XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K projector review

XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K is a worthwhile product if you are looking to upgrade home entertainment system. With sharp and bright images, built-in Harman Kardon speakers, class-leading autofocus and auto keystone correction, this tiny premium projector is simultaneously unobtrusive and luxurious.

I spent a few weeks watching movies, television, YouTube and all sorts of video content is projected on the big screen in my little house in Washington, DC, and at $1,700 you get what you pay for. If you have the space and the budget, it’s a dynamic home theater projector.

Here’s everything you need to know before diving into the XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K.

The XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K is a great choice for those willing to buy a high-quality, easy-to-use home theater projector to enjoy entertainment anywhere. However, the lack of the native Netflix app may turn some people off.

Simple setup and operation

The projector runs on Android TV 10.0, which means if you have an Android phone, setup is as simple as saying “OK Google, set up a new device”. Your phone will find Horizon Pro, access your Wi-Fi network, and sign you in on Google services like YouTube.

If you have a Iphone, however, Setup is manual and more difficult to use. Using the virtual keyboard with the Bluetooth remote is still relatively intuitive, but you’ll need to manually enter your Wi-Fi network and password, as well as set up your Google account. But it’s a bit inconvenient that you only have to do it once. (Interestingly, the Horizon Pro has an Ethernet port, so you can avoid the wireless setup altogether if you don’t mind running cables around the living room.)

After that, the projector will probably update to Android TV, take a few minutes and then you will be presented with the standard AndroidTV Home Screen. Here you can add different streaming apps, like Netflix, Apple TV, HBO Max, and Disney+.

Easy adjustments and advanced features

One of my favorite features is the autofocus function called “Smart Obstacle Avoidance,” which automatically recognizes the edges of your viewing area and sets the screen size and focus to Make sure nothing is obstructing the projected image. On my basement wall, it’s smart enough to avoid a lost Ethernet cable that has started to sag a bit and other items that could block some images. When I set up the mobile screen, the auto keystone function zooms the image to fit exactly the available screen area. It’s really impressive that all those pesky adjustments we used to have to make to ensure that the projected image is square and true to the wall can now be done at the touch of a button.

When it comes to search, the remote provides one-button access to the Google Assistant, so you can search for content or open apps. It works just as well as Google Assistant does on your phone, which means your mileage will vary.

Chromecast is also built into Horizon Pro so you can wirelessly stream your content from your computer or tablet, which is handy if you want to use it to mirror your computer screen or show off some photos. from your phone. This is a major function because Netflix – the number one streaming service – is Not supported on this projector. This is a big tripped, and it will take into account whether you bought Horizon Pro or not. You can solve this problem by streaming content from a computer will runs Netflix to the projector, but it’s a pretty poor alternative to native support. I finished my join Apple TV 4K into the projector and see it that way.

Showtime. The images on the Horizon Pro are, as you’d expect for the price, to be fantastic. The specs promise 1 billion colors, and although I didn’t count them, I can certainly say that colors and images are sharp and bright, and contrast is very good. Although it depends a lot on the ambient brightness in the room, the blacks also have the right depth. The projector was on with that annoying motion smoothing, which made everything look like a BBC production from the 1970s, but everything looked great when I finally figured out how to turn it off. Go. It’s designed for sports and other fast-moving images, but to me, it just makes things look cheap. To disable the feature, navigate to the Picture modes menu, click one of the modes (like Movie), and turn off the Motion Compensation setting.

This projector is designed to be pushed to the limits, and it surpasses. Watching YouTube videos and nature documentaries in great detail is a great experience. The large screen allows the sweeping vistas and drone footage to expand to shine in all their glory.

It works spectacularly in pitch-black rooms and does quite well even in moderately lit spaces. No projector can compete with flat screen projectors or laser projectors, which cost thousands more, but its automatic brightness and contrast functions work well enough. However, you will want to turn the lights off to be as dark as possible.

Horizon Pro is a quasi-cubic, about 8 inches deep and wide and 5.3 inches high. It has a subtle dark plastic finish by your standards that looks handsome and formal if you put it on the coffee table in the living room. However, if you hung it from the ceiling, I imagine it would look like an ominous cube made with alien technology.

Still, the remote is a delight with its clean lines, simple button layout, and satisfying weight. I don’t like such an expensive device without batteries for the remote. After all, the little things matter.

As mentioned, the lack of native Netflix support on Horizon Pro is a big downside. And it can be a deal killer for heavy Netflix users. Also, would it kill XGIMI to include batteries for the remote?

While XGIMI advertises the projector’s built-in speakers as “theater quality,” it’s a stretch. Two 8-watt, 45mm full-range speakers sound good, but they’re no substitute for a dedicated speaker soundbar or set up multiple speakers. They sound small and thin when played at high enough volume to hear dialogue.

But if you’re spending $1,700 on a home projector, you probably already have a soundbar or other speaker setup that’s better than the ones built into the projector.

However, as a small bonus, the projector can be used as a Bluetooth Speaker if you want to stream music from your phone or tablet.

If you’re looking for a compact, sleek home projector with beautiful images, great conveniences like auto keystone and -focus, and a smooth Android TV experience, the XGIMI Horizon Pro is an investment. great private. However, its subpar sound will need to be boosted with more powerful speakers, and not being able to watch Netflix right away could frustrate people.