Hisense Introduces The PX1 TriChroma Laser Cinema UST Projector

By Philip Boyle

Hisense, the company that introduced the world's first ultra-short-throw (UST) Laser TV back in 2014, has just announced a new addition to their 2022 ultra-short-throw projector line-up: the Hisense PX1 TriChroma Laser Cinema. The PX1 will be joining the Hisense Laser Cinema line of projectors as the little brother to the Hisense PX1-PRO. Be sure to check out our PX1-PRO full review by clicking the link.

Hisense classifies the PX1 as a Laser Cinema projector because it does not come with a bundled screen. However, unlike a Hisense Laser TV, the PX1 will work with a wide range of screen sizes from 90 to 120 inches diagonally, thanks to the projector's built-in Variable Focus feature.

One of the most compelling features of the new Hisense PX1 is its $3,299 MSRP versus its big brother, the Hisense PX1-PRO, priced at $3,499 MSRP. You are probably asking yourself what that reduced price will cost you in features and performance—surprisingly little. The first difference between the PX1 and the PX1-PRO is brightness. The PX1 is listed as having 2,000 lumens of brightness which is a 200-lumen reduction over the PX1-PRO's 2,200 lumens. Second, the PX1 does not offer Dolby Vision which was added as an update earlier this year to the Hisense L9G, L5G and PX1-PRO.

Hisense has tweaked a couple of visual elements of the PX1. The color of the PX1 is navy blue compared to the PX1-PRO's graphite chassis. The navy makes for an attractive two-tone look with the PX1's gray speaker grill. Hisense also eliminated the circle design element on the PX1 speaker cover.

Let's take a closer look at some of the PX1's key features and technologies.

TRICHROMA LASER LIGHT ENGINE

Featuring the award-winning TriChroma triple-laser light engine, the new PX1 achieves 107% coverage of the BT.2020 color space in beautiful 4K (3,840 x 2,160p) resolution. This wide color gamut is possible because the triple laser light engine's RGB laser wavelengths are specifically chosen to optimize the primary colors of red, green, and blue. 

VARIABLE FOCUS

The Hisense PX1 has an innovative feature called Variable Focus which allows for ultra-fine focus tuning via menu controls to get a sharp image in sizes from 100 to 120 inches. Variable Focus is a welcome feature, effectively making any room capable of becoming a home theater. Placed just inches from the wall, the PX1 can cast an image as large as 120" with excellent brightness.

4K LASER CINEMA

The Hisense PX1 delivers a 4K HDR extended color space with better shadow and highlight details. HDR Tone and Color Mapping functions are designed to adjust and show the best image based on the specific projector specifications. 

4K Ultra HD brings over 8 million pixels to create incredible clarity across an extra-large projection. High Dynamic Range expands color and contrast so you can enjoy a stunningly vibrant picture with astonishing depth and detail.

HDR/HDR10

High Dynamic Range (HDR) is found on most full HD and 4K TVs. Both full HD and 4K TVs offer excellent picture quality compared to traditional technologies. HDR enhances picture quality and makes the projected image look more realistic, like what you see with your own eyes. You see a wider range of colors and depth in contrast between lighter and darker shades with HDR. This technology also combines dimming and adjusting brightness levels to produce pictures at the highest nit rating. A nit is the measurement of brightness a TV screen can produce.

HDR10 was first announced by the Consumer Technology Association, a US-based consumer electronic association. HDR10 standard sends static metadata to the video stream. Metadata is encoded information on color calibration settings required to make a picture look real.

High Dynamic Range expands color and contrast so you can enjoy a stunningly vibrant picture with incredible depth and detail. The Hisense PX1 supports multiple HDR modes to enhance video for deeper blacks and brighter whites, more detail in the same image's dark and bright parts, and greater detail within an extended color space. Dynamic HDR support ensures that video is displayed at the ideal depth, detail, brightness, contrast, and extended color gamuts for all kinds of content.

BRIGHTNESS

The TriChroma triple-laser light engine faithfully recreates a rated brightness of 2,000 lumens peak brightness, lower than the PX1-PRO's 2,200 lumens. The PX1's 2,000 lumens should still allow users to achieve good highlights with deep black levels and shadow details, especially when viewed in a light-controlled space. I'll be looking closely at the brightness performance of this projector when I receive a review sample.

