With everyone staying safe at home, I can’t think of a better time to create a Home Theatre. The first thing people get for a home theatre room is a new television. Consider a projector instead. Provided you have space like a basement or den, a projector can turn any wall into a full HD screen in 4K. 

Today I’m reviewing the BenQ 4K UHD HDR Smart Home Theatre Projector (TK850i). This will be the second 4K projector I’ve reviewed this year. This one has a Google-certified Android TV and Chromecast built-in. As an Android user, these two features immediately catch my attention. 

Design of the BenQ TK850i projector

The TK850i looks like a conventional projector with a low-profile look that doesn’t take too much space. It weighs approximately 9lbs and measures 15 inches wide, 5 inches tall, and 10 inches deep.   

On the back are two HDMI ports, USB Type-A, USB Type mini-B service port, SPDIF, audio output, RS-232 control, and a 12V trigger. The top of the projector features the power and menu button. A small cover on the top unveils the dials for focus, zoom, and lens shift.

The front features the projector lens that produces 3000 lumens of brightness. The lamp life depends on the brightness level. At full, medium, and low brightness, the lamp life is 4000, 10,000, and 14,000 hours respectively. At four hours of use per day at medium brightness, the lamp would last 6-7 years. 

 The TK850i also comes with a remote controller with illuminating buttons. This comes in handy at night but these lights can also be turned off.

Setting up the BenQ TK850i projector

The projector comes with the BenQ QS01 Certified AndroidTV Dongle. This needs to be installed into the projector. I used a Phillips screwdriver to unscrew a faceplate. Inside was a dedicated spot for the dongle with an HDMI port and micro-USB power. I inserted it in and screwed the faceplate back on. The dongle has its own dedicated remote for navigating Android TV.

The next step was setting up the position of the projector. The TK850i has a throw ratio of 1.13-1.47. To get a 100” screen, it needs to be approximately 8 feet away from the screen. 

My projector wall can produce a max screen size of 137”. I placed the TK850i approximately 10’ away from the wall and adjusted the focus. The setup was easier than I expected. I placed it on a coffee table and pointed it to the wall. It didn’t need to be elevated to get the image to the center of the wall. 

Using the BenQ TK850i projector

The TK850i can produce 4K Ultra HD resolution (3840 x 2160). It also uses BenQ’s HDR-PRO technology to provide a more dynamic range in light and dark areas. This means darker blacks and brighter whites. 

I used the controller to select YouTube on Android TV. To search, I pressed the microphone button and said “8K macro footage of everyday objects”. I selected a video from the search results. 

Even in daylight, the images were stunning. The colours were bright and clear. Even up close, you can still see all the detail of the images. I could visually see the higher dynamic range in the light and dark areas. The best viewing experience is at night. I turned off all the lights and the 3000 lumens lit the whole room.

HDR viewing is especially notable. It’s optional but you can visually see the difference. With it on, the contrast is enhanced and the colours are richer. Looking at macro footage of insects up close displayed deep-textured colours and bright images. 

Audio options on the BenQ TK850i projector

The TK850i comes with a built-in 10-watt speaker. Usually, internal projector speakers don’t sound very good, but this one impressed me. It has three different modes for cinema, music, and game. The sound quality is actually quite good. If you sit next to the projector, it’s enjoyable. It still cannot replace the auditory experience of a dedicated soundbar or surround system. Consider it as a good backup option. 

Missing from this projector is Bluetooth connectivity. Setup to home theatre sound systems is done by a wired connection to the SPDIF and audio out.

I have a Bluetooth soundbar mounted on my projector wall. One workaround is installing a Bluetooth receiver to the audio out on the back of the projector. That will wirelessly send the audio signal to my soundbar but there will be some latency. I’m perplexed why a 4K home theatre projector would not have Bluetooth 5 built-in. 

Android TV 

 The addition of AndroidTV is a huge selling point for me. I already use Google Assistant a lot at home, and having it on the AndroidTV controller is life-changing. It makes it super easy to find videos and other information.

Casting off my phone was seamless. It’s one thing to cast to a TV, but it’s a whole different experience casting content to a 137” 4K projector screen. With the Google Play Store, I have also had access to 500,000 TV shows and movies.

Both Amazon Prime Video and YouTube are embedded into Android TV, but not Netflix. To watch Netflix, users have to use a laptop to cast Netflix to the TK850i from the web browser. That’s no fun.

Amazon Prime Video gets a dedicated button on the Android TV controller. Obviously, there is some type of licensing issue going on here. Sadly, we the consumer have to jump through hoops to watch Netflix on this projector. 

Final thoughts

What could be better than a 4K projector? A 4K projector with Android TV. That is the main takeaway I had from this review. The TK850i produces sharp resolution, vibrant colours, and high contrast between dark and white. The lamp worked well in the daylight, making it a potential replacement for a television in a home theatre room. 

I love that Android TV is built-in, but that’s not entirely the case. It comes with the BenQ QS01 Certified AndroidTV Dongle. Users have to unscrew a faceplate and manually install it. 

I can’t figure out why. It doesn’t make sense to me. Roku comes built-in to TV’s, why couldn’t Android TV be embedded into the TK850i? While we’re at it, can someone explain why Netflix is not built-in? I can download the Netflix app on my Android phone, why can’t I get it on Android TV? 

The workaround is to just install a Roku streaming stick to watch Netflix on the TK850i. That introduces a third controller into the mix.  If anything, the TK850i should just have a single controller for the projector and Android TV. Three controllers, just to be able to watch 4K Netflix? That seems overkill, totally unnecessary.  

