Hisense PX4-PRO

Hisense PX4-PRO, triple-laser 4K ultra-short-throw projector

Placed around forty centimetres from the wall, this projector produces an image with a 2.5-metre diagonal. Moving it back another fifty centimetres or so increases the image to 5 metres. It succeeds the PX3-PRO with more brightness, more than double the contrast and sound developed with Devialet, the French audio specialist. For gaming, it supports 240 Hz at 2K with one-millisecond latency.

Three lasers for three primary colours

Many laser projectors use just one blue laser. They derive the other colours from it using a phosphor and a colour wheel. The PX4-PRO’s LPU Digital Laser Engine 3.0 has three lasers: one red, one green and one blue. Each primary colour comes directly from its own source, covering 118% of the BT.2020 colour space, the Ultra HD colour standard. The PX3-PRO covered 110%. Hisense claims a colour difference (ΔE) of 0.9 or less. Below 1, the eye cannot distinguish any difference from the reference colour. The signal is processed at 10 bits, providing 1.07 billion shades.

Brightness increases from 3,000 to 3,500 ANSI lumens (4,375 ISO lumens). This extra output is useful when keeping some light on in the room. The image is produced by a Texas Instruments DLP 8445 chip, with a 0.47-inch digital micromirror device (DMD). Each micromirror moves very quickly between several positions per frame. This pixel shifting produces an image of 3,840 × 2,160 pixels. The lens assembly contains more than ten lens elements and a rare-metal-coated reflector. It compensates for the steep beam angle inherent to ultra-short-throw projection.

A seven-position iris for dark scenes

This is the main new feature compared with the PX3-PRO. Native contrast rises to 6,500:1 from 3,000:1, thanks to an iris inside the lens that can be adjusted to seven levels. The more the iris closes, the deeper the blacks, but some light is lost. In a darkened room, it can be closed down. During the day, it is better to open it to retain full brightness. The CineBlack Pro system complements the iris. It analyses each frame in real time to better distribute greyscale levels in dark areas, with the help of a black-level processing algorithm (EBL).

The PX4-PRO supports the four common HDR formats: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10 and HLG. It is IMAX Enhanced certified and has Filmmaker mode. This mode switches off added picture processing to show the film as it was graded. For sports and TV programmes, MEMC motion compensation makes movement smoother. An upscaling engine converts lower-resolution sources to 4K, with video noise reduction and HDR adjustment to the image’s actual brightness.

From 80 to 200 inches just centimetres from the wall

The 0.20:1 throw ratio means that the distance between the lens and the screen is one fifth of the image width. For 100 inches (2.21 m wide), the lens sits approximately 44 cm away. For 200 inches, the maximum, just under 90 cm is needed. The projector sits on a low cabinet beneath the screen, like a television. No one walks through the beam, and there is no cable to run to the back of the room.

Two built-in cameras handle motorised focus and automatic image alignment on the screen. Nine-point geometric correction fixes any remaining imperfections. This correction recalculates the image, so a physically well-aligned projector always delivers a better result than extensive digital adjustment. A sensor adjusts brightness to the room’s lighting, and the beam automatically dims if someone approaches the lens. The metal chassis measures 54 × 28.8 × 14.2 cm and weighs 8.3 kg. Operating noise is 31 dB.

Devialet sound with height channels

The PX3-PRO had 50 W Harman Kardon speakers. The PX4-PRO moves to a built-in soundbar tuned by Devialet, with six speakers and 66 W in total (2 × 15 W, 2 × 10 W and 2 × 8 W). Two of these speakers face the ceiling. They reproduce Dolby Atmos and DTS:X height effects through reflection, without additional speakers. There is a choice of six sound modes (standard, cinema, music, voice, night, game), and a detailed equaliser lets you adjust the sound.

