Sony’s New Entry Level VPL-VW285ES Projector Delivers 4K Performance for Under $5,000
(AV NIRVANA) Sony's new VPL-VW285ES is priced at $4,999(September 6, 2017) Sony Electronics kicked off its CEDIA 2017 presence with four massive announcements, headlined by the new VPL-VW285ES, a true 4K HDR projector with a consumer-friendly price. The company also revealed a new promotional partnership with Kaleidescape (manufacturer of high-end custom install movie players).
The VPL-VW285ES is Sony’s newest entry-level projector and its price ($4,999) is a statement amongst name brand manufacturers. This particular model doesn’t rely on trickery or pixel shifting to achieve a faux-4K image, instead it’s capable of natively producing full 4K resolution (4096 x 2160) with High Dynamic Range (HDR) performance. Sony has loaded the VW28ES with three separate SXRD imagers for Red, Green, and Blue channels, and it’s specified to achieve 1,500 lumens of brightness with a 225 Watt high-pressure lamp capable of lasting an estimated 6,000 hours (low mode).
The VW285ES carries two HDMI 2.0b ports, both supporting HDCP2.2. It can handle a 4K HDR 60p 10bit signal, with compatibility for both HDR10 and HLG HDR formats. Other features include an Advanced Iris (for improved dark scene performance), enhanced colors via Sony’s TRILUMINOUS technology, and powered zoom and lens shift capabilities.
The VPL-VW285ES is available for purchase now.
Sony’s new second-tier model, the VPL-385ES, is slotted to retail for $7,999 and is due hit stores later this month. This particular projector adds picture presets for automatic switching between various film formats, onboard technologies for improved dark level performance (dynamic contrast is 200,000:1), and an auto calibration feature.
(AV NIRVANA) Sony executives (left) and Kaleidescape's founder
(Cheena Srinivasan) reveal a joint partnership at CEDIA 2017Headlining Sony’s 2017 projector class is the company’s new flagship VPL-VW885ES. This model relies on a Z-Phosphor laser light source capable of delivering 20,000 hours of service, a whopping 2,000 lumens of brightness, and infinite dynamic contrast. Adding to the performance factors found on Sony’s other models, the VW885ES uses Reality Creation and Motionflow technologies for enhanced on-screen detail, in addition to offering two 18 Gbps HDMI inputs.
The VPL-VW885ES isn’t cheap, carrying a hefty price tag of $24,999. It’s due to begin shipping late November 2017.
Rounding out Sony’s CEDIA announcements is a new promotional partnership with Kaleidescape. Any enthusiast that purchases a qualifying Sony 4K HDR projector will receive a bundle of ten 4K HDR movies from the Kaleidescape Movie Store. That’s a $350 value and features classic titles and new releases from studios such as Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, and Warner Home Video. The bundle includes the recent blockbuster film Spider-Man: Homecoming.
This promotional offer is also available to current owners of qualifying Sony projectors that purchase a Kaleidoscope Strato system between now and May 31, 2018.
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