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

  5. Would love to get this for the 4k picture and get the proper movie theater experience at home. Would use this for both playing video game and watching movies. First movie I watch on this will be Blade runner 2049.

  7. My 2 Grandchildren has no entertainment after covid 19 more than a year now I would give a gift this Projector

  9. This would be exciting to win ..It would go great with our big screen TV watching movies in the comfort of your own home – Frozen II

  10. I want this because it can turn any wall into a 4K HDTV – here come my James Bond – On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

  11. The BenQ TK850i will enable me to project a huge image on a wall or a screen right in my home. My daughter wants to see Disney’s Little Mermaid

  12. 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. WOW – I wan to watch Hunger Games.

  13. My daughter (who is a grad student and loves nature & watching Pixar movies in theater) always love watching cartoons in the theatre with family. This projector would be a great surprise birthday gift for her, so whenever she visits home, we can have that big screen experience at home.

    Would love to watch Luca with my daughter.

  14. Would love it for business presentations. Maybe watching a couple movies too like Tenet or the new Top Gun when it comes out.

  15. I want this projector to watch it BIG!
    I would watch Back to the Future Part IV
    (If I can dream of winning this, why not?)

  17. This will be a man cave dream come true! It’ll be an honor and priveledge to be chosen to have one.

    Thank you, in advance.

  18. I want this beautiful projector because it is a massive upgrade to my current small TV. Plus you can literally project the screen anywhere. It would be extremely convenient.

    A new movie I’d love to watch on this screen would be the yet to be released movie ‘Free Guy’.

  19. I want this because it can turn any wall into a 4K HDTV. I would like to watch Coming 2 America on it.

  21. I want this because it can turn any wall into a 4K HDTV. I would like to watch Coming 2 America on it.

  22. I’m recovering from surgery and this would allow me to sit back and rest while I enjoy my favorite movies!!
    Fan favorite — Harry Potter!

  23. I’m recovering from surgery and this would allow me to sit back and rest while I enjoy my favorite movies!!

  26. Would love to have this for my little guy and I. We haven’t done much since the pandemic hit and we always went to the movies. We really miss our big screen movie nights. How cool would it be to surprise him with this set up and all the movie treats set out like a theater night!!

  27. This would be awesome! I would LOVE this BenQ Tk850i 4K Projector because it would bring friends and family together. If I had this – my teenage daughters would become “the girls who have a cool house to hang at” with their friends. We would watch “Collective”.
    Thanks!

  28. Omg — having the movie threatre right at home. I love that big picture. Thanks for the walk through.

  32. I would love to have a family night and am looking forward to seeing Spider-Man: No Way Home

  33. This would be perfect for our basement to replace the small tv we have. I would watch Lord of the Rings and Star Wars

  34. I would love to win this projector. Just getting ready to finish my basement and this projector would make the perfect addition to it so we could have a great home theatre. The new movie I would be excited to watch on it would be the new Mortal Kombat.

  35. I’d love to have this projector so that I can watch movies on a big screen. I’d love to watch Godzilla vs Kong on this.

  36. I would love this projector as it has android tv, i would love to watch monster hunter using this as I am a big fan of the games

  38. I’d love to play around with a projector to see what I”m missing, so please let me win! I’d watch Avengers Endgame with the family.

  41. I just have a small tv so this would make movie night a lot more fun! I haven’t seen the new Mulan yet so I’d choose that to watch first!

  45. This past year has taught me how much I love the theatre experience and this projector would allow me to have it in my own home. So many new movies I want to see – if I have to pick one I’ll go with Promising Young Woman

  46. I would love this BenQ Tk850i 4K projector to set up a home theater and I would watch a Minions

  49. This would be a great addition to our townhouse that we just moved into! I would be sure to put Tenet on first!

  50. This would be a massive upgrade from the old TV we’re currently using, to say the least! Would love to watch the new season of Walking Dead on this!

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