It used to be the case that projectors were noisy, hot, and expensive pieces of kit that suffered from low resolution and limited brightness. But 2017 certainly looks like the year that changes. Back in June we got a 100-inch 4K projector from Dell for $5,999, now Sony is unveiling its own $5,000 4K projector at CEDIA 2017 in San Diego.
Touted as both a true 4K projector and entry-level model, the Sony VPL-VW285ES is capable of 4K HDR visuals on a screen size of up to 200-inches. Sony promises 6,000 hour lamp life on a projected screen taking advantage of Triluminos Display technology, which allows for a wider range of colors to be displayed.
If you want to move up the quality scale, Sony also unveiled the VPL-VW385ES. The price increases to $8,000, but in return you get a projector with Advanced Iris technology. This apparently adds "vivid, lifelike detail" to both bright highlights and dark scenes. It looks like this will be the projector Sony recommends for gamers wanting to hook up a PS4 Pro or Xbox One X. Both the VPL-VW285ES and VPL-VW385ES are available now.
Finally, we have the new, top-of-the-line projector in the form of the Sony VPL-VW885ES Compact True 4K HDR Projector, which takes advantage of a laser light source. That's a lot of cash to spend, but in return you get brightness rated at 2,000 lumens, real-time light level control (called Infinite Dynamic Contrast), and a lamp life of 20,000 hours, which is over three times that of the entry-level 4K projector. It's also meant to be whisper quiet.
Other Sony tech crammed into this compact laser projector includes the same Triluminos Display as the VPL-VW285ES for a broader color range, but it is supplemented by Reality Creation technology and Sony's Motionflow feature. Together they allow for a much crisper picture quality and enhanced detail without sharpening picture noise. Add to that the ability to deal with very fast on-screen motion smoothly. The VPL-VW885ES will be available from November 1.