
Product test
XGIMI Horizon Ultra: hands-on testing the first 4K projector with Dolby Vision
by Luca Fontana
The four new smart projectors are equipped with Bose sound, Google TV and automatic set-up. The differences lie in resolution, brightness and design.
A projector transforms your living room into a cinema without permanently taking up space. The Lifestudio series from Epson relies on compact designs, integrated smart TV functions and a setup that is almost automatic. Simply switch it on and autofocus, keystone correction and obstacle detection take care of the rest.
The sound comes from Bose. Each projector has a 10-watt speaker, Dolby Audio and Bluetooth. You can access streaming services directly via Google TV and content from your smartphone or tablet via Chromecast. HDMI with ARC/eARC is available for external devices. Google Assistant is available for voice control. The Google Home app enables simple screen mirroring.
All projectors work quietly. In standard mode, the volume is a maximum of 28 decibels, and even lower in eco mode. This means films and series remain undisturbed.
The EF-72 is the brightest model. With 1000 lumens, it produces a clear image on the screen even in semi-dark rooms, according to the manufacturer. It offers 4K Pro UHD resolution, HDR support and weighs four kilograms. At 19.0 × 19.0 × 24.9 centimetres, it is significantly larger than the Pop models.
A special feature is the flexible stand, which you can rotate 180 degrees and tilt 90 degrees. This allows you to project not only onto the wall, but also onto the ceiling or floor. If you want to set up the projector higher, you can use the floor stand, which is available separately.
The projector is portable and with a power bank you can also operate it via USB-C for a certain amount of time without a power socket. According to the manufacturer, around 70 minutes of operation at 500 lumens should be possible with a 24,000 mAh power bank.
With 700 lumens, the EF-62B is recommended for darkened rooms. It delivers 4K Pro UHD resolution with compact dimensions: 19.9 × 19.0 × 7.5 centimetres and a weight of 1.6 kilograms. This means it should also fit in a rucksack when travelling. The contrast ratio and HDR support are the same as the Flex model, and it is also operated via Google TV.
The EF-61R offers Full HD instead of 4K. It also achieves 700 lumens and supports HDR. It shares the lightweight housing with the EF-62B, but is dusky pink instead of black.
The EF-61W is identical to the EF-61R, but its housing is antique white. Here, too, you get Full HD, 700 lumen brightness and the same dimensions. If you value a discreet look, this model is an unobtrusive solution for your living room, bedroom or office.
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Presentations of select new products at Digitec and Galaxus. Tested, to the point, no marketing blah.
Show allAll models utilise Epson's 3LCD technology with RGB LED light source that lasts up to 20,000 hours. They project image sizes from 30 to 150 inches at a ratio of 1.2:1, meaning that short distances of less than one metre are sufficient for large projections. HDR10 and HLG are supported, contrast ratios are over 5,000,000:1 and the refresh rate is up to 240 hertz. Thanks to frame interpolation, the image should be displayed particularly smoothly. The devices calculate additional intermediate images between the frames, which increases the frame rate. This is particularly advantageous for fast-paced scenes, for example when gaming or watching sports programmes.