Hisense C3 Pro

Place the device on a low cabinet, swivel it towards the wall or ceiling, and let it frame the image: the C series from Hisense is built around this principle. This Pro version, which succeeds the C2 Pro, adds a lens that shifts the image without moving the device, a 3,000-lumen triple-laser light source and 2.1 sound tuned by Devialet. It is equally suited to evening film screenings and the living room console.

A gimbal mount and optics that shift the image without distorting it

The housing is held by an integrated metal frame. It rotates 360° horizontally and tilts upwards to point at the ceiling. Place it on a cabinet, shelf or bedside table, aim it, and then adjust the framing on screen. To do this, the C3 Pro has two different types of tools.

The first is optical. The zoom covers a throw ratio of 0.9 to 1.5:1: a 100-inch image (2.21 m wide) is achieved at a distance of between 2 m and 3.3 m, and a 120-inch image between 2.4 m and 4 m. This is complemented by optical lens shift of ±100% vertically and ±35% horizontally. The image moves up, down or sideways without tilting the projector, so there is no keystone distortion to correct. This is the major new feature compared with the C2 Pro.

The second tool is digital. A time-of-flight distance sensor (Flat TOF) analyses the projection surface. It controls autofocus, 9-point geometric correction, obstacle avoidance (picture frame, switch, socket) and adjustment to the screen format. These corrections recalculate the image and cause a slight loss of resolution. They are useful for a temporary installation, but a fixed setup makes better use of the zoom and optical lens shift, which leave every pixel in place. The diagonal ranges from 165 to 762 cm, or 65 to 300 inches.

Three lasers, a DLP chip and an iris for dark scenes

The light source combines three lasers: red, green and blue. Each produces its primary colour directly, without a phosphor wheel or filter. These pure primaries extend the colour gamut to 118% of BT.2020, the Ultra HD colour standard, with 10-bit processing (1.07 billion shades). Brightness reaches 3,000 ANSI lumens, or 3,750 ISO lumens. The two standards use different measurement methods, and the ANSI value is the reference for comparing projectors. On a 100- to 120-inch screen, this brightness is suitable for a dimly lit living room and leaves headroom for HDR. In daylight with the shutters open, black becomes grey, as with any projector.

The Ultra HD image (3840 × 2160 pixels) is formed by a DMD chip covered with micromirrors that tilt thousands of times per second. With a single DLP chip, the three colours are displayed one after another at very high speed. A minority of viewers may then notice brief coloured fringes around high-contrast moving objects: this is the “rainbow effect”. The native contrast ratio of 5,000:1 relies on the CineBlack-Pro iris, a diaphragm that narrows during dark scenes to lower the black level.

Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and Filmmaker mode for films

All four common HDR formats are supported. Dolby Vision and HDR10+ use dynamic metadata to adjust brightness scene by scene. These are joined by HDR10 and HLG, which is used by television broadcasters. The C3 Pro is IMAX Enhanced certified. It also offers Filmmaker mode, which switches off motion compensation, sharpening and other processing in one go to preserve the film’s original colour grading. MEMC motion compensation, which calculates intermediate frames, remains useful for sport. HD sources are upscaled to Ultra HD. 3D is supported with DLP Link-compatible active glasses, sold separately.

Gaming: 240 Hz in Full HD and VRR on two HDMI 2.1 inputs

The two HDMI 2.1 inputs connect a console and a Blu-ray player without an intermediary box. In Ultra HD, the display is limited to 60 Hz, with latency below 20 ms. In Full HD, it reaches 240 Hz with a response time of 1 ms, which is mainly relevant to PC gamers. Variable refresh rate (VRR) synchronises the display with the actual frame rate sent by the console and eliminates screen tearing. Game mode reduces processing that delays the image. A PS5 or Xbox Series set to 4K at 120 Hz will, however, have to choose between 4K at 60 Hz and a high refresh rate at 1080p. Without a console, the Xbox Cloud Gaming app streams games using a Bluetooth controller and an Xbox Game Pass subscription that includes cloud gaming.

A 2.1 audio system tuned by Devialet

Five speakers are housed in the unit: two rated at 10 W, two at 8 W and a 20 W subwoofer, for a total of 56 W. Devialet handled the tuning, replacing JBL, the C2 Pro’s audio partner. Decoding supports Dolby Audio and DTS:X. DTS Virtual:X processing simulates surround and height channels using these speakers alone. Five modes (standard, cinema, music, voice, night) and a detailed equaliser adjust the sound; night mode reduces volume differences for late-night viewing.