CINEMATIC SOUND

The new Hisense PX1 offers premium features such as eARC for lossless audio and Dolby Atmos Sound, which provides a listening experience beyond the built-in sound system's performance capabilities. Use eARC to pass through uncompressed audio to a multi-channel surround sound system.

Alternatively, the built-in 30 W Dolby Atmos sound should deliver spatial audio without the need for any extra equipment.

FILMMAKER MODE

The new Hisense PX1 includes a dedicated Filmmaker mode. Hisense created Filmmaker mode in collaboration with filmmakers, Hollywood studios, consumer electronics companies, and the UHD Alliance. Hisense can offer Filmmaker mode on the PX1 because they have agreed to abide by specific industry standards.

Filmmaker mode can be manually switched on from the projector's Settings menu. It can also be automatically activated by metadata embedded in the video bitstream. Filmmaker mode will automatically engage and disengage multiple picture settings, including frame rate, aspect ratio, motion interpolation, sharpening, and noise reduction, to best present content as the creators intended.

ANDROID TV WITH GOOGLE ASSISTANT

The PX1 Laser Cinema projector utilizes the Android TV operating system. You can also access many other popular streaming services, including YouTube, Vudu, HBO Max, Hulu, Disney+, Fandango Now, and Amazon Prime Video. Additionally, you can download various additional apps and games from the Google Play store.

Hisense brings its integrated TV OS experience to the PX1 and provides the same Android TV smart platform found in their newest flat-panel TVs. The projector's menus and Android TV are designed to be seamlessly integrated, providing a smooth and well-thought-out user experience.

BUILT-IN WIFI AND BLUETOOTH

Built-in WiFi, Bluetooth, Google Assistant, Works with Alexa, and Control4-compatible, the PX1 can be integrated with your smart home ecosystem to create automations to your heart's content.

DEDICATED GAMING MODE WITH ALLM

The new Hisense PX1 can display 4K games at 60 frames per second from next-generation consoles such as the PS5 and XBOX Series X. With the PX1's microsecond-level processor response, you never miss a moment of action. Fast-moving images should be buttery smooth and crystal clear. Whether it's sports, games, or action films, the PX1 should be able to keep up the pace.

Hisense Game mode with ALLM means there's no need to manually change picture settings when you're about to drop into a game. Auto Low Latency mode detects when a gaming console is the active source and automatically adjusts projector settings to optimize game performance.

INTEGRATED TV TUNER

The Hisense PX1 is designed to be a viable alternative to a flat-panel TV, so Hisense included an onboard TV tuner which is a must-have for customers looking to replace their flat-panel TV with a projector. On the back, with the other connectors, you'll find the standard 75-ohm coaxial connector used by TV antennas. You can also plug in the coaxial cable signal from a set-top box, although most of today's boxes will offer the best performance from HDMI.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Hisense's latest Laser Cinema looks poised to deliver features home cinema enthusiasts care about. These include eARC for uncompressed audio passthrough, custom picture modes for SDR and HDR content, multipoint greyscale calibration controls, and easy integrations with smart home controls and devices. You don't have to be a cinephile or have a dedicated theater room to appreciate the performance and ease of use of the PX1. Smart Android TV OS, built-in 30 W sound, and WiFi connectivity make setting up a 130" home theater with the PX1 easy as plugging in a smart TV. 

If you are looking for an alternative to a traditional home theater system, such as a flat-panel television and an external sound system, the PX1 Laser Cinema may just be the projector you are looking for. It can be placed a mere 11 inches from the wall and provide a massive image allowing you to immerse yourself in your favorite games, movies, and TV shows like never before. 

This Hisense TriChroma Laser Cinema is available through multiple retailers, including Best Buy, ProjectorScreen.com, and Amazon, with an MSRP of $3,299. Hisense tells us to expect a staggered rollout at retail and that consumers should expect availability to fluctuate at retail due to supply chain issues, specifically related to delivery. The good news is that Hisense is doing everything possible to ensure product availability throughout June to support the product's launch.

If you want to learn more about the Hisense PX1 or other Hisense home video projectors, be sure to go to www.hisense.com. For more information about this and other Hisense products, check out our articles and reviews at www.projectorreviews.com. Be sure to check back for the full review once we receive our product sample.