Hisense PL1 4K Laser Cinema UST Projector Review

The Hisense PL1 Laser Cinema is an ultra short throw (UST), 4K, blue phosphor laser projector with a rated brightness of 2,200 ANSI lumens and an MSRP of $2,799. Although it may be an entry-level Hisense ultra short throw projector, the PL1 shares many features and specifications with the PX2-PRO model, with a few exceptions, such as its blue laser phosphor light source.

The PL1 uses a Hisense next-generation X-Fusion laser light source that delivers a stunning 4K (3,840 x 2,160p) resolution. Its brightness can overcome moderate ambient light while maintaining color accuracy and decent dark area detail. Compared with Android TV, the new Google TV OS focuses more on content while providing a more curated experience across all your favorite streaming apps.

With its 30-watt Dolby Atmos sound system, the PL1 can transform your living room into an immersive home cinema experience. It delivers powerful audio to match the expansive 120-inch image it projects.

The PL1 also supports advanced HDR formats like Dolby Vision along with HDR10 and HLG.

The Hisense PL1 Laser Cinema projector is an attractive option for those seeking to upgrade to a high-quality, ultra short throw projector without breaking the bank.

Let’s look at the Hisense PL1 Laser Cinema projector.

Founded in 1969, Hisense has evolved from its early days of bulky CRT projectors to the sleek and powerful laser projectors it is known for today. Hisense’s underlying technology fuels its modern projectors, positioning them as viable replacements for traditional living room televisions.

Each generation of Hisense projectors brings steady advancements in brightness, contrast, color, laser, and other technologies that contribute to the exceptional performance of modern Hisense ultra short throw projectors.

Laser Cinema projectors are not locked into a specific screen size because they feature a variable focus adjustment, allowing them to project an image anywhere within the manufacturer's screen size range. Hisense Laser TV projectors come from the factory packaged with a specific screen size and type.

Like all of Hisense’s UST projectors, the PL1 uses a 0.47-inch Texas Instruments Digital Light Processor (DLP) Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) to deliver a true 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160p) projected image.

The 0.47" DLP" chip used in the PL1 employs XPR pixel shifting technology to shift the projector's native 2.2 million pixels (or micromirrors) four times to project 8.3 million pixels onto the screen. This process occurs faster than the human eye can perceive. For a more detailed explanation of DLP and XPR, click this link. This approach is so effective that it's difficult to see a difference in displayed resolution between pixel-shifting and native 4K sensors. Typically, any perceived differences in picture detail between the two technologies are due to contrast rather than displayed resolution.

The difference in MSRP between the Hisense PL1 and the step-up PX2-PRO is about $700, largely attributed to the cost savings of using a blue phosphor laser light source instead of the RGB laser light source found in the PX2-PRO.

While BT.2020 offers a wider color gamut than DCI-P3 and REC.709, most content we consume today is not yet mastered with this color space’s full range in mind. Most content we consume is still mastered for DCI-P3 or even Rec.709. So, for everyday use, a projector like the Hisense PL1, which uses DCI-P3, will probably offer excellent color accuracy for the content you are likely to watch on broadcast, cable, and even in most streaming service libraries.

While most 4K movies are labeled as being mastered using the BT.2020 color space, the reality is that studios are only required to ensure the film displays the full DCI-P3 color range within BT.2020. In simpler terms, all 4K UHD Blu-ray movies are mastered in BT.2020, but they may not utilize the entire BT.2020 color range. There are exceptions, of course. Some films, such as Aquaman, leverage BT.2020’s color range in specific scenes with vibrant reds or heavy CGI but most of the movies we watch typically fall back to the DCI-P3 range of colors.

Conversely, some newer CGI movies like Inside Out can fully utilize BT.2020 throughout. With each new release, the number of films pushing beyond DCI-P3 is growing, but only incrementally. DCI-P3 remains the dominant color space for most content, even within the BT.2020 framework.

The PL1’s laser light source displays 85% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and over a billion colors.

