Sony today announced two 4K Ultra HD home theater front SXRD projectors, models VPL-VW1100ES and VPL-VW600ES, along with the 1080p 3D VPL-HW55ES SXRD projector.
Sony VPL-VW1100ES 4K Home Theater Projector (pictured above)
Two years ago, Sony introduced its first home theater front projector capable of displaying stunning 4K images. That 4K projector has been updated and is now debuting as the VPL-VW1100ES 4K home theater projector. Specifically designed to support the evolving 4K Ultra HD standards, this new model is also available bundled with the Sony 4K Ultra HD Media Player (model FMP-X1) used to access, download, store and play back 4K content from the Video Unlimited 4K service.
Still designed to meet the needs of custom installers and exceed the expectations of home entertainment enthusiasts, the VPL-VW1100ES delivers an immersive visual experience with four times the resolution of HDTV, and its 2,000 ANSI-lumens of brightness makes it suitable for screen sizes up to 200-inches diagonally. With outstanding black levels due to Sony’s Iris 3 technology and advanced SXRD panels, the projector can achieve an incredible 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast. This projector offers a variety of installation options and includes dual triggers, a 2.1x motorized zoom, expanded lens shift, an RS232 interface, control over IP and compatibility with leading home automation systems.
Priced at $27,999.99, the VW1100ES projector also uses Sony’s Reality Creation picture engine to dramatically enhance all video content regardless of source, however it also integrates the latest HDMI standard to support 4K/60p playback for smoother images when watching fast moving action content. Furthermore, the VPL-VW1100ES has an exclusive upscaling algorithm designed for “Mastered in 4K” Blu-ray discs from Sony Picture Entertainment, which enable the viewer to enjoy more accurate 4K picture quality from HD content delivered on Blu-ray discs. For greater versatility, it can also display Full HD 3D movies, as well as 2D and 3D anamorphic films.
Sony is also highlighting its support for owners and dealers of the VPL-VW1000ES 4K home projector by offering a premium activation service package which includes an in-home service visit, a Sony 4K Ultra HD Media Player (FMP-X1), a Sony Xperia Z Tablet as a controller, and a new replacement lamp. The updates are designed to ensure compatibility with Sony’s Video Unlimited 4K download service available through the FMP-X1 player. The updates also ensure compatibility with 4K/60p content from future broadcast or home video sources.
Sony VPL-VW600ES 4K Home Theater Projector
The VPL-VW600ES home theater projector, like the VW1100 and VW1000 models offers Full Digital Cinema Initiative (DCI)-based 4096 x 2160 resolution, delivering a cinematic 4K experience. The VPL-VW600ES projector boasts 1,700 ANSI-lumens of brightness and a 200,000:1 contrast ratio. The projector has rich color reproduction thanks to TRILUMINOS™ display, an enhanced optical engine design, and auto-calibration and manual color correction features to allow installers to adjust the hue, saturation and brightness to obtain and maintain a customized picture quality. Also, meeting the latest HDMI® standard, it supports 4K native resolution at 60 frames per second. Dramatically improving the viewers’ experience, the Reality Creation engine for 4K upscaling enhances both the “Mastered in 4K” Blu-ray Discs and high definition 1080p content including 3D video.
The VPL-VW600ES sports a compact, installation-friendly design, offering technology integrators and end-users more options for placement, especially in replacement situations. New features such as front-exhaust, a 2.06x powered zoom lens, and a wide lens shift range provide further installation flexibility and remarkable performance in nearly every screening room. For 3D viewing, the VW600 includes a built in RF transmitter which conforms to the “Full HD 3D Initiative” industry standard and uses the same glasses as Sony’s 3D Bravia televisions.
Sony VPL-HW55ES HD 3D Home Projector
For smaller screening environments, the VPL-HW55ES home projector is the next generation of Sony’s VPL-HW50ES from 2012.
Enhanced optical efficiency and an improved cooling system enables longer lasting lamp (approximately 5,000 hours) and reaches 1,700 ANSI lumen of brightness, delivering clear images, even in well-lit environments. With its proven optical engine and Advanced Iris 3 technology, the new workhorse of Sony’s front projector line achieves a dynamic contrast ratio of more than 120,000:1. This improves black levels without diminishing peak brightness to maximize detail during darker scenes. This projector also has Sony’s Digital Reality Creation picture engine and delivers the superior picture quality in SD, HD or 3D.
Price and Availability
- Sony VPL-VW1100ES $27,999.99 (October 2013)
- Sony VPL-VW600ES $14,999.99 (November 2013)
- Sony VPL-HW55ES $3,999.99 (October 2013)