Gadgets and Gizmos

Sony VPL-VW200

The new VPL-VW60 and VPL-VW200 incorporate SXRD technology to enhance the image which may be achieved at large scale. This is done by minimizing the gap between individual pixels, helping to reduce the grid-like effect which is sometimes seen with projected images.

And with an image size of 80 inches able to be achieved from a minimum distance of 2.5 meters between the projector and the screen, the units could be good for most lounges around the country.

The VPL-VW200 is the most color-accurate front projector we’ve seen for less than $30,000, and it basically smokes anything at or near its price range in overall image accuracy.

Sony must have listened to our incessant complaining about inaccurate primary and secondary colors, as the company has delivered near perfection in that area.

This unit also adds some really flexible setup features, and it looks great hanging from the ceiling. As of this writing, the Sony VPL-VW200 is the new high-end projector to beat.

The VPL-VW200 is loaded with a number of useful features–and a few you need to be warned against using. Sony gets the unofficial “feature of the year award” in the projector category with its Panel Adjust feature, which enables you to move the LCoS panels to improve alignment, much like converging a CRT’s three guns.

It is the most comprehensive feature of its kind, and it even includes a Zone option that lets you tweak red and blue anomalies all around the screen.

Measuring both 1080p and 1080i at the HDMI inputs, the amplitude was down a bit, indicating a slight loss of resolution because of the internal scaling. The same thing was visible on the HD DVD version of Silicon Optix HQV test disc.

This area of performance could stand some improvement, though it isn’t a major knock. Notably, the Sony passed both of HQV’s resolution loss tests, indicating proper de-interlacing of 1080i material.

Overall picture quality, Sony’s VPL-VW200 is simply the best projector in its class by a wide margin. Most notably, the company has done an excellent job of significantly improving color accuracy over the earlier VPL-VW100, and the VW200 exhibited the most accurate color we’ve seen from just about any projector, with the exception of the ultra high-end Runco units.