Sony VPL-VW60 "Black Pearl"

[Ben]

Any VPL-VW60 users on the boards? I upgraded to the Black Pearl about a week ago and have been astounded with its quality. I've previously used the Mitsubishi HC5000, Panasonic AE1000 and the JVC RS1. The Sony is far superior...

Would love to hear any feedback from other Black Pearl users!

[Beta Man]

Not a current owner, but I did a lot of research on this, and this is the one I'm getting now that I got the green light from the wife..... just trying to find the best deal on it, but it's pretty reasonable right now.

What screen do you use?

[larryj763]

I purchased the 50 shortly after it came out. At the time, I had an almost 12 year old Sharp projector. I've been VERY happy with the 50 and was projecting on just a plain white wall. Friends of mine who saw it with Blu said it was they best picture they'd ever seen.

I'm just now in the process of installing a screen. I purchased a Stewart Filmscreen. I won't probably know the results until May, as slowly as the room remodel is going, but if I was happy with a plain white wall, I can't wait to see it on the screen. (96" wide)

All that said, it seems many reviews seem to think there are better projectors out there for the money than the Sony. But I can't imagine you're going to be unhappy with it, given my experiences.

[welwynnick]

I'd expect the VW60 to be better than the HC5000, AE1000, TW1000 and VW50.

I'd also expect it to be comparable with the RS1.

The only projectors better than the VW60 might be the JVC RS2, and some of the big ticket Sim2 and Marantz PJs.

If anyone has any strongly different experience to this, I would be very pleased to hear, as I'm thinking about getting one, too!

I currently have an Optoma HD80, and am also considering the HD1 and Epson 1080UB.

regards, Nick

[Uxi]

I'm planning on getting one myself.

[bhampton]

I use a Sony VPH G70 but plan to get a black pearl next time I buy.

The G70 may last me for another 10 years though... that could be a problem.

-Brian

[RickD]

I am using a VPL-VW50 right now and it is amazing, so I imagine the VPL-VW60 is amazing +10.

I am projecting at about 80" wide on a DIY screen made of plain white fabric.

Rick

[sokrman14]

I have one on display at my work and it is breathtaking. It is definitely worth the money. You can save a little and still get a 50, but the 60 is definitely worth the extra money. It runs virtually silent and doesnt over heat. It also has a very crisp image and great color with a good contrast.

[AlaskaDon]

I've been using the VPL-VW50 for about 5-6 months now and it's fantastic. I was a little concerned with some of the reviews I read pre-purchase that said it was a little lacking in the sharpness department, but went for it anyway and I couldn't be happier.

I'm using a 100" DIY screen that I made using black-out cloth which I purchased from the fabric shop. I did the frame out of 1 X 4's which I wrapped in black velvet. I get a better picture than what they have with the display model at my local BBY and the screen they have there cost $1000 while my lowly project cost me less than $80

Has anybody here seen a VW200 in action? I bet that thing is pretty sweet, but $15k is just a little bit steep lol

[bhampton]

I read a good review of the VW40 which is yet another new sony Sxrd pj which is even cheaper.

I've been following the Sxrd projectors for years.. The Qualia (or whatever it was) cost something like 20K then the Ruby cost 10K then the pearl was like 5K and now the Black pearl is usually 4K and now this vw40 is available for 3K.

I love the way these are getting better and cheaper and hope that I can buy in soon.

In the meantime I love my Sony CRT FP and it continues to impress me. I hope in a year or two I can pick up the vw40 or whatever the latest sxrd pj is.

-Brian

[Big Daddy]

The Sony VPL-VW60 is an excellent projector. It won the European projector of the year in 2007. Read the following reviews:

http://www.projectorreviews.com/sony/vpl-vw60/index.php

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/hdt...projector.html

http://www.projectorcentral.com/sony..._projector.htm

http://www.hometheatermag.com/frontp.../1107sonyvw60/

[jd213]

It was my first projector, got it back in early September when they were first released in Japan, where it retails for about $1000 less than in the US. Have it projecting onto a 100" high-contrast Kikuchi Chemical (makers or partners with Stewart in Japan since they sell their screens here) screen and couldn't be more satisfied.

