Hisense PX1-PRO test: the 4K ultra-short-throw tri-laser video projector under Android TV for less than €2,000

The Hisense P1X-PRO is an ultra-short throw projector that is installed about twenty centimeters from the wall. It centralizes external sources in a TV cabinet and simplifies connection to an audio system, for example. In effect, it is used like a television, except that in broad daylight the black level will be determined by the room. This model can be used with a white wall (perfectly flat), a classic screen or an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen, which improves contrast by filtering ambient light.

The Hisense P1X-PRO houses a 0.47-inch 4K DLP chip combined with a tri-laser lighting system. This Texas Instruments DLP displays a native resolution Of 1920 x 1080 pixels and takes advantage of the 240 Hz wobulation to produce four Full HD images side by side to display 8 million real pixels (3840 x 2160) at 60 Hz. is not a native Ultra HD 4K chip as found on Sony’s SXRD models, but the image is displayed well in Ultra HD at 60Hz, and is indistinguishable from a native Ultra HD image, even on test charts.

The laser source offers the advantages of LEDs, such as instant start-up and lifespan (25,000 hours) combined with the high luminosity of an ultra-high pressure (UHP) lamp. Hisense announces a brightness of 2200 lumens. In addition, three lasers (red, green and blue) make it possible to broaden the color spectrum and display all the nuances of the very demanding Rec.2020 color space.

The P1X-PRO has been designed as an alternative to a TV and incorporates a 40 W audio system, stamped Dolby Atmos, as well as Google’s Android TV operating system with all its apps. This projector can therefore operate as is, without an external source.

Launched at €3000, the Hisense P1X-PRO is currently sold for around €2000. It is in direct competition with the VAVA 4K UST Laser Projector and the Samsung The Premiere (LSP9T), marketed respectively at 2700 and 4000 €.

2D image quality

The Hisense P1X-PRO is equipped with an ultra-short focal length fixed optic, which makes it possible to project an image between 1.65 and 3.05 m from a base, for a recoil between 15 and 27 cm. To carry out our measurements, we placed the video projector 22 cm from the wall in order to obtain an image of 2 m base. No optical zoom here and you have to physically move the projector to change the size of the image.

The optics are of very good quality. The image is sharp, even in the corners, with excellent sharpness essential to enjoy Ultra HD. This model has a manually adjustable electric focus via the menus and a dedicated test pattern. The four feet are adjustable to correct any defects in the horizontality of the TV stand. The manufacturer also offers manual or automatic keystone correction with the help of taking photos from a smartphone.

To get the best image quality, we chose the Filmmaker mode. Despite these settings, the color fidelity is far from being there. We measured an average delta E of 6.2, knowing that the eye perceives a colorimetric drift when the value is greater than 3. The difference is notable here for an experienced eye. However, this measure has become common for recent LED and laser video projectors. Of the latest models tested, only the Sony VPL-XW5000 (4K SXRD laser at €6,000) and the BenQ W1800i (4K DLP with UHP lamp at €1,500) have a delta E of less than 3.

Fortunately, the gray levels are perfectly reproduced with a stable gamma curve over the entire spectrum and an average of 2.2 based on the reference value.

The average temperature measured (7180 K) is not very far from the reference value of the video standard (6500 K). More importantly, the curve is perfectly stable over the entire spectrum.

The native contrast ratio of 560:1 (on our 1% white target) is quite low in absolute terms and does not allow us to enjoy perfect blacks. By activating dynamic contrast in the image settings, the contrast increases to 1010:1 on our 1% target. For comparison, the VAVA 4K UST Laser and the Samsung The Premiere LSP9T enjoy a contrast greater than 1200:1. Our benchmark, the Sony XW5000, displays a native contrast of around 2000:1 with a peak brightness of 207 cd/m².

The P1X-PRO does not use a color wheel, but three red, green and blue lasers to quickly mix colors. The rainbow effect, visible on all projectors using a single DLP chip, is limited. This phenomenon more or less perceptible, or even not at all depending on the people and images, results in small rainbows around bright objects on a dark background.

The upscaling engine is fairly basic, but manages to display 1080p sources on the Ultra HD matrix without distorting the original image too much. Let’s face it, we would have appreciated a mode to disengage the DLP chip in order to enjoy a native Full HD image with a source of the same type. A solution made possible by other manufacturers and which improves the sharpness of a Full HD image, which then benefits from the precision of the DLP chip without the wobulation process.

This video projector also embeds a fairly powerful motion compensation engine, which improves the sharpness of moving objects, especially on tracking shots. This reduces jerkiness, at the cost of a slight camcorder effect.

Game mode reduces input lag (input lag) to 44.1 ms, compared to 150 ms in other modes. This results in a delay of two frames compared to the source at 60 Hz. This delay limits the latency between the action on the joystick and its repercussion on the screen. We can therefore consider playing on this video projector without any problem, but the gamers competitors will turn to a monitor or TV with a display delay of less than 10 ms.

HDR rendering is quite good for a projector. The luminance curve (EOTF) is not always well followed, in particular with a displayed brightness (grey) systematically lower than that requested (yellow). That said, the high maximum brightness of 180 cd / m² allows a beautiful dynamic image. Only the Sony VPL-XW5000 does better with 207 cd/m², a record for a projector passed through our laboratory. Colors are far from accurate, but again, no other projector – except the Sony – displays accurate colors in HDR mode.

On the color coverage front, the Hisense P1X-PRO outperforms every other display device, TV included, thanks to its three lasers. It displays almost all the colors of the Rec.2020 color space with 97% coverage, and 95% of the DCI-P3 spectrum, the majority today in Ultra HD content. In fact, it can display all the colors of the DCI-P3, but it’s the management that isn’t perfect.

Functions and ergonomics

The Hisense P1X-PRO is a beautiful baby weighing 9.2 kg for dimensions of 52 x 32.4 x 16 cm. It will fit easily on most conventional TV cabinets.

Only one power button here; you must not lose the remote control to access the system. In the photo below, you can see the location of the two speakers on the front.

On the underside, there are four screw threads for fixing to the ceiling. The four feet are also adjustable to correct the attitude of the projector.

The connection consists of two 4K 60 Hz HDMI inputs, one of which is eARC compatible, one SPDIF optical digital audio output, one audio output in 3.5 mm jack format, one Ethernet port and two USB ports, one USB 3.0 and another USB 2.0 on the side.

The PX1-PRO embeds Android TV 11 with the specific Google TV interface. The latter clearly emphasizes the content of the various apps installed (YouTube, Molotov, myCanal, RMC Sport, etc.). The Android TV system is one of the most complete on the market, the one that offers the most applications. In addition, the integrated Chromecast allows you to display a video stream sent from a smartphone, tablet or computer. If the system is fluid, beware: as on many video projectors, Netflix is ​​not available. The application is indeed absent from the Play Store, a shame when you know that the remote control has a button dedicated to this SVoD service.

The PX1-PRO remote control is light, fits well in the hand, and its rubber keys fall naturally under the thumb. The click after each press is audible, but unobtrusive. The remote control gives access to all the settings and even offers multimedia keys. Other dedicated ones allow direct access to Netflix (which therefore does not work), YouTube and Google Play. The keys are not backlit, but the zappette has an essential microphone for hailing the Google Assistant and carrying out searches.