Test: Hisense M2 Pro video projector – a compact and easy 4k projector

The M2 Pro has an almost cubic structure, measuring 218 × 231 × 193 mm. It weighs 3,9 kilograms, making it easy to move from room to room. The projector stand allows the projector to be tilted freely, and the image can be directed from a table, to a wall or even to the ceiling. The base of the stand has rubber feet to prevent slipping.

The projector uses a 0,47-inch DLP chip, where a 4K (3840 x 2160) image is produced using Texas Instruments' XPR pixel shift technology. Similar to, among others, Epson. The panel's native resolution is 1920 x 1080 pixels. The light source is a three-laser RGB system that can reproduce 110% of the BT.2020 color space. The light output is stated to be 1300 lumens, which is enough for a large image in a dim or semi-dim room. The lasers have a lifespan of approximately 25,000 hours, and the lamps never need to be replaced.

The projector has optical zoom, although it has a fairly narrow range, which is rare for a projector of this size and price. The 1,3x optical zoom and additional digital zoom allow for a total aspect ratio of about 2,4x. The M2 Pro provides a throw ratio of 1,0–1,3:1, which means that a distance of about three meters is enough to produce a hundred-inch image. This is not a short-throw model, but Hisense does not require a long distance, and the zoom gives a little leeway for placement. The lens offset is 100%, so the image is projected above the center of the lens, which makes it easier to place on a table without tilting.

Although the device is theoretically capable of an image size of up to 200 inches, the maximum recommended size is 120 inches – this gives enough space for placement and maintains accuracy and brightness. Alongside the lens, there are accuracy and geometry sensors that take care of autofocus, keystone correction, screen recognition, wall color compensation and obstacle avoidance. There is also an eye protection function that turns off the image if a person walks in front of the lamp. The automation works quickly and accurately: the projector finds the boundaries of the image, adjusts the sharpness and corrects the geometry in a few seconds. The functions can be manually overridden if you want to maintain maximum brightness and avoid the effects of digital correction on image quality.

Hisense's VIDAA OS is a Linux-based user interface and software platform, familiar from the company's televisions. Its operation and use are easy and fast, and the user interface is clear even when navigated with the remote control. The remote control also has backlighting, which makes it easier to use in a dark room. There are direct buttons for key streaming services, and the device can also be controlled with the VIDAA mobile app (iOS/Android).

VIDAA offers a wide range of international services: Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Disney+, Apple TV, and domestic services supported include Yle Areena and Ruutu, but for some reason MTV Katsomo is not available, and it cannot be added manually either. This may be a drawback for some. On the other hand, the projector supports screen mirroring, which allows you to wirelessly send the image to the projector directly from your phone or computer. Of course, you can also connect a separate GoogleTV media player to the projector's HDMI input.

Wireless connectivity is comprehensive: Wi-Fi (2,4 and 5 GHz), Bluetooth, and AirPlay 2 and Miracast for content mirroring. On the back of the device is an HDMI 2.1 connector that supports eARC audio and ALLM game mode, as well as USB 3.0 for external storage devices. In game mode, input lag has been measured at around 27 milliseconds (1080p @ 120 Hz), which is more than enough for normal console and PC gaming. In 4K mode, the lag is slightly higher, at around 38 ms, but still moderate for a portable projector in this class.