Sony VPL-HW30ES - Review Summary-3

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• One of the brighest 3D capable projectors so far, in the over $3500 price class
• 800+ measured lumens in "best" mode, no problem, even with large screens (ie: 10 feet wide)
• Excellent overall color, and skin tones
• Lots of preset image modes
• Calibrates nicely for really good color handling, natural look
• Respectable shadow detail
• Very good placement flexibility
• HDMI 1.4a inputs (2) allows for support for Blu-ray 3D content
• 3D glasses (optional on base model, included on HW30AES for $3999), are relatively light weight, reasonably comfortable for glasses wearers
• Very good CFI (motion smoothing) MotionFlow
• Does motion smoothing, even in 3D (which is not common)
• Get extra brightness in 3D with glasses control (but more image noise)
• Excellent warranty
• Fairly quiet, even at full power
• Very good remote control
• Near black finish works well in dedicated theaters
• Very good menu layout

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• Black levels, while very good, not best in class
• Emitter seems to work best in front of room (long ethernet cable from projector)
• CFI (like all but a few projectors) is a little much for movie viewing (changes the director's intent)
• Though brighter than most competitors, more subtle - less "wow" factor
• 3D glasses are optional (just a reminder)
• Overall price: While reasonable, it prices slightly higher than several new direct competitors although well below some others, like the Optoma HD8300 and Mitsubishi HC9000D, and Sony's own VPL-VW95ES
• Like most 3D capable projectors, a bit underpowered at 3D for medium and larger screen sizes
• Cost of operation (lamp life on the low side of the range)

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• Black Level performance
• Lens features (lens shift, medium zoom range)
• Cost of operation
• Overall value
• Documentation (very good at some things, but still could use a bit more in explanations)

Ready to go? Want a very nice projector under $4000 for your home theater, that can do some very natural 2D picture quality, and 3D with a bit more brightness than most? If this projector works in your room, it is definitely one to be considered!