On the other hand, the TK800 is designed for home entertainment viewing, more specifically for watching sports in a well-lit room. This is made possible by a new 4K RGBW colour wheel that can achieve 92 percent of Rec. 709 colour gamut with 3,000-lumen high brightness compared to the 2,200-lumen output of the HT3550. According to BenQ, “The result is awe-inspiring projected picture quality in bright environments with ambient lighting, such as living rooms and backyard parties.”

The TK800 uses a ‘precision 7-element 4-group lens array’ optical system that can allow for greater light penetration and minimise chromatic aberration. The company says that with its DLP technology, the TK800 can reproduce razor-sharp images while generating accurate colours and immaculate clarity. The projector even supports refresh rates of up to 120Hz for a smooth and blur-free viewing experience. As for power consumption, the projector features BenQ SmartEco technology that automatically adjusts lamp brightness to project richer blacks and increase image contrast. There is an Economic mode that will ensure the projector’s lamp life up to 10,000 hours that will help minimise lamp replacements and reduce overall maintenance costs.

BenQ is emphasising live sports as the main selling point of this projector. There are two modes in the TK800 that are “dedicated to showcase a beautiful game.” The first is a ‘Football Mode’ which will specifically “preserve lifelike skin tones and lush green grass for stunning larger than life big-screen projection of every second of the match.” The second is simply named the ‘Sport Mode’ that will render “realistic skin shades, warm wood tones, and vivid reds with balanced green and blue for stunning big-screen projection of fast-paced indoor sports action on wooden courts.”

This projector offers an upgraded sound system which also comes with various custom-tuned sound modes. BenQ uses its CinemaMaster Audio+ 2 technology that consists of a 5-watt speaker housed in a resonant sound chamber. The previously mentioned ‘Football Mode’ has an equivalent sound mode that will enhance the vocals and other details from open-air stadiums. Similarly, the ‘Sport Mode’ will enhance mids and vocals for clearer indoor arena acoustics. Other sound modes include a ‘Cinema Mode’ which will enhance highs and bass and a ‘Music Mode’ that will balance the sound profile for accurate live concert acoustics. There is a ‘Game Mode’ that will enhance bass and highs, and a ‘User Mode’ to customise the EQ according to your own preference.