BenQ TH685 Review: A Solid Home Theater Projector In 2023
The BenQ TH685 is another popular projector after the previous model TH585. The company has included many great features and technologies in this model. Some of the best features include a six-segment color wheel, HDR10 & HLG support, and 3D compatibility.
Before we move to the full review of the BenQ TH685, let’s take a look at the key features of the projector first.
Key features: The BenQ TH685
- Native 1080p
- Low input lag
- Customized modes for sound & gaming
- 1.3x Zoom & Digital lens shift
- 8.3ms response time
- Vertical keystone correction
- 15,000 hours lamp life
Pros & Cons: The BenQ TH685
What I like:
- Its HDR10 & HLG support
- It can handle 4K content, though downconverts
- Low input lag and fast response time
- Excellent color production with accuracy
- 3D capability
What I don’t:
- Image adjustment
- No carrying bag
Verdict: What I think about the BenQ TH685
There is no doubt saying the BenQ TH685 is an unbeatable projector for home entertainment for the price. Besides, it’s good at gaming; you have fast 8.3ms of response time and low input lag. Moreover, since the projector offers 3,500 lumens of brightness, it makes it an ideal outdoor projector. So if you install it in a well-lit room or a room with ambient light, you won’t be disappointed with the picture quality you get.
The BenQ TH685 also supports HDR10 and HLG (the standard for broadcast TV). In addition, it handles 4K content with ease, though it downscale it to the native resolution 1080p.
So for the price tag it carries, it’s an excellent (1080p) Full HD projector for a home theater setup. Hence I give the BenQ THT685 4 stars out of 5.
Top competitors: ViewSonic PX701HD And BenQ TH585
It’s all about the price of the projector. Therefore, from 500 to $1000, the price range makes the whole lot difference between projectors. Like BenQ TH685, The Viewsonic PX701HD and BenQ TH585 are among the projectors sharing the same price. Moreover, share the same features and are designed for watching movies and gaming.
However, the common drawback with these models is their support for HDR and 4K input.
Two more contenders give direct competition to the TH685 – the Optoma GT1080HDR and Optoma HD39HDR. Why? Their ability to accept 4K HDR input is just like TH685. All three are native Full HD projectors and downconvert 4K HDR input to their native resolutions. However, there is one plus with TH685 is its HLG support, where the other two lack.
Overview: All you need to know about the projector
Starting with the fact that the BenQ is a native FullHD projector and supports an actual 1920×1080 pixels resolution. In addition to the resolution, you can feed it 4K (3820x2160p) content; however, it downconverts the image to meet the native resolution.
The projector utilizes HDR10 technology to deliver a bright and high-quality picture. Besides, whatever content you play: HDR10 or SDR, it delivers fantastic color accuracy and contrast.
Review: What does the BenQ TH685 carry?
Brightness: How many lumens does the BenQ TH685 offer?
With a six-segment (RGBWYC) color wheel, the TH685 is equipped with a single (1920x1200P) DLP chip. The extra white color segment produces a more bright picture and improves the overall color accuracy. Unfortunately, that’s why most projectors using a six-segment color wheel are expensive.
Come to the question; the projector boasts 3,500 ANSI lumens, it delivers enough bright picture in a well-lit room. Compared to other identical projectors with the same lumen ratings, I found the picture quality on the TH685 more satisfying.
As (SMPTE) Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers recommends, a projector with 3000 rated lumens can light up a 250-inch diagonal screen in a dark room. However, if it is a room with ambient light, your projector can handle a 150-inch screen.
Physical appearance: What about the projector’s design?
The TH685 is a compact and portable projector, as it weighs only 6.2 pounds and measures (4x12x9) inches (HWD). Moreover, the projector features 1.3x zoom and the digital image shift when it comes to image correction.
Also, you have the option to square off the image using its +/- 30-degree vertical keystone control.
While testing the projector, I chose a 90-inch image size and put the projector about 7 feet and 4 inches away from the projected screen. However, I had some issues while focusing on the image caused by its focus ring. In other words, With just a little movement of the focus ring, the projector changes the focus a lot.
Connectivity: Does the projector include all the necessary ports?
For connectivity, the TH685 includes two HDMI ports (2.0b) with several other ports. Both HDMI ports are compatible with HDCP 2.2. Next to the HDMIs, you have a USB port. Most people use the USB port for powering up their streaming dongles, such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and many others.
Picture quality: What about the different color modes of the projector?
The picture quality on the projector is fantastic, even with defaults settings. It does most of the things on its own and doesn’t require manual actions that much. However, you must pay attention to the basics, such as image focus, the appropriate resolution, suitable colors or modes for the content being played, ETC.
Like other same category projectors, The TH685 offers four predefined color modes: cinema, sport, bright, and game mode. As usual, the bright mode is used for controlling the light level; moreover, it comes in handy when your room has a lot of ambient light.
You also have the sports mode; the projector tries to match the realistic color range but gives up. Yes, you heard it right. I wouldn’t say I liked this sports mode that much because of the inaccurate color range.
If the content is below 1080p or SDR, you have the Cinema mode, which delivers the best color accuracy. I played a lot around this mode, as it was indeed impressive, especially for low-quality content.
After a couple of hours of testing these color modes, I found them producing better color accuracy in dark scenes. However, modes with high brightness, such as its gaming mode, steal shadow detail in dark scenes or dark areas of the game with ease. Overall, I can say these modes work perfectly and make close-ups of deep objects.
HDR support: How does it work?
