Sony VPL-FHZ55 Projector Review – Summary

The Sony VPL-FHZ55 should be among the top choices for boardrooms, museums, smaller sized auditoriums or even digital signage.  It combines long lamp life with a terrific combination of brightness, sharpness, color reproduction and a depth of image that few projectors can match.  It also features ease of setup and an assortment of connection options that should fit the needs of any customer.  The DICOM simulation mode would be a welcome feature for medical training and the edge blending capabilities make it an attractive option for those instances where a super-sized display is desired.  Of particular interest would be the ability to project not only horizontally on a wall, but vertically on a ceiling or even at an angle.

When you look at the cost of ownership, the VPL-FHZ55 also shines.  With a light source expected to not only last 20,000 hours, but also be able to retain much of its brightness over that time period, you can see the saving over a traditional lamp-based system where the lamp may be replaced every 2000 hours due to loss of brightness.

While it would be nice if the VPL-FHZ55 had network presentation capability, this is a minor complaint.  The VPL-FHZ55’s solid feature set and terrific performance, all in a reasonably priced package, make it a solid contender.  In addition, Sony’s warranty and On-Time Support Program are among the best in the industry.  With you add up all the positives, the Sony VPL-FHZ55 is well deserving of a Hot Product award.

Pros

• Very good brightness with a 20,000 hour light source life
• Excellent color saturation and overall image with any resolution
• Excellent warranty and support via On-Time Support program
• Edge blending for multiple projector display
• Picture-by-picture allows for two images to be displayed simultaneously
• DICOM simulation mode for medical educational purposes
• Can be unplugged immediately after powered down
• Great flexibility of installation

Cons

This projector review is included in our 2014-2015 Best Classroom Projectors Report, which is sponsored by Epson America.