Forget HDTVs and oversized super-wide monitors. If you want an epic cinematic gaming experience, there is only one choice. A projector. The hot new BenQ X3000i is a fast-growing projector designed specifically for gaming.

Of course, any projector can play games. In fact, pixel-shift 4K projectors are now available at relatively low cost. In general, inexpensive models do not offer features that enhance the gaming experience. Typically, refresh rates are limited to 60 Hz and relatively little attention is paid to latency.

More importantly, inexpensive projectors tend to be dimmer. For home cinema applications, that is fine. The idea is to use them for serious overnight content consumption in a room where ambient light levels are under some sort of control, if not exclusively.

However, with "gaming," you're likely to want to do it at almost any hour of the day, and it might be terribly inconvenient to block out the ambient light every time you want to have a quick session. That's where the BenQ X3000i comes in. As the name suggests, this is a beamer that delivers 3,000 lumens. That's two to three times brighter than a typical budget projector. Inevitably, that brightness comes at a cost, and we're looking at $1,999 (£1,916) here, but you can get a basic 4K DLP projector for half that price.

Still, thanks to this additional cost, you get a 240Hz refresh rate, an input latency of only 4ms, and full 4K resolution. Yes, the X3000i is based on a 1080p DLP chip, not a true 4K chip. However, the clever DLP pixel shift technology allows for a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels. 4K LCD projectors using pixel shift technology do not provide a true 4K pixel grid.

However, there is at least one catch: the BenQ X3000i cannot combine 4K and 240 Hz. In fact, it cannot even combine 4K and 120Hz. High refresh capabilities are limited to 1080p or lower; you wouldn't expect the X3000i to be able to do 4K and 240Hz, not least because it requires a DisplayPort 2.0 interface to support it. Incidentally, the X3000i is limited to HDMI 2.0 rather than HDMI 2.1, the latter being required for 4K@120Hz. It is also worth noting that variable refresh is not supported.

Anyway, aside from the X3000i's gaming prowess, what does the X3000i have going for it, BenQ claims full 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 digital cinema color gamut, which is great, along with full HDR support. This is due to the four LED light sources, which are rated for 20,000 hours. Gone are the worries of lamp life that have plagued traditional projectors.

The X3000i also features an 8-segment light wheel, which is ideal for avoiding the rainbow effect, a problem inherent in DLP projectors. As for optics, the X3000i has a 1.15 to 1.5 to 1 projection ratio, 1.3x zoom, and manual focus. So while it is not strictly a short-throw projector, it does not require a large room for a large image. For example, when placed 10 feet from the screen, the X3000i can project a 105-inch image.

Less pleasantly, there is no lens shift. This limits where this projector can be installed. If the screen is fixed, there are only two fixed locations where the projector can achieve the correct geometry. The optics required for lens shift are complex and expensive and are rarely found in inexpensive projectors. However, its absence is felt by the X3000i's relatively high price tag.

At any rate, it is all encased in an unusual cubic housing. This is also due to the TreVolo audio system, which combines dual 5W speakers. The final feature worth mentioning is the bundled Android streaming dongle. This feature is integrated into the X3000i's remote control, so there is no need to have two remotes as with third-party HDMI dongles; BenQ also provides a neat slot under the top cover to store the dongle and a dedicated HDMI port with USB power, The two HDMI ports on the back can be left free for a PC and console game combo.

But what about the actual viewing experience: the impact of 3000 lumens is very noticeable compared to, say, a 1500 lumen cinema projector. We are still not convinced that the X3000i will really work in a bright room full of ambient daylight. Really, even the brightest projectors do not look great under those conditions. What the X3000i does allow, however, is more options for enjoying games without having to worry about some background light. Just don't think that this is a great option for all-around game enjoyment, day or night.

In terms of general projector image quality, the BenQ X3000i is good but not great: at 4K resolution, pixel definition approaches that of native 4K projectors, and colors in cinema mode are quite natural and convincing. In brighter modes, such as gaming mode, saturation is a bit higher, but it's not a concern.

What is less convincing are the contrast and black levels. Even in cinema mode, black tones are a bit washed out and gray, and this problem increases with brighter presets. Simply put, if your primary use is watching movies or TV, with a little gaming on the side, I would not recommend this projector.

But not as a pure gaming projector. Certainly, in darker gaming scenes, the higher the contrast, the better. But most of the time, this 3000 lumen jittery glow is a lot of fun. Plus, running at 240 Hz and 1080p, this projector is definitely very responsive. You can enjoy online shooting games with this projector.

That said, I am not sure many people would want to sit at a desk with a keyboard and mouse and play games on a projector. Therefore, the X3000i is definitely suited for games that work well with a handheld controller. In that case, running at 4K and 60Hz probably makes sense in terms of overall visual spectacle. The good news is that no matter what resolution or refresh rate you choose to run at, there is almost no visible rainbow effect thanks to the 8-segment light wheel.

All in all, there's a lot to like here. You haven't lived until you've seen something like Cyberpunk 2077 (opens in a new tab) fully reheated and running on a punchy 4K projector. It's like a different thing. Likewise, playing "Rocket League" (opens in a new tab) on a giant screen and blaring on a good sound system makes you feel like you're actually in the stadium. Great fun.

Speaking of audio, the TreVolo's stereo speakers may be better than the tiny mono speakers on most projectors. However, you still won't want to actually play games or watch movies with it. The sound quality is very muddy and flat. You'll need a decent speaker, that's for sure. Incidentally, the included Android TV dongle works well and is capable of full 4K streaming.

All of this makes the BenQ X3000i an interesting but not entirely appealing product. We like its punchy brightness. However, in this price range, we would prefer a projector with lower brightness but better optics, including lens shift, and the need to control ambient light levels.