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 would love to own one because I would like to experience a different movie viewing experience especially now that we do not get to enjoy the conventional movie theater feel. I would love to watch Raya and the Last Dragon with my kids.

  2. I want this BenQ projector because I want to be able to “go to the movies” at home with my family since we have not been able to go out to watch a movie for over a year. My family and I are fans of the Spiderman movies, and I would set up movie night month to watch all of the Spiderman movies from the beginning to the most recently released.

  3. I want this BenQ projector; because like the rest of us, I’ve been holed up in my house and community and am in need of some movie therapy starting with Wonderwoman 1984 that I would love to watch on the big screen with this projector.

  4. This would be great for family movie night. I am sure some classic Disney would be the first thing played on it.

  6. movie reviews in my mancave with this….first I need this. then i build a mancave and then i do all of the movies…

  7. I would love to have this for the Audio capabilities to watch movies and the first one I would watch would be Godzilla vs Kong

  8. It would be great to win this television as ours is getting up there in years. The first movie that I would watch would be Greenland. Thanks for the opportunity!

  11. Totally missing family movie nights at the theatre so this BenQ projector would be amazing for at home family movie nights to watch Fast and the Furious

  12. If lucky enough to win this BenQ TK850i 4K projector, it would be a great upgrade to the current 10 year old tv in our family room. The first new move we’d watch is Wonder Woman 1984 – nothing better than a super hero action movie on the big screen!

  13. I would love the BenQ TK850i 4K projector to share some great movie nights with my family. To make the experience spectacular, I would love to watch Coming 2 America in 4K!

  14. i want this projector because it’s 4k! Would love to have 4k at home! The first movie i would watch is Interstellar. Would love to see the black hole effects in 4k!

  15. I want this for family movie night. We would watch Avatar. The photos in your article are awesome!

  16. This sounds great ! I would love to watch movies with the family on this ! Id love to watch Action movies or Pixar types like Moana

  17. I want this BenQ projector because I want to step up to 4K and I want to go big up from my present 55″.
    None of the new releases would do justice to this big screen projector. I would love to watch one of the most beautiful movies ever made, Blade Runner.

  18. I like the built-in feature of Android TV. Watching Dunkirk with this projector would be a great experience.

  25. I would like to experience the big screen cinematic features combined with the HDR effects. There is nothing more awesome than that.
    I would also love to watch the new Earth Planet Series

  26. Love that this project can project 3000 lumens of brightness. I would watch all of the Jason Bourne Movies with this projector.

  27. I would love the BenQ projector to watch films in 4K… the high resolution feature is new to me. I’d watch Black Widow with friends!

  28. 4K HDR, simple installation (with Android TV and Chromecast) and great brightness in dayligtht. Imagine that projector doing movie night in my backyard!

  29. The set up of this Ben Q is easy which is a plus for me. I also like that the lamp works well in the daylight so I could use it in the same way as a television set. I would like to see Greyhound as this projector is supposed to have good black and white contrast.

  30. Would be great for some backyard movies or even driveway so neighbours could watch socially distanced!

  32. I love that Android TV is built-in, but that’s not entirely the case. It comes with the BenQ QS01 Certified AndroidTV Dongle – Star Trek – The Wrath of Kahn

  33. I would watch movies with my wife and I would definitely watch the upcoming Gozilla vs Kong movie.

  34. I used to love going to the movie theatre, but since Covid hit I haven’t been able to do that in a long time- and not totally sure when I’d be comfortable to do it in the near future.
    Winning this projector would be amazing. I’m such a homebody now and to use this in the backyard during summertime would be amazing!!! Setting up some blankets and snacks in the comfort of your own home to watch movies!! Love it.
    I haven’t seen the movie Soul yet and have really been wanting to and on this projector it would make the experience so much more fun!

  35. The TK850i produces sharp resolution, vibrant colours, and high contrast between dark and white. I want to watch Must Love Dogs

  36. The front features the projector lens that produces 3000 lumens of brightness. GREAT FOR THE BASEMENT – LORD OF THE RINGS

  38. The TK850i looks like a conventional projector with a low-profile look that doesn’t take too much space i WILL BE ABLE TO WATCH SHERLOCK MOVIES IN MY DEN

  39. I would want this so that I could pretend we were at the movies and watching on a large screen. I would want to watch Coming 2 America

  41. I would love to have this 4K projector for my home theater. I would watch “Greenland” on it.

  43. I would love to give it to my partner for our anniversary! We’d probably play Mario kart on it!

  44. We do a movie night each weekend, it’s not theater quality on our small TV. I think I would definitely like to see Cruella. Black Widow as a second. the list would get vert long, this machine would definitely get used regularly

  46. I want this BenQ projector to set up a home theatre for the family, and we’d watch Tom and Jerry on it.

  47. I would want this projector so that I can see movies on a large screen. The new movie that I would want to watch on this projector is Avatar2.

  48. Outdoor summer movie nights!! Projected on the house for all our friends and neighbours to enjoy!! This is a dream come true!!

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