Ever since we were first introduced to Ultra HD 4K techology, home theater fans have been asking, "When will we start seeing 4K projectors?" Sony Electronics is answering that question with a few new product releases.
The newly announced VPL-W5000ES is a top-of-the-line model with the type of perks that you'd expect from a projector that has a $60,000 price tag. It uses a laser light engine, SXRD panels, and a new liquid cooling system to make 4K magic, as well as 5,000 lumens of color light output. It also produces some incredible colors, since it can cover the DCI-P3 color gamut and even emulate the BT.2020 color gamut.
Other features include a built-in re-calibration, support for High Dynamic Range (HDR) content, Advanced Motionflow to smooth out those action-packed images, an HDMI input that is HDCP 2.2 compatible, and the ability to tilt the projector as much as 30 degrees. Also worth mentioning is that the VPL-VW5000ES 4K projector ships with a standard powered lens with a zoom ratio from 1.27 to 2.73:1 and lens shift capability of +/- 80% vertical and +/- 31% horizontal.
If you're looking for something slightly more affordable, Sony is planning a trio of other projectors. The VPL-VW665ES and VPL-VW365ES are a pair of 4K models, with SXRD panels, Sony's own TRILUMINOS engine design, and Motionflow picture technology for smooth action and sports. Both models also include the latest HDMI standard, HDCP 2.2, and a built-in RF 3D transmitter. Each one also has a few interesting professional calibration features, so you can tweak the hue, saturation, and brightness of each color and the color space for red, green, and blue, respectively. Sony is also packing high dynamic range (HDR) support into the VPL-VW665ES, which also boasts a 300,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio.
"Ten years after introducing the world's first 4K projectors for the industry conversion from film-based to digital cinema in neighborhood theaters, Sony is releasing our next generation of 4K projectors for use in home theaters. These latest models continue to expand our support for enthusiasts and dealers with features like HDR and IP control," said Andre Floyd, product manager for projectors at Sony Electronics Inc. "By improving brightness, contrast and lamp life, and providing great calibration tools, we deliver users out-of-the-box optimized picture quality while enabling installation experts to tweak the image to meet the needs of a particular environment or a viewer's taste. Sony's 4K SXRD imaging technology remains the state of the art in home theater projection."
The last in the new lineup is the VPL-HW65ES. This model doesn't do 4K, but it does use full HD SXRD panels to deliver the best 1080p big-screen experience possible. Other features include Reality Creation for brighter images and a longer lamp life of 6,000 hours. It also has a built-in RF 3D transmitter, a USB update function, and an IP control interface.
Sony is taking pre-orders for the VPL-W5000ES now, with plans to ship in the spring of 2016. The VPL-VW665ES, the VPL-VW365ES, and the VPL-HW65ES will starts selling this month, priced at $14,999, $9,999, and $3,999, respectively.
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