The popularity of ultra-short throw (UST) projectors has been steadily growing for several years. This is due to their positioning as an alternative with a huge screen at a relatively affordable price to traditional TV in the living room. In turn, such a replacement became possible due to several factors, including:
– screen mirroring technologies and wireless streaming have eliminated the problem of content for the projector;
– modern Ambient Light Rejecting (ALR) and Celling Light Rejecting (CLR) screens effectively compensate for ambient lighting, providing high quality even with diffused daylight.
– innovative 4LED, hybrid and ALPD 3.0 / 4.0 /5.0 – based laser light engints significantly increased the brightness of the projectors and expanded their color gamut;
– due to the use of aspherical mirrors, the UST model creates a projection of 100″ or more diagonal from a distance of several dozen inches.
Its placement near the screen eliminates the traditional problem of mid-focus models with wires on the floor. It’s especially inconvenient in a family with children and pets. In fact, this problem today is solved only with the help of a complex ceiling mount.
As known, in October 2015 LG introduced the first PF1000U UST model, which at a price of $ 1,400, provided 1,000 ANSI Lumens brightness and Full HD 1080p resolution.
Today, the Chinese giant Hisense is laying claim to innovative leadership in this segment. The company calls its models ‘Laser TVs.’ Probably, like the technology of ‘quantum dots’ in TVs, it will cause a skeptical smile from some physicists. However, any projector with a built-in TV receiver can be formally positioned as a TV with screen outside the case. But most manufacturers prefer to traditionally call such models UST projectors.
Hisense UST projector
To optimize the classification, in 2023 Hisense has divided the UST projector lineup into Laser TV and Laser Cinema. In fact, it depends on the presence of a built-in receiver and screen in the model’s delivery set.
This aspect also needs clarification. A few years ago, some major manufacturers sold UST projectors only with ALR / CLR screens. This was due to their unwillingness to risk their reputation. Indeed, the advertised image quality is significantly dependent on lighting conditions, and the screen reduces the darkening requirement.
Unfortunately they are very expensive. Depending on the size, their price ranges from $ 600 to $ 2,000 or more. Accordingly, models with a screen included are significantly more expensive. But the lucky owner of a UST projector can have a screen from a previous model, win it in a lottery or inherit it. Finally, he can postpone the purchase until the next bonus. As a result, this practice has gradually lost its relevance. Today, most companies only offer an optional screen. However, Hisense offers series of Laser TV (screen included) and Laser Cinema (without screen) projectors.
The new single-laser PL2 was introduced in the fall of 2024. It fits harmoniously between the flagship triple-laser PX3-Pro and last year’s single-lase PL1.
Main specs
All models use 0.47-inch DMD chipset from Texas Instruments with XPR (Xpanded Pixel Resolution) technology. As known, this technology uses relatively inexpensive 1080p chipset with (1,920 x 1,080) micromirrors and four-phase pixel shifting to display 8 million pixels of 4K (3,840 x 2,160) content. Physically, the projector splits 8 million pixels into four parts of 2 million pixels each, and plays 4 separate frames shifted by half a pixel relative to each other.
Of course, each 1/4 part of the image contains only 2 million pixels at every moment. But our vision does not perceive a microdelay between their change, creating the illusion of a complete image of higher resolution. Pixel shift is done by tilting the lens 4 times per second using four electromagnets of XPR module.
Specs:
– PX3-Pro (August 2024) – $ 3,500, 3,000 ANSI Lumens brightness, 3,000:1 native contrast (FOFO – full on/off), TriChroma RGB laser (color gamut of 110% for BT.2020 color space), built-in 50W front-firing Harman Kardon speakers, Full HD 3D, Google TV integration;
– Hisense PL1 (2023) – $ 2,100, 2,100 ANSI Lumens brightness, 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, Laser Phosphor (85%-90% for DCI-P3), 2x 15W speakers, Vidaa U 6.0;
– Hisense PL2 (November 2024) – $ 2,500, 2,700 ANSI Lumens brightness, 3,000:1 native contrast and 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, Laser Phosphor (85% for DCI-P3), 2x 15W speakers, Full HD 3D, Google TV OS with approved Netflix app.
In fact, the PL2 can be positioned as a brighter version of the PL1 (2,700 ANSI Lumens vs 2,100 ANSI Lumens) with Full HD 3D support, or as a more budget-friendly of the PX3-Pro (2,700 ANSI Lumens vs 3,000 ANSI Lumens and color gamut of 85% for DCI-P3 vs 110% for BT.2020).
PL2 vs PL1
Compared to PL1 with max projection up to 120″, the new version supports image up to 150″ diagonally. But in fact, it can be positioned only as a focusing range. As known, the image size directly affects the requirements for brightness (color saturation) and resolution (detailing of objects). Therefore, choosing the optimal image size is always a compromise between size and quality.
