Additionally, the W2720i supports HDR10+, which enables dynamic frame-by-frame tone mapping for compatible devices. This ensures optimal HDR performance without requiring users to manually adjust settings based on the content they're watching—something they might need to do with standard HDR10 content.

The W2720i includes BenQ's QS02 Android TV dongle, which is installed in a compartment within the unit where it connects via HDMI and is powered internally. Once connected, the standard Google TV setup process begins, taking only a few minutes to complete. The smart platform offers an authorized Netflix app, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, and other applications. It also includes features users expect from Google TV, such as Chromecast built-in, wireless display casting, Google Voice Assistant, and access to the Google Play Store. Internal apps support HDR10+ as well.

My main issue with this dongle was that it remained in HDR10 mode at all times and did not properly detect and adjust to the correct dynamic range of the content. For example, when I watched SDR content, the projector still displayed it in HDR mode rather than switching to SDR as intended. When we mentioned this concern to BenQ, the manufacturer noted that to experience SDR content through the QS02, users can follow these steps: Settings -> Device Preferences -> Display & Sound -> Screen Resolution -> Color Space Settings -> YCbCr444 8bit.

The W2720i also features a pair of built-in 5-watt stereo speakers with four different sound modes: Cinema, Music, Game, and Sports. While the speakers provide decent audio performance for temporary setups, they may leave more to be desired for a full movie experience, where the dynamics of a dedicated audio system are preferred. Because of this, an external sound system—such as a soundbar or an AVR/AVP-based system—is always recommended for the best experience. The projector also supports eARC, allowing users to route audio back to a compatible sound system for spatial audio formats like Dolby Atmos.

In terms of connectivity, the W2720i offers a robust selection of inputs and outputs. It includes three rear HDMI ports and one internal HDMI port dedicated to the supplied streaming dongle. All rear HDMI ports support HDCP 2.3, with HDMI 2 offering eARC and HDMI 3 supporting HDMI 2.1 with 12Gbps@4L, making it a full-bandwidth 48Gbps port. This enables the W2720i to accept a 4K/120Hz signal, though it is down sampled to 1080p/120Hz. The remaining internal HDMI input is HDMI 2.0b. Additionally, a 2.5A USB Type-A port is available for power delivery, along with a second USB Type-A port for media playback. The projector also includes SPDIF optical audio output, a 3.5mm audio output, a USB Mini Type-B for service, RS-232, and a 12V trigger.

As mentioned, the W2720i can accept a 4K/120Hz signal that is down sampled to 1080p/120Hz, which is excellent news for gamers using current-generation consoles or high-end gaming PCs. When Fast Mode is enabled, the projector delivers impressively low input latency, achieving as little as 7ms at 1080p/240Hz and no higher than 19ms at 60Hz, whether in 1080p or 4K.

The included remote is well-designed and easy to navigate by touch, providing all the necessary buttons to access menus, switch inputs, and control playback with dedicated buttons for play, pause, fast forward, and rewind. The remote is Bluetooth-enabled for responsive control and features a backlit design for ease of use in dark environments. Additionally, the W2720i supports 3D for enthusiasts who enjoy immersive 3D content.

Performance

The W2720i offers a total of nine picture modes—five for SDR, three for HDR, and one for HDR10+. The SDR modes include AI Cinema, Bright, Cinema, Filmmaker, and User, while the HDR modes consist of HDR AI Cinema, HDR10, and Filmmaker. HDR10+ has a single mode named HDR10+. The AI Picture modes do not support the Fast Mode setting, which is used to reduce input latency.

Most picture modes deliver similar image quality, with the exception of Bright mode. Its color temperature is locked to Native, meaning it cannot be adjusted to match the other picture modes, which offer Normal, Cool, and Warm settings. While corrections can be made, Bright mode cannot achieve the exact same look as the others.

Each picture mode has predefined settings, most of which can be adjusted. However, the Wide Color Gamut (WCG) setting, which controls the color filter to expand gamut coverage, is either defaulted to on or off and cannot be changed. This limitation applies to SDR modes, which is less than ideal due to the 14.6% light loss when the WCG filter is engaged. In SDR, Filmmaker and User modes have WCG enabled, while Cinema does not. For HDR, the WCG filter can be toggled on or off in HDR10 and Filmmaker modes but remains locked to an off state in HDR AI Cinema mode.

