BenQ W2710i Evaluate | Trusted Evaluations

Verdict

Sensational sharpness, color and distinction for the cash makes the W2710i a worthy successor to considered one of BenQ’s most profitable fashions.

Introduction

BenQ’s W2700 projector turned one thing of a basic mannequin on its launch, because of its mixture of ‘severe’ residence cinema footage, good connectivity and an reasonably priced mid-range worth.

That W2700 launch was manner again in 2019. So even when I assume that BenQ took a ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t repair it’ method to the W2700. it’s truthful to say a successor is lengthy overdue.

Fortunately, that successor is lastly right here within the W2710i. However is that this only a revamp for revamping’s sake, or does it carry one thing new to the mid-range projector social gathering?

The BenQ W2710i arrived within the UK in early Might 2023, hitting these shores a number of weeks sooner than its US equal, the HT3560i. It’s going to ultimately be broadly obtainable globally beneath one mannequin identify or one other, although.

Pricing is £1,699 / $1,699, which locations it firmly in decrease mid-price territory for a projector able to enjoying 4K HDR sources. It’s barely dearer than its predecessor, however in addition to this being an inevitable results of current financial occasions, the ‘i’ bit on the finish of its identify alerts to the truth that the model I’m testing ships with an HDMI dongle that introduces an Android TV good system to the projector’s characteristic set.

If you happen to would moderately simply have the projector with out the smarts, you will get a W2710 (with out the i) for £100 much less.

Design

• Hidden good adaptor bay
• Crisp white and gray end
• Properly rounded form fits residing rooms

For probably the most half, the W2710i follows the identical residing room-friendly design template BenQ has used for a few years now. It combines a fairly compact rectangular design that ought to match comfortably onto virtually any espresso or aspect desk with soothingly rounded edges and a crisp white end for its high and sides. This largely white end is then offset by a tasteful gray for its rear and entrance edges.

The W2710i’s lens is offset to the projector’s proper aspect as you have a look at it, and there’s a sliding cowl over a small window on the highest edge that gives entry to easy rotating zoom and focus changes, in addition to a wheel to shift the picture vertically up or down.

The highest edge performs host to a easy choice of management buttons, whereas the underside edge options three screw-down toes that will help you angle the picture accurately onto a display or wall, although I actually would advocate a display for a projector as gifted as this.

The W2710i’s distant management is a big, white affair with moderately spacious buttons. The buttons are crisply and helpfully backlit too.

Options

• DLP-based 4K HDR playback
• Constructed-in good system
• 2,200 Lumens peak brightness

The W2710i joins its predecessor in assist for 4K and excessive dynamic vary (HDR). Some will quibble over the 4K designation provided that, as with all residence DLP-type projectors, the W2710i doesn’t provide a full 3840 x 2160 set of mirrors, as an alternative ‘flashing’ the mirrors a number of instances a body to generate the impression of a 4K expertise.

The US’s most important client electronics requirements physique, the CTA, is content material to contemplate this method native 4K, and the W2710i’s efficiency makes a really robust case for it delivering the true 4K deal.

The W2710i additionally joins its predecessor in benefitting from BenQ’s CinematicColor system, which mixes waveform evaluation with particular color wheel supplies and at-factory calibrations to ship correct footage proper out of the field.
The W2710i is claimed to cowl 95% of the DCI-P3 digital cinema color vary, and a full 100% of the SDR Rec 709 spectrum.

Regardless of 3D sources being exhausting to seek out, the W2710i continues to assist 3D playback (supplied you kind your self out with the required glasses). It additionally follows its predecessor in utilizing a dynamic iris to reinforce distinction and attempt to ship a superior HDR efficiency courtesy of BenQ’s HDR Professional know-how.

This makes use of dynamic tone mapping – one thing not at all a given within the mid-range 4K projector market – to attempt to frequently optimise an HDR supply in order that it’s all the time getting the utmost profit from the projector’s capabilities.

