BenQ W2720i: The World’s First AI-Powered Home Cinema Projector

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been integrated into almost every type of technology—from smartphones to televisions—and now, it’s making its way into the world of projectors. The BenQ W2720i is a groundbreaking AI-powered projector that promises to elevate your home cinema experience to new heights. This ambitious product incorporates AI to optimize your viewing experience in real-time, making it the first of its kind in the market. But does it live up to its promises? And is it worth the hefty price tag of Rs 3,50,000? Let’s take a closer look.

The BenQ W2720i is packed with impressive specifications, including 4K resolution, HDR10+ support, and an LED light source rated for a massive 30,000 hours. While these features sound great on paper, the real question is whether the projector’s AI capabilities truly enhance the viewing experience. After spending weeks testing the W2720i, I’ll break down its performance, design, and features to determine if it deserves a place in your home cinema setup.

A Deep Dive into the BenQ W2720i

Design and Build Quality

The BenQ W2720i doesn’t stray far from the classic design found in many projectors. It’s a large, bulky unit that requires a permanent spot in your setup. Weighing 6.4 kg and measuring 420×143×305 mm, this projector isn’t something you’ll move around often. The overall aesthetic is simple but sleek, with an all-black finish that exudes a premium look. The front of the projector features a centrally-positioned lens with manual zoom and focus rings, while the side holds a set of controls and connectivity ports.

AI-Powered Features

One of the key selling points of the W2720i is its integration of AI technology. The projector is equipped with a Time of Flight sensor and an AI camera that constantly monitor your viewing environment, adjusting brightness, contrast, and colour temperature based on ambient light and content. While the AI Cinema Mode isn’t a revolutionary breakthrough, it does provide noticeable improvements in image quality, particularly in low-light environments. It helps balance brightness and contrast, providing a more comfortable viewing experience.

However, the AI system isn’t flawless. For instance, the Screen Fit feature, which automatically adjusts the image to fit the screen boundaries, can be inconsistent in certain lighting conditions. This is frustrating, especially since the feature is marketed as one of the projector’s standout capabilities.

Picture and Sound Quality

The image quality of the W2720i is undeniably impressive. The 4K resolution, combined with HDR10+ support, produces vivid colours and sharp details. The projector handles HDR content well, preventing the usual issues with blown-out highlights or crushed shadows. However, the W2720i struggles with black levels, as is common with DLP projectors in this price range. In dark rooms, blacks often appear as dark grey instead of true black, which might disappoint those looking for the deep contrast of OLED displays.

In terms of audio, the W2720i features dual 5-watt speakers that deliver clear dialogue and reasonable bass. While the built-in speakers aren’t a substitute for a dedicated home theatre system, they’re surprisingly competent for casual viewing. The projector also supports Dolby Audio processing, which enhances the sound quality by adding depth and width to the audio experience.

Gaming Performance

Although not marketed as a gaming projector, the W2720i performs well with gaming content. With an input lag of around 18ms, it’s perfectly suitable for most single-player experiences, though competitive gamers may find the lag a bit high. The projector supports 4K/60Hz content and downscales 120Hz signals to 1080p, prioritizing fluid motion over high resolution. Games on platforms like the PS5 look stunning, with vibrant colours and excellent detail.

AI Cinema Mode in Practice

BenQ’s AI Cinema Mode is the most advertised feature of the W2720i, but does it live up to the hype? The mode adjusts the projector’s brightness, contrast, and colour temperature based on ambient light and content, subtly improving the image during longer viewing sessions. While the adjustments are minor, they do accumulate into a more pleasant viewing experience, especially for movie marathons. However, the AI system can occasionally overcompensate, making darker scenes look washed out.

What Undercode Says:

After spending weeks with the BenQ W2720i, I find myself torn about the projector’s value. On one hand, it delivers impressive 4K visuals, vibrant colours, and solid HDR performance, making it an attractive option for home cinema enthusiasts. The AI-powered features, while not revolutionary, do make a difference in optimizing the viewing experience, particularly in terms of brightness and contrast adjustments. The integration of Android TV is another nice touch, offering seamless access to streaming services without the need for external devices.

However, the W2720i is not without its flaws. The inconsistency of the Screen Fit feature is a significant annoyance, and the lack of true black levels is a dealbreaker for some viewers. Additionally, while the AI adjustments are useful, they don’t quite justify the high price tag compared to other projectors in the market.

At Rs 3,50,000, the W2720i is certainly a premium option, but it occupies an awkward middle ground. It’s more expensive than entry-level 4K projectors but lacks some of the refinements that would justify its price. For those who are specifically looking for a projector with superior colour performance and a maintenance-free LED light source, the W2720i is a strong contender. But for most buyers, it may be difficult to justify the extra cost over other, more affordable models with similar performance.

Fact Checker Results

AI Functionality: The AI features, such as the Cinema Mode and Screen Fit, work reasonably well but are not transformative enough to warrant the high price tag. They provide improvements, but not enough to make the projector a game-changer in its category.

Black Levels: As with most DLP projectors, the W2720i struggles with achieving true black levels, which is a common issue at this price point.

Sound Quality: The built-in speakers are better than expected but still not a replacement for a proper home theatre sound system.

Prediction

Looking ahead, AI-powered projectors like the BenQ W2720i could become more refined, offering even better AI-driven optimizations and improvements in picture quality. As AI technology becomes more advanced, we can expect future projectors to offer enhanced contrast handling, better black levels, and smoother integration with smart home ecosystems. However, it’s also likely that the price of such projectors will need to come down in order to appeal to a broader audience.