Sony VPL-VW95ES Projector – Image Quality 2

VPL-VW95ES Black Levels & Shadow Detail

There are a whole bunch of projectors over $3500 that have excellent black level performance. In fact, great black level performance is almost standard on projectors above that price (and a few, below it). Our take, is by the time you get black levels this good (are they the “holy grail”?), most folks are very satisfied (though who will refuse blacker blacks, if all else is equal)?

That said, the VPL-VW95ES is in good company. Almost all of the projectors I consider in this price and black level handling range, use a dynamic iris, to achieve best blacks on dark scenes. The only exceptions of the projectors we consider primary competition, are the three JVCs, with the two higher end ones offering a bit better blacks than any of the other projectors. The field I’m addressing includes this Mitsubishi, the JVCs, The two Sonys currently shipping, an Optoma, a Runco, the JVCs, and the Sharp.

Of all of those mentioned, only the two more expensive JVCs are likely able to produce blacks that are visibly darker than the VPL-VW95ES.

OK, let’s look at some screen images, practical for considering black levels. And, as usual, we’ve provided the same image from a number of other projectors.