Out of the box, Filmmaker, Cinema, and User modes provide good picture quality for SDR content. For HDR, all picture modes deliver good image quality, though Filmmaker mode (when using the WCG filter) was my preferred choice. Additionally, the AI Picture modes perform surprisingly well.

For users who choose not to calibrate the W2720i but still want a relatively accurate image, the aforementioned picture modes offer a solid cinematic experience. Only minor adjustments, such as tweaking gamma, enabling or disabling the WCG filter, and lowering sharpness depending on the selected mode, may be necessary.

The controls provided within the projector included standard 2-point grayscale controls, an 11-point white balance control, and CMS (color management system) to adjust RGBCMY primary and secondary color points, in addition to white. These same controls are available in HDR picture modes as well. Standard global controls for Contrast, Brightness, Color, Tint, and Sharpness are also available.

I calibrated the W2720i with Calman Ultimate calibration software from Portrait Displays, a 1nm Qalif Spectro, a Colorimetry Research CR-250 Spectroradiometer, a Colorimetry Research CR-100 Colorimeter, and a Murideo 8K Seven Generator. The projector was placed approximately 7 feet 5 inches away and utilized zoom to project a 100-inch, 16:9 image on a reference 1.3 gain, 130-inch 2.35:1 Stewart Filmscreen.

Picture modes were generally good and had fairly low dE (DeltaE) errors, which is the metric used to determine the visible error. It has been determined that anything over a dE of 3 is visible, anything over 2.3 is a just noticeable difference for trained eyes and anything below 2.3 won't likely be seen to the eye. Pre-calibration measurements of Filmmaker picture mode had dE errors averaging 2.7dE for grayscale with a 5.3 max. Color checker measured an average of 1.5dE with a max of 5.6dE. 10% saturation sweeps faired similarly to the large 150+ patch color checker with a 1.4dE avg and a 5.1 max.

Per BenQ's Rec.709 calibration target, Rec.709 is stated to have a color accuracy of less than 3dE and a grayscale tracking of less than 2dE. However, multiple factors can cause this not to measure the same or return the same errors such as, but not limited to, the screen, influence of the room, measurement equipment, luminance target, and most importantly the number of measured patches. I measure a significant number of patches compared to smaller validations used in these types of reports, so my results will generally show a higher average and max. Additionally BenQ's statement doesn't specify if their target errors are an average or max error. Ultimately the results are very good for OOTB performance.

Using the provided 2-point Gain and Offset controls I targeted the production industry standard D65 neutral gray white point by adjusting only the Gain controls and 11-point white balance. Afterwards, a full CMS (color management system) calibration for the RGBCMY primaries and secondary colors was performed as well. Results for post calibration did help improve the level of accuracy. Grayscale average measured 0.7dE with a 2dE max. Large Color Checker average measured 0.7dE with a 2.5dE max, while saturation sweeps averaged a 0.6dE with a 1.9dE max.

The W2720i performed well in HDR as well with an extremely tight grayscale and generally good tracking colors in color checker and saturation sweeps. Though due to the limited gamut coverage even with using the WCG filter the W2720i did under perform in red, blue, and magenta ultimately lacking the saturation it needs to fully be accurate in those areas. In fact check comments, BenQ responded to this point by saying that the brand prioritizes color accuracy of the red and blue points within the color gamut, rather than focusing on saturation first.

The device used for reviewing content post-calibration was a Panasonic UB820 UHD player.

1080p/SDR Viewing. The first movie I chose to watch was Nightcrawler in SDR via Blu-ray. The film looked great, with natural skin tones for the characters in various scenes, such as when Louis and Nina had their discussions at the station or when Joe (Bill Paxton) met with Louis outside the station in an attempt to recruit him to drive his second van. Other aspects of the film also showcased excellent color reproduction, such as Louis' car, which appeared in a rich, nicely saturated red.

The W2720i also performed well with shadow detail in the darker night scenes, particularly when Louis and Rick were driving around the city to various incidents. For example, in the scene where Louis staged the accident on the hill before pulling the injured man into the shot, the background was rendered effectively—preserving detail without excessive crushing—while maintaining good black levels that weren't overly lifted.

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Overall, the W2720i handled Rec. 709 content exceptionally well, demonstrating its high level of color accuracy.

