Taking the leap to 4K at home can quickly become an obsession for home cinema enthusiasts, and the XGIMI Horizon Pro seems to know exactly how to satisfy this desire. A spiritual successor to the excellent Horizon, it promises to combine stunning image quality with disconcerting ease of use. After several years spent with its predecessor, the XGIMI H1, it's time to see if this new model really manages to establish itself as a benchmark in its category. As they often say, once you enter the world of projectors, you only have one thing on your mind: to move upmarket.
The Horizon Pro is a fully featured projector, incorporating XPR technology to deliver 4K resolution and a host of smart features designed to simplify the user's life. Compact and understated, it blends easily into any interior, a far cry from the bulky devices of yesteryear. But more than its aesthetics, it's the home cinema experience it promises that really grabs our attention.
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Unboxing and first impressions: comprehensive connectivity for the Horizon Pro
Right out of the box, the XGIMI Horizon Pro shows that it doesn't do things by halves when it comes to connectivity. There's a standard French 220-volt power outlet, an optical input, two USB 2.0 ports (note the absence of USB 3.0), two HDMI 2.0 ports with ARC support, and an RJ45 port for a wired internet connection. The projector also supports Wi-Fi on both the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, while a headphone jack completes the package, offering great flexibility for connecting audio accessories.
The top of the device remains minimalist, with only the essential controls present on the remote control and a dedicated button for Google Assistant. However, there are no physical shortcuts to directly access popular apps like YouTube or Netflix, which would have been a plus for everyday use.
Its strengths and weaknesses
The XGIMI Horizon Pro has many positive points: image quality, brightness, Android TV interface and simplified installation. But, like all video projectors, it also has some limitations:
- Simulated 4K image quality: vivid colors, high brightness, HDR and precise details thanks to XPR technology.
- Simplified installation: adaptive focus, keystone correction and obstacle detection for quick adjustment.
- Smooth Android TV interface: easy access to popular apps (YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+).
- Satisfactory audio: built-in Harman Kardon speakers, good clarity and sound/image synchronization.
- Versatile: home cinema use, gaming (dedicated mode), and professional use for presentations or texts on large screens.
- Full connectivity: HDMI, RJ45, USB 2.0 and Bluetooth.
- Durability: Lamp advertised for 25,000 to 30,000 hours of use.
- Netflix not natively compatible: requires a Chromecast to access the full catalog.
- No USB 3.0 port: limits fast transfer of large files.
- Limited contrast: blacks less deep than on an OLED TV, slight gray halo in total darkness.
- Input lag in default mode: Gaming mode must be manually enabled for players.
Powerful sound, simulated 4K image and long-lasting lamp: what is the Horizon Pro worth?
When it comes to audio, the Horizon Pro doesn't do things by halves. It features two 8W speakers from Harman Kardon that deliver clear, pleasant sound, enough for comfortable immersion, though it's no substitute for a full-fledged home theater system. Up front, optical sensors handle autofocus and keystone correction, features that prove extremely useful in everyday use.
The most intriguing point remains its display technology. Although the XGIMI Horizon Pro proudly displays the “4K Ultra HD” label, the technical reality deserves clarification. The projector uses a 0.47-inch DMD chip that natively produces a Full HD (1080p) image. To achieve 4K, it relies on XPR technology: four different images are projected at a very high speed, and thanks to a refresh rate of 240 Hz (compared to 60 Hz for a conventional projector), the human eye perceives a single image with a precision close to 4K. This trick, used by other manufacturers such as Epson or LG, makes it possible to offer 4K at a more affordable price, without sacrificing quality.
Durability is also on the agenda. The lamp is rated for 25,000 to 30,000 hours of use, ensuring years of trouble-free projection. In terms of brightness, the Horizon Pro boasts 2,200 ANSI lumens, a significant improvement over the 900 lumens of the previous H1. This power allows the projector to be used even in dimly lit rooms, although a dark environment remains ideal for fully enjoying the image quality.
Getting Started: Simplified Installation of the XGIMI Horizon Pro
From the very first moment, the XGIMI Horizon Pro impresses with its ease of setup. Plugging in the device, turning it on, and watching it spring to life is effortless. Adaptive focus immediately adjusts image sharpness, while automatic keystone correction aligns the screen edges with remarkable precision—all in just a few seconds.
One of the most impressive features is the obstacle detection. Placed on a low table or slightly to the side of a wall, the projector identifies any distracting objects and automatically resizes the image to prevent it from being clipped. This feature opens up new installation possibilities, allowing the projector to be placed where space is limited or oriented in unconventional ways without sacrificing visual quality.
Beyond these features, the setup interface is clear and intuitive. The main settings are accessible via the remote control, and the user is guided through each step, making the process almost playful. Even for someone new to projectors, setup becomes a seamless and enjoyable experience, with an immediate result: a perfectly calibrated image ready to offer total immersion.
