BenQ and Optoma both sell their 4K golf simulator projectors as "True 4K UHD," and every 4K model we carry is listed by its maker as a DLP projector at 3840x2160. Where the maker's documents name the chip, the 3840x2160 image comes from pixel shifting. Here is what each brand's own pages say and what to compare instead.
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This is one of the most debated topics in the golf simulator community. Here is what the technology actually does, where it matters, and which approach makes more sense for your build.
How Pixel-Shift 4K (XPR) Works
Texas Instruments makes DLP chips (DMDs) and calls its pixel shifting XPR. TI's 0.65-inch 4K UHD DMD (DLP650TE) has a 1920x1080 micromirror array and a 4-way XPR actuator, and TI says these chips "display four pixels on the screen per micromirror," which makes 3840x2160 on screen. TI's 0.47-inch 4K UHD DMDs also have a 1920x1080 array, and its 0.66-inch 4K UHD DMD has 2716x1528. None of the TI 4K UHD DMD pages we checked (DLP471TP, DLP471TE, DLP472TP, DLP481XE, DLP650TE, DLP660TE, DLP780TE, DLP781TE) lists a 3840x2160 mirror array. TI notes that the Consumer Technology Association "defines 4K UHD as a screen display of over 8 million pixels."
What Each Brand's Pages Say
- Optoma UHZ35ST ($2,199): Optoma lists DLP and UHD (3840x2160), and its manual lists "Résolution native 2160P" and names the chip as a "Texas Instrument DMD, 0,65"-HSSI DMD," which TI documents as a 1920x1080 mirror array with 4-way XPR.
- Optoma 4K400STx ($2,289): Optoma's manual lists "Texas Instrument DMD, 0.65" 4K UHD ECD DMD x1 with 4-Way XPR actuator."
- Optoma ZK608TST ($6,859) and ZK810TST ($15,439): Optoma lists DLP and UHD (3840x2160) and calls both "True 4K UHD," and their manuals do not name the chip.
- BenQ TK710STi ($2,199): BenQ lists DLP and 4K UHD (3840x2160) and says "True 4K DLP Technology utilizes high speed pixel displacement and the superimposition of pixels to produce the 8.3 million pixels seen by the viewer."
- BenQ LK830ST ($2,499), AK700ST ($2,899), and LK936ST ($4,899): BenQ lists DLP and 4K UHD (3840x2160) and does not name the chip.
What Actually Matters When Choosing
- Brightness: BenQ lists 3,200 ANSI lumens for the TK710STi, 4,000 for the LK830ST and AK700ST, and 5,100 for the LK936ST. Optoma lists 3,500 lumens for the UHZ35ST, 4,000 for the 4K400STx, 6,000 for the ZK608TST, and 8,500 for the ZK810TST.
- Throw ratio: 0.496 (UHZ35ST, LK830ST), 0.5 (4K400STx), 0.58 (ZK608TST), 0.65-0.75 (ZK810TST), 0.69-0.83 (TK710STi, AK700ST), and 0.81-0.89 (LK936ST). A 100-inch 16:9 image is 87.2 inches wide, so multiply 87.2 by the throw ratio for the lens-to-screen distance in inches.
- Input lag at 4K 60Hz: BenQ lists 16.7 ms for the TK710STi and LK830ST and 33.4 ms for the AK700ST. Optoma lists 16ms for the UHZ35ST.
- Lens shift: listed for the LK936ST, ZK608TST, and ZK810TST.
- Golf picture mode: BenQ lists Golf mode for the LK830ST, AK700ST, and LK936ST, and Optoma lists Golf Sim Picture Mode for the UHZ35ST, 4K400STx, and ZK608TST.
Does Your Software Even Use 4K?
Before investing in any 4K projector, check whether your golf simulation software actually renders at 4K:
- E6 Connect: TruGolf says "The resolution of the game is determined by your Video Card and Projector settings."
- GSPro: GSPro lists cards such as the RTX 3080 or RTX 4070 for 4K Ultra on a desktop.
If your PC sends 1080p, no 4K projector can show 4K detail. Read our 4K vs 1080p projector comparison for a deeper dive on whether 4K is worth the upgrade at all.
Our Recommendation
Among the projectors we carry, native versus pixel-shift 4K is not the choice to make. Focus instead on the specs that affect your daily experience: brightness (lumens), throw ratio for your room, light source (laser vs lamp), dust protection, and warranty coverage.
If you are still on the fence, see our full 4K projector comparison. Or browse our complete Optoma and BenQ projector collections.
Related Guides
- 4K vs 1080p: Do You Really Need a 4K Projector for Your Golf Simulator?
- Best 4K Golf Simulator Projectors: 8 Models Compared for 2026
- BenQ vs Optoma: Which Projector Fits Your Golf Simulator?
- Best Golf Simulator Projectors in 2026: BenQ and Optoma Compared
Common Questions
Is pixel-shift 4K fake 4K?
No, but it is not native 4K either. TI's 0.65-inch 4K UHD DMD, for example, has a 1920x1080 mirror array and displays four pixels on the screen per micromirror, for 3840x2160 on screen. TI notes the CTA defines 4K UHD as a screen display of over 8 million pixels.
Which golf simulator projector brands use true 4K vs pixel-shift?
Optoma's manuals name a TI 0.65-inch 4K UHD DMD for the UHZ35ST and 4K400STx, and BenQ says the TK710STi uses "high speed pixel displacement." For the ZK608TST, ZK810TST, LK830ST, AK700ST, and LK936ST, the makers list DLP at 3840x2160 without naming the chip.
Does pixel-shift 4K work well for golf simulation software?
The bigger question is whether your software runs at 4K. TruGolf says E6 Connect's resolution is set by your video card and projector settings, and GSPro lists an RTX 3080 or RTX 4070 class card for 4K Ultra.
