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54 Sony VPL-VW85 ➜ £5,400 Approx ➜ www.sony.co.uk/biz Sony has doubled the contrast ratio of its mid-range projector
➜ Specifications
HD Ready: yes Full HD, 1080p24 Component video: yes one input HDMI: yes two v1.3 HDMIs PC input: yes Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Brightness (claimed): 800 ANSI Lumens Contrast ratio (claimed): 120,000:1 Dimensions: 470(w) x 179.2(h) x 482.4(d)mm Weight: 12kg Features: Bravia Engine 2; colour enhancement mode; contrast enhancement; advanced iris mode; Bravia Sync; 2 x 12V trigger; lamp life 3,000 hours fan noise 20dB Gamma Adjustment Software via supplied CD-ROM; illuminated remote control
Home Cinema Choice november 2009
Reviews 55
Bigscreen beauty Sony’s SXRD projector sets a high standard, says Chris Jenkins
S
ony’s VW85, a three-panel SXRD (LCoS) projector, is the successor to the brand’s very well-received mid-price VW80, and, with a barnstorming performance both in our Tech Labs and on my test bench, it looks set to become a key figure in the home cinema market. Claimed performance improvements over the VW80 are a doubling in contrast to 120,000:1, (thanks in part to tweaks to the internal filters and light passage), and an improved Advanced Iris system, moving from Iris 2 to Iris 3. Iris 3 is meant to be more responsive to smaller areas of white in a dark background, and should improve tone across the colour range in low light conditions. MotionFlow technology is also featured, which creates intermediate frames from the original video source to double the number of images displayed per second. The idea is to create a smooth and seamless moving image. The VW85 features a selection of eleven gamma modes, tweaks to the colour presets and user parameters, and an anamorphic zoom mode. Features tailored to the customer installation market including a 12V trigger for electric screens, bundled gamma adjustment software, and a zoned panel alignment function. Finished in a swoonsome Midnight Sky Black with blue metallic flakes, the VW85
is a hefty beast, but so smoothly designed that it seems smaller. All the sockets
and controls are arranged along one side, with a small hinged panel covering additional buttons for menu access, lens control and power. The lens is protected by a pair of automatic sliding doors. The menu system is clear and user-friendly, divided into pages for Picture, Advanced Picture
(accessing the RCP colour adjustment parameters), Screen Modes, Setup, Function (including HDMI settings), Installation (including vertical keystoning, image flip and lens control), and, finally, System Information. The operating noise level is the same as the VW80 – 20dB. This is a boon, as there’s nothing worse than a wheezing projector spoiling your fun.
Top dog After firing up a selection of demo and movie Blu-ray discs, most notably the DTS test platter, my initial impressions of the performance were of stunning levels of detail; images were pin-sharp, and resolution so high I felt I could see every hair on actors’ heads – achieved without any discernible sense of image processing. The black levels are everything Sony claims, too – in shots with a singer illuminated against a black background, the effect was of her floating in space; yet shots of a Japanese tea garden retained detail even in the darkest shadows. The projector also excelled with the HCC static Test Card. Fine detail and texture were supremely handled, while red peppers popped with postbox vibrancy, and our ‘Starman’ trophy retained its golden lustre without tipping into yellow. Some might feel a need to tame the projector’s wide colour gamut, but I was wowed by its realistic Technicolor-style presentation. In summary, the VPL-VW85 is hard to beat for the price. It’s not a revolution compared to the VW80, but it is a good step forward. LCoS currently looks like the horse to back for projection systems, and so far, the VW85 is the race leader in this price category. How will JVC’s forthcoming D-ILA models shape up?
➜ Tech Labs
AV/CV Product: 1080p SXRD home cinema projector Position: Middle of Sony’s SXRD range Peers: Epson EH-TW5800; JVC DLAHD750W
Power consumption: Watts 200
300
100
200 400
275 0
300
100
400
279 500
0
500
White screen: Displaying a 100IRE full white image, consumption of 275W is slightly higher than its rivals
Test footage: Using our standard demo footage, and a range of presets, consumption hardly increases at 279W
Contrast: ratio
Colour temp: Kelvin
Claimed 120,000:1 Actual 60,841:1 Picture: Not up to the claimed levels, but true enough it is double that of the VPL-HW15
5,922
Presets: The small selection of colour temperature presets covers a narrow range, with 5,922K the closest, but user R/G/B Gain/bias adjustments deliver a perfect result High: 7,936K Middle: 7,042K Low 1: 5,922K Low 2: 5,653K
Verdict Sony VPL-VW85 £5,400 Approx Price check: www.techradar.com/627126 Highs: Excellent picture; flexible lens system; extensive user parameters Lows: MotionFlow technology might not appeal to all Performance: Design: Features:
Overall: november 2009 Home Cinema Choice