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MagyarXgimi Aura 4K UST laser projector second look: Projecting luxury
Introduction
Xgimi has excellent portable projectors in its catalog (some of which we've reviewed), but they all suffer from one major limitation: space. These projectors must be set up a fair distance from the surface onto which they project, which can be limiting in some environments. This also reduces the luminance of the image, which can appear washed out in bright rooms or direct sunlight. So how would someone remedy this problem?
The Xgimi Aura is a high-end 4K projector that uses an ultra-short throw laser to project images onto a screen. Ultra-shot throw (UST) projectors are nothing new, but they do resolve many of the issues of traditional projectors. Because they are set close to the projection screen, they don't require a clear line of sight that can be obstructed by objects or people walking into the image. The images from UST projectors are also (generally) much brighter as the projection has less distance to travel before it is reflected off a surface.
Florian Schmitt took a quick look at the Xgimi Aura for Notebookcheck earlier this summer. In this second look, I will touch on my personal experience with the projector and focus on how it compares to Xgimi's other projectors (which I've reviewed over the past year) and how the 4K projector can fit into a family's entertainment setup.
Design and case
The most noticeable aspect of the Aura is its size. At 60.6 x 40.1 x 14.0 cm (23.9 x 15.8 x 5.5 in), the unit is bulky. The Aura weighs 11 kg (24.3 lbs), which is significantly lighter than most flat-panel televisions with the same size screen as the images the Aura can project. The most problematic dimension is its 40 cm depth; because it is so thick, the Aura sticks out a fair bit from the wall. As such, it may not fit neatly into an entertainment center and may require a new shelf to be installed.
The Aura is made from plastic and feels fairly well-built. The top casing has a hollow sound and the plastic feels a bit thin, especially considering the price point. The gray parts don't show fingerprints due to their textured matte finish. The glossy black strip smudges easily, though. The unit overall feels more robust than most TVs (even at this price point). It is a far cry from the superb build quality of Xgimi's more compact projectors (notably the Halo+ and Elfin), though it is fair to point out those smaller projectors use substantially less material.
The Aura has three HDMI 2.0a ports on the back of the device, which should be enough for most home setups. Since the Aura uses Android TV and has WiFi and a built-in Chromecast, an additional device isn't needed to access most streaming services. The projector also has three USB 2.0 ports, one on the right (an always-on port for charging) and two on the back. In my testing, these ports are fast enough to stream UHD media directly off a USB drive without any hiccups, though HDR content needs to buffer a bit to smooth out stutters.
Perhaps the biggest issue with the Aura's design is a similar malady that plagues Xgimi's other projectors: a lack of onboard controls. Everything, and I mean everything, must be controlled via the included remote. If you lose the remote, the Aura is essentially dead in the water until a replacement (which can be purchased at Amazon for US$65.99) arrives. You can power it on and off, but you cannot control the interface, adjust the volume, or switch inputs without the remote. My biggest gripe is the lack of controls on the unit, which is an essential feature of almost every other media playback device on the market. For as much as the Aura costs, this seems like a massive oversight on Xgimi's part.
Picture quality
Xgimi advertises the Aura as a 4K projector rated at 2,400 ANSI lumens. In practice, the projector isn't a true 4K projector as the DLP chip used inside is specced for 1080p (as Florian pointed out in his review). However, the Aura can handle 4K content and projects it rather well. Pictures are crisp, even at larger sizes.
The Aura's biggest weakness is the fact that it's a projector. By their nature, projectors produce less contrast than most televisions. However, at this price point, the weak contrast is particularly noticeable. Images look washed out, especially compared to an OLED TV (which are common at this price point). Even in dim lighting (such as in a living room with the blinds drawn), the Aura's image quality suffers. In darkened rooms (such as an interior theater without windows), however, the Aura shines. Contrast is greatly improved, and HDR10 content looks acceptable.
The Aura's biggest strength is the size of the image it can project. Per Xgimi, the Aura can project up to a 120-inch image. To my knowledge, there aren't any consumer-geared TVs bigger than 86 inches. During my time with the Aura, I managed to project a 125-inch picture without losing focus or image quality. I will say that finding a spot for a picture this big may be difficult for some, especially considering that textures on a wall readily show through. A screen is highly recommended.
