BenQ X3000i True 4K UHD 4LED Gaming Projector is one of the upper tier LED projectors you can find in the market. They are not as good as LASER type especially when it come to lifespan. However, they are as good as laser type when it come to energy efficient.
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BenQ X3000i True 4K UHD 4LED Gaming Projector | 3000 Lumens
BenQ X3000i True 4K UHD 4LED Gaming Projector
Pros
Game-responsive, vibrant, and sharp
An unexpectedly good performance in the movie
An unusually powerful sound and a cute design
Cons
A bit pricey for a gaming display
Response at black level isn’t great
Some presets flicker occasionally
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With its distinctive cubic design, the BenQ X3000i is bigger than its cheaper sibling, but not in terms of size. It features the same cute, coffee-table-friendly dimensions as its cheaper sibling. Although it has a higher level of specification, it includes 4K support, more zoom, HDR Pro, a feature that enhances dynamic range, and a colour system that covers 100 percent of the DCI-P3 colour gamut of digital cinema, compared to just 98 percent of Rec 709, a standard dynamic range.
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Price
Due to the extra features of the BenQ X3000i, it commands a considerable price premium of £700 / $700 over the X1300i’s price of £1199 / $1299, though in Australia the price difference is considerably smaller at AU$2999 compared to AU$3299 for the X1300i.
Given the relatively casual nature of gaming versus films for some AV fans – though certainly not all – the large price gap between the UK and US, this could limit its audience. Nonetheless, if the X3000i can deliver a good movie picture, along with its hopefully superior gaming chops, its price may not seem out of reach at all to the right buyer.
A lot of gaming-focused projectors from other brands are available for a much lower price than the X3000i, but none of them deliver the same level of specification and features as the X3000i. Indeed, the X3000i is one of the most highly specified gaming projectors we’ve seen to date.
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Design
This projector stands taller than it stands wide and deep, creating a unique profile which immediately suggests this isn’t ‘just another projector’. Its compact footprint is typical of the living room projector market, but its cubic shape isn’t.
By combining a cute white finish for most of the sides, a sharply contrasted glass-like black finish for the front panel, and a distinctive orange trim on its front edge, the X3000i’s chunky sculpting creates a fun factor. The unusual height isn’t just there to be different. Like the similarly square X1300i, the bottom half of the X3000i contains an unusually powerful 2x5W ‘treVolo’ audio system.
Those days when the remote controller can’t be found are made easier by the zoom and focus wheels along with the control/menu navigation buttons on one side of the X3000i. A final unique design element is the ability to remove the top of the projector to access a slot for installing the Android TV dongle included. Also related: best laser projector under 500 Read more on best laser projectors under 1500.
Features
With its relatively high price for a projector targeted at the gaming market, the X3000i offers more features and specifications than any of its competitors.
Its claimed peak brightness of 3000 lumens means it might be able to punch through a fair amount of ambient light while allowing you to take advantage of today’s high dynamic range gaming revolution, especially if you use it with a screen with some gain (but not too much).
There are some good things about the X3000i, but it didn’t exactly brighten up the black level response. The X1300i, on the other hand, made the same contrast claims, but its black level response wasn’t exactly spectacular.
Based on an estimated five hours of daily usage, this projector is expected to last for 20,000 hours without any lamp changes due to its claim to cover 100 percent of the DCI-P3 color gamut, a significant improvement over both the X1300i and many other projectors. Based on an estimated five hours of daily use, that’s enough for more than 10 years of hassle-free use. In addition to increasing the output of green light by up to 40%, using a 4LED system rather than a 3LED system will also improve the overall image brightness by 8-12 percent over 3LED projectors. This should result in a more balanced and wide-ranged colour range. Also related: ViewSonic PA503W review Also related: best projectors under 600
Long life span
Furthermore, LED lamps have a much longer life than UHP lamps, so they lose brightness and colour response much slower than regular UHP lamps do, so you’ll get much more time to enjoy a high-quality picture than you would with normal lamp projectors.
