I will leave the first question: why is a projector needed when there are so many different “smart” TVs with large diagonals? Let’s start with the device itself.
The main feature of XGIMI projectors in general and the Horizon Pro 4K in particular is trapezoidal distortion correction on two axes. In very simple terms, this allows the projector to be installed not only strictly in the center of the planned image, but also with a horizontal, vertical or along both axes at the same time. Initially, this was a premium feature, available only for projectors priced at 400-500 thousand rubles, while the first XGIMI on which I saw this feature, Aurora Z4, costs about 40 thousand rubles in 2018.
If we move away from the technical specifications, this allows us to install projects without special preparation of the room, a special rod in the ceiling, supply of cables – everything that is usually done during a fairly serious renovation. XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K can be simply placed on a bedside table or, more elegantly, on a special bar, sold separately. The projector is attached with a bolt to a special hemisphere, which allows you to adjust its location in space.
XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K projector review: Home cinema at maximum speed Photo: Oleg Kapranov/RG
An innovation of Horizon Pro, retained in the 4K version, is the automatic adjustment of the trapezoid along two axes. It can be started manually or every time you touch the projector. In this case, the surfaces and objects in the projection area are taken into account. The algorithm can also take obstacles into account.
XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K supports playback of images in 4K quality, but it is not native 4K, but adaptive – it is created using pixel shifting technology. This is a typical solution for devices in this price category. I can tell right away that it is almost impossible to tell the difference.
The claimed brightness of the Horizon Pro 4K projector is 2200 lumens. The brightness is enough to make the image visible during the day, but it is better to reduce the ambient light or cover the windows. The LED lamp supply should be enough for 25,000 hours of operation, which is a lot.
The projector runs the Android TV 10 operating system and allows you to cast content from mobile devices via the built-in Chromecast feature. Most streaming services are also supported.
You can control the projector using a remote control or a special app for iPhone or Android. The app works over the network and the device must be on the same segment as the projector.
XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K projector review: Home cinema at maximum speed Photo: Oleg Kapranov/RG
Everything is easier with the remote control. It’s made in the same style as the projector: a sleek aluminum body and a black plastic panel with keys. The set of keys is standard: Back/Menu/Home, and above them are the D-pad and volume buttons. At the top there are power keys, quick settings and calling the Google Assistant, which can be used thanks to the built-in microphone. Just below the plastic panel there is a separate button for restoring image focus.
Early versions of the XGIMI projector remote control were equipped with a USB port for charging. I will say this, it was not very convenient, as the remote control discharged at the most unfortunate moment. Now two AAA batteries are used, their charge lasts a long time.
There are a variety of ports and connectors on the back of the projector. Here we have 2×HDMI 2.0 (without Arc), 2×USB 2.0 and 1×Ethernet. There are two outputs: an optical connector, which allows you to connect external speakers, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Everything is fine with wireless communications: Wi-Fi: 802.11N in two bands 2.4/5.0 GHz and Bluetooth: 5.0. A little advice: for “heavy” content, it is better not to rely on dual-band Wi-Fi algorithms and manually connect the projector to 5 GHz; 4K content definitely does not fit on 2.4 GHz. There will be constant friezes.
XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K projector review: Home cinema at maximum speed Photo: Oleg Kapranov/RG
Now to the image. The image is bright, juicy and very clear, no questions asked. General brightness, contrast, sharpness, saturation and color temperature settings are available for customization. You can choose between presets: Cinema, Sports, Games and Office. In game mode, minimal latency is activated, which is important for online game players.
The contrast is 550:1. Compared to high-end TVs, it’s not much. But it has almost no effect on the image quality. There is support for HDR10. There is no support for shade calibration and no automatic calibration against the color of the walls. I saw it in the new models that were shown this year at IFA-2023 in Berlin, but have not yet arrived in Russia. We wait.
XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K projector review: Home cinema at maximum speed Photo: Oleg Kapranov/RG
Well, about the sound. XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K is equipped with 45mm 16W speakers certified by Harman/Kardon. The sound is loud and of very high quality. There are no complaints about him. If in older models like the same Aurora Z4 you really needed some kind of external sound, everything is very good here. The concerts sound especially luxurious. My favorite during testing was the Within Temptation concert in Paris this year: rock sound, strong vocals – my respect.
XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K projector review: Home cinema at maximum speed Photo: Oleg Kapranov/RG
So, it comes to the question of why you need a projector if you have a large TV. No television will offer you a screen with a diagonal of up to 7 meters. These are, of course, excessive figures, but even on a diagonal of 2 meters, the feeling of immersion in the image and sound is simply amazing. And adjusting the trapezoid along two axes allows you to install the projector even in a completely unsuspecting room. A white wall is enough.
Perhaps the only serious drawback of the Horizon Pro 4K for me is the lack of a shutter for the lens, so it is constantly open and eventually gets dusty and, in the worst case, scratched.
The price of the device is serious – about 140 thousand rubles. But if we are not talking about semi-toy projectors like Xiaomi for 15 thousand, sold in the markets, then by the standards of the serious device market this is a good offer.
THE NAIS IS OFFICIAL EDITOR ON NAIS NEWS