Unlike the PX3-Pro and PL1 with 0.25:1 throw ratio (100″@55 cm), the new projector offers 0.22:1 throw ratio, providing 100″@48 cm. Formally, this is a bonus, especially considering the trend of reducing the gap between the screen and the front panel of the UST projector. But honestly, a few cm hardly make a significant difference.
The new model uses 4K AI Upscaling & Pro AI Computing algorithms. As the name suggests, 4K AI Upscaling improves detail for low-resolution content.
Pro AI Computing optimize color temperature, dynamic contrast, color space and primary white brightness ratios to color adjustments and gamma curve.
PL2 uses newer VIDAA U7.6 OS vs VIDAA U6 in PL1. For gamers, the new projector offers support for 4K@60Hz and 2K@240Hz/120Hz refresh rate. The PL1 is only compatible with 4K@60Hz signal.
Other PL2 improvements also include a Game Mode, Dolby Vision support, and Apple HomeKit integration for Apple devices. But unlike PL1, PL2 does not have a Bluetooth module and is not compatible with Alexa, offering only Apple AirPlay and Google Assistant. The PL1 uses the MT9900 (Q2 2022) platform, while the PL2 is built on the MT9618 (Q3 2022). The MT9900 performs better in benchmarks, but that’s not important given the excess performance of both chipsets. Other specs are identical.
PL2 vs PX3-Pro
Besides brightness, the light engine is the main difference. The single blue laser with a phosphor wheel of PL2 traditionally covers 85% DCI-P3 vs 110% for the BT.2020 color space of triple-laser RGB light source of PX3-Pro. In a side-by-side comparison, this difference is visually evident in nature documentaries or vibrant movies.
PX3-Pro offers higher gaming performance with input lag 17.6 ms vs 30 ms in PL2. In addition, it provides better motion handling and displays brighter HDR highlights in games.
Both projectors run Google TV, offering built-in streaming apps, voice control, Chromecast and regular software updates.
The PX3-Pro offers a 50W Harman Kardon system with better clarity and bass vs the 30W stereo system in the PL2.
But for music lovers, both models offer HDMI with eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) for transmitting digital audio to external speakers. But honestly, most PX3-Pro owners could easily save money and skip the soundbar. However, the PL2 also delivers quite acceptable sound quality.
In addition to brightness, color gamut, input lag and audio system, the PX3-Pro’s bonus list also includes IMAX Enhanced support. The rest of the specs are identical.
UST projectors vs huge TVs
But the bright marketing prospects of UST projectors may be clouded. Just a few years ago, they practically did not compete with huge TVs for quite objective reasons. Projectors offered a huge screen at a relatively affordable price of several thousand dollars, 100″ TVs provided higher image quality, but their price started from $ 10,000. In turn, higher image quality in TVs is due to 2 main factors:
– higher brightness of direct light flux from the TV screen surface vs reflected light flux of the projector;
– higher contrast (‘infinite’ contrast of OLED panels due to ideal black or superb contrast of LED panels, especially with mini LED-based FALD). In fairness, the contrast of JVC LCoS projectors also reaches 40,000 – 80,000:1, but their price significantly exceeds $ 10,000.
But a few years ago, the situation changed radically. TV manufacturers actively entered the competition, offering several quite affordable 100″ TVs.
This list, for example, includes:
– 98-inch Samsung QLED 4K Q80C – $ 4,500;
– 100-inch Hisense 100U76N – $ 2,200;
– 100-inch Hisense 100U8K – $ 5,000;
– 98-inch TCL 98R754 and 98C735 – $ 2,800 and € 3,900;
– 98-inch TCL QM7 – $ 3,600.
Funny enough, the superb 100-inch Hisense 100U76N and 100U8K TVs will compete with the Hisense PL1 and PX3-Pro projectors. However, any competition is a joy for consumers.
Conclusion
At ~$ 2,500, the new PL2 occupies a place in the mid-price segment of Hisense UST projectors between the flagship PX3-Pro (~$ 3,500) and the budget-friendly PL1 (~$ 2,000). Higher brightness (2,700 ANSI Lumens vs 2,100 ANSI Lumens) and 4K AI Upscaling & Pro AI Computing algorithms are quite adequate for the $ 500 difference vs PL1. But the $ 1,000 difference compared to the PX3-Pro is sufficient compensation for the lower brightness (2,700 ANSI Lumens vs 3,000 ANSI Lumens), color gamut (85% DCI-P3 vs 110% BT.2020), sound (30W audio system vs 50W Harman Kardon system) and gaming (30 ms vs 17.6 ms input lag).
Overall, the PL1 is ideal for students and newlyweds, the PX3-Pro will fit perfectly into the interior of a living room in a small villa near the ocean, and the PL2 will be an excellent compromise for everyone else.
This video introduces the new Hisense PL2 laser UST 4K projector.