Sony 4K SXRD projectors have always offered class-leading picture quality. With the introduction of the BRAVIA Projector 8 (VPL-XW6100) and BRAVIA Projector 9 (VPL-XW8100) projectors, they once again pushed the boundaries of home theater technology.
The most direct comparison for the BRAVIA Projector 8 is the VPL-XW6000ES; for the BRAVIA Projector 9, it’s the VPL-XW7000ES. While older models were excellent award-winning projectors, the new units have surpassed them with significant picture quality, brightness, and processing power upgrades.
We had the opportunity to spend some time with both models, and we can confirm that these projectors deliver a noticeable improvement in picture quality, brightness, and color accuracy.
At the heart of both the BRAVIA Projector 8 and BRAVIA Projector 9 is the XR Processor, a game-changer for home theater projection. The XR Processor is a significant leap forward from the X1 Ultimate processor used in their predecessors, the VPL-XW6000ES and VPL-XW7000ES.
This processor, initially engineered for Sony’s BRAVIA TVs, has been specifically tailored for these new projectors. It enhances the quality of on-screen content in several key ways.
One of the standout features is XR Dynamic Tone Mapping, which adjusts the brightness and color of each frame in real-time, providing a more vibrant-looking HDR image. This feature elevates HDR content by delivering a brighter overall image with better highlight and shadow detail.
The BRAVIA Projector 8 and BRAVIA Projector 9 fully utilize this dynamic tone mapping, resulting in a visual improvement in HDR playback compared to the older VPL-XW6000ES and VPL-XW7000ES. While impressive, the older models used less advanced processing technology that couldn’t match the dynamic adjustments and upscaling of the newer BRAVIA projectors.
Both projectors also feature XR Deep Black, which controls laser dimming to bring out deep, inky blacks without compromising the clarity of surrounding details. The improvement in black levels is immediately noticeable when viewing darker scenes compared to older models.
This innovation pairs well with the XR TRILUMINOS Pro feature, which delivers over a billion colors, creating a vivid and realistic viewing experience. The XR Clear Image technology further enhances this by upscaling content to near 4K resolution, even when the original source material is of lower quality, making older films and shows look better than ever.
The BRAVIA Projector 8 offers a brightness of up to 2,700 lumens, while the BRAVIA Projector 9 delivers an even more powerful 3,400 lumens. This is an upgrade from their predecessors—the VPL-XW6000ES, with 2,500 lumens, and the VPL-XW7000ES, with 3,200 lumens. Both projectors perform exceptionally well in spaces with ambient light, such as living or media rooms, without losing color vibrancy or contrast.
For gamers, these projectors are an exciting development. The 4K at 120fps support, combined with a low input lag of 12 milliseconds, ensures a smooth and responsive gaming experience, making the BRAVIA Projector 8 and BRAVIA Projector 9 perfect for fast-paced action games or sports simulations.
This is bolstered by Auto Low Latency Mode and HDMI 2.1 compatibility, which reduces lag and enhances image clarity during gameplay. In contrast, the VPL-XW6000ES and VPL-VW7000ES offer decent gaming performance, but they fall short in terms of refresh rates and responsiveness compared to the newer models.
With HDMI 2.1 compatibility, 4K at 120fps support, and faster response times, the BRAVIA 8 and BRAVIA 9 are well-suited for gaming, surpassing the older models, which lacked the latest HDMI features and had higher input lag. This makes the new BRAVIA projectors more versatile, catering to both cinephiles and gaming enthusiasts.
Another big selling point for the BRAVIA Projector 8 and BRAVIA Projector 9 is their versatility. Whether you’re setting up a dedicated home theater with complete light control or a multi-functional media room with ambient light, these projectors excel in both environments. The high brightness, combined with advanced tone mapping and black level controls, means that both dark and brightly lit scenes retain their detail and depth.
Both models have a motorized high-quality ARC-F lens with a large zoom and horizontal/vertical lens shift. In addition, a new Corner Keystone Correction is designed to make installation in challenging spaces much easier without negatively impacting image sharpness and detail. This flexibility, combined with compact designs that maintain powerful performance, ensures that these projectors fit into a wide variety of home environments.
In addition to their stunning visual performance, both models are designed to integrate seamlessly with home automation systems such as Control4, Crestron, and Savant. This allows users to control multiple devices with a single remote, simplifying the experience of managing a complex home theater setup.
The BRAVIA Projector 8 (VPL-XW6100ES) and BRAVIA Projector 9 (VPL-XW8100ES) projectors represent a new era in home theater technology, offering unprecedented picture quality, brightness, and versatility. With the introduction of the XR Processor, Sony has once again raised the bar for what home projectors can achieve. Compared to their predecessors, the VPL-XW6000ES and VPL-XW7000ES, these new models deliver significant improvements in both performance and features, making them a worthy investment for anyone looking to bring the cinema experience into their home.
The BRAVIA Projector 8 (VPL-XW6100ES) has a retail price of $15,999.99 USD and $21,999.99 CAD, while the BRAVIA Projector 9 (VPL-XW8100ES) is priced at $31,999.99 USD and $43,999.99 CAD. Both models became available for purchase in early September 2024 and can be ordered through authorized retailers such as Sony Electronics, Amazon, and Best Buy. These projectors are positioned as premium options, offering high-end performance and features for serious home theater enthusiasts.
Whether you're a movie buff, a gamer, or someone simply seeking the best possible viewing experience in a home theater or media room, the BRAVIA Projector 8 and BRAVIA Projector 9 are sure to impress.
