BenQ - X500i

Good point, but even the x500i has rainbows, perhaps less than the TK700 series but still. From the review on projectorreviews.com: "I noticed rainbow artifacts in some ultra-high-contrast content, like 3D animation"

I think so. I went from an Optoma GT1080 Darbee to a BenQ X500i about 4 months ago and it's night and day better. I use it almost daily for video games and movies. As some might point out, it's not going to be as crisp as a 4k tv. But it's definitely better than a 1080 projector (at least in my case).  Also, I was able to save a few hundred dollars by going refurbished. I know there's a risk there, but the optional extended warranty made me feel better about it. 

I got the Ben Q x500i about a month ago refurbished and it's been great. My understanding is that it is a tier better than the 700sti. Just finished Spiderman 2 and it looked great compared to the previous projector I was using.

Why not a LCD projector (Epson). 3 LCD panel projectors tend to be quite durable and can look really good. Like the Epson 3800. But, DLP models also look quite good and models like the TK710 from BenQ are a pretty solid choice for entry level home theater use. Their X500i is also a really solid model. I'd take either BenQ over the Epson models as they use a solid state light engine on them. Epson is still stuck with their lamp projectors right now.

Daytime use = control the light in the room. Don't just think a thousand extra lumens will fix things. It won't. The BenQ TK710 or X500i from BenQ, if you can find one within budget, or stretch your budget, is the way to go. The TK710 is brighter but not as good for movie viewing. Both use the larger and (hopefully) more reliable .65" DLP chip. Both are laser/LED light sources, for long term reliability. The TK700 is a lot less money and readily available as a refurb. But, it uses a lamp and the older .47" DLP chip in it. Viewsonic tends to try to put out projectors similar to what BenQ does, but they tend to fail to achieve the same quality that BenQ often delivers, so I'd generally skip them.

If you're using a 2.35 screen, then how do you intend to handle 16:9 content? I'd go with the X500i personally, but it isn't designed to handle 21:9/16:9 effectively I believe. It doesn't have the zoom capability to switch between the two.

If this is a permanent installation, look at home theater projectors, or lifestyle models designed to be easily ceiling mounted. A proper 5.1 audio installation with an AV receiver is a must, especially in a dedicated space with a home you actually own. Run wiring in the walls before you paint, and you will have a life long proper surround system. Avoid equipment at the front of the room if possible. Run HDMI to the projector and make it so you can swap out that HDMI cable. Wireless/screen mirroring is generally quite a lousy way to do anything. Use a wired device like an Apple TV or a Chromecast. If you're just streaming, consider a Roku or similar. The lifestyle models, as seen in the video, and as recommended with the X1 are decent solutions for sure, but are trickier to ceiling mount if they don't have a 3-point or 4-point mounting structure as is common with traditional projectors. Plus, they rarely have zoom and lens shift is almost unheard of. These are more common features on traditional projectors. But, the Hisense C2 Pro is a model with good zoom but terrible mounting. The Nexigo Trivision Ultra is well reviewed and has 4-point mounting which is nice for a ceiling setup. No zoom, no lens shift, so positioning must be very accurate for best results, as is common. Super easy to setup are models like the Epson 3800, but they are lamp-based and pretty much past their prime. A shame we haven't seen a laser version of those models yet. The BenQ X500i or X3100i are considerations as is the TK710 (or TK710STi) which are decent traditional models. High end starts around $5000 with Epson, Sony, and JVC models, all worthy in a good theater. Not sure what you're really hoping to spend here. A fixed frame screen from Silver Ticket is a excellent way to go.

I think the led and laser models are best for ease of use and longevity. Benq has some of the cheaper ones: the ht2060 is 1080p but seems pretty solid and the cheapest option id go for. The x3100i (i have an older model of this one, lots of hours no issues yet) and the x500 are the two that are a step up. There is a laser one too I think that is between those but I don’t remember the model off the top of my head. Whatever you do make sure it fits your intended space, these models have limited image adjustment and keystone takes away a lot of the positives of these models. I also recommend a quality seller NOT amazon just in case you do need to deal with replacement/warranty stuff. A dedicated projector site will help you compare models easier too.

BenQ has a gaming range including the x500i. They are meant for room with some lights on for gaming and have higher refresh rates and lower latency. They will be good for movies also especially in rooms that aren't pitch black but won't be as good an image as a dedicated movie projector in a completely black room. DLP are also the only current technology in use that has zero ghosting making the image sharper in fast paced games. It all depends on your priorities as many modern movie projectors can also handle gaming just not as well as a dedicated gaming projector. Flip side modern gaming projectors can do movies just not as well as a dedicated movie projector.

One thing I would add is to make sure your room has the dimensions necessary to support the throw distance of the projector. To run a X500i in my setup, it would have to be floating in the middle of the room; my X3000i, however, sits comfortably behind my couch.

Fair enough, my vote would be for the x500i

Better contrast, color space coverage than the other two listed

I play SF6 on x500i and no issues hitting single frame timings. However with something like an fps you would just need to be back so far that you might as well use a monitor haha

What do you mean? I play SF6 and Khazan on my BenQ x500i with no issues. SF6 specifically requires frame perfect timings. Also, the projector seems to have way less motion blur from what I've noticed

You seem to not understand fighting game frames. When I say frame perfect timings, I literally mean 1 single frame matters.. This means if there was any human-noticeable delay, it would not be feasible.

Had my BenQ 500i since release. Used almost daily. 60fps 4k and 120 at 1440. Great for single player games. Input lag is not an issue. No issues with the Doom games. I can't even hear fan noise from it. I have a light controlled room and don't have issues with that. If you want larger than 120" screen may have to look at 3000i ben q recommend.

500i for over a year now. 1440 120 is amazing.

In that group— unless you need to compete with a lot of ambient light the X500i will have the best picture quality. It has one of the highest native contrast specs of any 4K projector and color is excellent. It’s also a true short throw. The TK700STi would be my second choice. It’s very bright so will do better on larger screens or rooms with some lights on. But it’s lamp and the color won’t be as good. See my review here: https://www.avsforum.com/threads/benq-tk700sti-review-owners-thread-4k-hdr-low-lag-short-throw-gaming-projector.3198258/ Of those models the X300G would be my last pic. It’s a great projector for what it is: a small semi-portable with easy setup. It will have better picture quality that the 700 But its lumen output is limiting.