The Hisense PL1 uses a sealed laser light source and dust-proof light engine to protect sensitive components and extend the projector’s lifespan.
Hisense X-Fusion laser light engines are particularly dependable, offering an estimated 20,000 hours of operation at full brightness.

The PL1 is listed as having a 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast. While this number is lower than some other manufacturers may publish, Hisense traditionally does a decent job of creating better details in the brightest and darkest areas of the displayed content.

The PL1 supports multiple HDR (High Dynamic Range) formats. All HDR-encoded physical media should display increased color and contrast, like 4K UHD Blu-rays and much of the newer content on popular streaming services encoded in HDR. The PL1 supports HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision. It can automatically adjust the color and brightness of the projector on a frame-by-frame basis for Dolby Vision-encoded content in real-time.

The PL1’s laser light source displays 85% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and over a billion colors.

The Hisense PL1 uses a sealed laser light source and dust-proof light engine to protect sensitive components and extend the projector’s lifespan.
Hisense X-Fusion laser light engines are particularly dependable, offering an estimated 20,000 hours of operation at full brightness.

Hisense offers a range of preset picture modes to ensure that out-of-the-box performance is at its best for various content, including a FILMMAKER mode that turns off image processing to ensure viewers see content exactly as the moviemakers intended.

Like other Hisense Laser Cinema projectors, the PL1 features dedicated GAME and AUTO LOW LATENCY (ALLM) modes. These modes remove the need to manually change picture settings when players turn on their connected game systems to play the latest games. ALLM detects when a gaming console is the active source and automatically adjusts projector settings to optimize game performance.

Like all previous Hisense projectors I've reviewed, the PL1 features Motion Estimation / Motion Compensation (MEMC) technology. This technology uses an advanced algorithmic technique to predict where a frame is in video content and inserts an additional frame between each original. MEMC is a type of frame interpolation technology designed to smooth out the blur when watching content that requires a clearer image, such as sports and video games.

The PL1 includes six motion compensation presets: FILM, CLEAR, STANDARD, SMOOTH, OFF, and CUSTOM. In CUSTOM mode, users can make manual adjustments.

The Hisense PL1 makes it easy to enjoy a fantastic audio experience. It comes equipped with the same high-quality, 30-watt Dolby Atmos sound system as the PX2-PRO, delivering rich, immersive sound that outperforms many TVs and soundbars. eARC technology lets you use a single HDMI cable to transmit the highest quality audio for a seamless connection to your existing sound system. The PL1 is also WiSA-ready – simply add a WiSA transmitter (sold separately) and connect to compatible speakers for an incredibly easy wireless setup. Finally, the PL1 doubles as a premium Bluetooth speaker. Connect your Bluetooth-enabled device and let the projector play your favorite music through its speakers.

The PL1 is far from the first SMART video projector Hisense has produced, but this is the first year that Hisense has integrated the new Google TV OS into all its USA ultra short throw projectors like the PL1.

The new Google TV OS is designed to help you find something to watch. It presents tailored recommendations across your subscribed streaming services, helping you discover new movies and shows based on your interests. Google TV learns what you like and picks out things you might enjoy. The more you use it, the better it gets.

Since Google built this whole system, you can use your voice and Google Assistant to search using plain speech, giving verbal commands such as “Find funny sci-fi movies from the 90s.” Since you are talking to Google like you would to anyone, it will understand you and give accurate recommendations based on your requirements across your favorite streaming applications.

Google TV can also set up individual profiles for different household users, ensuring that each person gets personalized recommendations and a separate watchlist based on what they watch instead of presenting recommendations based on the entire household’s browsing history. Google TV is far more polished, less cluttered, and focused on helping you find the perfect entertainment experience quickly and easily compared to Android TV.

Below is a feature and pricing comparison chart for current Hisense Laser Cinema models other than the PX2-PRO and two Laser TV models. Remember, Laser TVs are packaged with a screen, resulting in a higher cost to the consumer. Prices will vary depending on the size and type of screen in the package.