The home theater landscape has changed dramatically in recent years, with Ultra Short Throw (UST) projectors becoming increasingly popular alternatives to massive TVs. These specialized projectors sit just inches from your wall, making them perfect for rooms where traditional ceiling-mounted projectors aren't practical. Today, we're comparing two standout options: the Hisense PL2 ($2,197) and the Formovie Theater ($2,999).
Before diving into the specifics, let's understand what makes these projectors special. UST projectors use advanced optics to project a large image from very close to the wall - typically 4-15 inches away. This is a huge advantage over traditional projectors that need 10-15 feet of space. Both units we're reviewing use laser light sources, which offer several benefits over traditional bulb projectors:
The Formovie Theater leads in pure image quality, thanks to its triple-laser ALPD 4.0 technology. This means it uses separate red, green, and blue lasers to create colors, resulting in more accurate and vibrant images. The contrast ratio of 3,000:1 (native) produces deeper blacks and more detail in dark scenes - crucial for movie watching.
The Hisense PL2 uses a single blue laser with a phosphor wheel (which converts blue light to other colors). While this might sound less impressive, it still produces excellent images with a claimed 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. However, in real-world use, the Formovie's native contrast advantage is noticeable, especially in darker rooms.
Both projectors are bright enough for most living rooms:
The small difference in brightness isn't significant in real-world use. Both work well in rooms with some ambient light, though you'll want to control incoming sunlight for the best picture quality. For reference, most traditional home theater projectors offer 1,500-2,000 lumens.
The Hisense PL2 has a clear advantage in smart features, running Google TV with native support for all major streaming services. This means you can start watching Netflix, Disney+, or Prime Video without additional devices. The interface is polished and responsive, feeling much like a modern smart TV.
The Formovie Theater runs Android TV but lacks native Netflix support - you'll need to add a streaming stick or box. While this might seem like a drawback, many home theater enthusiasts prefer using external devices anyway, as they often provide better performance and more frequent updates.
Here's where things get interesting. The Formovie Theater includes a Bowers & Wilkins sound system that genuinely impresses - it's one of the best built-in audio solutions I've heard in a projector. The sound is detailed, with good bass response and clear dialogue.
The Hisense PL2's 30W system is competent but not exceptional. If you're building a proper home theater, you'll likely want external speakers with either projector, but the Formovie could serve as a complete solution in a pinch.
Both projectors require careful placement to achieve optimal image alignment. They feature digital keystone correction (which adjusts the image shape digitally) and focus controls, but it's worth noting that using keystone correction can slightly reduce image quality.
The Hisense PL2 offers slightly easier setup thanks to its automated geometry correction feature, which uses your smartphone's camera to align the image automatically. The Formovie requires more manual adjustment but provides excellent results when properly set up.
Laser projectors typically last 20,000+ hours before significant brightness reduction. At 4 hours of daily use, that's over 13 years of service. Both manufacturers offer similar warranties, but it's worth noting that the Formovie's triple-laser system is more complex and potentially more expensive to repair if issues arise outside warranty.
The Hisense PL2 offers excellent value at $2,197, especially considering its built-in streaming capabilities and easier setup. It's a great choice for:
The Formovie Theater at $2,999 justifies its higher price through:
Your choice should depend primarily on your priorities and usage scenario:
Both projectors represent excellent value in the UST market, where competitors often cost $5,000 or more. The Hisense PL2 hits a sweet spot for many users, offering great performance at a reasonable price. The Formovie Theater justifies its higher cost through superior image quality and audio performance, making it the choice for enthusiasts.
Remember that either projector will benefit significantly from a proper ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen, which can add $500-1,500 to your total cost but dramatically improves image quality, especially in rooms with ambient light.
Whichever you choose, both represent the current state of the art in UST projection technology and offer a compelling alternative to traditional large TVs.
| Hisense PL2 ($2,197) | Formovie Theater ($2,999) |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Critical for room lighting flexibility and image pop | |
| 2,700 ANSI lumens (good for most rooms) | 2,800 ANSI lumens (slightly brighter) |
| Contrast Ratio - Determines black level depth and overall image depth | |
| 2,000,000:1 dynamic (good but artificial) | 3,000:1 native (superior real-world performance) |
| Color Gamut - Affects color richness and accuracy | |
| 85% DCI-P3 (good for most content) | 107% BT.2020 (exceptional, best-in-class) |
| Smart Platform - Important for everyday usability | |
| Google TV with native Netflix (excellent) | Android TV, no native Netflix (requires streaming device) |
| Built-in Audio - Matters if not using external speakers | |
| Basic 30W system (adequate) | Bowers & Wilkins 30W (premium quality) |
| Throw Ratio - Determines placement distance from wall | |
| 0.22:1 (slightly closer to wall) | 0.23:1 (standard UST distance) |
| Gaming Features - Critical for gamers | |
| ALLM, ~40ms input lag (acceptable) | ALLM, MEMC, 43ms input lag (similar) |
| Laser Configuration - Affects color accuracy and longevity | |
| Single blue laser with phosphor (proven tech) | Triple RGB laser (superior color, more complex) |
| Price/Performance Value - Overall buying consideration | |
| Better value for casual users | Worth premium for enthusiasts/dedicated theaters |
The Formovie Theater ($2,999) is superior for dedicated home theaters due to its better native contrast ratio and superior color accuracy. While the Hisense PL2 ($2,197) performs well, the Formovie's triple laser system provides better black levels and more vibrant colors in controlled lighting conditions.
The Formovie Theater offers 2,800 ANSI lumens while the Hisense PL2 provides 2,700 ANSI lumens. The difference is minimal in real-world use, and both are bright enough for most viewing environments.
The Formovie Theater includes a high-quality Bowers & Wilkins sound system that could suffice for casual viewing. The Hisense PL2 has basic built-in audio that most home theater enthusiasts will want to upgrade.
The Hisense PL2 has an advantage with its Google TV system and native Netflix support. The Formovie Theater requires an external streaming device for Netflix but offers superior image quality for movie watching.
Both projectors have similar throw ratios (0.22:1 for PL2, 0.23:1 for Formovie), requiring about 5-7 inches from the wall for an 80-inch image and 12-15 inches for a 120-inch image.
Both the Hisense PL2 and Formovie Theater offer similar gaming performance with input lag around 40-43ms. Both include Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), making them adequate but not ideal for competitive gaming.
Both projectors perform similarly in bright rooms, but you'll want to control ambient light for the best picture quality. An ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen is recommended for either projector in bright environments.
The Formovie Theater leads in color accuracy with its triple laser system covering 107% of BT.2020, while the Hisense PL2 covers 85% of DCI-P3. This difference is noticeable when watching high-quality HDR content.
Both projectors use laser light sources rated for 20,000+ hours of use. The Hisense PL2 might have an advantage in long-term reliability due to its simpler single-laser design compared to the Formovie Theater's triple laser system.
While both projectors will work with standard white screens, an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen is strongly recommended for either projector to maximize contrast and picture quality, especially in rooms with ambient light.
The Hisense PL2 offers better value for casual users at $2,197, while the Formovie Theater at $2,999 justifies its higher price through superior image quality and better built-in audio for dedicated home theater enthusiasts.
Yes, both the Hisense PL2 and Formovie Theater can effectively replace a TV, though the PL2 offers a more TV-like experience with its integrated Google TV system. The Formovie provides better image quality but requires an external streaming device for complete functionality.
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 - projectorcentral.com - rtings.com - formovie.com - projectorreviews.com - projectorcentral.com - projectorscreen.com - projectorcentral.com - nothingprojector.com - formovie.com
