If you're looking to create a true home theater experience without dedicating an entire room to a traditional projector setup, ultra short throw (UST) projectors have become an incredibly compelling option. Today, we'll compare two leading models: the Hisense PL2 ($2,198) and the Formovie Theater Premium ($2,799).
Before diving into the specifics, let's understand what makes UST projectors special. Unlike traditional projectors that need to sit several feet away from the screen, UST projectors can create massive images from just inches away. They use specialized lenses and mirrors to "throw" the image upward at an extreme angle, making them perfect for rooms where space is at a premium.
Think of them as a middle ground between traditional projectors and large TVs - they offer massive screen sizes (up to 150 inches) while sitting in a TV-like cabinet close to your wall.
The UST projector market has evolved rapidly since 2020. Early models struggled with brightness, color accuracy, and smart features. The Hisense PL2, released in late 2022, and the Formovie Theater Premium, launched in early 2023, represent the latest generation of this technology.
Key improvements include:
Both projectors deliver impressive 4K resolution (that's 3840 x 2160 pixels), but they take different approaches to image quality:
The Hisense PL2 emphasizes brightness with 2700 ANSI lumens, making it better suited for rooms with ambient light. Think afternoon sports watching or casual viewing without needing to completely darken the room. Its color coverage hits 85% of the DCI-P3 color space (the standard used in digital cinema), which is good but not exceptional.
The Formovie Theater Premium takes a more cinematic approach. While its 2200 ISO lumens might seem lower, it delivers superior contrast and covers an impressive 107% of the BT.2020 color space (an even wider range than DCI-P3). In practical terms, this means more natural colors and better performance in dark scenes - perfect for movie nights.
Neither projector will satisfy competitive gamers, but both handle casual gaming well. They offer input lag (the time between pressing a button and seeing the result on screen) around 35-40ms. While this isn't as quick as gaming monitors or high-end TVs, it's perfectly fine for most single-player games and casual multiplayer.
Here's where we see a significant difference. The Formovie Theater Premium includes a Bowers & Wilkins sound system that delivers impressive audio for a projector. It supports Dolby Atmos and provides rich, room-filling sound. While it won't replace a dedicated surround sound setup, it's notably better than most built-in solutions.
The Hisense PL2's audio is adequate but unremarkable. If you're serious about audio, you'll want to budget for an external sound system.
Both projectors use Google TV as their smart platform, providing access to popular streaming services and voice control. The Hisense PL2 offers slightly easier setup with automated geometry correction - particularly helpful if you're not using a fixed screen.
For optimal performance, both projectors should be paired with an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen. These specialized screens help maintain picture quality when there's ambient light, but they add $500-1000 to the total cost.
Your viewing environment should heavily influence your choice:
For Bright Rooms:
For Dedicated Home Theaters:
Let's consider some specific scenarios:
Living Room Entertainment Hub: The Hisense PL2's higher brightness and easier setup make it ideal for replacing a living room TV. It handles daytime viewing better and offers good performance for mixed content (sports, news, shows).
Dedicated Home Theater: The Formovie Theater Premium's superior contrast and color accuracy make it the better choice for movie enthusiasts who can control their room lighting. Its better audio system also adds value in a dedicated space.
Multi-Purpose Media Room: If you're setting up a space that needs to handle gaming, movies, and sports viewing, the Hisense PL2's versatility might be more valuable than the Formovie's superior picture quality in ideal conditions.
Consider these key factors when making your choice:
Both projectors represent excellent value compared to similarly-sized TVs. The Hisense PL2 offers better bang for your buck and more flexibility for typical living rooms. The Formovie Theater Premium delivers superior picture quality and audio for those willing to pay more and able to control their viewing environment.
For most users, I'd recommend the Hisense PL2 - it's more practical and its compromises are reasonable given the price difference. However, if you're creating a dedicated home theater and picture quality is paramount, the Formovie Theater Premium's superior performance might be worth the premium.
