Sony VPL-HW30ES - Review Summary-3

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Art Feierman

As I started this review by saying, "When it comes to thinking about the Sony's value proposition, perhaps most impressive is that the Sony VPL-HW30ES offers overall performance reasonably close to the $9999 VPL-VW90ES projector, and with more brightness, but less frills."

This is a projector that works best in a home theater environment, but can double in a light controlled family room as well. It's definitely more value than last year's VPL-VWPro1, and can easily take on the likes of the Sharp XV-Z17000, and Optoma HD8300. It's early in this home theater season, so there are more new competitors yet to review, still, the Sony VPL-HW30ES is definitely a projector worth considering. Tastefully done.

Sony VPL-HW30ES Projector: Pros and Cons

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Sony VPL-HW30ES Projector: Pros

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One of the brighest 3D capable projectors so far, in the over $3500 price class
800+ measured lumens in "best" mode, no problem, even with large screens (ie: 10 feet wide)
Excellent overall color, and skin tones
Lots of preset image modes
Calibrates nicely for really good color handling, natural look
Respectable shadow detail
Very good placement flexibility
HDMI 1.4a inputs (2) allows for support for Blu-ray 3D content
3D glasses (optional on base model, included on HW30AES for $3999), are relatively light weight, reasonably comfortable for glasses wearers
Very good CFI (motion smoothing) MotionFlow
Does motion smoothing, even in 3D (which is not common)
Get extra brightness in 3D with glasses control (but more image noise)
Excellent warranty
Fairly quiet, even at full power
Very good remote control
Near black finish works well in dedicated theaters
Very good menu layout

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Sony VPL-HW30ES Projector: Cons

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Black levels, while very good, not best in class
Emitter seems to work best in front of room (long ethernet cable from projector)
CFI (like all but a few projectors) is a little much for movie viewing (changes the director's intent)
Though brighter than most competitors, more subtle - less "wow" factor
3D glasses are optional (just a reminder)
Overall price: While reasonable, it prices slightly higher than several new direct competitors although well below some others, like the Optoma HD8300 and Mitsubishi HC9000D, and Sony's own VPL-VW95ES
Like most 3D capable projectors, a bit underpowered at 3D for medium and larger screen sizes
Cost of operation (lamp life on the low side of the range)

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Sony VPL-HW30ES Projector: Typical Capabilities

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Black Level performance
Lens features (lens shift, medium zoom range)
Cost of operation
Overall value
Documentation (very good at some things, but still could use a bit more in explanations)

Ready to go? Want a very nice projector under $4000 for your home theater, that can do some very natural 2D picture quality, and 3D with a bit more brightness than most? If this projector works in your room, it is definitely one to be considered!

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