The newest HDR Professional system introduces a few key new options, beginning with Native Distinction Enhancement. This divides the image up into greater than 1000 zones, the content material of every is analysed earlier than having its gamma independently optimized. That is nonetheless a far cry from the type of native gentle controls discovered on premium TVs, but when it really works something like in addition to the considerably related (on paper, anyway) system Sony makes use of on its newest SXRD projectors, it may give the W2710i a transparent HDR edge over its rivals.

The opposite large HDR advance is the HDR10+ format, the place further scene-by-scene image data is added to the video stream to assist suitable shows ship extra correct (and normally extra dynamic) outcomes. BenQ’s widened HDR horizons don’t lengthen to Dolby Imaginative and prescient, however that’s true of virtually each different projector.

The W2710i additionally ups its sport over its predecessor by rising its peak gentle output to 2,200 ANSI Lumens – a rise of 10% on the W2700. The brand new projector introduces an 11-point color temperature calibration system too, regardless of each W2710i being calibrated within the manufacturing unit earlier than delivery (a calibration certificates on your explicit mannequin is included within the field).

A ramped up CinemaMaster part of the arrange menus means that you can alter a Coloration Enhancer characteristic, Flesh Tones, a Pixel Enhancer 4K sharpness booster, numerous ranges of movement processing, and a number of settings for the brand new Native Distinction Enhancer.

Different notable options embrace a particular 24p True Cinema playback mode tucked away within the Show sub menus; a Broad Color Gamut possibility that extends the projector’s color palette at the price of some brightness; a number of ‘power’ settings for the projector’s Dynamic Iris and light-weight output controls; and a noise discount system. This all provides as much as a far-ranging but in addition impressively granular stage of management over precisely how the W2710i’s photographs look.

If these choices all sound a bit an excessive amount of and also you’d moderately have a shortcut to a comparatively correct picture, you’ll be happy to listen to that BenQ has supplied a Filmmaker mode preset, designed together with the impartial Extremely HD Alliance to get as shut because the projector can to image mastering requirements.

I discovered the W2710i a breeze to arrange. Its 1.3x optical zoom and optical vertical picture shifting provides you an honest diploma of placement flexibility (although notice that is definitely not an extremely quick throw projector), whereas an efficient auto keystone adjustment helps to get the perimeters of the picture straight if the vertical picture shifting hasn’t been sufficient to get the picture to the place it wants it to be.

The main target and zoom rings across the lens are free sufficient to maneuver simply however nonetheless really feel fairly tightly calibrated, and the three twist down toes give a fast and easy method to tilt the picture.

You’ll be able to spend as a lot time after this enjoying with the W2710i’s many effective tuning parts – however crucially for a lounge projector, you don’t need to. Particularly because the projector has been calibrated (albeit solely in a manufacturing unit moderately than on your particular room arrange) earlier than it even arrived at your home.

As you’d hope of any lounge projector today, even one as movie-focused because the W2710i, the image choices embrace a so-called Quick mode for video video games that reduces the time taken to render photographs right down to a really respectable 18ms.

Connectivity is generally wonderful. Notably good is the availability of three HDMI inputs than the same old two. And these don’t embrace the additional mini-HDMI hidden beneath a detachable cowl to which you connect BenQ’s Wi-Fi/good dongle when you’ve gone for the ‘i’ model of the W2710.

There’s additionally a 12V set off port, an RS232C management port, a USB port for enjoying media from USB storage units, a Mini USB service port, an extra 5V USB port for powering video dongles, an optical audio enter, and a 3.5mm audio line out.

You should utilize the Wi-Fi capabilities launched by the BenQ good dongle to stream media out of your cellphone with Google Solid.

I ought to notice for avid gamers that the HDMI inputs don’t assist 4K/120Hz indicators, or variable refresh charges. The one superior HDMI characteristic other than HDR10+ assist, is ARC, enabling go by means of of sound – together with (lossy) Dolby Atmos – to ARC-enabled soundbars and AV receivers.

The newest development in projection is including good video programs that’s now customary with at present’s TVs. The W2710i gives Android TV courtesy of a supplied dongle inserted right into a particular bay hidden beneath the projector’s high edge. I discovered this good interface delivers a combined bag of performance, although.