Remember that both options require proper placement and ideally an ALR screen for the best experience. Take time to measure your space and consider your viewing habits before making a final decision.
| Hisense PL2 ($2,198) | Formovie Theater Premium ($2,799) |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Critical for rooms with ambient light | |
| 2700 ANSI lumens (excellent for bright rooms) | 2200 ISO lumens (requires more light control) |
| Color Gamut - Determines how vivid and accurate colors appear | |
| 85% DCI-P3 (good but not exceptional) | 107% BT.2020 (exceptional, cinema-quality) |
| Throw Ratio - Determines how close to wall it needs to be | |
| 0.22:1 (12.7" for 100" screen) | 0.21:1 (11.8" for 100" screen) |
| Input Lag - Important for gaming responsiveness | |
| 35-40ms (okay for casual gaming) | 35-40ms (okay for casual gaming) |
| Smart Platform - Affects ease of streaming and updates | |
| Google TV (stable, refined interface) | Google TV (same features, some stability issues) |
| Built-in Audio - Matters if not using external speakers | |
| Basic 30W stereo (adequate but basic) | Bowers & Wilkins system (notably better) |
| HDR Support - Impacts contrast and color in HDR content | |
| HDR10, Dolby Vision (good implementation) | HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision (superior processing) |
| Light Source Lifespan - Long term ownership cost | |
| 25,000 hours (about 8-10 years typical use) | 30,000 hours (about 10-12 years typical use) |
The Formovie Theater Premium ($2,799) is superior for dedicated home theaters due to its better contrast ratio, wider color gamut, and superior black levels. While more expensive than the Hisense PL2 ($2,198), its picture quality advantages become most apparent in controlled lighting conditions.
The Hisense PL2 performs better in rooms with ambient light thanks to its higher 2700 ANSI lumens brightness compared to Formovie's 2200 ISO lumens. This makes it more suitable for living rooms or spaces where complete light control isn't possible.
The Formovie Theater Premium features a superior Bowers & Wilkins sound system that outperforms the Hisense PL2's basic speakers. However, for optimal home theater experience, both should be paired with a dedicated audio system.
Yes, both the Hisense PL2 and Formovie Theater Premium can effectively replace a TV, offering screen sizes from 80" to 150". Both include smart TV features through Google TV for streaming and daily use.
Both projectors have similar input lag (around 35-40ms), making them suitable for casual gaming but not competitive play. The Hisense PL2 has slightly better brightness for gaming during the day.
Yes, both projectors perform best with an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen. This is essential for optimal picture quality and helps maintain contrast, especially for the Formovie Theater Premium's superior color performance.
The Hisense PL2 offers better value at $2,198, especially for general use. The Formovie Theater Premium at $2,799 justifies its higher price through superior picture quality and better audio, particularly for dedicated home theater use.
The Formovie Theater Premium offers 30,000 hours of laser life, while the Hisense PL2 provides 25,000 hours. Both should last 8-12 years with typical use.
Yes, both projectors support 4K streaming through their Google TV platforms and multiple HDMI inputs. They both handle HDR content, with the Formovie Theater Premium offering slightly better HDR processing.
Both projectors require similar placement, with the Formovie Theater Premium needing slightly less distance (0.21:1 throw ratio) compared to the Hisense PL2 (0.22:1 throw ratio).
The Hisense PL2 offers easier setup with automated geometry correction and a more stable software platform. The Formovie Theater Premium requires more precise placement but rewards careful setup with superior image quality.
While both can be self-installed, professional installation is recommended for optimal performance, especially with the Formovie Theater Premium's more demanding setup requirements for maximum picture quality. The Hisense PL2's automatic features make DIY installation more feasible.
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: avnirvana.com - crutchfield.com - projectorscreen.com - digitaltrends.com - newatlas.com - valueelectronics.com - youtube.com - shop.hisense-usa.com - ecoustics.com - techradar.com - projectorscreen.com - avsforum.com - rtings.com - nothingprojector.com - formovie.com - bmcav.com.au - projectorcentral.com - digitalcinema.com.au - projectorreviews.com - techpowerup.com - nothingprojector.com
