T3 India

Projectors

Review: Xgimi Horizon Pro

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Price: ₹1,87,500

Xgimi is a popular projector manufacturer based in China. Their portfolio includes portable projectors designed for extreme convenience and with cutting-edge technology. The Horizon Pro is a portable DLP projector that won the EISA Award for Best Buy Projector.

Well-designed would be an understatement for the Xgimi horizon pro. We have reviewed quite a few projectors in the past, but none of those affords the portability and ‘clean’ design that this device offers. Measuring 208.4 x 218.4 x136.2mm and weighing 2.9kg, the projector is extremely portable and comes with an equally well-designed and sleek remote control.

This 4K (3840 x 2160) projector can be used to project at up to 300 inches, however, we would put this at 200 inches for optimum image quality. Though this is not an ultra-short-throw model, the device features Intelligent Screen Adaption Technology, which offers the convenience of automatically finding and setting up the ideal projection area in a matter of seconds, making the whole process a breeze. To elaborate a little, the Horizon Pro uses automatic focus and keystone correction along with AI object detection to set up your projection area intelligently. It even incorporates an Intelligent Obstacle Avoidance system to avoid obstacles such as power sockets and furniture in the room to find the ideal projection surface even if you are using a wall to project the image. It also automatically matches your screen size with the size of the projected image in case of a screen being used. This eliminates the requirement of having the projector in straight line and perfectly parallel with the screen. If you are not satisfied with the result, you can always use the manual alignment option, which allows you to finely shift the position of each corner of the image area.

At 2200 ANSI Lumens, the Horizon Pro delivers bright projection with a wide dynamic range and excellent sharpness. The device uses Xgimi’s X-VUE 2.0 Image Engine for clarity and realistic colour reproduction. With MEMC (Motion Estimation and Motion Compensation), the projector delivers low latency with the least image blur aided by proprietary 60Hz motion compensation technology, making it ideal for gaming too. The device offers HDR 10 and is 3D compatible. Further, the AI Brightness Adjustment feature ensures that the projector adapts to ambient light changes. Xgimi claims life of 25,000 hours for the lamp. The Horizon Pro offers two HDMI 2.0 ports along with two USB 2.0, LAN and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It uses dual-band 2.4/5G Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for seamless connectivity. A TÜV Rheinland certification assures you of low blue light for better eye care.

Movie watching experience is only as good as the sound reproduction, and the Horizon Pro got you covered here as well. Professional sound design by Harman Kardon ensures immersive DTS studio surround sound with the help of two 8W, 45mm full-range speakers. The system provides low distortion and high dynamic response along with a virtualised surround sound experience. The result is truly mesmerising for such a small device.

The projector integrates Android TV, Google Play Store and Google Assistant for a seamless OTT experience. You can use the remote to access the voice assistant and control your connected smart devices. It also comes with Chromecast built-in so that you can cast your content, apps, and games directly to the device for a more immersive experience.

RATING

★★★★★

WE’RE IMPRESSED Portable and neatly designed, intelligent framing and focussing, excellent image quality, impressive surround sound

WE’D IMPROVE No backlighting on remote, no optical zoom

THE LAST WORD This device projects its brilliance in every department. Need we say more?

The official India representative of XGIMI, Mr. Sushil Motwani speaks to T3 India about the company’s future

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XGIMI designs and manufactures high-performance multi-functional smart projectors and laser TVs determined to improve the audio-visual experience of their users. XGIMI has created a series of giant screen projection products with critical partners, such as Harman/Kardon, Texas Instruments, Baidu and Google. XGIMI launched its first-generation smart projector back in 2014 which comprised an innovative product concept and provided outstanding user experience. In the last 6 years, the company has won 28 authoritative international design and innovation awards

T3 Magazine India got the chance to speak to XGIMI’s official India representative, Mr. Sushil Motwani, about the company’s future. Here are the excerpts:

T3: What are XGIMI plans for the future?

SM: Well, XGIMI is looking to reach a more diverse clientele across India and we would like to open experience centers in many cities and not just in the metros. We are also exploring the possibility of establishing either kiosks or standalone stores in very big malls for people to just stop by and engage with our products.

T3: What kind of customers do they want to target in the market?

SM: Anyone who wants a superior home entertainment experience is our potential customer. We are not aspiring to impress only High Net Worth Individuals but anyone who wants to buy a futuristic product at a competitive price. Our vision is to make entertainment across a magnificent 100-inch screen accessible to everyone, including those for whom even a TV with a 65-inch screen is an aspirational buy. Anyone who wants to upgrade from television or wants to buy an additional home entertainment product is the kind of customer we are reaching out to.

T3: Which is XGIMIs next product that they are planning to launch and are you excited about?

