Verdict
More than just a portable smart projector , the XGIMI Horizon Ultra build on its forerunner ’s intelligence agency and flexibility by adding new motorcar image allowance , optical rapid climb and Dolby Vision . The three-fold - light backlight , which combines light-emitting diode and laser , deliver a strong , innate colour pallet with excellent HDR footage . If you want tractableness from a projector commingle with superb performance , this is a top choice .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
XGIMI kickstarted the trend for home cinema - in - a - corner overbold projectors with a mountain chain of high - quality but small - bodied projector .
Now the company is back with the most innovative projector in its rail line - up : the XGIMI Horizon Ultra , which addsDolby Visioninto the mix .
Design
The previous generationXGIMI Horizon Prowas cracking looking , but it did depend more like a bit of tech rather than something that would fit nicely into the home . For the XGIMI Horizon Ultra , the designers have been toilsome at work , coming up with a projector that look more stylish .
OK , so you wo n’t care what the projector looks like when it ’s on and beaming a photograph , but when it ’s turned off and sat out of the elbow room , it ’s gracious to have something that looks neater and more exchange premium .
It ’s not just about looks , as the novel pattern is also more virtual thanks to the mechanize shutter at the front . This panel slides down when the projector is turned on and up when the projector is turned off , protect the lense .
Although the XGIMI Horizon Ultra can be aim on a table , it also has a tripod setting underneath , which may give you a snatch more tractability .
At the bum are all of the ports you need . There are twoHDMI 2.1ports , including one that supportseARCfor sending audio to acompatible soundbar , such as theSonos Arc . There ’s also optical and 3.5 millimeter line - out , plus the projector can connect toBluetooth speakers .
Two USB ports are usable at the backside for offline medium , which you may play through one of the offline players useable such as Kodi .
While Wi - Fi is built - in , there ’s an Ethernet port , which may be useful if you need to take the projector out of doors and incur that you do n’t get a strong wireless signaling .
XGIMI provide its received Bluetooth distant ascendence . It ’s got the minimum number of buttons needed for navigating the OS and controlling playback , which means it ’s nice and simple . Plus , it has a mike built - in for using theGoogle Assistant .
There ’s a large laptop - style power brick with this projector that add to the majority . I ’d jubilantly move this projector around the house and out into the garden , or travel with it in a machine ; if you require a something smaller to stick in a packsack , something like theAnker Nebula Capsule 3Laser would be better .
Features
Android TV 11 is the operating arrangement of option here , which is the same as for most smart projector that I ’ve reviewed . It ’s a good selection because the port is big and bold , consummate for a large screen .
Once again , the principal issue is that there ’s no Android telecasting variant ofNetflix . This is n’t XGIMI ’s fault : Netflix does n’t manifest its apps for projector , which is a massive pity . There is a workaround to install a adaptation of Netflix , but the app does n’t support Dolby Vision . If you require Netflix , stick aFire TV 4 K Maxinto an HDMI port .
you’re able to deploy the other major streaming apps , including Amazon Prime Video , Apple TV+,Disney+,Paramount+ , ITVX and My5 . There ’s no NOW or iPlayer available .
One of the things that I roll in the hay about XGIMI projectors is the built - in reasoning prototype adaption . Here , there ’s the fresh Intelligent Screen Adaption 3 ( ISA3 ) technical school . This yield auto stress and keystone fudge factor , plus obstacle dodging .
This projector also has an optical zoom , so the projector can mechanically descale the screenland ( or you may do it manually ) to fit a detected projection screen without the need for digital correction . Optical zoom can adjust the throw ratio between 1.2:1 and 1.5:1 . This make the projector more flexible than the models before , which all had fixed electron lens .
As well as mechanically configure the screen size and shape , ISA3 also adjusts screen luminousness to fit the ambient light , enter the iris when it ’s light to boost brightness , shut the fleur-de-lis when it ’s darker to boost contrast .
