When it comes to creating a high-end home theater experience without dedicating an entire room to a traditional projector setup, Ultra Short Throw (UST) laser projectors have become the go-to solution. Today, we'll compare two of the most compelling options: the Formovie 4K Max ($3,699) and the Hisense PX3-PRO ($3,497).
UST projectors have come a long way since their introduction. Both of these models, released in early 2024, represent the latest advancements in laser projection technology. The key innovation has been the improvement in brightness and color accuracy, areas where early UST projectors often struggled.
The Formovie 4K Max stands out with its impressive 4,500 ANSI lumens – a significant leap over previous generations. This brightness level means you can watch content even with some ambient light, though you'll still want to manage room lighting for the best experience. The projector uses ALPD 3.0 technology, which helps maintain consistent brightness over the laser's lifespan (rated at 25,000 hours).
The Hisense PX3-PRO, while offering a lower 3,000 ANSI lumens, compensates with its advanced TriChroma RGB laser system. This technology provides more precise color control and better overall picture quality in controlled lighting conditions. For dedicated home theaters, this lower brightness isn't a significant drawback, as you'll typically want to control ambient light anyway.
Here's where things get interesting. The Hisense achieves an impressive 110% of the BT.2020 color space (the standard for ultra-high-definition content), while the Formovie covers a more modest but still respectable 100% of the Rec.709 space (the standard for HD content). In practical terms, the Hisense will display more vibrant and nuanced colors, especially in HDR content.
Speaking of HDR, the Hisense includes support for both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision – the two leading HDR formats. This means you'll get the best possible version of your streaming content, with dynamic metadata that adjusts brightness and contrast scene by scene. The Formovie supports HDR10+, but lacks Dolby Vision support.
Modern gaming demands specific features, and these projectors handle gaming quite differently. The Hisense includes HDMI 2.1 ports supporting up to 240Hz refresh rates and variable refresh rate (VRR) technology. This makes it an excellent choice for gamers who want to pair their next-gen consoles with a massive screen.
The Formovie's MEMC (Motion Estimation, Motion Compensation) technology helps smooth out motion in games, but it doesn't offer the same level of gaming-specific features as the Hisense.
The integration of smart features marks a significant difference between these projectors. The Hisense comes with Google TV built-in, providing access to all major streaming services and a familiar, user-friendly interface. You can start watching Netflix, Disney+, or other services without additional hardware.
The Formovie uses a more basic Fengmi OS, which means you'll likely want to add a streaming device like an Apple TV or Roku for the best experience. While this adds to the cost, it also provides flexibility to choose your preferred streaming platform.
Both projectors feature automatic geometric correction and focus, making initial setup relatively straightforward. The Formovie's ability to project up to 200 inches (versus the Hisense's 150-inch maximum) provides more flexibility for larger spaces.
One often-overlooked aspect is the built-in audio. The Hisense includes a 50-watt Harman Kardon speaker system that provides surprisingly good sound for casual viewing. While dedicated home theater users will want a separate audio system, it's nice to have capable built-in audio as a backup.
At their respective price points (Formovie 4K Max at $3,699 and Hisense PX3-PRO at $3,497), both projectors represent significant investments. The Hisense offers slightly better value with its superior color performance, gaming features, and smart platform integration. However, the Formovie's higher brightness and larger maximum screen size might justify its higher price for specific use cases.
In practical use, both projectors excel in their intended environments. The Formovie's higher brightness makes it more versatile for multipurpose rooms where ambient light can't always be controlled. The Hisense, while requiring more controlled lighting, provides a more cinema-like experience with its superior color reproduction and HDR handling.
Both projectors represent excellent choices in the UST category, but they serve slightly different needs. The Hisense PX3-PRO is the more well-rounded option, offering better color accuracy, gaming features, and smart integration at a slightly lower price point. The Formovie 4K Max excels in specific use cases where maximum brightness and screen size are paramount.
For most users setting up a dedicated home theater space, the Hisense's superior color accuracy and broader feature set make it the more compelling choice. However, if you're planning to use the projector in a room with significant ambient light or need that extra-large screen size, the Formovie's advantages in these areas might make it worth the premium.