In order to compensate for c
hanges in LED light output over time, BenQ adds an auto calibration system that adjusts the image characteristics as the light source changes. It’s unclear how well this works because we haven’t had the projector for long enough. However, it’s certainly a thoughtful and potentially very useful feature from BenQ. Read more on NEC NP-P525UL projector. Read more on ViewSonic X2000B-4K Ultra Short Throw 4K UHD.
Specifications
The X3000i’s key gaming features include 4K/120Hz support, 240Hz support at 1080 resolutions, input lag as low as 4ms in 240Hz mode and 16ms in 4K/60Hz mode, presets optimised for RPG (Role Playing Game), sports and FPS (First Person Shooter) gaming types, a Balanced Enhanced Details Adjustment feature that lets you bring out more details in dark areas without impacting other aspects of the picture, and an HDR Game mode so that you don’t have to lose the projector’s seriously quick response times when playing in HDR.
Additionally, BenQ has deployed a Bongiovi DSP sound system alongside its treVolo speaker system to create a pseudo-surround sound effect, so you can tell where enemies are coming from by the sound system’s stereo sound. Additionally, according to Bongiovi’s creators, the system enhances stereo field imaging by adding depth, clarity, bass, and clarity. Also related: Best outdoor projectors under $200 Also relared: BenQ TH671ST .
HDMIs
Over the X3000i’s 2.0b HDMIs, there is no support for variable refresh rates, but that’s true for nearly every projector in the market.
Thanks to its simple zoom and focus ring adjustments as well as 2D keystone adjustment, the X3000i is easy to set up and can be moved in and out of a cupboard rather than being left out in your room all the time. HDR support is provided by the X3000i in both HDR10 and HLG formats. Movies and TV shows mastered in HDR10+ or Dolby Vision HDR will only be played on HDR10’s more basic ‘cores’, which will not support higher-end HDR10+ or Dolby Vision HDR systems. There are a lot of other projectors that have similar problems.
Read more on ViewSonic PX703HDH . Also relared: BenQ TH671ST .
12V trigger jack
A 3D projector (if you can find any sources) is still in demand (even though it doesn’t come with glasses). This goes for the X3000i as well. A 12V trigger jack, a USB with 2.5A power delivery, SPDIF optical audio, an RS-232C control port, and 3.5mm audio output are among the connections on BenQ’s premium gaming projector, which supports eARC for passing lossless Dolby Atmos audio to compatible soundbars and AV receivers.
Aside from that, you can hide the Android TV dongle under the projector’s top cover to add some smart feature support to the X3000i, which is part of the new trend of projectors that provide smart features. The Google Assistant voice recognition system, Chromecast, Disney+, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, ITV Hub, and My5 apps are all supported.
The Android TV interface remains cumbersome and lacking in customisation options, and Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and All 4 aren’t supported at the time of writing. Although the BenQ projector does run Android TV more smoothly and less buggily than some other devices, it’s not quite as slick as others. Read more on ViewSonic PX703HDH
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Picture
A new benchmark in picture quality has been set by the X3000i, following the already impressive X1300i.
In the first place, the X3000i is not a ‘true’ 4K projector whose native pixels are 3840×2160, but it offers 4K support through Texas Instruments’ system of flashing multiple times per frame each of its DLP digital mirrors to create the illusion of 4K through its single-chip DLP optical solution. By contrast, the X1300i (which can handle 4K, but only renders native HD images) delivers an instant noticeable improvement in resolution. Despite being a non-native 4K solution, it actually produces the crispest, most convincing 4K-looking images we’ve ever seen. This applies equally to both 4K game and video sources – though it is perhaps with gaming that it achieves the most impact because graphics are much crisper and more precise than video is.
Also related: CASIRIS A6 Ultra Short Throw Projector . Read more on BenQ HT3550i 4K projector review
120Hz or higher
During FPS games, especially if you’re gaming at 120Hz or higher, the sharpness remains largely intact, while 24p movies don’t get blurry or juddery even if you don’t use the projector’s motion processing.
In addition to its impressive sharpness, the X3000i’s colour performance is impressive. With its 3000 lumens of maximum brightness and convincing sense of 4K-like pixel density, the X1300i projector offers a significantly wider colour gamut than the X1300i. You can do this with any video source, whether you’re watching a game or watching a video.
