Posted on July 7, 2021 By Kam Valentine
The TK700STi utilizes many of BenQ’s popular features and proprietary technologies discussed in great detail in our review of the BenQ XI300i and BenQ TK850i.
In addition, you can click any of the bolded/highlighted terms to access a more detailed page definition. I will, however, summarize some of the more notable BenQ features found on the TK700STi.
The DLP chip with XPR Technology found in the TK700STi is what allows it to display a 4K UHD image. BenQ states their “XPR Technology achieves true 4K by producing 8.3 million distinct pixels regardless of the DMD chip’s number of native pixels. XPR also perfectly quadruples the 0.47” DMD chip’s 1920 x 1080 pixels to generate true 4K 8.3 million pixels with lightning-fast pixel shifting speed.”
The TK700STi has a 2D Keystone correction to assist with alignment. 2D Keystone eliminates trapezoid effects when projecting from various locations to help alleviate any stress when setting the projector up. Adjustments include Auto Vertical & Manual Horizontal ±40 degrees.
The projector has Picture Rotation for additional setup adjustability. Digitally rotating the picture adds adjustment and improves flexibility for projection, especially on uneven platforms. In addition, valuable space for active games or comfortable lounging is freed up when projector placement options are available.
BenQ’s TK700STi has preset FPS, RPG, and SPG gaming modes with audio, visual, and optimized latency settings for each type of game. If you are a gamer, you know that it is critical to recognize the enemy in some games quickly. The TK700STi refines its projected image to help disclose movements and details in dark scenes. Let us not forget that BenQ states the TK700STi has True 4K UHD graphics with a speedy 16.67ms input lag at 60Hz and 4.16ms input lag at 240Hz when set to display 1080p. We measured 4K/60Hz signal input lag at 17ms.
We were not able to measure 1080p/240Hz, but we did measure 1080p/120Hz signal input lag at 9ms, utilizing Lead Technical Editor Philp Jones’ Murideo SEVEN Generator. Those numbers should be good news for even hardcore gamers.
Playing Overwatch, Elder Scrolls Online (ESO), Halo, and Sims on the BenQ TK700STi was AWESOME! That single 5-watt speaker even gave me more than enough sound in game mode, it doesn’t replace an entire sound system, but it’s excellent for what it is during gaming in a quiet room. At night, I would sneak downstairs while the family slept and fire up my Playstation or Xbox, which are hooked up to the TK700STi. The TK700STi lived up to my expectations, I didn’t experience any noticeable lag, and my gaming images were crisp and vibrant. My Digital Storm gaming computer might be finding its way to the TK700STi next.
I had truly outstanding gaming sessions utilizing my 110 inch Screen Innovations (SI) Solo Pro 2 Unity AT screen even though I currently have it set up in the wrong room for the screen type. Stay tuned for more information on the screen; I will be writing a full review soon.
The TK700STi supports High Dynamic Range (HDR10) which offers improved brightness and color capabilities over traditional content or Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) content. SDR content typically shows details in either a darker portion of a scene or a brighter portion of a scene but won’t reveal details in both portions of the scene concurrently. With HDR10, you do not drop the details in the light and dark extremes in a picture.
In addition to HDR10, the TK700STi supports HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma), which is a version of HDR developed for live broadcast. Unlike other forms of HDR, HLG does not use metadata, meaning it is compatible with both HDR and SDR displays.
Once installed, the included BenQ QS0I Android TV dongle provides its users access to Prime Video and 5,000+ native Android apps. In addition, access to popular apps like MX Player, Facebook, PLEX, Kodi, and Spotify via the onboard Google-certified Android TV makes streaming media with the TK700STi a sinch.
BenQ notes that “Netflix only supports specifically authorized devices and is not natively available on BenQ smart home projectors.” BenQ lists recommended viewing procedures, which are simply casting Netflix content via your laptop’s Google Chrome Browser or connecting with an HDMI cable.
The BenQ QS0I Android TV dongle allows the use of Google Voice search and Google Assistant via the built-in microphone on the remote control. In addition, Google Assistant provides voice control of the TK700STi. Press the Google Assistant mic button on the remote, and you are ready to control the TK700STi with your voice. For example, you could use voice control to ask the projector, “show me the projector settings,” “play some music,” “tell me the weather outside.” The projector even told me a joke when I said, “tell me a joke,” and I must say, the TK700STi had some pretty funny jokes for me.
The TK700STi also allows for wireless networking with the BenQ QS01 Android TV dongle. The Android TV dongle has Chromecast technology built-in, allowing casting your favorite entertainment from an Android or iOS device.
The TK700STi also has a built-in media player that can access files via its USB inputs. One USB 2.0 Type-A input is located on the rear of the chassis. The USB input could be used for numerous media types, like videos, photos, or MP3. However, my early demo model’s USB 2.0 port did not work with my WD My Passport Ultra HDD that I use for all of my projector reviews. My MacBook Pro and iPad Pro were also a no-go. Lastly, I attempted to use my Razer Naga Trinity gaming mouse and Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro mouse with the TK700STi, but they also did not work when I connected them to the projector’s USB 2.0 Type-A port.
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