Sony's new 2021 VPL-VW1025ES & VPL-VW325ES Projectors

[Robert Zohn]

Surprise new launch of two new native 4K HDR projectors just announced today.



We purchased the VPL-VW1025ES 4K HDR laser projector for our store theater demo room. Love the new 18 element all glass lens on this new high-end projector.

Here's the link to John Archer's of Forbes article on Sony's new projectors and here's Sony's press release.

I built our VW1025ES webpage with more information and I'll post my evaluation when we receive our store demo VW1025ES

[HDTV1080P]

Nice to see two new native 4096 x 2160P Sony SXRD (LCOS) projectors released for the year 2021. I like the Sony VPL-VW1025ES that has a list price of $39,999.99. I am waiting for the Sony website to place the manual online to verify that the legacy 1080P Blu-ray 3D feature is supported.

I am disappointed that a $40,000 projector like the Sony VPL-VW1025ES still does not support Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10+. Maybe someone needs to make a dual LCOS projector design to support higher brightness levels and Dolby Vision HDR. The Dolby Vision HDR 4K DLP projectors start at $85,000+, therefore the Sony is much more cheaper for the average consumer looking to upgrade their home theater system. Buying a projector is like buying a car or truck that one might not upgrade for 10+ years.

https://electronics.sony.com/tv-vide.../p/vplvw1025es

[Robert Zohn]

Don't think you will ever see Sony or LG support HDR10+ and very little studio support for HDR10+.

Not sure we should care much about Dolby Vision as they lock out any changes on how they display the images so you can't take advantage of Panasonic HDR Optimizer or even more important Sony's excellent Dynamic HDR Enhancer.

Here's a cut and past from Sony's website that explains how the Dynamic HDR Enhancer works:

The Dynamic HDR Enhancer powered by X1 for projector delivers the best contrast by processing HDR content scene by scene. It further enhances the contrast in combination with laser and iris light output control, which makes bright scenes brighter and dark scenes darker to deliver compelling 4K HDR images.

I well expect Sony's new VW1025ES to be one of if not the best native 4K HDR triple laser projector in its class.

[HDTV1080P]

It would be nice to see a HDR Optimizer work with Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10+. Since many new flat panel screens have Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10+ the average consumer looks at projectors and wonders why those features are not offered. Dolby Vision HDR is offered on projectors in commercial movie theaters.

Both Sony and JVC make some very nice LCOS projectors. Many people that are educated would prefer a $40,000 projector when compared to a $7,000 OLED flat panel screen, since a projector even with standard HDR10 offers a professional quality image over 100+ inches that OLED cannot provide. Also most high-end projectors handle motion much better then a OLED flat panel

For ones main home theater room videophiles prefer a projector over any type of flat panel screen because of the organic film like experience.

[HDTV1080P]

I like the specs on the $60,000 flagship Sony VPL-5000ES, but the VPL-VW1025ES for $40,000 is a nice projector also.

Quote

“The VPL-VW1025ES, which is one step down from Sony’s $60,000 flagship VPL-5000ES projector, has a rated light and color output of 2,200 lumens and incorporates the same ARC-F (All-Range Crisp Focus) used in the flagship.”

https://www.soundandvision.com/conte...-x1-processing

[Robert Zohn]

We're buying Sony's new VPL-VW1025ES for our demo theater.

[2pacalypsenow]

Is it worth to wait till Sony releases a Projector with Dolby Vision?

Been itching to upgrade my 285.

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by 2pacalypsenow

Is it worth to wait till Sony releases a Projector with Dolby Vision?

Been itching to upgrade my 285.

That is a good question. If Sony does add Dolby Vision HDR in a future projector it could be 3 to 5+ years from now. Its hard to say what is going to happen. While the average person might keep a $60,000 or $40,000 projector for around 10 years before upgrading. Other consumers if there is major technological advancements might upgrade around every 5 years. Think as a projector upgrade as selling a used car and truck every 5 to 10 years and getting a new model.

In another 5 years around the year 2026 8K projectors in theory well be common for people that want to watch 8K optical discs and/or 8K streaming. So in another 5 years the big thing to find on a projector will be native 8K resolution. But for now for the next 5 years native 4K resolution projectors are fine since no native 8K movies exist yet.

[HeavyHitter]

I'm sure the VW1025ES is great, but only 2200 lumens and no true frame-by-frame DTM (alike the new JVCs) from a laser projector at $40,000 leaves me wondering. Of course, if you can afford this, then you can easily afford a Lumagen or Envy as well.

