Immersive Entertainment Unleashed: Hisense PX2-PRO TriChroma Laser Cinema Review

Hisense px2-pro trichroma laser cinema specs

Exploring the Pros and Cons: An Overview

Pros:

• High 4K resolution (3,840-by-2,160 pixels)
• Hisense TriChroma technology offers vibrant colors
• HDR support includes Dolby Vision for stunning visuals
• Brightness rated at 2,400 ANSI lumens
• Supports image sizes ranging from 90 to 130 inches
• Integrated Google TV for convenient streaming

Cons:

• Lacks 3D support
• Out-of-the-box settings may require adjustment for optimal shadow detail

Hisense PX2-PRO TriChroma Laser Cinema Review

Lets begin our Hisense PX2-PRO TriChroma Laser Cinema Review. The Hisense PX2-PRO TriChroma Laser Cinema projector, priced at $2,999.99, marks a notable upgrade from its predecessor, the PX1-PRO, within the Hisense Laser Cinema series. Among the improvements are a slight increase in brightness to 2,400 ANSI lumens, the transition from Android TV to integrated Google TV, and the inclusion of a built-in Netflix app. However, the PX2-PRO maintains the standout features that made the PX1-PRO a favorite choice for an ultra short throw (UST) projector. With its availability often below the listed price, the PX2-PRO takes the spot as our Editors’ Choice for both relaxed TV watching and traditional home theater setups in dimly lit rooms.

The Triple-Laser Configuration Delivers Outstanding Color Performance

The PX2-PRO relies on a common choice for 4K projectors: a single 1080p DLP chip utilizing TI’s XPR fast-switch pixel shifting technology to deliver 3,840 by 2,160 pixels on the screen. What sets it apart is its light source. Hisense’s TriChroma laser engine employs three lasers—red, green, and blue—as its primary colors, cycling through them sequentially. One major advantage of this light engine is its broad color gamut, rated by Hisense at 107% of the BT.2020 (or Rec.2020) standard, which defines the color range for 4K UHD projectors and TVs.

Setting up the PX2-PRO is a breeze. Weighing 26.5 pounds and measuring 6.3 by 20.5 by 12.8 inches, it’s easy to move into position. Connecting cables is straightforward, with ports conveniently located on the side facing the screen. You have three HDMI ports to choose from (two HDMI 2.1 and one HDMI 2.0), along with the option of connecting via Ethernet or Wi-Fi to your network. Unlike its predecessor, the PX2-PRO doesn’t come with a TV tuner, so there’s no coax connector for antenna or cable TV input. Hisense suggests the lens is suitable for projecting images ranging from 90 to 130 inches diagonally.

One standout feature of the PX2-PRO is its powered focus, conveniently operated from the remote rather than directly on the projector itself. This is a thoughtful addition because it can be challenging to see the entire screen clearly from up close, and reaching for a focus control on most UST models can inadvertently trigger sensors that deactivate the lasers for eye-protection reasons. With the remote, you can comfortably stand back and easily adjust the focus in small increments, ensuring a crisp and sharp image with minimal effort.

The PX2-PRO doesn’t come with a screen included. However, since the brightness and contrast of any projector can be influenced by the screen it’s paired with, we conducted our tests twice: once with a standard white screen and once with a Hisense Cine100 ALR screen. The ALR (Ambient Light Rejection) feature is designed to reflect light from the projector towards the viewing area while deflecting light from other directions. This combination can significantly enhance image quality, particularly in rooms with daylight streaming through windows. It can even enhance the image in rooms where the only light is reflections from the screen itself.

Like many ALR screens, the Cine100 has a gain lower than 1.0, which means images won’t appear as bright as they would on a standard 1.0-gain white screen. For instance, when paired with a 1,000-lumen projector, the 0.6-gain Cine100 will offer similar image brightness as a 1.0-gain screen paired with a 600-lumen model. However, most lower-gain screens, including the Cine100, are also gray, which enhances contrast. Additionally, there are ALR screens with higher gains, which boost image brightness by reflecting most of the projector’s light into a narrower viewing angle, resulting in dimmer side views compared to the front.

