XGIMI HORIZON Ultra 4K Projector Review
Table of contents
XGIMI, known for its line of portable projectors, has taken note of customer feedback in the development of its products over the last few years. The company's latest offering, the XGIMI HORIZON Ultra 4K Projector, is positioned as an extension of its predecessor, the HORIZON Pro 4K, with certain enhancements.
The HORIZON Pro 4K had its share of supporters, and the HORIZON Ultra seeks to build on that foundation. Rather than being a mere upgrade, it’s a response to specific feedback and needs that have been expressed by users.
Specifications
The XGIMI HORIZON Ultra incorporates DLP (Digital Light Processing) technology and the company's Dual Light system, achieving a brightness level of 2,300 ISO lumens or 2,800 ANSI lumens. It also includes a Dynamic Iris, allowing for adjustments between brightness and contrast. With a fixed zoom lens and a throw ratio of 1.2:1, the projector can display images ranging from 30 inches to a broad 200 inches. Supporting various formats such as HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision, it claims a unique position as the world's first 4K long-throw home projector with this specific combination of features.
On the audio front, the HORIZON Ultra includes two integrated 12-watt speakers designed in collaboration with Harman Kardon, with support for DTS-HD, Dolby Digital, and more. The projector's ability to function as a Bluetooth speaker for wireless audio streaming adds another dimension to its features.
Connections
The HORIZON Ultra projector is designed with various connectivity options. On the back panel, it features two HDMI 2.0 ports, one of which supports eARC, facilitating connections to devices like gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, or streaming devices. Two USB 2.0 ports are present, allowing for the connection of thumb drives or external hard drives for media file access.
For internet connectivity, the projector provides an Ethernet port for wired connections and supports dual-band 2.4/5GHz wireless connections. Audio options on the HORIZON Ultra include an optical audio out port for connections to home speaker systems and a 3.5mm headphone jack, enabling the attachment of headphones or additional external speakers.
The projector receives power via a DC power jack connected to an external power brick, a design choice that contributes to the device's lighter weight. However, if you plan on mounting the projector on the ceiling, it's important to consider the positioning of the power brick for optimal cable management.
Design
The HORIZON Ultra projector, with its compact and sleek cube-like design and gently rounded corners, is a big aesthetic improvement from the previous HORIZON Pro 4K model. Its gold finish and PU Leather contribute to an upscale appearance, coupled with functional details such as a quiet fabric cover that automatically slides under the lens when the projector is turned on. A large vent on the back assists with cooling, which is a practical feature considering the warmth the projector can generate.
Weighing in at only 11.5 pounds and measuring 8.8-inches x 6.7-inches x 10.4-inches, the HORIZON Ultra's portability is evident. Its curved metal sides add a sophisticated touch without making the design too boxy. The top of the projector forgoes buttons in favor of a leather piece, a change in design from previous models.
Included with the HORIZON Ultra is a remote control that combines style with functionality. Its sleek metal finish, thin profile, and balanced weight make it comfortable to hold, while various buttons provide easy access to features like the Android OS home screen, settings, volume control, and Google Voice functionality. The remote also includes a dedicated autofocus button for sharp image clarity. Although the remote lacks a backlight which could be a possible inconvenience in dimly lit rooms, once familiar with the buttons, this isn’t really an issue.
Setup
The HORIZON Ultra projector is pretty easy to set up thanks to its autofocus and auto keystone features. Although lacking in horizontal shift capabilities, it makes up for this with the addition of a digital zoom feature. With its 1.2 throw ratio, positioning the projector around 14 feet away proved optimal for a 138-inch screen using a Stewart Filmscreen StudioTek 130 G4. Utilizing the auto keystone feature for angles up to 45 degrees off-center is an option, but be aware that this setup may lead to a noticeable reduction in image sharpness.
A thoughtful touch in the design of the HORIZON Ultra is the inclusion of an eye protection feature. This safety measure helps prevent direct light from shining into viewers' eyes—an appreciated consideration, particularly when children are present and might be prone to walking in front of the screen.
Smart Features
Setting up the HORIZON Ultra projector was pretty straightforward. I connected it to my home Wi-Fi and logged into my Google account to get access to the Android TV interface. The included remote control made navigation simple.
Since the HORIZON Ultra runs on Android TV 11, it has access to the Google Play Store, which opens up a world of apps. The projector also includes Google Assistant, letting me control it with voice commands through the remote.
Everything on the system ran smoothly and without any glitches. It's worth noting that the Netflix app isn't directly available from the Google Play Store on this projector. If you want Netflix, you'll need to use a streaming stick or another device that supports the app.
Performance
The XGIMI HORIZON Ultra projector provides five distinct image modes for both SDR and HDR content, including Movie, Football, Office, Game, and Custom. You can select the mode that best aligns with your viewing needs, and the Custom mode even offers the ability to fine-tune the image settings. If you're watching Dolby Vision content, there are additional options for Dolby Vision Bright or Dolby Vision Dark as well as a Custom option.
The HORIZON Ultra projector automatically detects HDR signals and smoothly switches to HDR mode without any visible indication. While this can provide a seamless viewing experience, it's important to be aware of the transition. The same settings that are applied for SDR content carry over to HDR as well.
