Sony VPL-VW40: 1080p Home Theater Projector Review - Image Quality-8

That's what shadow detail is all about. Without it, you get large, dark areas lacking in detail. With great shadow detail, the image looks more complete, less like something's missing. Here are four images. The standard size images below are all the same (from the Sony VPL-VW60), however when you click on them you will get larger versions, greatly overexposed, to show you what each projector is capable of.

Bottom line: The Sony does an excellent job overall. That's not to say it is best in class. Although very close, the Epson, for basically the same price, has the advantage. Understand, I've primarily compared the VW40, with other top performing projectors, as most of the competition at the VW40's price, and below, come up noticeably short. Those that do reveal good shadow detail often have significantly inferior black levels, so that detail may be there, but the images look washed out by comparison.