When it comes to HDR content, the projector TH685 does a great job. It downconverts the 4K image to the projector’s native 1080p resolution. Like HDR, it also supports HLG content; both HDR and HLG work the same way, though with different purposes.
When you play any 4K HDR movie, you’ll find its colors to be a bit saturated with good contrast for bright scenes. However, you won’t find any difference in dark scenes; they look as same as SDR content.
When it comes to dark gray levels, the difference was comparable; I could see a more dramatic image with better shadow details. In addition to the color levels, you have settings to fine-tune the image range. Generally, these settings let you adjust brightness and contrast. Though most modern projectors also have settings to adjust gamma.
Yes, The TH685 also has gamma adjustments. Besides, Further adjustments, such as Hue, saturation, and gain, can be adjusted separately using the color management system.
The Rainbow: The TH685’s with rainbow artifacts
Equipped with a single-DLP-chip, The TH685 also has red-green-blue flashes. Again, though, it is slightly noticeable. Therefore, saying that projector has rainbow artifacts won’t be wrong.
However, when the projection is in action, you’ll find them fleeting right away. Moreover, it is noticeable only for those who are sensitive to those artifacts. For me, they didn’t bother me at all.
Sound Quality: Is it worth it?
When it comes to the sound quality of the projector, it produces a decent sound from its built-in 5-watt speaker, though it’s a mono speaker. To be honest, I didn’t find its sound that loud. However, it’s okay for a small room. If you want stereo high-quality sound, go for an external sound system.
Gaming: Is BenQ TH685 a gaming projector?
As smooth gaming requires fast response time and low input lag, the BenQ TH685 does the same job. It offers 8.3ms fast response time with a dedicated gaming picture mode. So if you’re a gamer, you can’t help appreciating the TH685.
Conclusion: What do I think about BenQ TH685?
If you’re looking for the best Full HD home theater projector under 1000 bucks, you have BenQ TH685. From its picture to sound quality, everything was up to the bar. Moreover, its two impressive features, HDR and HLG, add more flexibility to the projector.
So it’s been the full review of BenQ’s popular model TH685. I want you guys to leave a comment below about the review – ask me if there is any doubt.
Проектор BenQ TH685i
Созданный специально для геймеров проектор TH685i c минимальной задержкой вывода (8,3 мс), подарит вам острые ощущения от игры в реальном времени. Великолепная графика HDR с разрешением 1080p и высокая яркость 3500 ANSI люменов обеспечивают отличное качество изображения даже при дневном свете. Высококачественный звук перенесет вас в захватывающий виртуальный мир о котором вы даже не подозревали. Проектор поставляется с сертифицированным Google Android TV для развлечений в полном объеме. Он перенесет вас в мир Google Play с играми на большом экране, ТВ, спортом и фильмами. Это будущее домашних развлечений.
Готовы прочувствовать реальность происходящего?
Поднимитесь на новый уровень: реалистичная и четкая HDR детализация на огромных Full HD 1080p проекционных изображениях оставляет позади даже большие телевизионные экраны. Подсоедините TH685i к своей любимой приставке и приведите свою команду к победе.
Яркий игровой процесс
Минимальное время задержки имеет значение
BenQ TH685i с максимально коротким временем отклика 8 мс обеспечивает исключительную плавность игры, позволяя вам контролировать игровой процесс в режиме реального времени. Проектор идеально подходит для спортивных соревнований, шутеров и всех видов игр, где важна скорость реакции.
BenQ TH685i FullHD проектор для развлечений
Игровой проектор BenQ TH685 c минимальной задержкой вывода (input lag) подарит вам новые ощущения от игры в реальном времени. Превосходная 1080р HDR графика и яркость 3500 ANSI Lm обеспечат отличное качество изображения даже при дневном свете. Высококачественный звук перенесет вас в захватывающий виртуальный мир о котором вы даже не подозревали.
Готовы прочувствовать реальность происходящего?
Удивитесь реалистичной и четкой HDR детализации на огромных Full HD 1080p проекционных изображениях, которые оставляют позади даже большие телевизионные экраны. Подсоедините BenQ TH685 к своей любимой приставке, и приведите свою команду к победе.
Минимальное время задержки (input lag)
Задержку вывода изображения можно сравнить с плохой фонограммой. Даже трансляция блестящей игры NBA может разочаровать, если изображение будет тормозить. BenQ TH685 имеет революционно минимальную задержку — 8 мс и гарантирует вам плавность динамичного изображения!
Эксклюзивный игровой режим
Побеждай всегда
Игровой режим BenQ TH685 обеспечивает тонкую настройку изображений, наделяя темные сцены большей четкостью и точностью. Вы одолеете всех врагов и разгадаете все секреты в RPG.
Враг не пройдет
Встроенный в BenQ TH685 динамик с мощностью 5 Вт подчеркнет каждый звук в FPS играх благодаря специальному игровому режиму. Используя мощную акустическую систему, TH685 демонстрирует превосходное качество звучания для получения максимального удовольствия.
Портативная проекция
Захватите шоу с собой. BenQ TH685 устанавливается за считанные секунды, и превращает любое пространство в вашу личную киберспортивную арену.
1,3-кратный зум для различных расстояний
BenQ TH685 оптимизирует даже небольшое помещение для визуальных развлечений на большом экране.
Цифровой сдвиг объектива для настройки необходимой высоты проекционного изображения
Вертикальный сдвиг объектива игрового проектора BenQ TH685 позволяет установить его в любой комнате.
Автоматическая коррекция вертикальных трапецеидальных искажений
Эта функция позволяет получить неискаженное изображение в случае, если проектор направлен под углом к экрану.