Wall coloring adaption is integrated , too , with the projector adjust for the detected wall coloration . It ’s best to project on a screen door or white rampart if you’re able to , but if you ca n’t , then this feature at least verify that you get accurate colours without the hassle .
heart protection detects when someone ( or a pet ) is in front of the projector , bend the backlight off to prevent eye damage . It could be useful if you ’ve got kids . If you find it teasing , it can be turn off .
prototype presets are useable for common medium types ( TV , football game , game and film ) , plus a custom way that gives more control over light , contrast , intensity , sharpness , interference reducing and colour temperature .
There ’s also an option to adjust motion compensation . I recommend leave this on , at least on abject , as the projector is locked to 60Hz ( more on this later ) .
With Dolby Vision content , there are two default profile , Dolby Vision Bright ( for when it ’s bright ) and Dolby Vision Dark ( for when it ’s gloomy ) , plus a Custom mode .
Performance
As a DLP projector , the XGIMI Horizon Ultra does n’t have a 4 K DMD microprocessor chip . Instead , it has a Full HD chip , and XPR technology . With XPR , the microchip is shifted four times per frame to build up a higher - resolution icon . It ’s not quite 4 K , although I defy anyone to differentiate the difference . The only real downside of XPR is that it locks the projector to a constant 60Hz .
This projector has two-fold light technology , combining laser and conduct light sources . Using two sources helps the projector rescue high-pitched - brightness range of a function , with a more natural tone to them . Rated for 25,000 hours , the backlight will give geezerhood of use .
grade a peak brightness of 2300 ISO Lumens ( roughly equivalent to 2875 ANSI Lumens ) . That wee this one of the bright saucy projectors , although theJMGO N1 Ultrais even brighter at 4000 ANSI Lumens .
What the Horizon Ultra has in its favour is Dolby Vision HDR musical accompaniment . Unlike HDR10 , which most projector keep , Dolby Vision has dynamical metadata , which permit brightness and contrast to be adjust tantrum - by - vista ; HDR10 lay out HDR grade for the entire track prison term .
Dolby Vision is superior , as each tantrum is control with the correct options . watch over something glowering , such as the nosepiece tantrum of Black Panther : Wakanda Forever , and the XGIMI Horizon Ultra is capable of pulling out all of the detail in the characterization , with convincing inkiness .
With brighter , more colourful content , such as lots of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol . 3 , and the picture is impressively rich , with warm but innate color . It ’s a clean-cut step up from the XGIMI Horizon Pro , with Dolby Vision contentedness give the most of the dual light technology . It ’s impressive and puts this projector ahead of some full home celluloid projector that cost more .
In gaming mode , there ’s an 18ms latency , so good enough to play game , provide you do n’t want a higher refresh rate than 60Hz .
Dual 12W speakers , tune by Harmon / Kardon , are include , up from the 4W Speaker on the XGIMI Horizon Pro . Audio is excellent . The verbaliser can fill a way , with a good degree of stereo separation . I found the speaker system cheap , warm , rich and with good dynamical range , with a good academic degree of basso , even if it lack the rumble that a subwoofer would add .
For a pay back position , I ’d be tempt to append a soundbar or AV adenosine monophosphate into the equivalence ; for use alfresco or when it ’s handy to take the projector with you , the loudspeaker are more than good enough .
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Should you buy it?
If you want the best HDR format and gamey - quality 4 K content , this is a great model to buy .
If you have more modest needs , such as the periodic tripper or use in the back garden , a cheaper Full HD wise projector may suit you .
Final Thoughts
XGIMI has n’t just taken one of its existing projector and tweaked it for Dolby Vision , it has make something completely Modern . Its dual light backlight combined with Dolby Vision makes for some of the richest and most detailed image that I ’ve witness on a smart projector and even outdoes many consecrated home cinema model – not high-risk for a projector that cost under £ 2000 . If you ’re after something else , hold in out the guide to thebest projectors .
Trusted Score
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We test every projector we retrospect thoroughly over an lengthy period of metre . We use industriousness received tests to compare feature by rights . We ’ll always tell you what we observe . We never , ever , take money to review a product .
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FAQs
The novel Ultra model boosts cleverness , adds Dolby Vision , has a motorised lens masking , and a lens with iris adaptation and optical zoom .
You need to plug in an outside medium streamer that supports this , such as the Fire TV 4 K Max .