Remember that either projector will benefit significantly from a proper UST-specific ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen, which, while adding to the total cost, will dramatically improve the viewing experience in any lighting condition.
| Formovie 4K Max ($3,699) | Hisense PX3-PRO ($3,497) |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Critical for rooms with ambient light | |
| 4,500 ANSI lumens (excellent for bright rooms) | 3,000 ANSI lumens (requires more light control) |
| Color Gamut - Determines color richness and accuracy | |
| 100% Rec.709 (good for HD content) | 110% BT.2020 (superior for 4K/HDR content) |
| Screen Size Range - Affects room placement flexibility | |
| 80-200 inches (class-leading maximum) | 80-150 inches (standard range) |
| HDR Support - Important for streaming content quality | |
| HDR10+ only | HDR10+, Dolby Vision, IMAX Enhanced |
| Gaming Features - Critical for console gaming | |
| Basic MEMC motion handling | HDMI 2.1, 240Hz support, lower input lag |
| Smart Platform - Affects ease of use | |
| Basic Fengmi OS (external streamer recommended) | Full Google TV with native streaming apps |
| Light Source - Impacts longevity and color stability | |
| Single laser with color wheel (ALPD 3.0) | TriChroma RGB laser (better color precision) |
| Audio System - Important if not using external speakers | |
| Dual full-range + tweeter (power unspecified) | 50W Harman Kardon speakers |
| Contrast Ratio - Affects image depth and black levels | |
| 3,000:1 native | 3,000:1 native |
| Input Connectivity - Important for multiple devices | |
| HDMI 2.0 x 3 | HDMI 2.1 x 2, HDMI 2.0 x 1 with eARC |
| Price-Performance Value - Overall cost consideration | |
| Higher price, superior brightness | Better overall value, more features |
The Formovie 4K Max ($3,699) is better for bright rooms with its 4,500 ANSI lumens, compared to the Hisense PX3-PRO's ($3,497) 3,000 ANSI lumens. The Formovie handles ambient light significantly better.
The Hisense PX3-PRO offers superior smart features with built-in Google TV and native streaming apps. The Formovie 4K Max uses a basic operating system that likely requires an external streaming device.
The Hisense PX3-PRO is better for gaming with HDMI 2.1, 240Hz refresh rate support, and lower input lag. The Formovie 4K Max offers basic motion handling but lacks advanced gaming features.
Yes, both projectors work best with an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen specifically designed for UST projectors. This is essential for optimal picture quality regardless of which model you choose.
The Hisense PX3-PRO offers superior color accuracy with 110% BT.2020 coverage and TriChroma laser technology. The Formovie 4K Max provides good but less extensive color coverage with 100% Rec.709.
The Formovie 4K Max can project up to 200 inches, while the Hisense PX3-PRO maxes out at 150 inches. This makes the Formovie better for very large spaces.
The Hisense PX3-PRO offers better movie viewing with Dolby Vision support and superior color accuracy, though the Formovie 4K Max performs well in rooms with ambient light.
Yes, both have built-in speakers. The Hisense PX3-PRO features a 50W Harman Kardon system, while the Formovie 4K Max has dual speakers plus a tweeter.
The Hisense PX3-PRO offers better overall value at $3,497 with more features and better color performance. The Formovie 4K Max at $3,699 is better if maximum brightness is crucial.
The Formovie 4K Max works better in multipurpose rooms due to higher brightness. The Hisense PX3-PRO performs best in controlled lighting conditions but still works well in moderately lit rooms.
The Hisense PX3-PRO offers superior HDR support with HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and IMAX Enhanced certification. The Formovie 4K Max only supports HDR10+.
Both projectors use laser light sources rated for approximately 25,000 hours of use, which equals about 8-10 years of typical viewing time.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: formovie.com - projectorcentral.com - projectorscreen.com - youtube.com - projectorsg.com - formovie.com - eu.formovie.com - shop.hisense-usa.com - avsforum.com - youtube.com - projectorcentral.com - avsforum.com - youtube.com - projectorreviews.com - avsforum.com - projectorcentral.com - en.heimkinowelten.de - dreamediaav.com