On the upside is identical acquainted menu construction (albeit operating a bit extra sluggishly than it does on among the newest Android TV units), and obtainable apps seem to incorporate Disney+, Netflix, ITVX, Amazon Prime TV, Now, Apple TV, Plex, Pluto TV, YouTube, My5 and Paramount+.

There’s no BBC iPlayer or All4, although, and making an attempt as well ITVX resulted in a message saying the projector doesn’t have the required rights to make use of it.

The apps that work are native to the projector, by which I imply they recognise the W2710i’s capabilities and adapt their streaming high quality accordingly, moderately than simply accessing ‘dumb’, low high quality generic web streaming variations.

The lacking terrestrial TV broadcaster streaming apps, although, make an argument for perhaps getting the model of the W2710 with out the supplied good dongle, and including one thing like a Hearth TV stick as an alternative. Although after all, such a 3rd social gathering dongle must hang around of the again of the projector, moderately than tidily tucked into the BenQ’s hidden bay.

Image High quality

• Distinctive sharpness
• Good out of the field color
• Good HDR tone mapping

The W2710i improves on the efficiency of its predecessor in a variety of areas – and in doing so makes itself simply among the finest projectors in its class.

There are numerous highlights, however the one that truly struck me first – and remained persistently dazzling all through the time I spent with the projector – is how extremely sharp and detailed its footage look. Good high quality native 4K sources look completely pristine, full of element and textures no HD picture may offer you, whereas additionally remaining persistently bereft of softening noise or native focus failings. In truth, focus uniformity is great proper into the corners.

It even continues to make its 4K mark when you’re watching a HD supply, because of some spectacular upscaling. Briefly, the W2710i presents a critically stiff problem to anybody nonetheless holding on to the concept that DLP projectors can’t ship a real 4K expertise.

The beautiful sharpness doesn’t take a success when there’s movement to take care of, both. The W2710i’s 24p True Cinema possibility serves up one of the vital pure and relaxed trying 24p experiences I’ve seen on any projector – by no means thoughts one which prices £1,699.

Additionally distinctive for such an reasonably priced projector is the W2710i’s out of the field color efficiency. That is significantly true with customary dynamic vary sources, however HDR tones get pleasure from extra vibrancy and quantity than I’ve seen on equally priced projectors.

There’s an immense quantity of tonal subtlety at play inside these fulsome saturations, so there’s no problem with color banding and the wealthy saturations don’t really feel cartoonish. Quite the opposite, it’s partly as a result of the W2710i is nice at delineating even probably the most minor color variances that its footage look so detailed and sharp.

In addition to being punchy however clear and refined, the W2710i’s colors are additionally unusually pure and plausible out of the field, and there’s a stunning stability to its palette, even utilizing the default image presets moderately than one thing extra correct just like the Filmmaker mode.

At this level I want to say that projection know-how can’t actually do HDR correctly. It doesn’t have the brightness or native gentle controls crucial to deal with HDR’s vastly expanded gentle vary. With that in thoughts, the W2710i’s mixture of a dynamic iris, new Native Distinction Enhancement characteristic and improved HDR tone mapping assist it ship arguably probably the most convincing and fascinating HDR performances I’ve seen from a undertaking that can be utilized for infrequent film nights.

There’s a really noticeable sense of additional color and light-weight vary as I switched between SDR and HDR sources, and the brand new HDR Professional system maps HDR imagery to the projector’s spectacular optics cleverly, making certain that in addition to trying prefer it has brighter peaks than anticipated from a 2,200 lumens projector, its HDR results all the time look balanced, natural, and as in the event that they’re a real growth of moderately than distraction from the images seen.

Pores and skin tones can maybe look somewhat suntanned within the projector’s out of the field HDR mode, and correcting for this by both tinkering with the projector’s expansive color calibration instruments or switching to the Filmmaker mode may cause a slight drop off typically vibrancy and dynamism. It’s additionally true that when you attempt to calibrate the W2710i’s HDR footage for accuracy, the image begins to look somewhat lifeless and flat in comparison with its out of field settings.

Certainly, the Filmmaker mode proves my level by trying much less brilliant, much less dynamic, much less contrasty and, maybe on account of among the decreased distinction, much less sharp and detailed than the default HDR preset.

