BenQ offers settings optimized for gamers, and the X3000i is an excellent projector for any other type of entertainment, boasting impressive brightness and Android TV streaming capabilities.
To experience optimal enjoyment, you’ll need to get an external sound system, but the built-in speakers will suffice for casual use.
BenQ X3000i
Pros
- Enjoy a large-screen viewing experience with stunning color.
- The newest DLP projection technology
- Features specific to gaming
- The Android TV dongle is included.
Cons
- The audio coming from the large display is not loud enough.
- An Android dongle has a refresh rate of 60Hz.
Design
The BenQ X3000i projector has a smaller design more similar to mini-projectors than more traditional home theater models.
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Measurement
Despite its small appearance in photos, the measurements of the item are 27cm wide, 20cm high, and 26cm deep.
Front
The front of the device has a stripe of orangey-red around its edges and corners, and the lens window is located at the top left of the panel.
With its throw ratio of 1.15 to 1.5, the projector can provide a screen size ranging from 98 inches to 133 inches when positioned 3.2 meters away – ideal for tabletop use because of its small size.
Connections
The X3000i contains
- two HDMI inputs at the rear
- both UHD-capable
- one supporting HDMI’s ARC audio out to a larger sound system.
Audio can be taken from an optical audio output or, with less reliability and no surround information, from a minijack stereo analog output.
Remote Control
The remote is great; it’s a white, curved wand that’s easy to handle and can control the sound and video levels. Users may be a little confused due to separate buttons for “settings” and “menu” that access different menus.
Apps and Connected Features
Streaming Apps
According to the specs, the dongle should be running Android 9.0, however, ours had version 10 installed, and BenQ’s promise of having over 5,000 apps was true considering our selection from Australia including all the terrestrial catch-up services plus
- Disney Plus
- Stan
- Prime Video (Prime is singled out with a dedicated button on the remote)
- Kayo
- Binge
- AppleTV Plus
- Paramount Plus and many more.
External Input
Streaming an external source of media eliminates the issue of the Android dongle only outputting at 60Hz to a projector, which could lead to stuttering on content from the UK or Australia that runs at 50Hz.
Google Assistant
Conversely, the Android TV dongle has a remote with a microphone and voice button that enables users to control and search using Google Assistant.
Audio Performance
Built-in Speakers
A concern with installing built-in speakers with a projector is knowing where to put it.
Given the minimum distance for a 100-inch screen is 2.5 meters, the BenQ’s sound will come at best from somewhere near where you’re sitting, and at worst from the back of the room, the exact opposite of where you want it. Nor are you likely to get anything remotely stereo from this positioning.
5W Speakers
The BenQ 5W speakers do not provide enough audio power to match the impact of a 100-inch display.
The audio from the rear speakers isn’t bad, though it is a bit too tiny and lacks definition when it comes to dialogues.
The addition of sound modes, such as the first-person shooter sound mode that emphasizes virtual surround sound, does not help this situation.
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Conclusion
The X3000i from BenQ has a compact design and provides 3000 lumens of brightness, making it ideal for 4K UHD projection. It features the latest in DLP technology and, as expected from BenQ, great color delivery.
The X3000i, which includes a built-in Android dongle for streaming services like Hulu and Disney+, provides incredible performance for movie and TV display – unfortunately, Netflix is not supported.