UHD/HDR Viewing. The next movie I decided to watch was Oblivion in HDR via 4K UHD. Skin tones were once again well presented, particularly during the opening scene when Jack was preparing to launch for his daily mission. The image was sharp and highly detailed. The skies were free of any posterization, displaying smooth gradients with well-defined cloud details that appeared clean and bright. This was also true during the scene where Jack took a break on the mountain, overlooking the snowy landscape.

The lower contrast was noticeable when Jack was fighting in the library as the W2720i couldn't fully render the darker detail as I would have expected. Although it didn't look particularly bad, it was evident that some depth was missing from the image.

The only other issue I noticed while watching this film occurred during a few scenes, such as where Jack was riding his bike across the barren land, or Victoria tossed the flower Jack was growing over the edge of their tower. I observed a few brightness fluctuations—though not overly aggressive, the brightness would randomly step up a notch, making it noticeable.

Ultimately, the W2720i did a fantastic job with Oblivion, delivering a truly cinematic experience.

The last movie I chose to watch was How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World in HDR via 4K UHD. The W2720i performed well, though not as strongly as it did with other content. Motion handling was excellent, with no visible motion artifacts when Hiccup and Astrid flew Stormfly around the waterfall in the center of the ocean before diving in. The image remained sharp and detailed throughout.

However, once the two entered the cavern, where the environment lit up in various colors, the image was somewhat muted. While the colors were well-represented, there was a noticeable lack of depth and contrast, making the image feel somewhat flat and lacking in vibrancy. This was especially evident when the small glowing dragons appeared, as they didn't stand out as much as expected. The movie didn't look bad—just not as vibrant as I would have liked.

Conclusion

The BenQ W2720i is a well-performing projector that delivers solid all-around performance at a reasonable price. Users can enjoy a cinematic experience along with excellent gaming performance, whether in a traditional home theater setup or a more flexible room-to-room use case, thanks to its built-in speaker system.

The W2720i produces a high-quality image, though it could be brighter, particularly when using picture modes such as Filmmaker or any other mode that activates the cinema filter. Despite this shortcoming, the image remains impressive, offering a clean 4K experience in both SDR and HDR. With support for HDR, HDR10+, and eARC, the W2720i is well-equipped for those who want compatibility with today's formats without making a significant investment to enjoy a big-screen experience.

That said, the W2720i is not without flaws and has room for improvement. One issue is the out-of-the-box dynamic range functionality of the included streaming stick, which does not properly switch between SDR and HDR based on content—though this can be resolved by using a different streaming device or changing settings according the the manufacturer's recommendations above. Additionally, giving users the option to engage or disengage the cinema filter would enhance flexibility. Beyond these concerns, the W2720i has few notable shortcomings.

The BenQ W2720i is a strong contender for those new to projection, who are looking for a solid entry-level model that supports current formats, offers fairly accurate out-of-the-box picture quality, and is capable of gaming. However, users with larger screens or negative-gain screens may find the W2720i a bit dim and may want to consider a projector with higher light output for optimal brightness.

Measurements

Brightness. The W2720i is rated for 2,500 ANSI lumens. The brightest picture mode is the SDR picture mode Bright. This picture mode measured 2,704 ANSI lumens, which is 7.5% higher than its rated specification. When not utilizing Bright picture mode and utilizing User picture mode the W2720i measured 1,595 ANSI Lumens.

BenQ W2720i ANSI Lumens

SDR/HDR MODES	Normal	ECO
AI Cinema	1,379	1,103
Bright	2,704	2,163
Filmmaker	1,595	1,276
Cinema	1,406	1,125
User	1,595	1,276
HDR AI Cinema	1,379	1,103
HDR10	1,379	1,103
Filmmaker Mode	1,379	1,103

Zoom Lens Light Loss. The W2720i's light loss when shifting from the widest zoom position to its longest telephoto position was 15%.

Brightness Uniformity. The W2720i projecting a 100-inch diagonal image resulted in measured brightness uniformity of 76%. The brightest portion of the screen was the middle bottom sector, and the dimmest the right top. The difference in brightness on a full white screen was not noticeable.

Fan Noise. BenQ rates the fan noise for the W2720i between 28/26dB for typical and ECO. According to the company, its 28/26dB noise levels are verified according to the ISO 7779 standard, with testing conducted in an anechoic chamber where the background noise must be below 19dB. I tested the W2720i's fan noise using Room EQ Wizard software and a Umik-1 microphone, my theater room ambient noise floor is 33.3 dBA. Measuring the W2720i at approximately 3 feet away from multiple locations the W2720i measured the following.