Cinema mode is my personal preference when using this projector. Watching "Gemini Man" in 4K on the XGIMI HORIZON Ultra, I'm immediately struck by the crispness of the image. This characteristic of DLP projectors shines, and the HORIZON Ultra is no exception. I can see every pore in Will Smith's face and even the intricate texture of the sniper rifle he wields.
Watching "Spider-Man: No Way Home" on the XGIMI HORIZON Ultra projector, I'm drawn to the mirror dimension scene. The projector's brightness is striking, and I measure 1,378 ANSI Lumens in movie mode. The color reproduction is also notable, with the 95.5% DCI-P3 color gamut making the reds in Spider-Man's suit and the blues in Dr. Strange's suit stand out.
The visual effects in the scene where Dr. Strange employs the sling ring are finely balanced on the HORIZON Ultra projector. The brightness doesn't overwhelm but is controlled in a way that highlights are kept in check and not overblown. This subtlety in handling brightness allows the viewer to appreciate the intricate details of the scene without distraction.
The HORIZON Ultra projector provides five distinct brightness settings: Cinema, Bright, Vivid, Performance, and Custom. Though the ANSI lumens output among these modes is relatively close, the Bright option seems to deliver the most impact for my viewing. One thing I'd like to mention is that I find the Performance mode to be less useful. While it managed to produce 1,811 ANSI Lumens making it technically brighter, the projector's fan became noticeably loud and the picture quality seemed to dip a bit.
There's a feature called Environment Adaptation, where the projector automatically adjusts brightness and color to match the ambient light. While this feature wasn't particularly useful in my completely darkened movie room, it came in handy when I set up the projector in my living room and projected onto the wall for a couple of days. Whether I needed a punchier image for daytime viewing or something more subdued for evening movie sessions, the automatic option finds the perfect balance without having to go into the settings every time you turn the projector on.
As I delve into darker scenes, it's worth pointing out one of the challenges that comes with such a bright image: the black levels. While the HORIZON Ultra projector does achieve better black levels compared to its sibling, the HORIZON Pro 4K, they still tend to appear more like a dark gray rather than true black. This doesn't necessarily diminish the viewing experience, though.
In fact, the shadow detail remains quite impressive given these black levels. This was particularly apparent during a scene in "The Amazing Spider-Man" where Spider-Man fights the Lizard in the sewers. Despite the darker environment, the details of the sewer walls and the Lizard's skin texture were still clearly discernible. The projector's handling of these nuances contributes to a richer and more engaging visual experience, even if the black levels aren't perfectly deep.
Switching gears to gaming, the HORIZON Ultra projector brought a whole new level of excitement. Playing "Madden 24" on PS5 was a blast. With an input lag of only 21ms at 4K 60 Hz, responsiveness felt spot-on, making the gaming experience swift and engaging. And it wasn't just the performance that impressed me; the projector's bright display and vibrant colors shine through in this setting. Whether it was the rich green of the football field or the bold colors of the players' uniforms, everything looked sharp and lively.
Sound Quality
Now, this might raise a few eyebrows on the forum, but I was genuinely impressed by the audio capabilities of the HORIZON Ultra. It's rare for me to find built-in projector speakers that can hold their own without the need for an external speaker, especially in my living room, but the HORIZON Ultra pulled it off. Capable of handling both Dolby and DTS decoding, it offers various sound modes tailored for Movies, Music, Sports, and Games. The bass was surprisingly satisfying given the constraints of built-in speakers, and the volume level managed to reach a significant height without noticeable distortion.
While there's nothing better than a dedicated speaker system, the HORIZON Ultra's built-in speakers do hold their own, impressively surpassing what you'd typically expect from average TV speakers.
Conclusion
My time with the HORIZON Ultra projector has been nothing short of enjoyable. With a price tag of $1,699, it's positioned as a notable upgrade from the HORIZON Pro 4K, and it's easy to see why. The refined picture quality, marked by bright, vivid colors, and attention to detail, makes spending an extra couple hundred bucks a worthwhile investment.
The HORIZON Ultra's adaptability shines, impressing equally in various environments, be it a specialized movie room or an everyday living room. Its picture quality doesn't just adapt; it excels and ticks all the right boxes from design to fantastic picture quality. The consistent performance across different content and settings is something I truly admire.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Impressive built-in speakers | Netflix not available on Android TV 11 |
The auto-focus feature works great | Lacks some settings for additional fine-tuning |
Bright punchy picture quality |
FAQ
Why would someone choose a projector and not a TV?
While a TV confines you to sizes such as 55 inches or 65 inches, and potentially larger if your space and budget allow for an exceptionally big TV, a projector offers greater flexibility. You can project an image up to 200 inches onto a screen, and this screen can be positioned anywhere within your room.
Should my projector go on the ceiling or shelf?
Mounting your projector on a shelf might result in lower installation expenses and easier access to power outlets. On the other hand, ceiling mounting your projector at home keeps it clear of foot traffic and permits a closer installation to the screen.
Where is the best place to put a projector in the living room?
You may consider placing your projector on a shelf behind the sofas or chairs if your living room has a high ceiling. Utilizing a bookshelf, cabinet, or a swiveling shelf affixed to the wall could be suitable. This method offers flexibility in routing the cables in different ways.