In comparison to most of the other affordable projectors we tested, the X3000i excels in adapting its colours superbly to movie and game sources. Colors are typically optimized for either games or movies, and usually don’t look quite right when they’re not optimized for specific content types. In this respect, the X3000i is one of the rare all-rounders, with the wide colour range it covers and BenQ’s long training in tuning colour for game play and film work demonstrating its versatility. Read more on NexiGo PJ90 Aurora Projector . Read more on Optoma UHZ50 4K laser projector
HDR
By projector standards, HDR sources manage to produce unusually vivid colours, too, while maintaining subtle blends and tonal shifts that impart threedimensionality and texture to images. Video skin tones also look consistent. The best thing about the X3000i projector is that even though its brightness is astonishing for such an affordable and flexible projector, only in the brightest of areas do colors begin to look thin or ‘clip out’ subtle shading.
A 4LED lighting system must certainly be contributing to the impressive color efforts of the X3000i. In addition, you can switch it on and off more quickly than a regular projector (without warm-up or warm-down delays). Exceptions to this rule include when the projector decides it’s time to perform an auto-calibration routine in order to compensate for changes in the lamp’s status.
Read more on AWOL VISION LTV-2500 4K. Also related: JMGO U2 4K Tri-Color Laser Projector
Single-chip DLP projector
A single-chip DLP projector, especially one as bright as the X3000i, can cause the rainbow effect, where pure red, green, and blue stripes flit across bright image areas or across the peripheral vision due to the colour wheels used. Its 8-segment colour wheel hardly exhibits any rainbow effect at all, though, so the X3000i exceeds expectations in this department as well.
A projector’s brightness doesn’t just allow you to see the full potential of its colour performance; it also contributes to one of the most convincing HDR performances at this price point, injecting more light and a wider range of light into its HDR content presentation.
It’s not just about the brightness it finds for full-screen bright images that makes a projector good at HDR. In addition, the HDR Pro tone mapping helps intense bright highlights of HDR content stand out with convincing extra punch with enough brightness. We have experienced more HDR ‘wow’ moments than we have with any other projector at this level when watching the X3000i, a feat that is really quite difficult for projectors to achieve.
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Brightness
With its brightness, the X3000i’s overall most appealing feature is its ability to take pictures in even low-light situations, which enhances its overall versatility. The full punch of its images can only be experienced in a dark room, but this is not a projector that should only be viewed in a room that is always blacked out.
The three gaming presets make a real difference not just to the way games look but also feel. In RPG mode, graphics take on a cinematic, epic quality, in FPS mode, they are enhanced in shadows, while in SPG mode, colour is prioritized to provide the sort of realistic green pitches, diverse skin shades, and vivid kit designs associated with sports games.
The main reason the X3000i does not quite get a 5-star rating is the way it handles dark scenes – as with the X1300i. In contrast to the best dedicated home cinema projectors, it is unable to control its light to achieve convincing black colors when required. Thus, dark image areas appear rather greyed over.
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Contrast
It is important to note, however, that despite the gray wash over dark proceedings, the projector can still deliver greater subtle shadow details than many of its rivals. Dark scenes are rendered with a similar sense of depth and sharpness to bright ones, so moving from bright to dark scenes is much less jarring.
By selecting Smart Eco lamp mode, you can improve black levels, because it continuously adjusts light output as a result of analyzing the light levels in an image frame. As the processing overreacts to subtle changes in light levels, some dark scenes may experience brightness instability. We personally prefer the Normal preset most of the time, but if you want just that bit more contrast, particularly while watching movies, the Smart Eco mode is certainly worth trying.
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Sound~BenQ X3000i True 4K UHD 4LED Gaming Projector
As a projector, the BenQ X3000i’s sound is outstanding, but its projection is especially impressive. The sound seems to come from closer to your wall or screen even though it is just a couple of feet in front of us, reducing the dislocation that is often (almost always, actually) associated with projector sound systems, even if it is sitting just a couple of feet in front of us.