I personally don’t have an enormous problem with this, although. To me, the innate, insurmountable difficulties projectors have doing HDR ‘precisely’ imply making an attempt to pursue such accuracy finally seems like a fools errand. Essentially the most profitable HDR footage I’ve seen within the projector world happen when fashions settle for their limitations and focus extra on doing what they’ll inside these limitations to recapture the texture of HDR, with its prolonged gentle vary and vibrant colors, moderately than making an attempt to slavishly observe the values used throughout mastering.

And for me, no dark-room projector model within the sub-£2k sphere does a greater job of focusing on that HDR really feel than the W2710i. In truth, BenQ’s newest HDR enhancements are so efficient that it’s ceaselessly exhausting to consider you’re not watching a a lot brighter projector than 2,200 ANSI Lumens.

That mentioned, I ought to stress the brightness isn’t sufficient to make the W2710i a extremely satisfying possibility for a brilliant lounge. It’s additionally true to say that even the Native Distinction Enhancement characteristic can’t cease very darkish elements of HDR photographs typically trying somewhat flat and greyed over. Even localised Gamma controls apparently can’t present the type of compromise-free blacks, whites and all the things in between that HDR TVs – particularly OLED TVs – can.

BenQ has by no means claimed the W2710i is designed for brilliant room use, although. In order for you one thing to cater for a brilliant room BenQ would probably level you in direction of its new 3,200-lumen TK860i as an alternative (look out for that evaluate). And whereas black ranges take a success when the W2710i is enjoying HDR, that hit is much less extreme than it tends to be with projectors on the W2710i’s stage. It helps disguise this problem with the W2710i, too, that shadow element is mostly robust – supplied you’re utilizing the Native Distinction Enhancement characteristic.

The most important problem I had with the W2710i’s HDR footage out of the field was their instability with HDR sources. The slightest change within the general brightness stage of an HDR scene may trigger a distracting shift or bounce within the picture’s general brightness stage. And to be clear, I’m not speaking right here about vital brightness changes between cuts, the place you may discover them much less. You’ll be able to really see the dynamic iris doing its brightness adjustment factor inside a single shot – typically a number of instances.

Luckily there’s an easy repair for this distracting downside (moreover switching to the much less dynamic Filmmaker mode preset): Turning the Dynamic Iris down from Excessive to Medium. Doing this doesn’t take away each flicker, and in addition prices you a modicum of punch and HDR ‘peaking’. The outcomes are far more immersive although, and the slight discount in punch is just not remotely sufficient to cease the image from nonetheless delivering sufficient of its element, sharpness, color and vibrancy abilities to keep up its HDR edge over its competitors.

Closing minor points to notice are some gentle rainbow impact (RGB color striping) over stand out brilliant picture content material; some surprisingly combined image high quality from the BenQ dongle’s streaming apps (Netflix appears moderately messy, whereas Disney+ appears wonderful); and doubtlessly barely distracting quantities of cooling fan noise when the projector’s operating in its HDR mode.

Except you’re extraordinarily vulnerable to seeing the rainbow impact, there’s nothing within the negatives column that extreme sufficient or unimaginable to work spherical that stops it being an excellent successor to an already illustrious predecessor.

Sound High quality

• Good, rounded tone
• Sound isn’t locked to the projector
• 2 x 5W output

In assist of its lounge projector standing, the W2710i carries a built-in sound system. In truth, its 2 x 5W, Trevolo arrange is likely one of the projector world’s higher audio designs. That’s not saying an awesome deal given how puny most projector sound programs are, however the W2710i delivers a way more nicely rounded (together with with dialogue), much less harsh and, most usefully of all, nicely projected sound than most projectors do.

If you happen to’re sat moderately behind the projector its sound does virtually seem as if it’s coming from the display, or not less than someplace between the projector and the display, moderately than all of the sound being locked within the projector and so completely divorced from the onscreen motion.

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As a part of this mission, at any time when we evaluate a product we ship the corporate a collection of questions to assist us gauge and make clear the impression the machine has on the setting.

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