Interface and apps: Full Android TV, but Netflix remains separate
The XGIMI Horizon Pro runs on Android TV, an interface that stands out for its fluidity and careful organization. From the very first moment, it's easy to navigate between menus, with quick access to settings, sources, and installed content. The Google Play Store is accessible, allowing you to install a wide variety of applications, whether for streaming, multimedia, or light games. Users will easily find their favorite platforms like YouTube, Prime Video, or Disney+, all perfectly optimized for the projected screen.
However, there's a problem for Netflix subscribers. The pre-installed native app doesn't work properly: every time you try to play it, you get an error message, making it impossible to access content directly from the projector. This is a frustrating limitation, especially for those who want a fully integrated experience.
To get around this problem, the most effective solution remains the built-in Chromecast or an external dongle. It allows you to cast content directly from a smartphone, tablet, or computer, bypassing the constraints of the native APK. The result is convincing: the interface remains familiar, navigation is fluid, and the image quality is much better than the APK version limited to 720p. This approach therefore guarantees a complete Netflix experience, without compromising ease of use or visual performance, and allows you to enjoy all the benefits of Android TV while bypassing this specific limitation.
Image quality and streaming fluidity: a high-performance Horizon Pro
In our tests with Amazon Prime Video and Molotov TV, the XGIMI Horizon Pro proved particularly comfortable. Content playback is smooth: the image loads first in standard definition, then automatically switches to HD or Full HD after a few seconds, depending on the available bandwidth. This transition is seamless, ensuring a pleasant viewing experience from the very first minutes.
For 4K streams, the projector doesn't disappoint either. Files are decoded without difficulty, provided the internet connection or home network (for locally stored content) is sufficiently powerful. Colors are vivid, contrasts balanced, and details precise, highlighting the XPR technology and the processing power of the device. In everyday use, the Horizon Pro therefore offers an immersive and near-instantaneous streaming experience, capable of rivaling many high-end televisions, while remaining true to the promise of an easy-to-use and high-performance projector.
Visual rendering: colors and contrast
Image quality is undoubtedly the strong point of the XGIMI Horizon Pro. In optimal mode, brightness is high, colors are vivid, and HDR technology provides a very appreciable depth of field. Dark scenes remain detailed and pleasing to the eye, even if the contrast, faithful to DLP technology, does not rival that of an OLED TV. We note shallower blacks and a slight gray halo around the image in total darkness, a compromise inherent to video projectors in this category. Despite this, the visual experience remains immersive and of high quality, especially for home cinema use.
Audio performance
The sound delivered by the integrated Harman Kardon speakers is clear and powerful enough for everyday use. The fidelity is decent, and there is no lag between the sound and the image, a crucial point for a smooth experience. However, for total immersion, adding a soundbar, external speakers, or a home theater system is still recommended. The ability to connect a Bluetooth speaker directly to the projector is a welcome addition for those who want a fuller sound without wires.
Gaming mode and input lag
For gaming enthusiasts, it's important to note that the default mode exhibits high input lag, making some games difficult to play. Enabling Gaming Mode in the settings significantly reduces latency, providing a responsive and fluid experience. It's unfortunate that this mode doesn't activate automatically, but once configured, the Horizon Pro can perfectly support gaming sessions and competitions.
Versatility and professional use
Beyond home and entertainment, the XGIMI Horizon Pro is highly effective in a professional setting. Text and character readability remains excellent even on large screens, making it a versatile tool capable of transitioning from recreational to professional use without compromise. Presentations, video conferencing, and document viewing are all handled with impressive clarity and fluidity.
Verdict: the XGIMI Horizon Pro, when home cinema reinvents itself
The XGIMI Horizon Pro confirms its status as a high-end projector. It offers a sophisticated visual experience, with a simulated 4K image that delivers on its promises despite a native Full HD chip. Automatic adjustment features, such as adaptive focus and keystone correction, greatly simplify everyday use. The brightness is impressive, the Android TV interface is fluid, and the audio, thanks to the integrated Harman Kardon speakers, is satisfactory for a device in this category.
Despite these strengths, the Horizon Pro isn't perfect. Limited Netflix compatibility remains a sticking point for many users, and the lack of USB 3.0 ports is unfortunate. Contrast, while decent for a DLP projector, can't compete with modern TVs.
The choice between the Horizon Pro and the Full HD model, the XGIMI Horizon, will depend primarily on budget and use. For a limited space or a modest screen diagonal, the 1080p model may be more than sufficient. On the other hand, if you want to project an image on a very large diagonal and your budget allows it, the Horizon Pro proves to be a wise choice, offering an immersive and breathtaking visual experience, capable of transforming your living room into a real cinema.
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