The BenQ X3000i gaming projector looks like a cube.
The X3000i measures 10.7-inches wide x 10.2-inches deep x 7.2-inches high (w/o adjustment feet). In addition, the X3000i weighs 14.1 pounds. Like most gaming projectors, the BenQ X3000i would be a great addition to bring along to a birthday party or special event so the attendees could have a friendly gaming competition on a massive fast folding-frame, portable, outdoor projection screen like an Elite Screen Yard Master 2 Series or something similar.
CONNECTIONS
Connections are located on the rear of the X3000i.
All the connections and inputs are located on the rear of the X3000i. The rear of the chassis has dual HDMI 2.0b ports with High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) 2.2. HDCP is designed to protect 4K content from being pirated. HDCP 2.2 essentially creates an encrypted system that ensures a secure connection between the source and the display. In addition, the X3000i provided even more HDMI-related features that made using the projector easier and more intuitive, including the ability to power on and off each connected device (via the CEC protocol) as well as control the volume on several soundbars I attached, all directly from the X3000i.
In addition, the X3000i has an RS-232 serial control port, audio output jack, a USB Type-A port (Power supply, 5V/2.5A), and an AC power jack. As a matter of fact, I used the projector’s USB Type-A port to power the Sony ZV-1 Digital Camera I used to take the images you see in this review.
CONTROL PANEL
The chassis-mounted control panel is easy to use if you misplace the remote control.
The right side of the chassis (As viewed from the rear of the projector) has a handy push-button control panel on it. The control panel has a Power Off/On button, an Input button, and a D-pad with an “OK” button that allows easy directional control. In addition, there is a Back button and a Menu button. Lastly, there is an Eco Blank button to turn off the 4LED light source momentarily.
REMOTE CONTROL
The remote control has the typical Power On/Off, D-pad with an “OK” button, Back button, Settings Menu button, Volume Up/Down button, and Mute button. In addition, the X3000i remote control also has a Dynamic Stereo Enhancement function button, a button that selects a preset picture and sound mode for games (FPS/RPG/SPG), an Amazon Prime Video button, Keystone button, Source Input button, and a Projector Menu/On-Screen Display (OSD) button.
My only complaint about the X3000i remote control is that it is not backlit. Admittedly, I did not have to use the remote control much once I started gaming and watching movies. Nonetheless, the few times I did need to use the remote, it was difficult to see what button(s) I wanted to press. As a result, I was forced to use my iPhone’s flashlight to see the buttons clearly.
LENS
The X3000i’s 1.3x zoom lens.
The X3000i’s lens is located on the front right side of the projector (As looking from the rear of the projector). The lens has a manual zoom ring with a lever to adjust the image size and a manual focus ring to sharpen the image. The X3000i has a throw ratio of 1.15~1.5. The projector’s zoom provides placement versatility.
The BenQ X3000i can produce a clear 100-inch image at 8.2 feet and a 150-inch image at 12.5 feet away from the projection surface.
Keep in mind that the distance from the projector lens to the projection surface, the video format, and the zoom setting all play a factor in the X3000i’s projected image size. The X3000i can produce a 100-inch image at 8.2-feet and a 150-inch image at 12.5-feet away from the projection surface. On page 14 of the X3000i’s User Manual, BenQ says the X3000i’s preferred projector image size is between 60-inches and 200-inches. However, suppose you do not mind the image being slightly out of adjustment. In that case, the X3000i can also project an image as small as 30-inches and as big as 300-inches as per page 14 of the X3000i’s User Manual.
MENUS
The X3000i’s Projector Menu button cannot be missed as it simply says Projector Menu on it. The Projector Menu button brings you directly to the projector’s On-Screen Display (OSD) menu. Going into System, which has an icon that looks like an equalizer, you can see Menu Settings. Clicking on Menu Settings allows the end-user to set up the projector OSD Menu Type as Advanced or Basic. The Advanced OSD menu gives full access to the Picture menu, Audio menu, Display menu, Installation menu, System menu, and the Information menu. The Basic menu provides quick access to Picture Mode, Sound Mode, Light Source Mode, 2D Keystone, Game Settings, HDR Brightness, Information menu, and Menu Type.