[Robert Zohn]

Not sure we'll see any Dolby Vision HDR projectors anytime soon. Its Dolby holding back on the approval of a projector to have Dolby Vision HDR. Not sure we're missing much as the projectors do a good job measuring the peak luminance of every frame and managing the HDR10 tone mapping.

For our VW1025ES and even on my JVC NX9 we have Panasonic UB9000 with the HDR Optimizer set up properly. JVC's top technical specialist still recommends pairing their projectors with Panasonic's UB9000 and set the projector to the Frame Adapt mode.

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by 2pacalypsenow

Is it worth to wait till Sony releases a Projector with Dolby Vision?

Been itching to upgrade my 285.

Convert to SDR and enjoy has been my strategy for my 285. It does SDR perfect but HDR not so much.

I bought an HDR computer monitor but it does look better with that turned off. Maybe it needs adjustment or maybe it's just what I'm used to.

HDR is the video version of Spinal Tap's amps that go to 11.

[DrasticPlastic]

Originally Posted by bhampton

Convert to SDR and enjoy has been my strategy for my 285. It does SDR perfect but HDR not so much.

I bought an HDR computer monitor but it does look better with that turned off. Maybe it needs adjustment or maybe it's just what I'm used to.

HDR is the video version of Spinal Tap's amps that go to 11.

Have you tried using the custom German gamma curves? They make HDR look pretty darn good, even with low lamp mode.

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by DrasticPlastic

Have you tried using the custom German gamma curves? They make HDR look pretty darn good, even with low lamp mode.

Yeah, I had some fun with them when I first got my 285.

I prefer SDR for now because it resolves a need to constantly tweak the black level from HDR sources. Panasonic UHD player does a nice SDR/BT2020.

I'm thinking about my next projector or display at this point. I think I've had my 285 longer than any of my previous PJs.

-Brian

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by bhampton

Yeah, I had some fun with them when I first got my 285.

I prefer SDR for now because it resolves a need to constantly tweak the black level from HDR sources. Panasonic UHD player does a nice SDR/BT2020.

I'm thinking about my next projector or display at this point. I think I've had my 285 longer than any of my previous PJs.

-Brian

The JVC RS1000 would be a big step upward in every way. The HDR would be better with its true frame by frame DTM. Although with Cedia around the corner, I would wait and see what is announced.

[HDTV1080P]

Come on Sony give consumers Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10+ from a projector. JVC is the first projector company to offer HDR10+ with the new models being released in October of 2021.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...postcount=1340

[Scarriere]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

Come on Sony give consumers Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10+ from a projector. JVC is the first projector company to offer HDR10+ with the new models being released in October of 2021.



https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...postcount=1340

You're continually missing these posts:

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

Don't think you will ever see Sony or LG support HDR10+ and very little studio support for HDR10+.

Not sure we should care much about Dolby Vision as they lock out any changes on how they display the images so you can't take advantage of Panasonic HDR Optimizer or even more important Sony's excellent Dynamic HDR Enhancer.

Here's a cut and past from Sony's website that explains how the Dynamic HDR Enhancer works:

The Dynamic HDR Enhancer powered by X1 for projector delivers the best contrast by processing HDR content scene by scene. It further enhances the contrast in combination with laser and iris light output control, which makes bright scenes brighter and dark scenes darker to deliver compelling 4K HDR images.

I well expect Sony's new VW1025ES to be one of if not the best native 4K HDR triple laser projector in its class.

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

Not sure we'll see any Dolby Vision HDR projectors anytime soon. Its Dolby holding back on the approval of a projector to have Dolby Vision HDR. Not sure we're missing much as the projectors do a good job measuring the peak luminance of every frame and managing the HDR10 tone mapping.

For our VW1025ES and even on my JVC NX9 we have Panasonic UB9000 with the HDR Optimizer set up properly. JVC's top technical specialist still recommends pairing their projectors with Panasonic's UB9000 and set the projector to the Frame Adapt mode.

I have no dog in this fight.
The 1025ES is Champagne budget. I'm more beer budget 295ES.
I did enjoy my 55ES greatly when I had that set-up.

[HDTV1080P]

I read those posts. What I am looking for as a consumer is one projector that has all the HDR formats (like Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10+). Some 4K flat panel screens offer all the HDR formats. If I cannot have all the HDR formats, then I would want a projector that offers Dolby Vision HDR. If Dolby Vision HDR is not offered then I want a projector that has HDR10+.

My point is, unless Sony at least offers Dolby Vision HDR in the future in a few years, then I would be more interested in buying a JVC projector with HDR10+. Both Sony and JVC offer very nice LCOS projectors. When consumers are looking at native 4K LCOS projectors that cost between $10,000-$65,000, it would be nice if there was the same HDR selection that is offered on high end flat panels that offer all the HDR formats.