However, a projector placed behind or beside the sofa produces voices from its own position, rather than from the screen. For a true home cinema, the HDMI eARC port sends sound to an amplifier or a soundbar. The optical output serves older systems, while WiSA Sound compatibility transmits audio wirelessly to WiSA-certified speakers.

VIDAA U9, AirPlay 2 and voice control for everyday use

The VIDAA U9 system brings together video-on-demand apps (Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, YouTube), an Internet browser and a media player. This player opens audio, video and photo files stored on a device connected to one of the two USB 3.0 ports. From an iPhone, iPad or Mac, AirPlay 2 sends videos and photos to the screen; DLNA and screen sharing do the same from a computer or Android phone. The supplied voice remote provides access to Alexa or VIDAA Voice.

For networking, Wi-Fi 7 is complemented by a Gigabit Ethernet port, preferable for 4K streaming. Bluetooth 5.4 supports headphones, a keyboard, a mouse or a controller. Thanks to Control4 compatibility, the projector can be included in home automation routines (powering on, selecting the source), just like lighting or blinds.

Dimensions, power consumption and supplied accessories

Measuring 27.1 × 24.5 × 27.9 cm and weighing 7.8 kg, the C3 Pro can be moved from room to room, but only runs on mains power. It consumes 180 W in operation and no more than 0.5 W in standby. The box contains the voice remote, two AAA batteries, the power cable and a quick start guide.

Technical specifications

Image and projection

• Projection technology: DLP with DMD chip, triple laser
• Native resolution: Ultra HD 4K (3840 × 2160 pixels)
• Brightness: 3000 ANSI lumens / 3750 ISO lumens
• Native contrast: 5000:1
• Projection diagonal: 165.1 to 762 cm
• Throw ratio: 0.9 to 1.5:1
• Optical lens shift:
  • Vertical: ± 100%
  • Horizontal: ± 35%
• Optical zoom
• CineBlack-Pro iris system
• Automatic 9-point Flat TOF geometric correction
• Automatic obstacle avoidance
• MEMC motion compensation
• Ultra HD upscaling
• Color gamut coverage: 118% of BT.2020
• Color depth: 10 bits
• Number of colors: 1.07 billion
• 3D support: yes

HDR compatibility and picture modes

• Supported HDR formats: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
• IMAX Enhanced
• Filmmaker mode (Filmmaker Mode)

Display refresh rates and gaming

• Display refresh rates:
  • 4K at 60 Hz
  • Full HD at 240 Hz
• Response time: 1 ms
• Game mode
• Variable refresh rate (VRR)

Audio system

• Built-in Devialet 2.1-channel audio system
  • Total power: 56 W
  • Speakers: 2 × 10 W + 2 × 8 W
  • Built-in subwoofer: 20 W
• Audio technologies: Dolby Audio, DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X, WiSA Sound
• Surround sound effect
• Equalizer with advanced settings
• Sound modes: standard, cinema, music, voice, night

Smart features and control

• Operating system: VIDAA U9
• Wireless connections: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
• Content streaming and sharing: AirPlay 2, DLNA
• Screen sharing from a computer, tablet or smartphone
• Cloud gaming service: Xbox Cloud Gaming
• Voice control with Alexa and VIDAA Voice assistants
• Web browser
• Media player: audio, video, photo
• Control4 compatibility

Connectivity

• 2 HDMI 2.1 inputs
  • 1 HDMI connection supporting eARC and CEC
• 2 USB 3.0 ports
• 1 S/PDIF optical audio output
• 1 audio input with 3.5 mm jack
• 1 Gigabit Ethernet network port
• 1 service port

Power supply, power consumption and lifespan

• Power supply: 100–240 V, 50 / 60 Hz
• Operating power consumption: 180 W
• Standby power consumption: ≤ 0.5 W
• Light source lifespan: 25000 hours

Included accessories

• Voice remote control
• 2 AAA batteries
• Power cable
• Quick start guide

Dimensions and weight

• Unit:
  • Dimensions (W × D × H): 271 × 245 × 279 mm
  • Weight: 7.8 kg
• Packaging:
  • Carton dimensions (W × D × H): 579 × 475 × 399 mm
  • Packaged weight: 11.6 kg