For context, at its rated 2,400 lumens, following the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers guidelines for a dark room, the PX2-PRO should be capable of illuminating approximately a 225-inch screen with a gain of 1.0, or a 175-inch screen with a gain of 0.6. In our own tests using both types of screens, with lower-brightness picture modes and adjustments to our preferred settings, the projector provided sufficient brightness for viewing in a dark room and even with some moderate ambient light present.

The built-in audio system of the PX2-PRO features dual 15-watt stereo speakers and a Dolby Digital setup with Dolby Atmos, providing ample volume to fill a spacious family room with quality sound. For even better audio quality, you have the option to connect to an external audio system via Bluetooth, WiSA, or the HDMI port with eARC support. Additionally, there’s a lag adjustment available to ensure that audio and video remain perfectly synchronized when using Bluetooth speakers, which is a thoughtful addition for a seamless viewing experience.

Testing Hisense PX2-PRO: Many Different Picture Options

The projector’s menus provide a variety of picture modes to suit different content types: eight color modes for SDR content, seven for HDR (which work for both HDR10 and HLG inputs), and four for Dolby Vision (Bright, Dark, Custom, and Game). However, the menu displays only the modes relevant to the current input, keeping the options manageable. (Just a heads-up: there’s no 3D support, so there’s no 3D picture mode.)

You can personalize each mode and choose whether changes apply to all sources or just the current one, which is handy if you have different devices with unique settings. The PX2-PRO also features a color management system for full calibration, either DIY or with professional help. However, out-of-the-box color accuracy ranged from acceptable to very good across modes, so most users won’t need to tweak it. Based on initial tests, I settled on Theater Night mode for SDR, HDR Theater for HDR10, and Dolby Vision Bright for Dolby Vision content.

With the default settings, I noticed some loss of shadow detail in both SDR and HDR content during our standard test clips. However, after tweaking the Brightness and Active Contrast settings, the shadow detail improved significantly. Both dark and brightly lit scenes exhibited good contrast and a sense of depth, while dark scenes maintained all the shadow detail and visual impact I expect. For Dolby Vision content, the overall image quality remained consistent without any need for adjustments. Unfortunately, I couldn’t directly compare Dolby Vision versions of our test clips with their SDR and HDR counterparts.

Additionally, both for SDR and HDR, and to a lesser extent for Dolby Vision, there are other settings worth exploring to tailor the viewing experience to your preferences. For instance, you might want to experiment with options like frame interpolation, known as Motion Enhancement in the PX2-PRO menus. While it’s designed to enhance motion by inserting frames, on most projectors, this feature can also create a digital video effect that makes filmed content resemble live video, even at the lowest setting. With the PX2-PRO, I found that using the Film setting struck the right balance for me, smoothing motion without introducing any noticeable unwanted effects.

One thing to note is that I noticed frequent and noticeable rainbow artifacts while using the projector (those quick flashes of red, green, and blue). However, I didn’t encounter any speckle effect, which can sometimes occur with triple-laser projectors. It’s worth mentioning that individuals may perceive these issues differently, and they can also be influenced by the type of screen you’re using. For instance, I observed fewer flashes when using the ALR screen compared to a standard white screen. If you’re worried about experiencing either of these issues, it’s wise to purchase from a retailer with a lenient return policy so you can test the projector yourself.

The PX2-PRO has a short enough input lag time for relaxed gaming sessions. Using a Bodnar meter, I measured it at 34.8 milliseconds (ms) for 1080p/60Hz input and 35.6ms for 4K/60Hz input.

Final Thoughts: A Strong Competitor, Especially if Rainbow Effects Aren’t an Issue

The PX2-PRO stands out for its exceptional image quality, supporting both SDR and HDR content with HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision compatibility—a rare find in projectors. Additionally, it boasts Google TV support, a convenient powered focus feature, and a wide range of useful settings options.

If you’re sensitive to rainbow artifacts common in DLP projectors, you might prefer alternatives like the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 or Epson LS650, both offering good image quality, higher brightness, and a three-LCD design that eliminates rainbow artifacts. The LS650 is more affordable, while the LS800 offers slightly more brightness and color gamut, along with the shortest throw among UST models.

For those seeking 3D support and top-notch sound in a UST projector, the Nomvdic P2000 is worth considering.

However, if rainbow artifacts aren’t a concern and you don’t require 3D, higher brightness, or a shorter throw, the Hisense PX2-PRO sets a high standard that other models must surpass to earn a place in your living room or home theater.