This year BenQ presented immersive gaming X3100i (flagship), X500i and X300G 4K UHD projectors. The list of their differences includes only brightness (3,300 / 2,200 / 2,000 ANSI Lumens), color gamut (100% vs 84% DCI-P3 coverage), some options and price.
In this line, the X300G is the most compact and lightweight. Its form factor is a compact cube with dimensions of 18 x 21 x 18 cm (8.3 x 7.1 x 7.7 inches) and weight of 3 kg / 6.6 lbs.
For comparison, the size and weight of flagship X3100i reaches 20 x 27 x 26 cm and 6.8 kg / 15.0 lbs.
The projector uses a 0.65″ DLP chip with XPR pixel shifting (3,840 x 2,160 UHD resolution) and a 3LED-based light engine, providing light output up to 2,000 ANSI lumens. Traditionally for BenQ’s gaming line, the model provides superb input lag, which is 4.16 ms / 1080p@240Hz, 8ms / 1440p@120Hz and 16ms / 4K@60Hz.
The company positions the model as ultra-short throw (UST). Their huge popularity is due to the projector placement near the screen without the problems of complex ceiling mounts or wires on the floor. Accordingly, many choose them as an alternative to a traditional TV in the living room. But, to be fair, from a distance of 50 cm the model forms an image with a diagonal of only 30″. In reality, it provides 100″@(1.5-1.8m), which is more in line with a traditional mid-focal projector.
Of course, its functionality and specs are lower compared to flagship BenQ X3100i. In particular, the X300G is significantly inferior in brightness (2,000 vs 3,300 ANSI Lumens) and has a slightly lower dynamic contrast (500,000:1 vs 600,000:1). But it’s more compact and cheaper ($ 1,700 vs $ 2,350).
Color Modes
The BenQ X300G has 9 picture modes, including Bright, RPG, FPS, SPG, and Cinema for SDR, and HDR10, HDR-RPG, HDR-FPS and HDR-SPG for HDR. They have slight differences in presets of Brightness, Contrast, Sharpness, Detail Adjust, Light Source Mode, Gamma and HDR Brightness.
Unfortunately, in Bright picture mode with max brightness the image has a strong green bias. In fact, the projector provides acceptable color accuracy at brightness levels up to 1,400 ANSI lumens. To be honest, it’s enough for rich colors in a dark room, but in daylight the image will be a bit dull. But with the exception of Bright SDR, all modes are very close to 6500K color temperature and provide good color accuracy out-of-the-box (OOTB).
For example, DeltaE (grayscale) varies from 2.1 to 4.6 in Cinema picture mode (good <3).
The Cinema for SDR and HDR10 for HDR presets are almost perfect. In fact, the projector in these modes does not require additional settings. However, for perfectionists, the model offers adjustment of Gamma in Advanced Color Settings in SDR picture mode (range from 1.8 to 2.6 in 0.1 steps). In addition, CMS (color management system) has white color control. The HDR picture modes have a five-position HDR brightness setting from -2 to +2. But in most cases ‘0’ setting offers optimal balance.
The measured color gamut matches the spec and is 84% for DCI-P3 and 95% in Rec.709. But due to the limited brightness, the model does not use the WCG (Wide Color Gamut) filter, which expands the gamut coverage but reduces the light output.
Gaming & audio
As a gaming projector, the X300G offers additional gaming features, including an FPS Crosshair (targeting reticle onto the screen) and Details Adjustment (raising the detail in black by reducing image clarity).
Of course, the model supports the BenQ’s popular genre-specific picture modes, including RPG (role playing games), FPS (first person shooter), and SPG (sports) for HDR / SDR picture modes.
Gaming performance is also superb. The projector handles 4K@60Hz (Street Fighter 6), 1080p@120Hz (Halo Infinite) and 1080p@240Hz (Will of the Wisps) signals just fine, and is even suitable for ranked matches. The slight oversaturation in red for 4K@60Hz and slight green undersaturation for 1080p@120Hz are unlikely to be considered a problem.
The X300G audio system has 2x 8W speakers for left and right channels and a pair of passive radiators.
In addition, the audio system uses a Bongiovi DSP chip for CinematicSound technology, which is actually an improved version of the previous TreVolo. As a result, the sound quality of the very compact X300G surpasses the sound of many full-size models.
In addition to User mode with five-band EQ, model has four predefined sonic profiles, including Cinema, Music, FPS, and SPG. The sound may seem insufficient for music lovers, but most can save on the purchase of a soundbar or AV receiver.
Instalation & smart
The motorized optical zoom range varies from 1.2x to 1.0x. The digital zoom is used between 1.0x and 0.8x when the projection size remains constant.
The X300G comes with kickstand to adjust the projector’s angle. Combined with 3D keystone and Four Corner adjust, it greatly simplifies installation.
Like previous models, X300G comes with QS02 dongle for smart platform which runs Android TV 11. Model supports wireless projection via Airplay or GoogleCast. The platform also provides access to authorized Netflix app, Prime Video, and YouTube.
The access to the Google Play Store provides downloads of Disney+, Peacock, and many others apps.
Unfortunately, the dongle only supports BT.2020 (HDR) color space. As a result, content in Rec.709 standard dynamic range (SDR) is displayed in over-saturated colors. However, using console or externa Apple TV / Fire TV Stickl media player solves this problem.
Conclusion
Pros
– very compact;
– low input lag (4.16ms / 1080p@240Hz, 8ms / 1440p@120Hz, 16ms / 4K@60Hz);
– 84% DCI-P3 CinematicColor;
– Full HD 3D;
– good out-of-box color accurate;
– Android 11.0 TV dongle with Netflix app;
– 2 x 8.0W internal speakers;
– no rainbow artifacts;
– eARC output.
Cons
– no HDMI 2.1;
– heavy green at max brightness;
– native contrast ratio is only 1,700:1 with mediocre black level.
The company has once again created a great portable gaming projector with superb sound. Of course, it’s inferior to the flagship BenQ X3100i in brightness (2,000 vs 3,300 ANSI Lumen) and color accuracy for HDR, but the price difference ($1,700 vs $2,200 – $2,350) is a significant bonus in its favor. Overall, the portable gaming X300G has excellent marketing prospects and can claim a place among bestsellers due to its superb price-quality ratio.
This video introduces the new BenQ X300G LED 4K HDR gaming projector.
