Not only home cinema lovers, but also demanding gamers now swear by crisp 4K resolution. However, if you want to enjoy this through a projector, you still have to dig deep into your pocket, while many 4K televisions are available for comparatively little money. However, these can hardly keep up with the sometimes immense screen diagonals of a projector, so that many gamers think about buying a 4K projector.
A very popular model, which also looks very pretty, is the XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K projector, which is available for around 1.500 euros. In our detailed test report, we will tell you whether the device is predestined for flawless gaming fun and how it performs in all other important areas.
- True 4K technology: 3840 x 2160 (4K) standard resolution with 8.29...
- Room-filling sound: Two integrated 8W Harman Kardon speakers,...
- Intelligent screen adjustment technology: ±40 degrees automatic...
A first look at the XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K projector
Anyone who takes the XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K projector out of its packaging will quickly realize that this is a very high-quality device that also comes with an extremely elegant design.
With its black finish, the device looks very elegant, all around the Housing The attached ventilation grille also ensures optimal cooling. With its dimensions of 114 x 145 x 172 mm, the device is not quite as compact as some of its competitors, but since it is not designed for permanent transport anyway, but rather for permanent standing in a specific place, this is not particularly noticeable Weight. Speaking of weight: At around 3 kg, the XGIMI Horizon Pro is not exactly light, but you immediately get the feeling that a lot of high-quality technology is installed inside.
Two things immediately caught our attention when we first examined the projector: This device is delivered without a lens cover, so that unfortunately dust collects on the lens again and again after a certain period of time - so you have to use a duster regularly. Also quite unusual is the fact that there are no movable feet installed on the underside of the projector, which could be used to better align the device with the screen. Instead, you will find a 1/4 inch thread here, which you can use to mount a standard tripod. Conveniently, with the XGIMI Portable Stand and the XGIMI X-Floor, the manufacturer also has two perfectly fitting models in its range – but with a little research you will also come across cheaper alternatives.
Incidentally, we also liked the included remote control, which is very clearly designed thanks to fewer buttons and also looks quite stylish thanks to its black and silver paintwork. However, it would have been nice if the manufacturer had thought of including two suitable AAA batteries. In addition to the projector and the remote control, there is also a bulky one in the scope of delivery Power Supplies, with the help of which you can connect the device to the socket.
connection options
On the back of the XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K projector you will find several common connection options. There are two HDMI inputs here, which can be used to connect a Blu-ray player, a games console or other external devices, while two additional USB ports allow the connection of USB sticks or external USB hard drives.
Since the projector has an integrated multimedia player, you can immediately enjoy the content stored on the data carrier on the big screen, so that you can also watch videos you have recorded yourself quickly and easily. If you like, you can also simply add content from a Smartphone or Tablet PC transmitted to the projector, because a Bluetooth interface is also on board. The projector can be connected to the home network either via WLAN or LAN, while an external sound system can be easily connected via the digital audio output. Practical: The manufacturer has even thought of a 3,5 mm jack plug - so you can simply connect wired headphones late in the evening so as not to disturb others.
Can the XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K projector really do 4K?
You should actually expect a projector with the addition "4K" in its name to be able to play back 4K content without loss. With regard to the XGIMI Horizon Pro, this is unfortunately only half the truth. Like many other manufacturers, XGIMI also uses a little trick here: The built-in sensor is actually a Full HD sensor, which works in exactly the same way in the previous model XGIMI Horizon. With the help of many small mirrors, the millions of pixels of the sensor are now multiplied in such a way that a 4K image with the corresponding number of pixels results in the end - a phenomenon known as "pixel shifting". The problem with this: From a purely visual point of view, the projector delivers the number of pixels required for 4K resolution, but the projected image lacks depth and detail. So you can't compare the end result with a native 4K image, but compared to a pure Full HD projection, the image still looks much sharper and more realistic.
In the case of the XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K projector, you can definitely look forward to a lively picture with bright colors and a very good contrast ratio when playing corresponding 4K films, since not every home cinema projector has anything to offer. The manufacturer's little trick should therefore actually only be noticed by the technically experienced viewers in the room.
Is the XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K suitable for gaming?
While there are no problems when watching 4K movies and series, the demands for a flawless gaming experience are a little higher. Can the XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K also convince here? If you take a closer look at the device's two existing HDMI ports, you will quickly notice that these are only 2.0 ports and not the newer 2.1 ports. However, the latter require the PlayStation 5 and the XBOX Series X, for example, in order to deliver the best possible quality when playing. It's not a problem to connect both consoles to the projector without one HDMI 2.1 connection, however, you cannot enjoy the maximum possible 120 Hertz that many games such as "Doom Eternal" or "Call of Duty: Vanguard" support. Instead, HDMI 2.0 only gets it to 60 Hertz, so that you have to be prepared for compromises in terms of the refresh rate.
On the other hand, who, for example, PlayStation 4 or owns a Nintendo Switch, you can easily connect it to the projector and enjoy your favorite games in the best possible quality. Thanks to the huge screen diagonal of up to 200 inches, playing here is really a lot of fun and just like at the movie night, the actual projection with its bright and at the same time natural colors can be seen.
Simple operation thanks to Android TV
XGIMI relies on the pre-installed Android TV operating system for the Horizon Pro 4k projector, which knows how to convince with its really easy operation. The user always has access to thousands of entertaining apps and games via the Google Play Store, the most important applications such as YouTube, Spotify, Disney+ or Amazon Prime Video are of course already pre-installed. Those who have one or the other streaming subscription do not necessarily have to connect a Blu-ray player to the projector in order to enjoy exciting films and series.
Maximum user comfort
The XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K projector impresses immediately after setting up with a very easy set-up: It has an automatic keystone correction and an automatic auto-focus, which means that the alignment of the projection is completely completed within just three minutes. It is also noticeable that the device works surprisingly quietly compared to some of its competitors - even when you sit relatively close to the case. At the same time, the two built-in 8 W loudspeakers from Harman Kardon ensure a surprisingly good sound, which only reaches its limits with very deep bass. Especially in smaller rooms, you don't necessarily have to connect an external sound system to the projector, as its audio quality can really convince - but this is of course possible at any time if you wish (either with a wireless or a wired system).
And finally ...
- True 4K technology: 3840 x 2160 (4K) standard resolution with 8.29...
- Room-filling sound: Two integrated 8W Harman Kardon speakers,...
- Intelligent screen adjustment technology: ±40 degrees automatic...
The XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K projector has the suffix "4K" in its name, but only delivers a scaled-up Full HD image. That doesn't mean the projector's image quality is bad, however, as the exact opposite is true with its crisp sharpness and vibrant colors. The pre-installed Android TV operating system makes operation child's play, and the user has access to thousands of apps and games at all times. Speaking of games: The XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K projector is also well equipped for classic gaming, but due to the missing HDMI 2.1 connection you have to be content with a maximum refresh rate of 60 Hertz.
Pro:
- Very good playback quality with crisp sharpness and bright colors
- Very easy setup thanks to automatic keystone correction & auto focus
- Easy to use Android TV operating system with thousands of apps
- Very large image with a diagonal of up to 200 inches
- On request, convenient voice control via Google Assistant
- Comparatively very convincing audio quality
- Very stylish design
- Very quiet working fan
cons:
- Does not provide true native 4K picture
- No adjustable feet
- No HDMI 2.1 ports
- No lens cover
- Relative expensive
