So you're considering a projector? Maybe you're a movie fan looking to host your home theater celebration, popcorn and all. Or are you a gamer who wants to go to a distant planet and blow life-size aliens to pieces? With the right projector, you can do all of these things and more. If you're really ready to take the plunge or want to upgrade, there are a few things to consider. Projectors require a bit more planning and setup than TVs. To get the most out of it, you'll need to ceiling mount it because unlike TVs, you'll need some distance between the lens and the screen to project. (Unless, of course, you choose a short-range model, but we'll get to that a bit later.) A ceiling mounted projector also eliminates the chance of shadows cast by passing people or pets. Not all need to be mounted to the ceiling, while smaller projectors can be moved in and out of a room as needed, but Sony's lineup focuses primarily on the larger 4K models, so it's best to keep them distanced. . The distance between the screen and the lens is also important: too close and the screen is as small as a TV losing the fundamental wow factor, too far and the screen will be too dark. Balance is key, like a tape measure. You may also want to consider a scrolling or permanent screen, especially if you like color accuracy, an off-white wall could throw off the white count. Spotlights also work best in dark rooms with little natural light. Sony itself may be best known for its 4K systems, but it also makes a number of Full HD 1080p models. There's also a short-throw model and a special portable system in the form of the Xperia Touch, a small projector that turns any surface into a collaborative touchscreen and offers some amazing, if somewhat expensive technology. Today's best deals on Sony projectors
Sony projectors: an overview
Japanese electronics manufacturer Sony has been at the forefront of technological innovation for decades. The company revolutionized portable music consumption with the Walkman. Blu-ray, Sony's video-to-disc format, brought high-quality 4K video into users' homes for the first time. And how could we forget about the Sony Bravia line of TVs, which continually scores highly in TechRadar reviews? But what about Sony projectors? You may not have thought of Sony as a projector manufacturer before, but your local theater has. Sony provides industry-standard projectors and uses some of that technology in its consumer models as well, with 3 projectors available commercially that use a switched version of its X1 chip.
Sony SXRD projectors
All Sony projectors, whether they be Full HD, 4K, Short Throw or Commercial Cinema, use Sony's SXRD technology. SXRD stands for Silicon X-tal Reflective Display, and is the company's liquid crystal version on silicon. Sony projectors use a separate LCOS chip for each primary color of light: green, red, and blue. This allows for a marked reduction in rainbowing and keeps contrast high, especially when compared to single-chip DLP projectors. And that high contrast—crisp whites and deep, dark blacks—is why movie lovers flock to Sony. SXRD also ensures that there are smaller spaces between pixels than a standard LCD projector, which means you can project a larger image before you even see the individual pixels. Another bonus for movie lovers. Not only that, but this technology is one of the few on the market that displays 4K natively. This is unlike Samsung's DLP projectors, which have to flash the mirrors a couple of times to get more than one pixel per frame and thus 4K. The downside is that it makes Sony projectors, especially their 4K range, quite large and heavy. You should always keep this in mind when looking at projectors: is your ceiling strong enough to hold close to XNUMXlbs of weight?
Sony HD projectors
Sony's 4K lineup is extensive and impressive, but that's not all they do. Sony's smaller HD range uses exactly the same SXRD technology, giving it more of a rainbow effect. Sony offers 2 HD models, the VPL-HW45ES and the VPL-HW65ES. Both are 3D compatible and have eighteen hundred lumen lamps. The more expensive of the two, the VPL-HW2ES features a 65:000 active contrast and an RJ1 LAN port that can be used for home automation. So with this projector it is possible to have a setting that activates a motorized screen when the projector is on, which is highly recommended. Sony's HD models are also the lightest, with both models weighing close to 45kg.Sony 4K projectors
If you want to take the next step, Sony has an amazing line of consumer 4K projectors, including an ultra-short-throw model. Again, they all use Sony's SXRD technology and range from 3 lumens to a squint-inducing 4 lumens. All three of Sony's entry-level 590K models work with a lamp, and only one of their current lineup, the VPL-VW1ES, uses their X3 chip built for projectors. All 3 can create 1D images and fluctuate between fifteen hundred and eighteen hundred lumens. The non-X570 models, the VPL-VW270ES and VW4ES, differ only slightly in brightness. This type of projector, unlike most televisions, can get lamp burn. In low light mode, these projectors should last six thousand hours. But to get the best image, you'll probably use a higher light setting to achieve the number of lumens promised on the spec sheet. Replacement bulbs are available from Sony and cost around $6 to $3 / $000 to $000. The lamps typically last several years, but check with your dealer if you have any questions. For a bit more money, you can invest in a 3K laser model; Sony offers 870 of this class, including one with ultra-short-throw technology. Three of the models are somewhat affordable with a price range from around €790 / €760 going all the way up to €3 / €21000. These 000, the VPL-VWXNUMXES, VPL-VWXNUMXES and VPL-VWXNUMXES are the same size as they use the same chassis, and all XNUMX weigh around twenty kg / forty four lbs. Sony laser models are heavier and more expensive than lamp models. The lightest weighs fourteen kg / thirty-one lb, the heaviest is fifty-one kg / one hundred and twelve lb. But laser models have a number of advantages, as projection is defocused, which means focus remains constant even when projecting onto curved or uneven surfaces. They also have a higher contrast ratio, so blacks will be deeper and light colors even brighter. This sometimes comes at a cost in lumens, but according to Sony's statistics, this is not the case with their range, as their laser projectors have higher brightness ratings than all of Sony's lamp models. . And there's Sony's only short-range, the VPL-VXNUMXES, coming in at around $XNUMX / $XNUMX. It is a laser model and can project an XNUMX-XNUMX inch screen from a distance of about XNUMX inches.
Sony gaming projectors
If you're a movie lover, you can't ignore Sony's pedigree. But Sony's status as the maker of the PS5 means you need to estimate the gaming features of its line of projectors. When Sony launched its VPL-VW870ES (a high-end laser), VPL-VW570ES (Sony's flagship lamp model) and VPL-VW270ES (Sony's most affordable lamp model) laser projectors, it claimed that they had been especially designed for games and sports. . . This makes sense, as Sony's color depth and contrast, thanks to its SXRD technology, results in more playable games. The dark tones are richer in tones, so in a low-light stealth game you'll be able to see your next target, rather than a slimy sea of grays.How much does a Sony projector cost?
Sony currently offers eleven projectors in its consumer lineup, including 2 Full HD, the rest are 4K. The costs fluctuate between €3 and €4 / €590 to €1 for the Full HD range. All 580 000K lamp models start at €000 / €0790, and the VPL-VW1ES with X2 chip is around €4 / €5000. Sony's line of laser projectors starts at €380 / €000 and tops out at €000 / €45. Only the midrange projector in this range, the VPLVW295ES, has an X270 projector chip. Then there are the two very expensive XNUMXK laser models, including the VPL-VWXNUMXES, which costs around $XNUMX / $XNUMX. Its flagship consumer model is the VPL-GTZXNUMX, which at €XNUMX / €XNUMX is roughly equivalent to the cost of a handsome vehicle. So Sony projectors aren't the most affordable, and you'll certainly want to consider a BenQ projector or an Epson projector for something more mid-range. For all-round, high-performance home theater projectors at any cost, Sony should be able to offer something that meets your needs. Today's best deals on the Sony VPL-HWXNUMXES, Sony VPL-VWXNUMXES and Sony VPL-VWXNUMXES