It should be noted that the pictures above make the projector appear more washed out than it is in real life. Once the movie starts, most of the issues enumerated here aren't terribly noticeable. Once the light dies down (at sundown or in a windowless room), the Aura looks fantastic. Movies and games got audible responses from both kids and adults.
Software and features
The Aura runs Android TV. The UI is simple and smooth, and the experience is excellent... for the most part. Netflix subscribers will be keenly aware of a notable absence; Netflix does not work natively on the Aura (or other Xgimi projectors). However, there is a workaround to get Netflix up and running, which can be found on Xgimi's website. Other streaming apps (Disney+, YouTube, etc.) and games (like Crossy Road) install and run without a hitch.
Unlike Xgimi's portable offerings, the Aura does not offer auto-focus or auto-keystone correction. These must be done manually. Given the Aura is meant to be stationary in one spot, this is hardly a deal-breaker; these automatic corrections would have been nice add-ons, though.
Since the Aura is a short-throw projector that sits below the picture, it's easy for little eyes to peer into the laser, which could cause serious eye damage. However, the Aura has an "eye protection" feature that automatically dims the image and, consequently, the laser. In practice, it takes about a half-second to kick in, which is pretty quick. Parents should still be watchful of kids that get too close, though.
One of my favorite features of Xgimi's projectors is their implementation of motion smoothing, and it is shown in full force on the Aura. The projector uses a version of motion estimation motion compensation (MEMC) to artificially insert frames into the movie or game being displayed. The resultant effect is breathtaking, particularly for movies. Most movies are shot at 24 frames-per-second (fps) and have that "cinematic" look to them. MEMC increases the frame rate to 60 fps, drastically smoothing out motion. Animated movies look fantastically fluid, and games that typically run at 30 fps (e.g., The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild) look unreal. The only downside is that this smoothing introduces noticeable latency; while this doesn't affect movies (the audio sync is compensated for), games suffer from increased input lag.
Lastly, the four 15 Watt Harmon Kardon speakers are stellar. The bass rumbles the room, and the treble remains clear and loud without distorting. The speakers can easily replace a soundbar and rival dedicated speakers. The Aura has no trouble filling a reasonably large living room, though bigger theaters may leave the overall sound feeling thin.
Conclusion - The Aura makes family movie night a treat
The Xgimi Aura is a solid 4K laser projector, especially for the price. While I wouldn't call it cheap, it is affordable compared to other UST 4K projectors. But how does it fit into a family theater setup?
In short, very well. If you have the money to spend on a home theater or game room setup and you want a big screen, the Aura is a solid choice. It's one of the most affordable ways to get a 4K image above 85 inches, and given the right lighting, it can serve as a standalone media center without the need for external speakers. As a plus, it also doesn't need to be mounted or have an unobstructed line to the screen, so you won't have to deal with people walking into the projector beam. Add to that its ample connections, WiFi, Chromecast, and motion smoothing, and the Aura is a fantastic device for family movie nights or gaming sessions.
Personally, my family enjoyed our time with the Aura. We recently spent a week with my brother-in-law and his family, and the Aura was a big treat. We projected a 125-inch screen on a blank wall in their living room, and that made it easy for everyone to enjoy whatever movie we watched. It made the kids feel like we were at the movies, and everyone had enough space to sprawl out with snacks and blankets. The speakers were more than loud enough to recreate a theater-esque experience. The best time we had was holding a massive Mario Kart tournament; the big screen, bright colors, and smooth motion (thanks to MEMC) made it a one-of-a-kind evening.
In sum, the Xgimi Aura is absolutely a luxury purchase. At US$2,799, it's pricey. I would not recommend the Aura to someone trying to replace a TV in their living room; you can get a better picture and sound experience for a significantly cheaper price with an OLED TV and soundbar or speaker system. Where the Aura makes sense is larger image sizes. If you're trying to throw an 80-inch plus image up on the wall, you'll need to start looking at projectors, and those come with different considerations and complications.
With its sharp image, impressive built-in speakers, robust feature set, and (for this market) affordable price, the Xgimi Aura should be near the top of your home theater list.
Disclaimer: The author of this review received the XGIMI Aura 4K UST laser projector free of charge for the purpose of testing.