[hometheaterguy]

I bought my VPL-VW60 in January, just in time for the Superbowl. Awesome picture! I've got a Pioneer Elite 94TXH reciever running an HD DVR from Dishnetwork, XBOX 360 with HD Player and a Sony Blu-ray player. I bought HDMI hookups for everything going into the reciever and out to the projector. Picture and sound quality are perfect. I had to little setup out of the box for the projector. I'm projecting onto a 121" Elite Cinetension2 Motorized Screen, 1.1 contrast, in a dedicated room. I highly recommend the VW60. Check E-bay or similar sites for prices that beat MSRP at your local strores. I saved 30% buying from E-bay, I was concerned about shipping, but the projector was packed very well and had no problems.

[welwynnick]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

The Sony VPL-VW60 is an excellent projector. It won the European projector of the year in 2007. Read the following reviews:

http://www.projectorreviews.com/sony/vpl-vw60/index.php

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/hdt...projector.html

http://www.projectorcentral.com/sony..._projector.htm

http://www.hometheatermag.com/frontp.../1107sonyvw60/

Sony claimed a spectacular 35k FOFO contrast for the VW60. Those tests above, plus UltimateAV, yielded actual measurements of between 8700 and 16700 depending on the settings and the method. Seems that measurement accuracy is an issue if the black is measured off the screen in the usual position, as the level is so low. A tiny absolute error in measuring blacks means a big error in contrast ratio. I think these guys are not being very smart by dividing 15 foot-lamberts by 0.001. Does any one know of any other good, independant, accurate, measurements?

Nick

[JohnAlden]

Originally Posted by Ben

Any VPL-VW60 users on the boards? I upgraded to the Black Pearl about a week ago and have been astounded with its quality. I've previously used the Mitsubishi HC5000, Panasonic AE1000 and the JVC RS1. The Sony is far superior...

Would love to hear any feedback from other Black Pearl users!

Are you going to use an Panamorph lens with that Sony 1080p projector? Someday I am going to get the Panasonic 1080p projector and get an Home Theaters Brothers-AR lens...cheaper then some of those other anamorphic lens.

[Ben]

Originally Posted by JohnAlden

Are you going to use an Panamorph lens with that Sony 1080p projector? Someday I am going to get the Panasonic 1080p projector and get an Home Theaters Brothers-AR lens...cheaper then some of those other anamorphic lens.

A Panamorph lens is my next major purchase (along with a 2.40:1 screen). I'm thinking, due to the expense, that it might be a fair bit of time before I do the upgrade, though...

[JohnAlden]

Originally Posted by Ben

A Panamorph lens is my next major purchase (along with a 2.40:1 screen). I'm thinking, due to the expense, that it might be a fair bit of time before I do the upgrade, though...

http://www.hometheaterbrothers.com/23901.html, Some AVSforum members have said that it is A good lens for an inexpensive price.

[Ben]

Originally Posted by JohnAlden

http://www.hometheaterbrothers.com/23901.html, Some AVSforum members have said that it is A good lens for an inexpensive price.

Looks great! Now, just add a few grand for the appropriate screen and we're in business!

Anyone want to buy a 110" 1.78:1 projection screen?

[JohnAlden]

Originally Posted by Ben

Looks great! Now, just add a few grand for the appropriate screen and we're in business!

Anyone want to buy a 110" 1.78:1 projection screen?

Well, any thing thing to help A felllow blu-ray member. http://www.carada.com/Video-Projecto...eens-2-35.aspx.they have 2:35:1 projector screens rageing from 600 to 800 dollars. I know my stuff pretty well...at least I know how to save money also. In the future I will be doing one of these setups. I am pretty happy with 42" 1080p lcd tv right now.

[jhansla]

Originally Posted by JohnAlden

Well, any thing thing to help A felllow blu-ray member. http://www.carada.com/Video-Projecto...eens-2-35.aspx.they have 2:35:1 projector screens rageing from 600 to 800 dollars. I know my stuff pretty well...at least I know how to save money also. In the future I will be doing one of these setups. I am pretty happy with 42" 1080p lcd tv right now.

Don't really know much about aspect ratio's and all but I was just curious if I was to purchase a 2:35:1 screen it would eliminate the black bars, but how would a movie with the aspect ratio 1:78:1 look? Or even regular cable?