‘BenQ W1700 4K HDR Projector’ Review

Projectors, the ultimate toy of the cinephile right? 4K the ultimate format of the cinephile… What happens when the two meet? Well, you get the BenQ W1700 4K HDR Projector!

Until now most 4K projector would have cost you an arm and a leg, with prices ranging from £5000 upwards (don’t get me started on those top of the line models that cost as much as a car!). However BenQ’s new W1700 model takes those price points and crushes them. Marketed as the first sub-£2000 4K HDR projector, the W1700 promises to make 4K projectors affordable AND still maintain the quality you’d expect from the ultra HD format.

The specs:

• DLP Display Technology
• 2200 ANSI Lumens
• 3840 x 2160 (UHD) Resolution
• 4000 Hours Lamp Life (Typical)
• 10000:1 Contrast Ratio
• Weight: 4.2 Kg

The Review:

Now, I’m no tech guru but I do like my gadgets – so I embraced the chance to review the BenQ W1700 4K HDR Projector, however I’m also a newbie when it comes projectors. So this review is not only my first chance to check out a 4K projector, but a projector full stop! Thankfully I have embraced the 4K revolution, at least when it comes to digital content – thanks to Apple’s 4K Apple TV, 4K content has become the go-to choice for iTunes content – so what better way to marry my existing 4K library than by running the content through my 2017 Macbook Pro and into the W1700. Check it out… oh, and if you want your own BenQ w1700 4K HDR Projector you can grab one from Projector Point.

Manufacturer Description:

• True 4K HDR for Grand Cinema Experience.
  BenQ W1700 4K HDR CineHome Projector with CinematicColor™ technology expands the thrill of giant screen visuals in your living room. Gather your friends and family in front of the stunning 4K HDR images with immense video and resounding audio enhancement to enjoy an authentic digital cinema experience.

Theater-Like Image Quality:

• 4K UHD True 8.3 Million Pixel Perfection
  Producing 4K UHD 3840×2160 resolution with 8.3 million distinct pixels for each frame, W1700 utilizes revolutionary 0.47” single-DMD DLP technology to minimize the projector’s sleek, compact profile for modern lifestyles. With four times the resolution of Full HD 1080p, 4K UHD reduces pixel blur for awe-inspiring clarity and crisply defined fine details.
• Accurate Color and Image Integrity
  With single DMD DLP technology to avoid inherent alignment issues of multiple panels, W1700 ensures immaculate image integrity and color accuracy. W1700 generates razor-sharp images and accurate colors devoid of artifacting such as blur, shadowing, and interference patterns for immaculate clarity.
• Flawless Optics for Superb Image Quality
  The BenQ 4K optical system uses only the highest grade glass for superior light penetration and realistic image quality. Proprietary low-dispersion lens coatings minimize chromatic aberration, so you can enjoy your favorite 4K UHD content in brilliant clarity.
• Hyper-Realistic Video Quality with HDR
  Supercharged by HDR10 support with BenQ exclusive Auto HDR Color Rendition and Cinema-Optimized technology, W1700’s High Dynamic Range performance offers greater brightness, contrast range, and image optimization in a single step, bringing out every detail in 4K video content for superior cinema enjoyment.
• Auto HDR Natural Color Rendition for Lifelike Color Realism
  Unlike other HDR projectors with biased color temperature and oversaturated greens and reds, BenQ Auto HDR Natural Color Rendition technology unleashes breathtaking 4K HDR visuals with perfectly lifelike color performance automatically tuned to reflect nature.
• Cinema-Optimized HDR Performance Preserves Dark Details in Total Clarity
  While other HDR projectors can lose details and display incorrect greyscales, BenQ features cinema-optimized HDR technology to perfectly balance color saturation and rich color scale, preserving dark details in total clarity.

BenQ CinematicColor Technology:

• CinematicColor for Colors as Directors Envisioned
  Enhancing optimal colors for precise picture quality, CinematicColor technology delivers Rec.709 HDTV color accuracy, RGBRGB color wheel technology, and high native ANSI contrast ratio to ensure incredible image performance with crisp visuals and sharp details for your home cinema enjoyment.
• Only True Colors Convey Deep Feelings
  True colors evoke feelings of sorrow, joy, romance and thrills by preserving the original image. BenQ home cinema projectors embody our belief to “Convey the truest color and impart the deepest feelings to the viewer.” Our THX and ISF dual-certified engineers lead the CinematicColor™ technology team of experts to deliver Rec.709 HDTV standard color coverage for perfect color consistency.
• Authentic Rec.709 Color Accuracy
  Rec.709 is the international HDTV standard that guarantees cinematic colors the director intended. With the RGBRGB color wheel, W1700 achieves over 96% Rec.709 coverage, guaranteeing Delta E performance less than 3 to reproduce authentic colors of Hollywood films.

