All Image Credit: Sony

Sony has launched three new 4K SXRD (LCOS) home theater projectors each driven by a laser phosphor light engine. These laser based projectors promise a significant increase in brightness compared to earlier 4K offerings:

• VPL-VW5000ES: 2,000 lumens
• VPL-VW6000ES: 2,500 lumens
• VPL-VW7000ES: 3,200 lumens

Earlier Sony 4K projectors used a 4,096 x 2,160 pixel count SXRD panel. These new models support a newly designed SXRD chip panel with the more common 3,840 x2,160 pixel resolution and at 0.61″ is claimed to be the smallest 4K panel in the world. This reduction in panel size has allowed Sony to not only reduce the projectors size by 20%-30% but also its weight by 30%.

The new laser light engines are rated for up to 20,000 hours of operation and achieves a 95% DCI-P3 wide color gamut. While the 5000 sports the standard XW lens the 6000/7000 both use the all new Advanced Crisp-Focused (ACF) lens system that uses extra low dispersion glasses to ensure crisp images at both the center and outer edges of the screen. Both of these models also include; powered zoom, focus, and lens shift, plus a Picture Position Memory to store lens settings for up to five display formats.

All three models come with Sony’s X1 Ultimate TV video processing that has been optimized specifically for 4K projection and includes:

• Object-based HDR remaster – color analysis and enhancement
• Object-based super resolution – individual object enhancement
• Dynamic HDR enhancer – contrast analysis and enhancement
• Dual database processing – noise and scaling enhancement
• Digital focus optimizer – overall image focus enhancement

Gamers have not been forgotten about as these projectors all support 4K 60 Hz input with an input lag under 21 ms, and 2K 120 Hz input with an input lag under 13 ms.

Noise is suitably low at 24dB/26dB depending upon the model and use and all models also support the addition of a Anamorphic lens using vertical stretch.

Connectivity includes:

• HDMI 2.0b (x2) – Digital RGB/Y Pb/Cb Pr/Cr – Max input 4K P60.
• IR IN – Minijack
• LAN – RJ45
• 10Base -T/100BASE-TX
• REMOTE – RS-232C
• D-sub 9-pin (male)
• TRIGGER – Minijack DC 12 V Max. 100 mA
• USB type A, DC 5 V, Max. 500 mA

Shipping:

• VPL-VW5000ES: May 2022
• VPL-VW6000ES/7000ES: June 2022

MSRP:

• VPL-VW5000ES: $5,999.99
• VPL-VW6000ES: $11,999.99
• VPL-VW7000ES: $27,999.99

Once ISF calibrated in the real world it will be interesting to see what the actual light output, color gamut and contrast ratio (not really specified) hits.

Visit Sony’s website for more information on the new projectors.

Want to know more about how displays and projectors work. Read this two part post: Flat Panel TV And Projector Technology