Normal:
Front: 37.6
Left: 36.9
Right: 36.5
Rear: 37.3

ECO:
Front: 36.5
Left: 34.7
Right: 35.1
Rear: 35.1

Input Lag. Input lag measurements were taken using a Murideo 8K Seven Generator using Fast Mode in the W2720i. While using Fast Mode keystone is disabled. When sending 120 to 240Hz Motion Enhancer 4K and Noise Reduction are disabled. When sending 4k/120Hz image is down sampled to 1080p/120Hz.

1080p/60 = 19ms
1080p/120 = 15ms
1080p/240 = 7ms
4k/60 = 19ms
4k/120Hz = down sampled to 1080p/120Hz

Connections

• HDMI-1 (2.1/HDCP 2.3/ALLM/4K 60Hz)
• HDMI-2 (2.1/HDCP 2.3/ALLM/4K 60Hz/Audio Return+)
• HDMI-3(2.1/HDCP 2.3/ALLM/4K 120Hz)
• HDMI 2.0b-Internal (x1; HDCP 2.2)
• USB Type Mini-B (service)
• USB 2.0 Type A (x2; Power Supply 1.5A/2.5A; media playback; firmware upgrade)
• DC 12V Trigger
• RS-232

Calibrated Settings

Calibrated image settings from any third-party do not account for the significant potential for sample-to-sample variation, nor the different screen sizes and materials, lighting, lamp usage, or other environmental factors that can affect image quality. Projectors should always be calibrated in the user's own space and tuned for the expected viewing conditions. However, the settings provided here may be a helpful starting point for some. Always record your current settings before making adjustments so you can return to them as desired. Refer to the Performance section for some context for each calibration.

SDR Settings

Picture Mode: Filmmaker Mode
User Management: N/A
Brightness: 50
Contrast: 50
Color: 50
Tint: 50
Sharpness: 0

Advanced Color Settings

Gamma Selection: 2.4
Color Temperature Tuning: Normal
Red Gain: 100
Green Gain: 97
Blue Gain: 99
Red Offset: 256
Green Offset: 256
Blue Offset: 256

Adv. Color Temperature Tuning

	Red	Green	Blue
5%	49	50	50
10%	49	50	50
20%	50	50	49
30%	48	50	47
40%	49	50	47
50%	49	50	51
60%	50	52	49
70%	50	50	51
80%	47	50	50
90%	49	50	50
100%	49	50	50

Color Management

Color	Hue	Saturation	Gain
R	240	193	172
G	116	186	193
B	138	213	193
C	227	143	194
M	121	182	206
Y	138	200	200
	R Gain	G Gain	B Gain
W	200	200	200

Cinema Master

Color Enhancer: 0
Pixel Enhancer 4K: 1
Motion Enhancer 4K: Off
Global Contrast Enhancer: Low
Local Contrast Enhancer: Low

Light Source Mode: Normal
HDR Brightness: N/A
Noise Reduction: Off

HDR

Picture Mode: Filmmaker Mode
User Management: N/A
Brightness: 50
Contrast: 50
Color: 50
Tint: 50
Sharpness: 0

Advanced Color Settings

Gamma Selection: 2.4
Color Temperature Tuning: Normal
Red Gain: 100
Green Gain: 98
Blue Gain: 99
Red Offset: 256
Green Offset: 256
Blue Offset: 256

Adv. Color Temperature Tuning

	Red	Green	Blue
5%	50	50	50
10%	50	50	50
20%	50	50	50
30%	50	50	50
40%	49	50	48
50%	49	50	45
60%	50	50	50
70%	50	50	50
80%	50	50	50
90%	50	50	50
100%	50	50	50

Color Management

Color	Hue	Saturation	Gain
R	193	181	200
G	194	185	200
B	189	183	200
C	200	200	200
M	206	211	200
Y	188	200	200
	R Gain	G Gain	B Gain
W	200	200	200

Wide Color Gamut: On
Cinema Master
Color Enhancer: 7
Pixel Enhancer 4K: 1
Motion Enhancer 4K: Off
Global Contrast Enhancer: Low
Local Contrast Enhancer: Low

Light Source Mode: High Dynamic
HDR Brightness: 0
Noise Reduction: Off

For more detailed specifications and connections, check out our BenQ W2720i projector page.

To buy this projector, use Where to Buy online, or get a price quote by email direct from Projector Central authorized dealers using our E-Z Quote tool.

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