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Once again, we would like to thank Sony for allowing Projector Reviews to be one of the first sites to provide an in-depth review of both the VPL-VW715ES and its big brother, the VPL-VW915ES. The two units are very similar in terms of features, except the VW915ES features a Z Phosphor laser light source while the less expensive VW715ES is lamp-based.

The VW715ES is the successor of the highly rated VW695ES we reviewed a few years ago. The VW715ES retails for $9,999.99, and it’s the top end Sony 4K SXRD bulb-based projector. Sony claims the VW715ES can produce 1,800 lumens of brightness and the unit’s lamp has a rated life of 6,000 hours in low power mode.

Sony was the first company to introduce a 4K projector, and they still have the widest model assortment. Like all Sony 4K HDR home theater projectors, the VW715ES utilizes three SXRD panels to deliver true 4K resolution (4096 x 2160).

The most significant VW715ES upgrade is new video processing powered by a version of Sony’s X1 processor that has been optimized specifically for projector applications. This processor is what gives the projector the ability to do frame-by-frame HDR tone mapping. The VW715ES supports both the HDR10 standard as well as HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma).

Due to a projector’s limited brightness capabilities, I believe that dynamic tone mapping helps maximize the image quality of HDR10 content on the VW715ES and the VW915ES. A new feature called Dynamic HDR Enhancer, powered by the X1 processor, combines frame-by-frame HDR analysis and tone mapping with the VW7I5ES’s dynamic iris to deliver a big improvement in HDR reproduction.

Sony VPL-VW715ES Specs

Sony Specs
Price
Technology 3 LCoS panels (SXRD)
Native Resolution 4K UHD (3840 X 2160)
Brightness (Manufacturer Claim) 1800
Contrast 35000:1
Zoom Lens Ratio
Lens Shift
Lamp Life
Weight
Warranty

VPL-VW715ES Overview

Sony has seven 4K HDR Home Theater projectors in their lineup, starting with the VW295ES ($5,000) and running up to the flagship $80,000 (minus lens) GTZ380. There are five laser-based 4K HDR models in the lineup, including the stellar VW915ES and two 4K HDR home theater lamp-based projectors, the VW295ES ($5,000 SRP) and this newly announced VW715ES ($10,000 SRP).

As with many previous generations, Sony allowed Projector Reviews to be one of the first sites to review the two new additions to their home theater projector lineup. I spent a couple of weeks with the VW915ES and then a few weeks with the VW715ES.

As mentioned in the VW915ES review, that unit delivered the best image quality I have ever seen in my test lab room. I can confidently attest that the VW915ES produced the best looking, most eye-popping HDR picture I have ever seen on my screen in my test lab earning it one of our Hot Product Awards.

Like the VW915ES, the VW715ES is equipped with the new projector optimized X1 processor. In addition to signal processing and HDR analysis/tone mapping, the processor also controls the projector’s dynamic iris for improved dynamic contrast and black level.

While the laser-based VW915ES ($20,000 SRP) is outstanding, the lamp-based VW715ES ($10,000 SRP) is literally half the price and still delivers great picture quality, making it a great option for customers with smaller budgets.

While it does not use a laser light source, the VW715ES utilizes the same X1 processor. It includes the new Dynamic HDR Enhancer feature, which delivers a noticeable improvement to its HDR performance compared to the older VW695ES.

Below is a summary of the Sony 4K SXRD Laser projector lineup.

ModelPrice (SRP)BrightnessLight SourceLensProcessorDynamic HDR Enhancer
GTZ380$80,000 (w/o lens)10,000 lmZ-PhosphorARC-FX1 UltimateYes
VW5000ES$60,0005,000 lmZ-PhosphorARC-F
VW995ES$35,0002,200 lmZ-PhosphorARC-F
VZ1000ES$25,0002,500 lmZ-PhosphorUltra-Short Throw
VW915ES$19,999.992,000 lmZ-PhosphorStandard LensX1Yes
VW715ES$9,999.991,800 lmLampStandard LensX1Yes
VW295ES$5,0001,500 lmLmapStandard Lens

The VW715ES has a rated brightness of 1,800 lumens. While 1,800 lumens might not seem impressive in the industry, but unlike some other home theater projectors, the VW175ES still delivers most of its brightness even after it is calibrated. Many projectors with much higher brightness ratings can barely deliver half of their rated lumens once properly calibrated.

