The catch
BenQ TK710
For an off-center shelf, it has no horizontal lens shift.
Side by side
BenQ TK710 vs Epson Home Cinema 3800: Epson shifts sideways from a rear mount, BenQ fits closer
Quick verdict
The TK710 is right when the room is defined by a shorter lens-to-screen distance or high-refresh 1080p gaming. The Home Cinema 3800 is right when the projector must sit farther back or needs horizontal lens shift. For films, both call for a realistic plan for controlling light. Headline brightness figures cannot tell you which gives the better calibrated picture in your room.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
A fixed shelf may decide the projector before brightness comes up
A 120-inch 16:9 image is about 2.66m wide. With TK710's optical range, the lens lands around 3.05 to 3.98m away.
Where this comes from
Width = 120 × 16 / √337 × 0.0254 = 2.6566m. Times the documented throw endpoints gives the distances, which run lens to screen and not cabinet to wall.
The catch
Epson Home Cinema 3800
From a 3.2m lens position, it cannot fill the stated 120-inch image.
BenQ TK710
- Why pick it
- Your lens is about 3.2m from the screen and the image should be 120 inches
- You have a supported high-refresh 1080p gaming source
- The catch
- For an off-center shelf, it has no horizontal lens shift.
Epson Home Cinema 3800
- Why pick it
- Your lens position is around 5.2m from a 120-inch screen
- Horizontal lens shift would help your off-center installation
- The catch
- From a 3.2m lens position, it cannot fill the stated 120-inch image.
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What this page compares
A fixed shelf, a 120-inch screen, an off-center install and a console in a room where light is controlled: see how the BenQ TK710 and Epson 3800 handle them.
The TK710 is right when the room is defined by a shorter lens-to-screen distance or high-refresh 1080p gaming. The Home Cinema 3800 is right when the projector must sit farther back or needs horizontal lens shift. For films, both call for a realistic plan for controlling light. Headline brightness figures cannot tell you which gives the better calibrated picture in your room.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
120-inch screen, lens position fixed at 3.2m
TK710 is the only one whose optical throw range includes that distance.
- BenQ TK710
- Better fit
- Epson Home Cinema 3800
- Not suitable
120-inch screen and a lens held at 5.2m
This placement is within Epson's longer throw range.
- BenQ TK710
- Not suitable
- Epson Home Cinema 3800
- Better fit
The shelf calls for horizontal optical adjustment
Horizontal lens shift comes with Epson, within its combined-shift envelope.
- BenQ TK710
- Caution
- Epson Home Cinema 3800
- Better fit
Watch films with sunlight hitting the screen
Neither specification establishes how contrast holds up in daylight. Deal with direct light first, then choose a picture mode.
- BenQ TK710
- Caution
- Epson Home Cinema 3800
- Caution
In practice
Differences you will notice
A fixed shelf may decide the projector before brightness comes up
A 120-inch 16:9 image is about 2.66m wide. With TK710's optical range, the lens lands around 3.05 to 3.98m away.
How we worked this out
Width = 120 × 16 / √337 × 0.0254 = 2.6566m. Times the documented throw endpoints gives the distances, which run lens to screen and not cabinet to wall.
Optical adjustment, not a brighter mode, solves an off-center shelf
When furniture pushes the projector to one side, Epson's horizontal lens shift can keep the image square with no need for angled placement. TK710's vertical adjustment gives no horizontal shift.
How we worked this out
Optical shift on Epson is both horizontal and vertical. TK710's documented lens shift is vertical. Do not assume the maximum shift extremes are available at the same time.
In this pair, high refresh comes at the cost of 4K
The TK710's 1080p240 timing is only worth anything when your source can output that mode. If your console runs 4K60, the high-refresh number by itself says nothing about which signal path is supported.
How we worked this out
Documented modes: 4K60 and 1080p240 for TK710, 4K60 input for Epson.
Plug in your numbers
Will either projector work in your room?
This checks hard limits only. Personal preferences are left out of the math.
BenQ TK710
Does not work with your numbersFor a 120-inch 16:9 picture, the calculated lens range is about 10.02 to 13.07 ft. You entered 9.50 ft.
