Sony VPLHW30ES

[Ryan Peddle]

After a long and difficult search, I have selected my projector as the VPLHW30ES. Looks like a really solid machine from all the reviews. Not one real specific strong point, and not one real specific weak point. Just a good overall machine that puts out a stellar pic for 2D and 3D. Enough brightness to handle 3D decently along with my Black Diamond G3 1.4 gain screen.

http://hometheaterreview.com/sony-vp...ctor-reviewed/

Had narrowed down my options to four brands. Runco, Pana, Mits, and Sony. For the longest time I was going to go with a Runco LS5. But decided to save some additional money and wait for LED/Laser tech to become more widely available. So I am looking to get 2 to 3 years out of the Sony.

I selected the Sony because it seemed like a really well rounded projector. Not super bright, but enough for the 3D side of things, little crosstalk, good handling of motion, strong black levels, good for gaming...just a good, very well rounded unit.

The one thing that it lacks (anamorphic ability) is the one thing that I dont have any requirement for as I am going 16:9 at 100". Although 2.35:1 would be preferred, it just cant work in my current config.

Basement is still in progress, and I need to update my gallery pics, but I should have it up and running by mid Oct and supply some pics.

[bluman1981]

I just went from an Epson 5010 to a JVC RS45 and I love it. The Epson was a great unit but had a powering off issue and got a new replacement from Epson and decided to sell it and try something else. I haven't tried the 3D yet, not a big 3D guy, but the 2D on the JVC is amazing. The blacks are unreal. The Epson was nice but the JVC is in another league. No iris and none needed. I looked at the Sony you decided on but went JVC. I also have a Black Diamond Screen. Its a 100" .8 gain G3 16:9

[PaniqL]

i have been looking for a projector and am in pretty much the same position.
I Chose the Optoma HD82 which is about £1800 but thought i might as well get a 3D Projector, i then looked at the HD83 and looking at the specs its just the HD82 but better with 3D Compatibility. But it was getting bad reviews compared with the HD82.

I Then looked and found the Sony VPL-HW30ES and looks great just like you said. there is a rather long thread over at AVS Forums and all there is is good reviews.

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1353988/of...-owners-thread

[Mr.Twinks]

The Sony is a great unit for all things 2d/3d and gaming. I agree that JVC has spectacular 2d/black level performance.

[EMAGDNIM]

If your room is not up and running yet, I'd hold out for more news on the new HW50ES.

[Ryan Peddle]

Originally Posted by EMAGDNIM

If your room is not up and running yet, I'd hold out for more news on the new HW50ES.

Thanks for the tip. I knew about the 50ES about a week ago, and thus got a smoking deal on the 30. Since I am thinking of using the 30ES for a 2 to 3 year period and then reviewing the technology again for a possible upgrade, I wasn't interested about getting the "2013" model at the initial release pricing, rather, I am getting the clearout pricing on the 2012 model.

Kind of like buying a car. I can wait until the 2013 cars are out on the market and then start shopping for a great deal on the 2012 model.

More on why I bought the 30ES, I wanted a great all around performer. The Runco was better in every way in 2D at over twice the price, but has no 3D, which I wanted for the sake of it. The Mits was great but they didn't have a real good deal on clearout models. The Panasonic 7000 looks like a real winner on many fronts, but I remember seeing it at the Panasonic show last year and it didn't blow my mind in 3D, heavy on crosstalk and noise. So it came back down to the Sony and a really good deal.

I will be able to make my theatre room perfectly black, so I will have one setting for a blacked out room. But I want to also have a great picture with at least four of the six potlights on for things like guys night (watching MMA fights or Superbowl). It seemed when combined with the Black Diamond Screen, I can achieve this best with the Sony.

Then in 2 years we will see how 4K and LED/Laser technology has come along and do an upgrade, selling off the 30ES and making some money back on my initial purchase.

[EMAGDNIM]

Originally Posted by Ryan Peddle

Thanks for the tip. I knew about the 50ES about a week ago, and thus got a smoking deal on the 30. Since I am thinking of using the 30ES for a 2 to 3 year period and then reviewing the technology again for a possible upgrade, I wasn't interested about getting the "2013" model at the initial release pricing, rather, I am getting the clearout pricing on the 2012 model.

Kind of like buying a car. I can wait until the 2013 cars are out on the market and then start shopping for a great deal on the 2012 model.