As with all Sony home theater projectors, the VW715ES uses 3 SXRD panels and is Sony’s version of LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) that delivers more native contrast than standard LCD panels or DLP chips used in consumer projectors. Combining SXRD panels with a Dynamic Iris results in excellent dynamic contrast and further improves the projector’s black level.

The VW715ES is packed with custom integration features for maximum system flexibility and reliability. For example, Picture Position Memories makes it a breeze to use the VW715ES with a 2.23:1 screen or an anamorphic lens.

VPL-VW715ES Highlights

  • Price: $9,999
  • Technology: SXRD panels (LCoS)
  • Native Resolution: 4K (4096 x 2160)
  • Brightness (Manufacturer Claim): 1800 lumens
  • Lamp Life: 6,000 Hours (Lamp Mode: Low)
  • Contrast: 350,000:1 (Dynamic)
  • Zoom Lens Ratio: 2.06:1
  • HDR10/HLG Compatible
  • Frame and Frame HDR Auto Tone Mapping
  • Two 18Gbps HDMI/HDCP 2.2 Compatible Inputs
  • Power Lens Focus/Shift/Zoom: Yes
  • Weight: 31 lb
  • Warranty: 3-year Parts & Labor

Around two years ago Sony launched the VPL-VW695ES along with several other native 4K Sony home theater projectors. The VW695ES is the last of these newest Sony projectors for us to review!

It sports a list price of $9999.99. What is particularly interesting is that it replaces two previous and popular models. In the past Sony had the VW3xx series and the VW6xx series – which was brighter, higher performance, but $14,999.99.

Projector Reviews Hot Product Award

Our top award given for products we review. Additionally we have Best In Class Awards in our special reports.]

Sony VPL-VW695ES Specs
Price 9,999.99
Technology SXRD (3)
Native Resolution 4096x2160
Brightness (Manufacturer Claim) 1800
Contrast 35000:1
Zoom Lens Ratio 2.06;1
Lens Shift Yes
Lamp Life 6000 hours (ECO mode)
Weight 31,1
Warranty 2 year

Overview

What the VPL-VW695ES, brings to the party, is a new projector, with higher performance and value than either previous model, at a price point much closer to the lower cost of the two earlier home theater projectors.  Prior to this new series, that VW375ES for example, was mostly identical to the lower cost VW295ES ($4999.99), except for the addition of Lens Memory, and a Dynamic Iris.  With the VW695ES though you got both of those, and a jump in overall performance.  

As with all Sony home theater projectors, the VW695ES uses 3 LCoS panels (Liquid Crystal on Silicon).  Sony and JVC, the two dominant home theater brands between $5000 and $30,000 both rely on LCoS panels.   JVC makes one lower cost DLP (under $4K) - one, that’s partially based on a BenQ projector – and not a core part of their primary lineup, rather the exception, and definitely not competition.

With a list price point right at $10K, this Sony competes with models from JVC, as well as the new BenQ HT9060, and others. We’ll discuss the competition at various points, but, have a whole section on the competition on our Summary page.

This Sony projector is about as feature laden as they come. Native 4K. HDR support for both HDR10 and HLG, Dynamic iris for better handling of very dark scenes, 3plenty of calibrated brightness to light up large screens in a home theater, 3D (Sony has long done a great job with 3D), an excellent set of controls (including for calibration), and the projector is somewhat sleek looking and mostly black – it will look great hanging from your ceiling or rear shelf.

No question about the performance of Sony’s VPL-695ES. It took about three hours of watching it on 4K (with/without HDR content), and quick analysis of black levels (on both 1080p and 4K with HDR), to determine this projector deserves one of our Hot Product Awards. Upward of 50 hours of viewing later, no reason to think otherwise. Of course our review will cover most aspects and provide the perspective for receiving our highest “regular” award.

Now I normally don’t like to give too many clues about the performance of a projector, before we really get started, but I thought I would share one surprise. Black level performance: I was certainly expecting better blacks than the older models, but they easily exceeded my expectations.

Will they rival the JVC competition? Black levels have been the JVC’s primary advantage – I’ve long felt Sony provided superior image processing (including 3D).

The rest of the 4K Sonys

Sony definitely has the largest lineup of native 4K home projectors around (some very high end companies have more models), but usually many models are very similar. The rest of the line up beyond our focus today, the VPL-VW695ES, and the lower cost VW295ES I’ve mentioned, consist of two slightly older projectors priced right at $24,999.99 – one is the standard design VPL-VW885ES, and the other, an ultra short throw projector, the VPL-VW1000ES.

An image projected by the Sony VPL-VW385ES, which was replaced by the Sony VPL-VW695ES.

Both of those have laser light engines, as do Sony’s two – yes two – flagship models: The newest Sony – the VPL-VW995ES (reviewed months ago), at $40K (awesome!!!) And their now ancient VPL-VW5000ES a $60,000 5000 lumen model that’s been around for years, and gets a lot of upgrading but does still lack a few new capabilities that, say, the VW995ES offers for less.

“It’s a Sony!”

If you are a baby boomer – like me, then you almost certainly know that Sony was long known for legendary picture quality:  It was 50  years ago, that the Sony Trinitron picture tube set the standard for TVs and for professional studio monitors – Hey, we’re going back to Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show!

Many to this day attributed the Trinitron as changing US perceptions of Japanese consumer tech products from “cheap junk” to “high quality”! My take is that Sony TVs back then helped also help Japanese auto companies. Back when the Sony TVs were dominating, Nissan’s were still sold as Datsuns in the US.

That’s the scoop. Sony has lower priced home projectors (two) but neither are 4K capable, and both have been reviewed, they start at $1999.99.

Highlights

  • Hilights
    • 1800 lumens claimed – and without an “ugly mode” that most projectors have
    • Excellent color right out of the box – which is why we did not calibrate it
    • 2.06:1 motorized zoom lens
      • Motorized focus, zoom and lens shift
      • Lots of lens shift
      • Lens Memory for one button switching between preferred aspect ratios
    • Dynamic iris for superior dark scenes
    • Low input lag for gaming!
    • 6000 hours lamp life in eco mode
    • Two HDMIs – full 18Ghz support for up to 60fps 4K with 4:2:2 color depth with HDR!
    • 12 volt triggering for controlling a motorized screen or window shades
    • Large, full featured remote control
    • Three years parts and labor warranty (no rapid replacement program)
    • Comprehensive menu system
    • Excellent color controls
    • Quieter than most projectors

Scott managed to get his hands on –the new BenQ HT5550, even before I could.  That's a bit unusual, that one of my reviewers gets a crack at a home theater projector before I do.  -art

angle shot of HT5550
Along with impressive performance, the HT5550 looks good with the lights on!

We will be publishing our full HT5550 review in the upcoming two weeks or so.  In the meantime, I asked for Scott's feedback since he's been playing with his for a bit.  I'll let Scott tell you his impressions with me throwing in my two cents, to add a second perspective – not from reviewing the HT5550, but from having seen it previously.  Take it away, Scott:

A little background: I recently reviewed the BenQ HT3550 and I gave that model very high marks on its ability to create a bright and vibrant HDR image. While I enjoyed 4K HDR on last year's TK800 (among other models) because of its brute force handling of HDR with high brightness, the HT3550's handling of HDR actually made me turn into a 4K HDR snob. I called it the "among the best projectors I've seen at handling 4K HDR material". This was due in large part to it's auto-tone-mapping, or in other words, "making HDR look good on any scene". As a result, I've spent hundreds since then on updating my libraries to 4K HDR. After taking delivery of all that 4K content, then spending a fair amount of time with the HT5550, I'm sad to report that the future is bleak on my wallet as it relates to the money I spend on movies…simply because HDR is even better on the BenQ HT5550.

Compared to its little brother, the HT3550, the HT5550 offers a larger and more refined black chassis (handsome), an upgraded 11-element 6-group lens (focus uniformity!), and an upgraded RGBRGB color wheel that sports their ‘Precision Pure-Color Coating'.

The main benefit of this color coating is its ability to help the projector reach up to a claimed 95% coverage of the very good DCI-P3 color space WITHOUT the need for a filter! Sure, folks will enjoy the 100% P3 color coverage the ‘Wide Color Gamut' filter provides, but that extra 5% of color performance comes at the cost of 40% of the light output. The true feat of this projector is its PHENOMENAL factory calibrated color right out of the box, no filter required. 

Skin tones and bright colors
The HT5550 definitely has a bright look to its HDR images.

The BenQ HT5550's placement flexibility is very good. It has a generous 1.36 ~ 2.18 throw ratio, which works out to a 1.6x zoom, and a near-best-in-DLP-class 60% +/- vertical and +/- 23% horizontal lens shift. There won't be many setups the HT5550 won't be able to accommodate.  

Art's note:  There are some limitations in terms of placement, despite offering far more flexibility than any other 4K capable DLP projector near the price.  Consider:  The 1.6:1 manual zoom lens provides a lot of placement range, but, it is very unlikely that you will be able to place the BenQ far enough back to sit high on a rear shelf, a feat many 3LCD and LCoS projectors have no trouble doing because o 2.0:1 or greater zoom lenses.  A couple of those do cost less than the HT5550, but most cost from a little to a lot more expensive.  

The other limitation is that the lens and shift are manual, not zoom.  That means no Lens Memory.  This is a projector likely to be ceiling mounted, and that means no option to own/use a  Cinemascope "widescreen" (like I have in my theater). To switch back and forth from Cinemascope to HDTV's 16:9, you would have to get up, manually adjust the zoom, manually adjust the vertical lens shift (and maybe refocus).  Now that might work if you are 6 foot 6 inches and have this projector mounted to an 8-foot ceiling, but, at 5 foot 8 inches tall, I need a step ladder to reach the controls of my ceiling mounted projectors (8-foot ceiling).  Definitely not practical to go widescreen. 

The HT5550 sports TI's newer .47" 4K DLP chip. This eliminates the dreaded gray border of last year's .47" DLP crop. This chip has a native 1920x1080 micromirror array that uses a 1080x4 ‘wobulation' to put a 4K image with 8.3 million uniquely represented pixels on the screen. The result is impressive and among the sharpest, I've seen from these 1080p ‘shifters'. It also carries on the HT3550 tradition of natively handling 24hz content. No 3:2 pulldown here through a bit of ingenuity on BenQ's engineering team. Motion is very smooth. 

Good brightness and better than most contrast are key abilities. I was pleasantly surprised to get 1,400 lumens in a mode you can leave it in 100% of the time. Contrast is also decent for a DLP with help from the onboard dynamic Iris. While not inky blacks like a JVC or even the recently launched Epson 5050UB, contrast, and black levels are well above average for the 4K DLP crop

Other bits you should know the HT5550 include full 3D support, USB firmware upgradability, CFI capability in both 1080p and 4K and HLG support for streaming HDR online. (Art's note:  Epson's major competition, the HC5050UB does CFI on 1080 content but not 4K content)

cityscape image
The HT5550 tackles a cityscape. The dynamic iris helps.

Gamers will also be pleased to know that the HDMI 2.0 chipset supports a fun 18gbps bitrate for 4K HDR gaming at 60 frames per second.  However, although the 58ms input lag will be fine for many casual gamers, it may deter the more discerning FPS gamer from this unit. We would have liked to see input lag of half of that, which would have made the HT5550 a serious gaming projector that would have satisfied most hardcore players.  Under 30ms is very good.  Under 18 is great.  At 58ms, that's borderline for many serious players.  For perspective, 58ms was about the speed of older Epson UB projectors but Epson's latest models are hitting the market with under 30ms times.   BenQ will no doubt lose some potential buyers who hardcore gamers, but the average gamer should be satisfied, even if they notice it is a touch slow.   This is unlike projectors pushing 80+ ms or higher, (BenQ has some slower projectors) which most gamers should avoid.

Scott’s Bottom Line:  Priced at $2,499 at launch, BenQ's new HT5550 is a bold entry into the $2k-$3.5k projector market. It is a niche that BenQ has not had an entry for a very long time.  That itself is interesting.  Projector Reviews has long been impressed with BenQ's HT projectors.  The true predecessors to the HT5550 included the W6000, W7000 and W7500, three projectors that we have always liked.  Most of them have received one of our Best In Class awards in the $2000 - $3500 range over the years.   That thanks to very good color, placement flexibility, and respectable black levels – with the black level performance thanks to a good dynamic iris.

Parrot
Vibrant!

I love the fact that we have another player in the 'affordable luxury space for 4K projection. BenQ is claiming 1,800 lumens from this projector, and in a DLP first; 100% DCI-P3 color space coverage. Impressive, if they can fully reach P3 without a "cinema" filter 

We are looking forward to properly put this projector through its paces. So far, it seems to be a strong performer, especially when it comes to color and HDR reproduction.  

Art's bottom line:  BenQ, welcome back to the "serious, but affordable" home theater space.  True BenQ has HT projectors up near $10,000 list, but the HT5550 will be their volume projector for those looking for a serious projector with good black level performance.  The HT5550 does have some real competition, and some of it looks like this:  For a little more, you can choose an LG HU80KA.  That LG is a laser projector, but it is strictly home entertainment, it cannot match the BenQ in terms of color and its black levels are pure entry level.  Then there are the Epson HC4010 and PC4050 – costly less, more flexibility, just as 4K capable but a 1080p pixel shifter with 3LCD, so not quite as sharp (but excellent image processing might fool you).   I am very curious to see of the HT5550 bests the HC4010 in black level performance.

Then, up at $3000, find that Epson H5050UB, which still should prove to be a step up in black level performance, and have all that placement flexibility advantage (using widescreens, or placing in the back of your room, but the HT5550 should be a bit brighter with 4K HDR content, be a touch sharper, and save you some money.  Optoma, Viewsonic and others have 4K UHD DLPs around or below this price point, but none offer a lamp based projector really designed to rival the HT5550.

Thor movie
Thor and Loki 4K/HDR/P3 - BenQ HT5550

In many past year's Best Home Theater Projector Reports, the Epson UB model of the day, and the older BenQ W6000/W7000/W7500 of the time have slugged it out for the top award in the Class.  I typically favored the Epsons for the extra price for the better black levels, but have always liked the BenQ's "look and feel" to the picture as well.

We are really looking forward t the full HT5550 review, to put it through all the paces.  The addition of the HT5550 to the market should really give folks shopping in the $2000 - $3500 range another really solid choice to consider.  Stay tuned for our full review!  -art

The JVC DLA-RS440U is a home theater projector that I’ve long been waiting to review. This is its second year, but the RS440, I am told received some real improvements to some areas of image processing. Sometimes a manufacturer will do that, and keep the same model number, in other cases, they might launch as a new improved similar projector. No matter, we only care how well it performs, and whether we can help you determine if the RS440 from JVC is he right home theater projector for you and your setup.

Projector Reviews Hot Product Award
JVC DLA-RS440U Specs
Price $3999
Technology LCOS 3 Panel
Native Resolution 1920x1080x2
Brightness (Manufacturer Claim) 1800
Contrast 400000:1
Zoom Lens Ratio 2.00:1
Lens Shift Yes
Lamp Life 4500 Hours in Eco
Weight 34.0
Warranty 3 years Parts and Labor

Overview

The very basics first: 1800 lumens, 2.1:1 motorized zoom lens with lots of lens shift, and Lens Memory for working with wide (Cinemascope shaped) screens, 4K content capable including HDR, it is a pixel shifter using 1920x1080 panels x 2, and comes with a three year warranty. Since it only pixel shifts one time, not 3 times like the low end 4K UHD DLP projectors, it’s technically not 4K UHD, but it is at least as 4K capable as any of those 4K UHDs, and better at many things, even if not quite as sharp/detailed (slight differences) on 4K content.

I’ll take a minute to describe the RS440U relative to the whole JVC line-up. First, until a few months ago, all the JVC home theater projectors used JVC’s patented LCoS panel design (DiLA), one that delivers deeper blacks than any other projector brand. Recently JVC launched their first DLP projector (lower cost). I am hoping to review it, and hoping to be surprised.  So far, though, I’ve yet to see a 4K UHD projector (well only one) with respectable black levels, and that one isn’t even close to this RS440 in that regard. If that new JVC DLP impresses, great, but for now, JVC's rep  is all about their LCoS panels, and resulting outstanding black level performance.

In fact, the RS440 is JVC’s entry level DiLA projector. JVC offers a step up model for $6999 – the RS540U with even better blacks, but otherwise very similar, and a $10,000 model – the RS640U, same as the RS540, but for superior quality control – best lenses, etc. Finally JVC offers a true 4K projector, the RS4500K, but we’re talking $35,000 give or take.

On the trivial side, and in a non-intentional effort to confuse us consumers, JVC runs two divisions, selling essentially the same projectors under different model numbers. There’s the Pro and Consumer, with the DLA-RS440 is from the Pro group, while the essentially identical DLA-X590 is sold through the JVC Consumer group. Differences: Minor cosmetics, and different model numbers. If you decide one of these two are for you, best bet is to buy from the best authorized dealer you can find, rather than worry about which division’s projector they are selling.

The RS440U is pure home theater projector. I say that, as compared to projectors which are more home entertainment. Oh the RS440 is reasonably bright, so it can tackle some ambient light. It produces vey good color at brightness levels that most of the 4K UHD “home entertainment” projectors can barely achieve even with not near as good a picture.

That’s fair, of course, as this is no sub-$2000 4K UHD DLP projector. It is definitely more serious home theater than those. It is a $3999 list price projector, sold only through authorized JVC dealers. Of the 4K UHDs, for around this price you get a laser light engine, instead of a lamp, but still not the performance in picture quality, as we will discuss.

From Passengers

Highlights

  • 1,800 Lumens
  • $3,999 List Price
  • 4K Capable
    • Supports HDR (HDR10 and HLG)
    • Supports BT.2020/P3 color space
  • 1920 x 1080x2 (pixel shifting)
  • LCoS technology
  • Lens Memory - supports wide screen owners
    • Motorized zoom, focus, and lens shift
  • 2.1:1 zoom lens and lots of lens shift for great placement flexibility
  • Lamp based - 4500 hours in low power (eco) mode
  • Known for high contrast, great black levels
  • CFI for smooth motion
  • Full calibration controls
  • Wired networking
  • 3 year parts and labor warranty
JVC X590 - product photo
This photo shows the X590 version. The primary difference between it and the RS440 is the black trim ring instead of gold, and a different group of resellers.

Time to get into the key juicy details of the JVC DLA-RS440 and DLA-X590.

The next two pages cover the many special features found on these twin projectors, including those related to 4K content handling, HDR and expanded color space.

Then a pair of pages covering the hardware, from front to back.  The second of those pages, also covers the remote control and the menus.

Then its time to get into picture quality, followed by performance, calibration information, and a nice, in-depth summary.  For those in a hurry, you might want to scan many pages but I recommend at least give the Picture Quality pages good look.

And definitely you'll want to go through the whole summary, because it also gets into a lot of discussion about the "competition" from much lower cost entry level 4K UHD projectors to more expensive competitors, like Sony with their true, native 4K projectors.

The VPL-HW45ES offers great color and a bright picture.  Ideal for media rooms, and home theaters, this 1800 lumen 1080p projector is Sony's most affordable for the home, listing for only $1999.

Sony's VPL-HW45ES is another "evolutionary" update for Sony, in this case from the just "retired" HW40ES.

When I reviewed the step up model, the VPL-HW65ES a few months ago, I was surprised by how much improvement that projector represented vs the HW55ES that came before. Much brighter, and more.  Sony delivered enough extra performance to even be able to rationalize an effective increase in street price of roughly $500.

The Sony VW-HW45ES also improves its value proposition, but performance improvements are a small part of that, bigger is the 20% price cut to $1999! Think of it this way, the way Sony packaged the older models, there was roughly a $1000 street price difference.  This time around, the difference is roughly $2000.

The "Evolution is Upon Us." Sony's VPL-HW65ES offers a number of improvements over the HW55ES - its rather excellent predecessor - which was a Best In Class award winner in last year's Best Home Theater Projectors report.  This projector is an evolutionary advance - nothing truly revolutionary about it. Although the VPL-HW65ES officially lists for $3999, we treat it as an under $3500 projector, because we try to position projectors based on street pricing, not on list.  It will be included in our $2000 - $3500 price class in our annual Best Projectors Report.  Although there doesn't seem to be much discounting, the HW65ES comes with a spare lamp which we factor in.

Sony's new VPL-VW665ES true 4K Projector is a substantial improvement over its predecessor.

No, the VW665ES isn't a revolutionary new home theater projector.  Let me qualify that:  Perhaps you could count all Sony 4K home theater projectors as revolutionary, since they are the only game in town.  Compared to 1080p, 4K is "the revolution."  It's what we large screen folks have yearned for, and deserve, and NEED!

The Sony VPL-VW665ES is a "next gen" projector based on the older VW600ES.  The key differences are huge:  First, black level performance has been taken up a notch.  When I reviewed the older model, if I had a complaint it was really good black levels.  Certainly respectable,  but not dramatically better than the best $2500-$4000 1080p projectors.  This new Sony's black level performance on dark scenes is definitely a step up, and that changes the value proposition significantly.  The other significant area of change is simply supporting more of the advanced performance capabilities specified by 4K Blu-ray UHD.  The standards weren't set when the original 600 hit the market.   This includes at minimum, support for 4:2:0 color depth, and support for HDR.  In other words, better picture quality with a lot more dynamic range and color depth.  That's major.  Sweet!

OK, that gives you a "taste" of what's to follow.  Let me just say that I have been more impressed with the VW665ES in the first couple dozen hours of viewing, than I ever was with its predecessor (which was pretty impressive.)

So, let's get started with an overview, and a list of highlights.  From there we'll get into the goodies.

EPSON HOME CINEMA 2000 PROJECTOR:  This lower cost, online version, an almost identical twin to Epson's HC2030 sells for under $900.  It is a very bright projector with very good color, great warranty.  It's a great choice for the family room!Optoma's HD33 projector is Optoma's first 3D capable, low cost 1080p resolution home theater projector. Like it's more expensive HD3300 sibling (almost identical but sold through big box houses and local dealers, instead of online, where prices tend to be less), the HD33 is rather capable, and claims to be a very bright projector, something needed for decent 3D. Let's see how good this HD33 is. If you are familiar with Optoma's HD20, the HD33 will remind you of it. They are similar in some areas of performance, though the HD33 looks a bit better.BenQ's W1200 projector is their newest, lower cost 1080p home theater projector. It positions itself about $500 less than their highly regarded W6000, one of our favorite home theater projectors. The W1200 performs more like a home entertainment projector - than one designed for a dedicated home theater. It should be an excellent choice in the family room, out back in the yard, in summer, a basement or bonus room. Anywhere where light control is less than ideal, walls not dark, etc. is a likely home for the W1200!

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