Hisense 100L10E 4K UST Smart Projector Review- Hardware- Inputs and Connectors, Lens, Control Panel, Remote Control, Menus
The 100L10E is larger than a traditional 3000 Lumen DLP home theater projector. This is probably due to the UST lens system and its robust internal sound system. The unit is 27½” wide x 16.4” deep x 8.1” high and weighs 50.1lbs.
The external powered subwoofer, which ships with the projector, is 6.5” wide x13.4 tall x 14.2” deep and weighs 13.8 lbs. Since the projector and subwoofer ship in a single package, the box is quite large and heavy, so it requires two people to handle. The included ambient light rejecting screen ships disassembled in a 113.5” x 11.4” x 5.7” box that weighs about 58 lbs.
With the lens positioned on the top of the chassis, the front of the 100LE is very clean. There is just a power light, IR sensor, and a non-removable fabric speaker grill that stretches across the entire front. Behind the grill is the multi-speaker array of the Harmon Kardon sound system.
On the top of the projector chassis is just the lens, eye protection sensor, and a power button. There are air intake/exhaust vents located on the rear of the projector as well as the left and right sides. All the inputs and connections are located out of sight on the rear of the chassis facing the screen.
The inputs and connections are all located on the rear of the 100L10E. There are four HDMI inputs on the 100L10E. HDMI inputs 1 and 2 support up to 18 Gbps which allows playback of 4K HDR content at up to 60FPS. To support the 18Gpbs of bandwidth, the HDMI 2.0 FORMAT setting in the menu needs to be set to “Enhanced Format”.
HDMI#2 also supports ARC (Audio Return Channel) to send multi-channel audio from the 100L10E to a compatible sound system. The 100L10E is also able to control connected devices like an A/V receiver via CEC. This means you can use your TV remote instead of having to reach for a different remote to control each connected device.
HDMI inputs #3 and #4 support up to 10.2 Gbps. Other available inputs include VGA, two USB ports, gigabit Ethernet, optical-digital and L/R analog audio outputs, and an RF antenna input for the unit’s built-in ATSC 1.0 tuner.
The optical systems of an ultra-short throw projector like the 100L10E is different from a traditional projector. Normally an UST optical system uses a complex series of mirrors to project images at steep extreme angle. Even with the projector placed only a few inches away, the 100L10E did a good job spreading light evenly across the screen.
While we don’t measure the roll off in brightness to the edges and corners, but based on my viewing experience, the evenness of light seems to be on par with most traditional projectors and better than a number of smaller portable projectors, some of which lose up to 30% brightness in the corners.
Like most ultra-short throw projectors, the Hisense 100L10E does not offer any lens shift or zoom so proper placement is critical. If the projector and screen are misaligned even slightly, it produces a massive amount of image keystoning. The projector does have a Geometric Correction feature, which should be used just to fine tune the image once the unit is properly placed.
The Hisense 100L10E doesn’t have a control panel on the chassis There is just a power button located on the top of the unit. All setting adjustments need to be made using a remote control.
The included remote is slim and made of brushed metal. The power button and dedicated service buttons for Amazon, Netflix, Vudu, and YouTube are all on the remote. Bluetooth pairing ensures the projector has been controlled even if it’s not in the line of sight. This is helpful especially if the 100L10 is built into a cabinet available by companies like Salamander Designs.
The remote control does include IR which can be used to control the projector or a 3rd party cable/satellite box. For custom integration, the 100L10E can also be controlled via RS232.
Located in the top right corner of the remote is a built-in microphone for voice control of the projector or compatible 3rd Internet of Things (IoT) devices via Amazon Alexa.
Since the Hisense 100L10E is a Smart projector it has a complex menu system, but it is well organized and easy to navigate. There are two menus. Pressing the menu button provides quick access to PICTURE MODE, LIGHT LEVEL as well as the SETTINGS menu. Pressing the Home button, which literally looks like a house, provides access to inputs, apps, the TV tuner, and the media player.
Since the 100L10E is a Smart projector, there are dozens and dozens of menu/entertainment options. The images of the menu shown in this section represent only a small number of all the sub-menus available. I tried to show a couple more notable sections found in the most used sub-menus (app store, image adjustments, networking, etc.) here.