Unparalleled Audiovisual Experience:

• CinemaMaster Video+ for Majestic Scenes
  CinemaMaster Video+ turns any room into a world-class home theater with video-enhancing technologies sure to please even the most critical movie enthusiasts.
• Pixel Enhancer
  Pixel Enhancer is a motion-adaptive edge enhancement feature that detects changes in color between an object and its background to produce sharp edges and precise surface textures.
• Color Enhancer
  Color Enhancer modulates complex color algorithms to flawlessly render saturated colors, fine gradients, intermediate hues and subtle pigments.
• Flesh Tone
  The Flesh Tone feature prevents discoloration of skin tones from the light of the projection beam, portraying every skin tone in its most beautiful shade.
• CinemaMaster Audio+ 2 for Massive Sound
  Upgraded with dramatically wider frequency range from powerful 5-watt audio housed in a resonant sound chamber for deep bass and soaring highs, BenQ CinemaMaster Audio+ 2 audio-enhancing technology combines exclusive EQ algorithms for pure clarity and exotic materials such as magnesium and rubidium alloys to produce pure vocals, delicate details, and sensual sound quality as used by Hollywood studios, without distortion or noise.
• Perfect Sound Modes to Fit Any Occasion
  Custom-tuned sound modes adjust audio characteristics to deliver ideal audiovisual experiences for any type of entertainment, as if you were there live.
• Cinema Mode
  Immersive bass and high-frequency performance for authentic real-world cinema presence.
• Sports Mode
  Enhanced mid-frequency and vocals to jump into sports action without missing any detail from announcers.
• Music Mode
  Smoothly balanced performance for immersive live reproduction of music and concerts.
• Game Mode
  Powerful bass and crisp highs to feel heart-pounding excitement of intense game play.
• User Mode
  EQ algorithms can be individually customized to maximize rich bass and crisp highs to immerse you in total entertainment.

Simple & Convenient Lifestyle Design

W1700’s lightweight design and sleek, compact profile accentuates beautiful aesthetics as well as intuitive functionality and eco-friendly design. A chic addition to your living room décor, W1700 makes your home simple and comfortable for immersing in movies with friends and family.

• Eco-Friendly Design with Smart Power Saving and Long Lamp Life
  An ingenious solution that intensifies your viewing pleasure while saving money, BenQ SmartEco technology automatically adjusts lamp brightness based on content to project richer blacks and increase contrast for image details. LampSave Mode further extends projector lamp life up to 15,000 hours, minimizing lamp replacements and maintenance for an overall lower cost of ownership.
• Auto Vertical Keystone for Easy Setup with Perfect Alignment
  Countering the trapezoid effect when the projector must be placed off-center, such as simple placement on top of a table, the vertical keystone function adjusts the image for a professionally squared image. Keystone correction makes it simple to project ideally aligned images from a variety of locations.
• 1.2X Zoom for Big Pictures in Any Space
  Big zoom maximizes available space with a range of throw distances for big-screen entertainment without the hassle of complicated installation.

BenQ is the No.1 Bestselling DLP Projector Brand

Digital Light Processing (DLP), awarded 2015 Academy Award of Merit (Oscar statuette), is the leading projection technology used in 90% of world’s digital cinemas and 100% of IMAX theaters. With DLP dominating the worldwide projector market with over 50% share, BenQ is today the #1 bestselling DLP.

Long Lasting Perfect Image Quality

• Critically acclaimed for industry-leading high contrast, BenQ DLP projectors produce the most crisply defined sharpness for crystal-clear details and legible text by maximizing the fill ratio of individual pixels and employing exclusive BenQ SmartEco Technology.
• Razor-Sharp Fine Detail Clarity
  Critically acclaimed for industry-leading high contrast, BenQ DLP Projectors also produce the most crisply defined sharpness for crystal-clear details and legible text by maximizing the fill ratio of individual pixels and employing exclusive BenQ SmartEco Technology.