I totally get that as I did the same for my JVC DLA-RS55 that I picked up a little while ago. The dealer had given me a price I couldn't refuse, so I jumped on it.

[Ryan Peddle]

Originally Posted by EMAGDNIM

I totally get that as I did the same for my JVC DLA-RS55 that I picked up a little while ago. The dealer had given me a price I couldn't refuse, so I jumped on it.

Same here basically. Like I said, I wanted a well rounded projector that can handle various situations, not just dedicated HT, which it will need to do, but also TV/sports and gaming. Movies are my primary usage and the main focal point.

Now I just need to figure out where within the throw range do I want to projector. Closer to the minimum distance or the maximum distance.

[Ryan Peddle]

Looks like ideal would be 14.5 feet away with using a tiny bit of zoom, and with the 1.4 gain screen I would be pulling in around 20+ FL. Good for a ambient room when necessary. What do you guys think?

[EMAGDNIM]

How big is your screen again?

[Ryan Peddle]

The screen will be 16:9, 100" 1.4 gain.

[Almadacr]

You should be more between 12ft and 13ft for a 100" screen .

[Ryan Peddle]

Originally Posted by Almadacr

You should be more between 12ft and 13ft for a 100" screen .

Why? Wouldnt i be using almost all the zoom and be pushing close to 30fl?

[Mr.Twinks]

Originally Posted by Almadacr

You should be more between 12ft and 13ft for a 100" screen .

That is the distance (12.2 ft) I have my HW30. I used the screen/pj calculator http://www.projectorcentral.com/Sony...htm?add=7040Op You will enjoy the 3D performance of the Pj, also gaming is great with HW30.

[Ryan Peddle]

Originally Posted by Mr.Twinks

That is the distance (12.2 ft) I have my HW30. I used the screen/pj calculator http://www.projectorcentral.com/Sony...htm?add=7040Op You will enjoy the 3D performance of the Pj, also gaming is great with HW30.

Hey MT. Like your setup. Very similar screen to mine. 100" 16:9. Your using the Solar 1.3, I'll have the Black Diamond 1.4.

There really isn't a lot of info on perfect placement. I was thinking of 14ft due to my wiring being further back to accomodate future projectors with less flexibility. But if the perfect position is the middle mark from the projector calculator, I will use that and run some conduit.

[EMAGDNIM]

Originally Posted by Ryan Peddle

The screen will be 16:9, 100" 1.4 gain.

Ah okay. It seems like you like having added brightness (Based on some of your posts).

The general rule is, closer=brighter, further=added contrast.

[Ryan Peddle]

Originally Posted by EMAGDNIM

Ah okay. It seems like you like having added brightness (Based on some of your posts).

The general rule is, closer=brighter, further=added contrast.

So having the lens at 14 ft should work just fine. I will still have 20+ FL (24 by projector central). Plus good contrast at that distance. And since I will be able to shut off the 2 front potlights at the front of the room, that should help as well. I'm not looking for perfection, but as close as freakin possible within my budget right. I think that's what we are all looking for.

[Ryan Peddle]

Looks like the 50ES will only be a slight improvement over the 30ES. Built in transmitter, slightly higher CR (probably due to quicker DI), and the 4K upscaling.

Not enough for me to justify not buying the 30ES. Especially for the price difference.

Need LED and real 4K for me to take the next plunge.

[EMAGDNIM]

Originally Posted by Ryan Peddle

So having the lens at 14 ft should work just fine. I will still have 20+ FL (24 by projector central). Plus good contrast at that distance. And since I will be able to shut off the 2 front potlights at the front of the room, that should help as well. I'm not looking for perfection, but as close as freakin possible within my budget right. I think that's what we are all looking for.

Having 20+ FL is plenty bright for a 100" screen. You will love the punchy image.

[Ryan Peddle]

Originally Posted by EMAGDNIM

Having 20+ FL is plenty bright for a 100" screen. You will love the punchy image.

Awesome. I am really wanting a punchy picture. Blacks are important as well and that is why I am keeping the projector back a little from the centre spot.

Right now I am mapping the ceiling out for the projector and running some CAT 6 cable in the ceiling to the front of the screen and have the transmitter sit atop my CC690. I am also running another Cat 6 back to the equipment rack in the event I run a remote system like Control 4.