Sony VPL-XW5000ES

Verdict

This succesful big-screen beamer represents the entry-point for native 4K laser projection, with a value lower than half its nearest competitor. Sony has reduce a couple of corners to get there, however class-leading processing, fluid movement dealing with, and a strong HDR efficiency makes it definitely worth the journey.

Introduction

Whereas no-one is saying six grand is cheap, if you wish to keep away from pixel-shifting ‘wobulation’ or frame-flashing DLP trickery, the Sony VPL-XW5000ES is likely one of the most inexpensive methods to get native 4K projection.

The very fact it additionally has a long-life laser mild supply, cutting-edge picture processing, and class-leading movement dealing with solely makes the funding simpler to justify.

The lower cost level is partly potential because of a brand new SXRD chipset, however to assist preserve prices down additional, Sony makes use of a hybrid lens and a redesigned chassis, plus there’s no 3D, HDMI 2.1 or motorised lens controls. So is the Sony VPL-XW5000ES any good, and the way does it stack up towards different choices just like the Epson EH-LS12000 and JVC DLA-NZ7?

Design

• Hybrid plastic/glass lens
• Handbook lens controls
• Selection of black or white
• Backlit distant management

The Sony VPL-XW5000ES doesn’t look wildly completely different in comparison with earlier projectors from the model, with the same angled design, a centrally-mounted lens housed inside a grille that covers air intakes for cooling, and exhaust vents on the rear.

The XW5000ES measures 460 x 200 x 472mm (WxHxD), weighs in at 13kg, and is available in selection of matte black or matte white. The construct high quality is nice however nothing particular, which is to be anticipated given Sony is making an attempt to scale back pointless prices.

One space the place financial savings have been made is the lens, which is a glass and plastic hybrid. The controls for zoom, shift, and focus are additionally handbook, making exact setup tough, and precluding lens reminiscences for scope ratio (2.35:1) screens the place completely different settings are required for narrower facet ratios.

The connections are positioned in a recessed space alongside the left hand aspect as you face the projector, the place you’ll discover two HDMI 2.0 inputs, an Ethernet port and RS-232C connector, a 12V set off, an IR enter jack, and a USB port for energy.

The shortage of HDMI 2.1 inputs is disappointing, particularly contemplating the cheaper Epson LS12000 contains them. It’s not an enormous deal should you’re solely into motion pictures, however any next-gen players received’t be capable of take pleasure in taking part in at 4K 120Hz high-frame-rate.

The included distant is pretty giant, with a helpful backlight to be used in the dead of night. The buttons are sensibly laid out, it’s snug to carry and use with one hand, and contains all of the controls you’ll must setup and function the VPL-XW5000. There are additionally some fundamental controls on the aspect of the projector, simply above the connections, which could come in useful should you ever misplace the distant.

Options

• Phosphor laser mild supply
• 4K (3840 x 2160) SXRD chipset
• X1 Final processor
• Dynamic HDR Enhancer
• IMAX Enhanced

The Sony VPL-XW5000ES makes use of three of the model’s new 0.61-inch SXRD chips to ship native 4K (3840 x 2160) photographs. The projector has a refresh price of 120Hz, though as a result of HDMI limitations this solely applies to resolutions as much as 2K (1920 x 1080).

The XW5000 additionally features a laser phosphor mild supply, with a claimed peak brightness of two,000 lumens and claimed lifespan as much as 20,000 hours. That mainly means you possibly can watch a movie a day for the subsequent ten years with out worrying concerning the picture dimming like a lamp.

The inclusion of large dynamic vary optics, and Sony’s Triluminos Professional algorithm guarantees deeper blacks, extra saturated colors and improved distinction ratios. Sony’s newest X1 Final processor additionally presents superior picture processing and realtime optimisation of the image, which is an simple power of the model.

There’s additionally object-based HDR remastering and dynamic HDR enhancement, with help for HDR10, HLG, and even IMAX Enhanced content material. Though I don’t know what the latter means, provided that IMAX Enhanced content material makes use of the identical requirements as some other 4K/HDR video content material.

Lastly, there’s Motionflow body interpolation for fast-paced sports activities motion, and a low-latency sport mode for a diminished enter lag. Within the case of the latter, I measured the enter lag at anyplace between 12ms and 28ms relying on the body price, which is superb for a projector.

