Sony Offers Full HD 1080P Home Theater Projector for Under $5000: The VPL-VW50
By Chris Boylan
Last year,
Sony wowed us at CEDIA with the introduction of the
VPL-VW100 (code name "Ruby"): a full HD 1080p SXRD projector for the unbelievably low price (at that time) of $9999.99. 1080p front projection for under $10K? That's crazy! Well this year, they're twice as crazy. Or maybe half as crazy? Because at CEDIA 2006, Sony had a coming-out party for the VPL-VW50, a full HD (1920X1080 pixels) front projector for half the price of the Ruby, just $4999.99!
Expected to ship in October, the VPL-VW50 (code name "Pearl") is available now for pre-order on
SonyStyle.com.
The Pearl's low price should make Full HD a reality in living rooms and home theaters across North America. It is based on the same 3-chip SXRD (Silicon X-Tal Reflective Display) platform as its big brother, the VW-100, but it uses a more traditional bulb - an easy to maintain 200-watt Ultra High Pressure Lamp, which is said to produce up to 900 ANSI lumens, and reproduce natural, accurate colors. The VW-50 also comes in a slightly more svelte chassis measuring 15.5 x 6.8 x 18.5 inches, a full 4 inches narrower and 4 inches shallower than the Ruby.
Sony's VPL-VW50 smashes the price barrier for Full HD 1080p front projection.
Also new is the VW50's 1-chip video processing engine which enables the projector to use a fully digital chassis, eliminating signal noise caused by analog to digital or digital to analog conversion. The result is a highly detailed, smooth picture.
Tom Norton (Ultimate A/V) gives the Pearl a once-over.
The VW50 includes dual HDMI inputs which support both 1080p/60 and 24p frame rates. It processes at a direct multiple of 24p to avoid artifacts like judder or flicker when viewing next generation high-definition formats like Blu-ray disc and HD-DVD. Other inputs include component video, RGB, S-video and composite video. An RS-232C connection is included for flexible control options.
The new All Range Crisp Focus (ARC-F) lens, optimized for high resolution 1080 images, brings an even better picture into focus. The lens has 16 elements which allow for flexible throw distances making installation easier in less than ideal conditions.
The VW50 is equipped with Sony's Advanced Iris 2, which produces accurate blacks and helps to deliver a dynamic contrast ratio of up to 15,000:1 when "auto" Iris mode is selected. The Advanced Iris 2 also features a variable setting allowing for user optimization. The projector also features 1.8x powered lens zoom, powered focus as well as powered vertical lens shift to adjust the location of the image for flexible installation locations. Like its predecessors, the VW50 unit's cooling system produces a whisper-quiet fan noise of 22dB, critical for home theater applications.
The Pearl's wide zoom range, relatively small size and powered screen shift allow for flexible installation options.
A Great Projector Deserves a Great Screen
And to make sure their new projector is seen in the best possible light, Sony is partnering with high-end screen maker
Stewart Filmscreen. Stewart has designed a new variation of their Firehawk projection screen called the "Firehawk SST" whose reflectivity and gain has been specifically designed to optimize the VW-50's performance under a variety of viewing conditions.
"Our goal is to expand the front projector market by driving the message about the benefits of 'big screen' home entertainment," said Phil Abram, Sony's vice president of television marketing. "To address this challenge, we have joined with Stewart Filmscreen to bring 'Full HD' front projection to a whole new audience."
"Stewart Filmscreen is pleased to work with Sony Electronics in this groundbreaking effort to promote a new generation of front projection products," said Grant Stewart, president of Stewart Filmscreen Corporation. "We're confident that our new Firehawk SST screen will enhance the performance of the latest Sony SXRD projector in virtually every home environment."
The projector/screen combo will be shown in high-end specialty dealers across the country, as well as select Sony Style store locations across the country, beginning in October.
Where to Buy:
