Hisense USA has added a newer, cheaper model to its TriChroma Laser Cinema lineup of projectors that features the same, powerful engine found in its flagship L9G from 2021, and the new PX1 Pro that was announced earlier this year.
The good news is that the Hisense PX1 is actually cheaper than both of those models, with a price tag of just $2,499. That’s around $800 less than the PX1 Pro and far, far less than the Hisense L9G, which retails for $4,499.
As the name suggests, the TriChroma PX1’s laser employs three separate light sources - red, green and blue - to ensure more realistic colours and brighter visuals, with support for 107% of the BT.2020 colour space, according to Hisense. The company said viewers can be assured of a similar, or even better viewing experience, than a regular LED TV.
The PX1 can throw up an image of up to 120-inches, with variable focus to ensure all of the details are crisp and sharp. It also has a throw ratio of 0.25:1, which means it should be a good option for those who have limited ability to set the unit back far from the wall. It takes up a lot less space than a traditional overhead projector, the company assures.
Other specs include brightness that reaches 2,000 lumens, and dynamic contrast of 1,000,000:1, which should ensure that daylight viewing is viable. The experience will be even better if customers decide to buy the optional Ambient Light Rejecting screen. Even so, the experience will surely be better in the evening, when the sun goes down.
The Hisense PX1 comes with Filmmaker mode which switches off image processing to deliver the image exactly as the creator intended it. There’s support for HDR10 and HLG, but no Dolby Vision or HDR10+. It comes with a refresh rate of 60Hz, and there’s an ultra-low latency mode that automatically switches on when a console is detected, adjusting the settings to provide an optimal experience for gamers.
The unit is powered by Android TV, which provides access to entertainment apps such as Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, Prime Video and Sling TV, and connectivity options include Bluetooth and 802.11ac Wi-Fi. Users can also mirror content from their smartphone via Chromecast, and voice controls are available with Google Assistant and Alexa.
There are two HDMI 2.1 ports too, with one of them supporting eARC for easier integration with a home theatre audio system, plus Ethernet LAN and USB ports. The product is also WiSA-ready, meaning it’s compatible with multi-channel surround sound systems. That said, it comes with its own 30 watt Dolby Atmos sound system built in, providing “clear speech, crisp highs and booming lows”, the company said.
If you’re in the market for a reasonably affordable, reasonably powerful laser light projector, the Hisense PX1 may well fit the bill.