SM: We are super excited actually about the launch of a revolutionary product called the Halo Plus which is the brightest portable projector on the planet. With Halo Plus, home entertainment is going to get better than ever before. Some of the features and specifications Halo Plus boasts are absolutely breathtaking and we will reveal more in time.

T3: What makes XGIMI’s customer service stand out from the competitors?

SM: Usually, most projector companies offer customer services either via a call centre or a third-party service centre. At XGIMI, we believe in a more personalized approach and so we have an in-house customer service department that takes care of all the calls and the escalations are also quick and easy. It does not take us much time to resolve any issues because we are always striving to hear and serve the customer to the best of our ability.

T3: Is XGIMI looking to also expand into the educational/professional sectors or just for home use?

SM: At the moment, we are concentrating on home entertainment totally but yes, our projectors have brought about a huge shift in corporate sectors also. Many professionals have started using our devices, especially the 4K ultra-short-throw laser projector. Architects, interior designers are using our devices for creating and demonstrating their work and are very happy with the results. As far as the education sector goes, it will take some more time for us to explore it fully as it’s a completely different genre for us to get into.

ViewSonic India appoints Mr. Muneer Ahmad as the new Vice President of Sales and Marketing

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ViewSonic, one of the leading global providers of visual solutions ranging from projectors to monitors, have appointed Mr. Muneer Ahmad as the new Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Audio-Visual and EdTech solutions in India.

This comes after Ahmad has spent over 4 years at ViewSonic, where, under his guidance and supervision, ViewSonic rose to be ranked first as an IFP brand since 2020, and is one of the top 3 projector brands in India. He also played a crucial role in streamlining the business growth of ViewSonic in India. ViewSonic’s expansion in the Indian market was a direct result of achieving growth in sales, development of newer and innovative technology, and meeting the demands of end-consumers.

More importantly, Ahmad significantly contributed in the edtech sphere, where under his guidance, ViewSonic adopted the display learning method which emphasised the personal teaching-learning experience. The myViewBoard visual learning platform has over 3 million subscribers globally, and is widely-appreciated. ViewSonic has had an impact in over 1000 classrooms in India.

Ahmad’s role in ViewSonic India will be to strategize marketing plans which are in sync with the company’s goals and objectives which will further enhance sales, growth and customer satisfaction. His role will also include customer management, business and market development, customer management, management of market research, strategic direction for promotions and advertising.

“I am really excited to step into a new role towards my career growth. Completing almost 4 years with ViewSonic, I have observed the company very closely from expanding its business, products portfolio, growing its presence worldwide and in the Indian market. My tenure here has been inspiring and with new responsibilities, I look forward to strengthening the visibility of the brand and achieving newer heights”, said Mr. Muneer Ahmad.

Talking about Mr. Ahmad’s new role, Mr. Eric Wei, Senior Sales Director, ViewSonic- Asia Pacific said, “We are extremely delighted to offer new role to Mr. Muneer Ahmad. His contribution in making ViewSonic a recognized brand in the sector has been impeccable and have seen the brand grow by leaps and bounds under his leadership. India is one of the most important markets for us and we are sure that Mr. Ahmad will deliver nothing but the best”.

XGIMI launches Aura – an all-new 4K Laser TV Ultra Short Throw Projector

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With home entertainment devices gaining momentum since the start of the pandemic, projectors, specifically have seen a rise in sales. The award-winning XGIMI have just added a brand-new 4K Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector that comes at a steep price but brings great features along with it.

Supporting 4K UHD resolutions, and HDR 10, the XGIMI Aura fosters 2400 ANSI Lumens. The Aura is powered by a MT9629 processor, a Mali-G52 GPU, and a 2GB RAM. With 32GB of internal storage capacity, the Aura also comes with the latest MEMC technology.

The Aura runs on Android 10 TV and comes with built-in Chromecast. This 4K projector not only enhances the visuals through its superior features, but also delivers high-quality audio through 2 Harman Kardon 15W woofers and tweeters. These audio components deliver crisp highs, dynamic midranges, and an ‘oomph’ factor in the bass.

To protect the users’ eyesight, the light source in the Aura reduces its intensity or becomes darker whenever someone gets close to it. The Aura is compatible with TVs, Xbox, PlayStation, Blu-ray player, and other gaming consoles, along with Nintendo Switch and other smart devices.

