Home theater technology has come a long way, and ultra short throw projectors represent one of the most exciting developments in recent years. These innovative devices sit just inches from your wall, yet can create massive, crystal-clear images that rival or exceed traditional TVs. If you're considering upgrading your home entertainment setup, you're probably wondering whether the $3,499 Hisense PX3-PRO or $2,999 Formovie Theater is the right choice.
Before diving into specific comparisons, let's understand what makes these projectors special. Ultra short throw (UST) technology uses advanced optics to project a large image from very close to the wall - typically just 4-12 inches away. This solves many traditional projector challenges: no more ceiling mounting, no shadows from people walking by, and much easier cable management.
Both the PX3-PRO and Formovie Theater use triple laser technology, which means they employ separate red, green, and blue lasers instead of a traditional lamp. This provides better color accuracy, instant on/off capability, and longer life spans - typically 20,000+ hours compared to 3,000-5,000 for lamp projectors.
The Hisense PX3-PRO, released in August 2024, represents the latest in UST technology. It introduced several improvements over previous models:
The Formovie Theater, while slightly older, still holds its own with solid performance and a competitive price point. However, it lacks some of the newest features found in the PX3-PRO.
The PX3-PRO leads in several key areas:
These numbers might seem abstract, but they translate to real-world benefits. The extra brightness means you can watch during the day without completely darkening your room. The higher contrast ratio makes dark scenes look better and gives the image more "pop."
If you're a gamer, the PX3-PRO has a clear advantage:
Both projectors include built-in sound systems, but the PX3-PRO's 50-watt Harman Kardon speakers outperform the Formovie's audio setup. However, for a proper home theater, you'll likely want to connect an external sound system anyway.
These projectors need different amounts of space:
Consider your room's layout carefully. While both are "ultra short throw," even small differences in placement requirements can matter depending on your furniture setup.
While both projectors can project onto a plain wall, you'll get the best results with a proper ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen. These screens are specifically designed for UST projectors and help maintain image quality even with some ambient light. Expect to spend $500-1,500 for a good ALR screen.
The $3,499 PX3-PRO costs more than the $2,999 Formovie Theater, but offers several advantages:
In practical terms, both projectors can create impressive home theater experiences. However, the PX3-PRO's additional brightness and contrast make it more versatile. You can use it in more lighting conditions, and it generally produces a better image across all content types.
The Formovie Theater remains competitive for movie watching in controlled lighting conditions, but lacks some of the PX3-PRO's refinements in processing and feature set.
Both projectors represent excellent choices in the UST category, but the Hisense PX3-PRO emerges as the more capable all-around performer. Its superior brightness, contrast, and gaming features make it more versatile and future-proof. While the Formovie Theater offers good value, the PX3-PRO's additional capabilities justify its higher price for most users.
Remember to factor in the cost of a good screen and potentially an external sound system when budgeting for either projector. These additions will help you get the most out of whichever model you choose.
The right choice ultimately depends on your specific needs and budget, but if you can afford it, the PX3-PRO's additional capabilities make it the more compelling option for most users.
| Hisense PX3-PRO ($3,499) | Formovie Theater ($2,999) |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Critical for daytime viewing and HDR impact | |
| 3,000 ANSI lumens (excellent for mixed lighting) | 2,800 ANSI lumens (best in controlled lighting) |
| Contrast Ratio - Determines black level depth and overall image punch | |
| 4,000:1 measured (exceptional for UST) | 3,000:1 (good but notably lower) |
| Color Gamut - Affects color vibrancy and accuracy | |
| 110% BT.2020 (class-leading) | 107% Rec.2020 (very good) |
| Gaming Features - Important for console/PC gaming | |
| Xbox certified, ALLM, low latency mode | Basic ALLM support only |
| Audio System - Matters if not using external speakers | |
| 50W Harman Kardon (impressive built-in) | 30W Bowers & Wilkins (good but less powerful) |
| Smart Platform - Affects ease of streaming | |
| Google TV (fully authorized Netflix) | Android TV 11 (some apps require workarounds) |
| HDR Support - Impacts dynamic range and color accuracy | |
| Dolby Vision, HDR10+, IMAX Enhanced | HDR10, Dolby Vision |
| Throw Ratio - Determines installation flexibility | |
| 0.25:1 (7.2" for 100" image) | 0.23:1 (5.5" for 80" image) |
| Release Date - Indicates technology generation | |
| August 2024 (latest tech) | Late 2022 (previous generation) |
The $3,499 Hisense PX3-PRO offers superior movie-watching performance with better contrast (4,000:1), higher brightness, and IMAX Enhanced certification. While the $2,999 Formovie Theater is good, the PX3-PRO's superior HDR handling and color accuracy make it the better choice for dedicated home theater use.
The PX3-PRO offers 3,000 ANSI lumens compared to the Formovie Theater's 2,800 ANSI lumens. This difference is noticeable in rooms with ambient light, making the PX3-PRO more versatile for daytime viewing.
The Hisense PX3-PRO is significantly better for gaming, featuring Xbox certification, lower input lag, and automatic low-latency mode switching. The Formovie Theater offers basic gaming support but lacks these gaming-specific optimizations.
Yes, both projectors perform best with an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen designed for UST projectors. While both can project on a white wall, an ALR screen significantly improves image quality and helps manage ambient light.
The PX3-PRO features a more refined Google TV interface with fully authorized Netflix app support. The Formovie Theater uses Android TV 11, which works well but may require workarounds for some streaming services.
The Formovie Theater is less expensive at $2,999, while the PX3-PRO costs $3,499. However, the PX3-PRO's additional features and better performance justify the higher price for most home theater enthusiasts.
The PX3-PRO handles bright rooms better due to its higher brightness and contrast. The Formovie Theater performs best in controlled lighting conditions.
Both are ultra-short throw projectors, but the Formovie needs slightly less distance from the wall (5.5" for 80" image) compared to the PX3-PRO (7.2" for 100" image). Consider your furniture placement when choosing.
The PX3-PRO features superior 50W Harman Kardon speakers compared to the Formovie Theater's 30W system. However, for proper home theater use, an external sound system is recommended for both.
The PX3-PRO offers more comprehensive HDR support, including Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and IMAX Enhanced certification. The Formovie Theater supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision but lacks HDR10+ and IMAX Enhanced.
Both projectors use triple laser technology with an expected lifetime of 20,000+ hours. The PX3-PRO being newer might have slightly improved laser longevity, but both should last many years with normal use.
The Hisense PX3-PRO, released in 2024, offers newer technology and better gaming features compared to the 2022 Formovie Theater. Its higher brightness, contrast, and broader format support make it more future-proof for evolving content standards.
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: 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 - techradar.com - projectorcentral.com - rtings.com - formovie.com - projectorreviews.com - projectorcentral.com - projectorscreen.com - projectorcentral.com - nothingprojector.com - formovie.com