Ranting aside, I really enjoyed the TK850i. The more 4K projectors I review, I’m becoming even more convinced that they provide a better entertainment experience than televisions. Whether it’s watching sports, Youtube, gaming, or casting off a phone, it’s a versatile 4K projector. 

If you have at least feet of throw distance to a wall in your home theatre room, I highly recommend you consider the BenQTK850i smart home theatre projector.

Andy Baryer
Andy Baryer
http://handyandymedia.com
Andy Baryer aka “Handy Andy” is a technology journalist, gadget reviewer, and DIY/how-to content creator. Known as the handyman of tech, Andy enjoys fixing poor wireless networks, building smart homes, and cooking with the latest kitchen gadgets. He’s a competitive whistler, a budding woodworker, and loves gardening in his home-built smart garden.
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682 COMMENTS

  1. I never had any projectors in my life, so this will be whole new experience for me and my homies. It will be awesome to watch my favourite movie “Conjuring” on a big screen if I win BenQ TK850i projector.

    PS: “Till date, I never won a single giveaway”

  2. I would love to win this projector so I can have something to do with friends and family that can give me a movie theater-like experience without the risk of going out to a public movie theater these days. I would love to watch some of the new Disney movies coming this year like Rays and the Last Dragon or Luca!

  3. I’d like to win this projector so I can relive with my little kids what it was like to go to the movies (I know, sad eh?). We’d probably watch
    Frozen 2 on this. I’m old school and would love to watch Top Gun! Lol

  4. I love the Benq projector and i am missing movie theatres so badly. I hope this projector helps me to stop my craving for watching movie at movie theatre.

  5. After watching handy Andy’s review about
    streaming movies, playing games, and watching sports with the BenQ TK850i home theatre projector makes me want to have that same experience in my home. We enjoy watching “Here Comes The Boom” a lot as it’s an oncoming type of movie. Movies based on true stories or just the underdog winning is our favourites.

  8. Love watching movies on a big screen and haven’t been able to lately due to Covid..! I’d be watching The Lighthouse with Robert Pattinson.. it was filmed in my hometown of Yarmouth, NS.

  10. I would use this projector to upgrade from my basic tv set up and would love to try watching a 3D movie. Cheers!

  13. This would be a great projector to host movie nights for family and friends, we could use this outside to ensure social distancing. “The Father” would be the first movie I would like to see on this projector.

  14. We would like this projector to have proper ‘movie nights’ and, when Covid ends, entertain friends/family with it as well. We would likely watch all newly released movies on that instead of our old tv but start with Soul.

  16. It would be perfect for our renovated basement family room. We would watch the new Tom and Jerry movie

  17. The BenQ TK850i 4K Projector would be a huuuuuge plus for our family to spend quality time together. As far as what new movie we would watch, certainly 007 No Time to Die.

  18. My son, who is just 5 months old, told me in his own language that he needs the BenQ TK850i 4K Projector to watch the upcoming “Minions: The Rise of Gru”.

  19. I would love to have this projector because the 4K display would be a huge upgrade to our home theatre! I’d have to watch something BIG, like Monster Hunter first on this!!

  20. The 4K would be amazing on my living room wall! I’d watch Tenet on this to experience the scenes shot in IMAX!

  21. Having Android TV on the projector is AWESOME because it opens up so many more viewing options.

    And I’d love to have a late night horror fest using the projector, with some classic movies like The Creature From The Black Lagoon.

  22. i love how portable this is! my daughter would love it for her room and would love to watch the new wonder woman on it!

  24. It is good for backyard movie nights since we are all stuck at home during COVID-19. The movie I will be watching is Wonder Woman.

  25. I’d want it because it’s easy to transport to the cottage, and the first movie I’d be watching on it is Godzilla King of Monsters.

  29. This would be so fun to have- you could host movie nights outside wifh a few friends and because the projection is so big, you could socially distance to the back of your yard! I would love to watch the new Wonder women movie 1984 . (It’s new to me because i haven’t seen it lol)

  30. I would like the BenQ TK850i 4K Projector so we could take our summer movie nights outside. As for recent movies, I would like to watch Wonder Woman 1984 on the this 4K Projector. Large action movies should be experienced on a big screen.

  31. The TK850i produces sharp resolution, vibrant colours, and high contrast between dark and white. i will be fun to watch Tom & Jerry with my girls.

  33. The addition of AndroidTV is a huge selling point for me. I already use Google Assistant a lot at home, and having it on the AndroidTV controller is life-changing. It makes it super easy to find videos and other information. Will watch The Little Things.

  35. I’ve always wanted a projector to watch movies and make an awesome movie room and have a bigger screen! I would watch the new Wonder Woman 1984!

  37. Perfect for movie nights with my family! I’ve been wanting to see The Father and the Mauritanian

  41. I would like to win the BenQ projector so that my twins and I can play split screen Minecraft without me having to sit 2 feet from our existing super small tv. Having the ability to project a screen to a much much larger size would be a joy to my aging eyes.

    As far as what new movie I would watch? No question: Nomadland. Frances McDormand is always excellent.

  43. I would love this BenQ projector for family movie nights. We would watch the movie Frozen first.

  44. Hello,
    I would love to setup this projector in my basement and have a beautiful movie theatre/game room at home. Would love to watch The Avengers once more or catch up on movies I missed. Play some games even 🙂

  45. I want this to play Xbox Series X on, and I would watch the upcoming musical movie In The Heights on it.

  46. Amazing how far projectors have come. BenQ is a brand I’ve been keeping my eye on, great value. Make some popcorn and enjoy a great movie theater experience at home! Most looking forward to Top Gun: Maverick and No Time To Die on the big screen.

  50. It would be great to win this projector to replace our aging TV and expand the screen size! I’d watch Tenet, and when it finally comes out, Black Widow.

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