Epson Home Cinema 3800
Does not work with your numbersFor a 120-inch 16:9 picture, the calculated lens range is about 11.50 to 18.74 ft. You entered 9.50 ft. Optical estimate only: rounded throw ratios do not replace the manual’s 16:9 placement table. Check optical zoom, combined lens-shift limits, body/cables and ventilation before mounting. Digital correction adds no optical range.
Measure distance from the lens to the screen. The math assumes a 16:9 picture and uses the verified throw range for each exact model.
Option A
BenQ, TK710
TK710
This bright laser DLP is aimed at fast console and PC play. It has vertical lens shift and a compact standard-throw body.
- Best for
- Your lens is about 3.2m from the screen and the image should be 120 inches
Facts we checked
- Range of optical throw: 1.15 to 1.50
- Lens shift: Adjusts vertically
- Source of light: Laser
- Gaming input supported: 4K60, or up to 1080p240
Option B
Epson, V11H959020
Home Cinema 3800
For a forgiving traditional setup, this bright lamp-based 3LCD projector offers wide manual lens shift, active 3D and equal color and white output.
- Best for
- Your lens position is around 5.2m from a 120-inch screen
Facts we checked
- Range of optical throw: 1.32 to 2.15
- Lens shift: Adjusts vertically and horizontally
- Source of light: A lamp you can replace
- Gaming input supported: 4K60
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | BenQ TK710 | Epson Home Cinema 3800 | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optical throw range | 1.15 to 1.50 | 1.32 to 2.15 | Different physical lens positions are needed for the same screen size. |
| Lens shift | Vertical adjustment | Vertical and horizontal adjustment | When the shelf cannot be on the screen centerline, horizontal shift can matter. |
| Light source | Laser | Replaceable lamp | Ownership and service plans differ between them, and that does not point to a picture-quality winner. |
| Supported gaming input | 4K60 or up to 1080p240 | 4K60 input | A compatible lower-resolution source is required for TK710's high-refresh option. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With BenQ TK710
- The 240Hz mode runs at 1080p, below 4K.
With Epson Home Cinema 3800
- Plan for lamp replacement as part of owning it.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
A 3.2m lens position has to work for my 120-inch screen
Go with BenQ TK710. TK710's optical range includes that distance.
My shelf sits around 5.2m back, or it needs horizontal lens shift
Go with Epson Home Cinema 3800. Epson has the longer throw range as well as horizontal optical adjustment.
Decision guide
How to decide
The TK710 is the choice if the room calls for a shorter lens-to-screen distance or for high-refresh 1080p gaming.
A fixed shelf may decide the projector before brightness comes up
A 120-inch 16:9 image is about 2.66m wide. The TK710's optical range places the lens around 3.05 to 3.98m from the screen, and the Epson 3800 needs about 3.51 to 5.71m. A lens position fixed at 3.2m favors the TK710, and a rear shelf at 5.2m favors the Epson. Pick the model that matches your real lens position, and then check chassis clearance and the height of the screen.
Optical adjustment, not a brighter mode, solves an off-center shelf
When furniture pushes the projector to one side, the Epson's horizontal lens shift keeps the image square without angling the projector. The TK710's vertical adjustment gives no horizontal shift. Go with the Epson if your sideways placement fits within its documented adjustment envelope. Go with the TK710 if you can center it and like its source options. The Epson's maximum horizontal and vertical shift are separate limits, so check the combined-position diagram before you mount.
In this pair, high refresh comes at the cost of 4K
The TK710's 1080p240 timing is only worth anything when your source can output that mode. If your console runs 4K60, the high-refresh number by itself says nothing about which signal path is supported.
What this page can’t tell you
- Each manufacturer uses its own methods and modes for brightness claims. We did not measure a calibrated comparison of brightness, contrast, color or fan noise.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the home projectors we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| BenQ TK710 |
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| Epson Home Cinema 3800 |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
BenQ TK710
Your lens is about 3.2m from the screen and the image should be 120 inches
See price & reviews on AmazonEpson Home Cinema 3800
Your lens position is around 5.2m from a 120-inch screen
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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