In addition to spreading far to the left and right, the sound seems to be elevated vertically to the same level as the picture. This projector creates a three-dimensional sound environment unlike anything else we’ve heard from a projector with surprisingly accurate effects placement. If you’re building a game world, this proves particularly helpful, and you’ll be able to determine where attacking noises are coming from very easily.
In film soundtracks, dialogue is crystal-clear and well-contextualised, and the detail is excellent. Bass is limited, but it’s enough to prevent one-dimensionality from overpowering the soundstage.
It’s also true that volume levels peak earlier than movie enthusiasts might like – though they’re still higher than most projectors can handle. In addition, we prefer to hear a TV or projector with a slightly volume-limited sound rather than one with a buzzing, crackling, and dropout distortion when it pushes for too much loudness.
Finaly, the X3000i’s three game presets influence both the sound output and the visuals of its games. For RPG sound mixes, they expand the score and bass components; for FPS mixes, they enhance the sense of placement with virtual surround sound effects like gunshots, explosions and approaching footprints; and for sports, they enhance commentary clarity and crowd roars.
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benq x3000i throw distance
The X3000i has a typical throw ratio of 1.15-1.50. Projector offset: indicates the distance (H) from the projector’s lens assuming a direct line to the top edge of the screen. It is a short through projector. They emit almost zero heat. They have better life span and are more energy efficient.
Benq x3000i dimensions
The benq x3000i dimensions is (WxHxD) (mm). 272 x 197 x 259mm
benq x3000i vs x1300i~BenQ X3000i True 4K UHD 4LED Gaming Projector
When it comes to home entertainment, projectors are an excellent choice for creating a large screen experience. BenQ, a leading manufacturer of projectors, has two popular models in its inventory – the X3000i and the X1300i. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between the two models and help you decide which one is the best fit for your needs.
The BenQ X3000i and the X1300i share many similarities, but there are some key differences between them. First and foremost, the X3000i is a higher-end model with more advanced features, while the X1300i is more budget-friendly.
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Brightness
One of the most significant differences between the two models is the brightness. The X3000i boasts 3000 ANSI lumens of brightness, making it an excellent choice for a bright room. The X1300i, on the other hand, has 3600 ANSI lumens of brightness, making it ideal for even brighter rooms. The brightness level of a projector is crucial to consider, as it affects the image quality and the overall viewing experience.
Another key difference between the two models is the contrast ratio. The X3000i has a contrast ratio of 10000:1, while the X1300i has a contrast ratio of 15000:1. The higher the contrast ratio, the better the image quality, as it allows for a more significant difference between the darkest and lightest parts of the image.
Built in speakers
Both projectors have built-in speakers, but the X3000i’s speakers are more powerful than the X1300i’s. The X3000i has a 5W speaker, while the X1300i has a 2W speaker. However, it’s worth noting that the sound quality of a projector’s built-in speakers is generally not as good as external speakers.
In terms of connectivity options, both projectors have HDMI ports, but the X3000i has two HDMI ports, while the X1300i has one. The X3000i also has a USB Type-C port, which allows for quick and easy connections to mobile devices.
Finally, the X3000i has a longer lamp life than the X1300i. The X3000i’s lamp is rated for up to 15,000 hours in Eco mode, while the X1300i’s lamp is rated for up to 10,000 hours in Eco mode. Lamp life is an essential factor to consider when purchasing a projector, as replacing the lamp can be costly.
Also related: Sony VPL-XW5000ES 4K Laser Projector Read more on BenQ V7050i 4K Laser Smart.
Final thoughts on BenQ X3000i True 4K UHD 4LED Gaming Projector
Compared to the cheaper X1300i, the X3000i has everything that’s good about that sibling. Consequently, you’ll get crisper, brighter, more colourful pictures, as well as more nuanced, natural, and, most importantly, more flexible pictures than you’d expect from such an affordable projector. Its relatively high price for a gaming projector may limit its market, and its black levels could be better. Despite its price tag, it really does offer a lot more than any other gaming projector to date – including the ability to become a movie projector as well.