This system is sufficient for series and television in a living room. With an image measuring 3 or 4 metres diagonally, a proper subwoofer and separate speakers provide a soundstage to match the image. The enclosure cannot reach as far down into the bass. To go further, the PX4-PRO supports WiSA, a wireless speaker protocol. The Hi-Concerto feature combines the projector’s speakers with a compatible Hisense soundbar.

240 Hz gaming on a big screen

Two of the four HDMI inputs are HDMI 2.1. At 4K, the image is limited to 60 Hz. At 2K, it reaches 240 Hz with one-millisecond latency in game mode. The PX4-PRO is the first ultra-short-throw projector certified for AMD FreeSync Premium. It supports variable refresh rate (VRR): the display follows the frame rate of the console or PC, without stuttering or tearing. The ALLM feature automatically switches to game mode as soon as a console is turned on. The projector is Xbox certified and includes Xbox Cloud Gaming. With a subscription and a Bluetooth controller, you can stream games from the catalogue without a console.

VIDAA U9 apps and comprehensive connectivity

The VIDAA U9 system brings together streaming apps, an Internet browser and a media player. It can be controlled by voice with VIDAA Voice or Alexa. Network connectivity is provided by Wi-Fi 7 or a Gigabit Ethernet port. AirPlay 2 and DLNA receive content from an iPhone, a Mac or a home server, and screen sharing works from a computer, tablet or phone. Bluetooth 5.4 lets you connect wireless headphones or a controller. The PX4-PRO also supports Control4 for integration into a home automation system.

On the rear, there are two HDMI 2.1 inputs and two HDMI 2.0 inputs, one with eARC. There are also two USB ports, including one USB 3.0 port, an optical digital audio output, a 3.5 mm mini-jack audio input and a USB-A trigger port to control a compatible motorised screen.

Technical specifications

Technology and projection

• Projection technology: Triple-laser DLP
• Resolution: 4K Ultra HD (3840 × 2160)
• Brightness: 3500 ANSI lumens / 4375 ISO lumens
• Native contrast: 6500:1
• Dynamic iris: yes
• Throw ratio: 0.20:1
• Projection size: 203.2 to 508 cm
• Light source lifespan: 25000 hours

Image quality and processing

• Refresh rate: 4K at 60 Hz / 2K at 240 Hz
• HDR compatibility: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
• IMAX Enhanced: yes
• Filmmaker mode (Filmmaker Mode): yes
• Motion compensation: MEMC
• Geometric correction: 9 points
• Ultra HD upscaling: yes
• Color space: 118% BT.2020
• Color depth: 10 bits
• Number of colors: 1.07 billion
• Game mode: yes (1 ms)
• 3D support: yes

Audio system

• Built-in Devialet audio system with integrated soundbar
• Total power: 2 × 15 W + 2 × 10 W + 2 × 8 W
• Audio technologies: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Audio, DTS:X
• Surround sound effect
• Equalizer with advanced settings
• Audio modes: standard, cinema, music, voice, night, game
• WiSA Ready compatibility
• Hi-Concerto function

Smart TV and network features

• Smart TV system: VIDAA U9
• Voice assistants: Alexa, VIDAA Voice
• Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
• Media streaming compatibility: AirPlay 2, DLNA
• Cloud gaming service: Xbox Cloud Gaming
• Screen sharing: computer, tablet, smartphone
• Internet browser and app store
• Control4 compatibility

Connections

• HDMI:
  • 2 × HDMI 2.1
  • 2 × HDMI 2.0
  • 1 × HDMI eARC
• USB:
  • 2 × USB, including 1 USB 3.0
  • 1 × USB-A trigger
• Optical audio output: 1 × S/PDIF
• Audio input: 1 × 3.5 mm jack
• Wired network: 1 × Gigabit Ethernet

Power supply and operation

• Noise level: 31 dB
• Operating power consumption: 250 W
• Standby power consumption: ≤ 0.5 W
• Power supply: 120 to 240 V

Dimensions and weight

• Dimensions (W × D × H): 540 × 288 × 142 mm
• Weight: 8.3 kg