78 Sony VPL-HW10 ➜ £1,500 Approx ➜ www.sonystyle.co.uk
Cheapest SXRD yet! SXRD projection now comes in an affordable package. Jim Hill is impressed ➜ Specifications
HD Ready: yes including 1080p/24 Progressive scan: yes both NTSC and PAL Scart: no none provided Component video: yes 1 input HDMI: yes two v1.3 HDMIs PC input: yes one VGA input Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Brightness: 1,000 ANSI lumens Contrast ratio: 30,000:1 (claimed) Dimensions (off stand): 407(w) x 179(h) x 463 (d)mm Weight: 11kg Also featuring: 22dB fan noise; 2,000 hours claimed lamp-life (5,000 in eco mode); Bravia Theatre Sync control; RS232 control; 12V trigger
➜ Tech Labs
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Distinctive lines from this entry-level Sony
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ony’s HW10 is based around the same 3-panel SXRD (Silicon X-tal Reflective Display) 1920 x 1080 chipset found in pricier VW40 and VW80 brothers. This model also boasts a remarkable 30,000:1 contrast ratio with the help of its automatic iris and, of course, Sony’s picture-enhancing Bravia Engine 2 image processing. It’s all squeezed into a symmetrically-sculpted glossy black body that’s as happy sitting on a coffee table as it is clamped to the ceiling. A powerful 1.6x zoom provides some flexibility, as do the horizontal and vertical lens shift. Zoom and focus are manual operations as opposed to motorised, but it’s still a simple PJ to operate with an intuitive OSD and big backlit remote control. Both HDMI inputs are v1.3 and can handle a 1080p24 signal – and the results from a competent Blu-ray player, like Sony’s PlayStation 3, are suitably cinematic. The 24p True Cinema input suits the filmic quality of the pixel-packed SXRD chipset perfectly, to produce an image that Home Cinema Choice january 2009
looks exceedingly close to the genuine cinema experience. The Godfather has received a painstaking clean-up for Blu-ray and, although it still looks a little soft, it’s brought to life by the HW10 in vivid quality. Colours are particularly lifelike, with well rendered (and contained) reds especially. The automatic iris adjusts itself discreetly between light and dark scenes to ensure the contrast ratio is as close to the quoted 30,000:1 figure as possible and it certainly manages an impressive transition between shades to resolve all the detail in the dull indoor scenes of the film. The lamp isn’t overly bright, but it’s still enough to show up all the detail in a dark room and the upside is there’s virtually no fan noise at all. Scoring high on image quality, usability and flexibility, there’s little to stop me recommending this PJ, especially as it lowers the entry-level for SXRD to such an attractive price. If you’re looking for a slick big-brand projector, this stylish Sony doesn’t disappoint
AV/CV Product: Full HD SXRD front-projector Position: A new entry-level price for Sony’s 1080p projectors
This Sony’s claimed contrast of 30,000:1 delivered by the auto-iris system is plausible (our tests measured up to 23,000:1) and the rather high precalibration colour temp of 7,726K (Point A) due to both low red and high Blue is easily adjusted to perfection Before calibration Colour temperature: 7,726K Contrast ratio: 23,142:1 Luminance: 16233fL RGB: 89/102/116 After calibration Colour temperature: 6,525K (user) Contrast ratio: 21,645:1 Luminance: 15431fL RGB: 100/100/100
Peers: Mitsubishi HC6500; Sanyo PLV-Z700; Optoma HD800x
Verdict Sony Bravia HW10 £1,500 Approx Price check: www.techradar.com/460300 Highs: Superb film-like picture quality; excellent build; virtually no fan noise Lows: On the large side; moderate lamp brightness Performance: Design: Features:
Overall: