1st Comparison: The Optoma HD91 vs. the Sony VPL-HW40ES 2

Comparison Images

Click on each image to view it larger.

1. The Fifth Element Secretary, different sizes for same relative brightness – for color, image noise comparison

2. The Fifth Element Starship image, (converted to B/W) different sizes for same relative brightness, for black levels, with HD91 dynamic black off (since any On setting has visible dimming action, this lets you compare with it off, since Sony has no iris action - lacks an iris). This creates an Apple to Apple comparison of black levels.

3. Casino Royale Bond Train – color – HD91 with Dynamic Black turned on for comparing dark scene “wow” and “pop” - black levels and dark shadow detail

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Cost of Ownership

But, let’s get back to the comparison at hand. Both projectors have 3 year warranties.

Optoma is officially $1500 more expensive, but no lamps to replace.

Will that save you money?  Consider:

Cost of two replacement lamps – approximately $600 for Sony, which would provide totals of 6000 hours if always run at full power, or 15,000 hours in eco mode, which approaches the 20,000 rating on the HD91’s LED light engine.

The issue, of course is that with 4K growing in popularity, and the genuine need for 4K for projector users (it’s not like you need 4K for a 42” LCDTV), we suspect that many, probably most owners will replace these projectors within 3-4 years.  We’re coming up on a transition point, as we did with the arrival of early commercial HDTV.

Here’s something to think about, in Japan, they expect to be broadcasting, not 4K, but true 8K by 2020 – that’s less than 6 years out.

Bottom line on the Optoma vs. the Sony

If LED light engines are your thing, you aren’t going with a very large screen, and you are a big fan of the “look and feel” of  DLP projectors, go right ahead and score yourself an HD91.

For the vast majority of us though, at current pricing, the Sony is simply a much better value, and of the two, it’s the one that’s at home in living room family rooms, bonus rooms, etc., in addition to the dedicated theater/caves.

If you can’t decide, my suggestion is go Sony, pocket the savings, put that toward your first true 4K projector in a couple or three years!