“The Indian consumer wants to expand their horizons, literally and metaphorically speaking, as far as home entertainment is concerned. AURA meets their brief perfectly because at a great price point compared to the other brands in the market, it packs in the punch of a global entertainer. Among its best features is the dazzling 4K/UHD/HDR 10 support for Ultra Brightness. It boasts premium sound courtesy inbuilt Harmon Kardon speakers. It is powered with the latest Android 10 TV, which as you can say, is better than the latest Smart TVs. The projector offers larger-than-life, immersive home entertainment and can reach 150 inches of screen size by keeping it just a few inches away from the wall. Ambient Light Rejection Screens (ALR) can be additionally bought with the AURA which will help to provide the best picture quality under bright ambient lights or outdoors”, said Sushil Motwani, official Indian representative for XGIMI.

XGIMI’s Aura is also integrated with DTS-HD, DTS Studio Sound, and Dolby Audio. Some other salient features of the Aura are the following:

Display

Product classification: Laser TV; Display technique: DLP; Display chip: 0.47″; DMD Throw ratio: 0.233

Projection

Keystone: 8-points keystone correction Vertical: ±40 Degree, Horizontal: ±40 Degree

Function

STR, Low latency, Eye protection, 3D Support

Electrical

Noise Level : < 32dB

Power: AC100-240V, 50/60Hz

Ports

Input ports: AC x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 3, USB 2.0 x 3, LAN x 1

Output port: Mini USB (Debug) x1, Headphone x 1, OPTICAL x 1

Wi-Fi: Dual-band 2.4/5GHz, 802.11a/b/g/n

Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.0

Weight & Dimensions: 606*401*139.5mm, 11.0kg (device only)

XGIMI’s Aura is available at a special introductory price of Rs. 3,50,000 for a limited period. The original MRP of Aura is Rs. 4,00,000. The AURA will be ready to ship in November 2021 and pre-bookings can be done on https://xgimiindia.com/    

XGIMI launches two new projectors to reshape home-cinema trends: Horizon & Horizon Pro

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With a view to transform home entertainment and viewing experiences, XGIMI have launched two new state-of-the-art projectors under the umbrella of its celebrated ‘Horizon’ series. The ‘Horizon’ and the ‘Horizon Pro’ projectors are both, powerful devices, and elegantly designed, packing in a heavy load of features. Let’s delve deeper into the features of each.

XGIMI Horizon

The XGIMI Horizon is a versatile, easy-to-use, adaptable and feature-rich projector when it comes to imaging and performance-consistency. The XGIMI Horizon is equipped with a FHD Optical Engine and cutting-edge auto-focus which delivers a resolution of 1920×1080 even on a screen size of 300 inches. Image clarity is bolstered through XGIMI’s X-VUE image engine system, and low latency and a reduction in image blur is obtained through the integration of the MEMC frame interpolation technology.

XGIMI Horizon

The Horizon is also equipped with XGIMI’s 60Hz motion compensation technology, ensuring image stability. XGIMI’s automatic keystone correction technology deserves a mention as it can align the picture vertically and horizontally to custom fit the users’ walls. A manual keystone further aids customisation. The projector provides a maximum brightness of 2200 ANSI Lumens, a lamp life of up to 25,000 hours, and is also integrated with HDR10 technology. It runs on Android TV 10.0 and it is also armed with the Google Assistant. The projector 1 DC port, 2 HDMI 2.0 ports, 2 USB 2.0 ports, and a single LAN port.

XGIMI’s Horizon is priced at Rs. 1,25,000.

XGIMI Horizon Pro

The Horizon Pro is a versatile and easy-to-use 4K home projector from XGIMI. Along with an impressive 40-degree automatic keystone correction technology which aligns the picture vertically and horizontally to fit users’ walls or screens to a perfect aspect ratio. The manual keystone allows further customisation up to 45 degrees, laterally.

XGIMI Horizon Pro

The Horizon Pro is equipped with cutting-edge autofocus which delivers clear image qualities to screen sizes up to 300 inches. It also offers a maximum brightness of 2200 ANSI Lumens which doesn’t compromise picture quality even in bright environments. With a lamp life of 25,000 hours, the Horizon Pro’s image quality is further enhanced through its X-VUE image engine, 60Hz motion compensation technology, and MEMC frame interpolation technology.

Two 8W, 45mm full-range Harman Kardon speakers provide cinematic sound quality and the Horizon Pro supports DTS-HD and DTS Studio Sound Dolby as well. The Horizon Pro stands out as its integrated with the Android TV (10.0), Google Play Store, and Google Assistant.

Mr.Sushil Motwani, the official India Representative for XGIMI in India says, “Home entertainment is no longer a luxury segment but an essential one in these times. For those missing out on larger-than-life cinematic experiences right now, the XGIMI’s Horizon Series projectors are the perfect answer. They are extremely adaptable to different spaces, lifestyle and usage habits. They are handy, energy efficient and easy to operate and extremely portable that they can even travel with you. These products are not meant to be lifestyle statements but to serve a way of life.”

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