So what’s lacking? Properly as I discussed, there aren’t any motorised lens controls and thus no lens reminiscences for wider screens. There’s additionally no help for 3D, and the dearth of HDMI 2.1 help not solely means there’s no 4K/120Hz, but additionally no help for HDR10+ with dynamic metadata.

Efficiency

• Spectacular picture processing
• Good HDR tone mapping
• Fluid movement dealing with
• Very low enter lag

The Sony VPL-XW5000ES delivers some genuinely spectacular native 4K photos that comprise loads of element, whereas the general uniformity and geometry is equally good. The laser mild supply additionally performs its half, producing adequate brightness to carry its personal on bigger screens and in rooms with a variety of ambient mild.

The smaller SXRD chipset and hybrid lens end in a picture that isn’t as sharp as earlier Sony projectors, however Actuality Creation element enhancement applies sharpening so subtle that it doesn’t introduce undesirable artefacts, thus enhancing the perceived decision and defining particulars that may in any other case seem smooth.

The X1 Final processor is the right instance of Sony’s imaging prowess. For those who ship the XW5000 a top quality supply, you’ll be rewarded with an image that makes full use of the projector’s native 4K panel, with upscaling that produces big-screen photographs which can be detailed and freed from any undesirable artefacts.

Movement is one other Sony sturdy level, and the XW5000 additionally proved to be very achieved on this regard. Watching regular content material the movement dealing with appeared fluid and freed from judder or different artefacts, even when Motionflow isn’t engaged, though for quick sports activities this body interpolation function may be useful. For those who’re a film fan the True Theatre mode is your finest wager, as a result of it retains the 24 frames per a second that’s essential to the look of movie.

The Reference mode is probably the most correct out-of-the-box setting when it comes to the business requirements, though For those who’re in search of a bit extra influence you possibly can use the Vivid Cinema image mode. Nevertheless, this setting isn’t as correct because the Reference mode, leading to bluer whites and extra saturated colors.

There are settings to regulate the laser brightness, and the Dynamic Management manipulates distinction. This may enhance some darker scenes on the expense of brightness, however this does are inclined to crush shadow particulars. If this projector has one weak spot it’s the black ranges, and whereas actually higher than LCD and DLP projectors, the Sony struggles to succeed in the inky blacks of the JVCs, showing a darkish gray as compared.

There’s help for HDR10 and HLG, however not HDR10+ because of the lack of HDMI 2.1 inputs, placing this projector at an obstacle to the Epson and JVC beamers, which help the dynamic metadata format. Sony claims the large dynamic vary optics can attain 95% of DCI-P3, however the XW5000 solely hit 83% in my checks. Nevertheless, the greyscale and color accuracy are each good, and the tone mapping exactly tracks the business goal.

Sony’s Dynamic HDR Enhancer is its model of JVC’s dynamic tone mapping, and makes use of frame-by-frame evaluation of the incoming HDR sign to regulate the tone mapping dynamically by way of pixel processing and the facility of the laser mild supply. The outcomes may be good, however getting the perfect HDR photographs typically requires a little bit of tweaking.

The XW5000 appears nice with brighter HDR content material, the place the mix of the laser mild supply and efficient tone mapping ship punchy and detailed photos. The sun-bleached desert vistas in Dune look very detailed, with no clipping within the highlights, whereas the snowy landscapes in The Revenant actually pop as daylight glints off the ice.

The XW5000 might have a restricted gamut, however it dealt with the intentionally exaggerated colors of Pixar’s Inside Out extraordinarily properly, and when mixed with the brilliant highlights and exact tone mapping the photographs actually popped. Nevertheless, relating to darker scenes the Sony can wrestle, and it typically failed to select all of the shadow element in The Batman’s darkish and rain-soaked images.

This projector is licensed for IMAX Enhanced viewing, however after I placed on the IMAX Enhanced 4K disc of Zombieland: Double Faucet, it didn’t robotically interact the IMAX Enhanced mode and I needed to choose it manually. In direct comparability with the Reference mode, the 2 seemed equivalent, which is sensible once you realise that each one 4K content material makes use of the identical set of requirements. File beneath advertising and marketing gimmick.

Lastly, the Sony VPL-XW5000ES is a superb projector for players, which makes the dearth of 4K 120Hz help all of the extra disappointing. Due to its vibrant photos, detailed imaging, and wonderful movement dealing with, this beamer delivers an gratifying gaming expertise. The efficiency with each SDR and HDR is nice, and within the devoted sport mode the general sport play is buttery easy and extremely responsive.

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