I am glad to see JVC offer HDR10+, it might mean Sony in the future might do the same or at least make negotiations with Dolby to get Dolby Vision HDR offered on a future Sony projector. One usually keeps their high-end projector 5-10 years before doing a upgrade. Other people upgrade their projector every year which is time consuming process for a ceiling mounted projector.

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

I'm sure the VW1025ES is great, but only 2200 lumens and no true frame-by-frame DTM (alike the new JVCs) from a laser projector at $40,000 leaves me wondering. Of course, if you can afford this, then you can easily afford a Lumagen or Envy as well.

How in the world does Sony justify the price of this thing given what JVC announced last week?!

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

How in the world does Sony justify the price of this thing given what JVC announced last week?!

The Sony VPL-GTZ380 is Sony’s top of the line projector for $80,000. It has 10,000 lumens 4K light engine, and is a better projector when compared to the $25,000 JVC except for the JVC has better HDR support like the exclusive HDR10+ feature.

https://electronics.sony.com/tv-vide...rs/p/vplgtz380

Now if you compared the Sony VPL-VW1025ES for $40,000 to the JVC DLA-NC9 (or DLA-RS4100) for $25,000. According to the specs (if the specs are accurate), the JVC is a better projector. Both projectors appear to have an 18 element glass lens. The Sony does not have HDR10+ and the Sony only has 2200 lumens. Both the Sony and JVC projectors have 4K light engines and I really do not care about the JVC’s 8K e-shift technology since I would rather have native 8K one day. The JVC projector is the worlds first projector to support native 8K input using a 4K light engine. The big advantage of the JVC is the HDR10+ feature and the 3,000 lumens. Sony has no HDR10+ and only 2,200 lumens.

Therefore, if the specs are correct the JVC is a better projector, when compared to the Sony and one saves $15,000. The JVC is a newer model and newer models generally use better technology. JVC appears to have returned to be the leader in LCOS projector technology over Sony. JVC for many years has made the best LCOS projectors.

However, a real world head to head testing between the JVC and Sony should be performed to verify the specs are correct. If the specs are correct the $15,000 cheaper JVC projector should outperform the Sony VPL-VW1025ES. However, the $80,000 Sony VPL-GTZ380 projector since it has 10,000 lumens well outperform the $25,000 JVC projector with 3,000 lumens when comparing standard HDR material. However, if HDR10+ material is available the JVC should have a slight advantage except for the 3,000 lumens being dimmer on the JVC compared to the $80,000 Sony with 10,000 lumens.

There might be other reasons why one projector is $15,000 cheaper. One projector could be made in a high-end automated factory in Japan and the other projector could be made in a high-end automated factory in China. But I do not know which countries these projectors were made in and one would have to do more research (Both Sony and JVC projectors could be made in the exact same country). Regardless of which projectors consumers choose there is a nice selection of projectors on the market that one can buy from Robert at Value Electronics or another authorized Sony or JVC dealer in the United States.

These projectors are designed to last 20,000 hours (maintenance free). So when one is not using them, turn them off. Should offer up to 10+ years of use.

https://electronics.sony.com/tv-vide...rs/p/vplgtz380

https://electronics.sony.com/tv-vide.../p/vplvw1025es

https://www.us.jvc.com/projectors/procision/dla_nz9/

https://www.us.jvc.com/projectors/procision/dla_rs4100/

[HDTV1080P]

Since April 15th 2021 Amazon has been shipping and stocking this $40,000 Sony projector.

Select quotes from a hands on user review from a AVS forum website:

“This is a hands-on review using a 1025ES review unit supplied by Sony. This non-technical hands-on primarily consisted of optimizing the projector for a 110” screen and screening a variety of content, ranging from live sports to video games to 4K HDR movies, both streaming and using a Kaleidescape Strato player (which is the subject of a separate review).”

“The VPL-VW1025ES delivers the finest picture quality I have experienced from any projector I’ve had in my home. Its performance transcends the medium and delivers immersion that is free of distraction, because as long as your source material is pristine, so it this projector’s presentation. But the benefit of the X1 for Projector processor goes well beyond handling 4K HDR. This projector is able to make “less than perfect” video , like 1080p streaming TV, look its very best, which is crucial when you are viewing it on a huge screen. The contrast, edge-to-edge uniformity, and brightness of this projector is such that, at least in my setup, the resulting picture looks like a gigantic OLED TV—even with some ambient light in the room.”

https://www.avsforum.com/threads/son...eview.3198667/