It’s easy to know what to look for and what questions to ask when buying a new TV. What is the photo size and resolution? How many HDMI inputs are there? Built-in smart features? HDR ready? But what if you’re interested in projectors instead? What do you need to know then?
In the modern world, projectors are becoming more and more accessible with so many affordable options available online. However, these entry-level examples can be very difficult to understand. Some projectors claim to be 4K or 1080p compatible, but in reality they can’t even output an image even close to that resolution. Therefore, doing the right research and choosing the right things can make a big difference in the world.
After enjoying a few budget-friendly projectors over the past few years (and also considering things like the Switch-specific OJO projector), I wanted to try something a little more high-tech. enter. We’ve been lucky enough to get hands-on with one of these on Nintendo Switch over the past few months, and we can certainly see the benefits of investing in a projector of this caliber.
At first, the idea of setting up a projector correctly can be quite daunting, especially if you’ve never set one up before. Horizon Pro made it easy from the get-go, but with automatic keystone that automatically scans your wall for the best place to project your image, and fine-tunes dimensions and angles to fit your space. Thanks to functions such as correction.
This means you don’t have to rearrange the entire room to fit the projector, and you don’t have to center it in the room. As long as you have an appropriately sized blank wall or screen area, you are free to place Horizon Pro wherever you want and it will work as intended.
Horizon Pro uses Android TV as its operating system, so you can easily download apps like Netflix, Hulu, Crunchyroll, Spotify, Disney+ and YouTube from the Google Play Store. The back of the box has two USB slots that can be used with external storage devices, and also two HDMI inputs for connecting other devices such as the Nintendo Switch.
For games and projectors, delays in wireless controllers and the image itself from the projector can be an issue, but the Horizon series has a game mode that can be turned on in the image settings, which is highly recommended. increase. Use this. This game mode cuts latency down to 35ms and never felt it interrupted my gameplay session. Even when playing something with precision platforming like Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, the controls are responsive and I had a great time.
This is a 4K UHD native projector. This means that the images produced will be displayed in true 4K. You can adjust the image size from 40 inches to 200 inches, but you’ll notice a drop in image quality beyond 150 inches. However, the Switch is not a 4K machine, so whether you’re using Horizon Pro or a budget Horizon model that outputs at 1080p and does less than 18.2ms, your images will be looks basically the same. Delay in game mode. As far as we know, these are the only major differences between the two different Horizon models provided.
In our recollection, watching flicks at the cinema or studying PowerPoint in class usually required dimming or turning off the lights in the room when using the projector. Doing the same thing with the n Pro will undoubtedly give you the best photos, but thanks to 2200 ANSI lumens you’ll get decent images even if you can’t escape the light. standardized measurements By the way, of the optical output of the projector – this projector is packed. It also supports HDR10.
A Bluetooth remote, included inside the box, gives you access to basic power options, volume control, menu access, and the ability to quickly refocus with the push of a button. It’s very useful. There are also power, play/pause and volume buttons on the top of the projector, but I chose to use the remote control. This is because I noticed that when I tweaked the projector on a small tripod, it sometimes offset.
Horizon Pro is incredibly sleek, modern-looking technology. The exterior is mostly aluminum, with lots of tiny holes for the internal speakers to pass audio through, and the fans are incredibly quiet. You don’t have to worry about fingerprints sticking to it with its glossy sheen. The device is also small. There’s a fairly large power supply required to power the device, but beyond that, the projector is only slightly larger than a GameCube.
A lot of sound can also be extracted from the two 8-watt Harman Kardon speakers rammed into this unit. Bass levels are impressive for its size, and you get decent range. You have options.
It felt a little unnatural to have all the audio coming from one “off-screen” location, especially since we were sitting in the back corner of the room, so I’d suggest looking into a different speaker option of some sort. Perhaps if the projector was more centered or mounted on the ceiling (using the standard tripod-compatible mounting screws on the bottom of the projector), the sound would bounce around and fill the space a bit better.
I thought it strange that Horizon Pro didn’t have a way to protect the lens when not in use. , I was disappointed that it didn’t even include a removable lens cap.
The Horizon Pro has a suggested suggested retail price of $1,899.00, but I’ve noticed that it often sells for less than that. Compare this to other projectors of similar quality on the market Then the price isn’t that crazy, but for the same money you get a Switch, a library of games, and a nice TV that fits your room. However, assuming you’re in the market for projectors only, this is a quality and convenient solution.
Conclusion
If you’ve dabbled in affordable projectors in the past and are looking to bring a more premium theater-style experience into your home, XGIMI’s Horizon Pro is a great piece of kit. With built-in delay and Android TV functionality, you can use your favorite streaming service right out of the box. The automatic keystone correction feature is a game changer for anyone looking to set up a home theater without rearranging their entire living space. Aside from a few minor disappointments, this is a great option if you’re looking for a good projector for gaming.
Thanks to XGIMI for providing Horizon Pro used in this review.
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