Sony VPL-VW290ES / VW325ES 4k projector REVIEW

[@cameralabs]

NEWS: Sony has launched a new, laser model: www.cameralabs.com/sony-vpl-xw5000es-4k-laser-projector-review/ I review Sony's most 'affordable' native 4k projector! USA: Sony 325ES at B&H: bhpho.to/3Gv3OCi UK: Sony 290ES at Bespoke: www.bespoke-sav.co.uk/ Buy Gordon a coffee: www.paypal.me/cameralabs Gordon's In Camera book: amzn.to/2n61PfI / Amazon uk: amzn.to/2mBqRVZ Cameralabs merchandise: redbubble.com/people/cameralabs/shop Gordon’s retro gear channel: kzbin.info Equipment used for producing my videos Sony A6400: amzn.to/3hul53c Sony e 24mm f1.8: amzn.to/2TqWNzk Rode NT USB mic: amzn.to/3AdHcUp Rode Wireless Go II mic: amzn.to/3xkCvGo Rode Lavalier Go mic: amzn.to/3ygzzKY Godox UL150 light: amzn.to/2VpVbXE Godox QR-P70 softbox: amzn.to/3yQfGdF MacBook Pro 14in (16GB / 1TB): bhpho.to/3HiafJL 00:00 - intro 06:28 - installation, zoom, focus, shift 09:25 - results from Blu Ray 11:08 - results from Apple TV 4k 15:31 - verdict As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

[@spotshooter1]

325es owner here... I came to the same conclusion, Apple TV 4K set to SDR and Reference/low power bulb produced the best results. HDR had terrible shadow compression banding and drove me nuts. SDR has great color and sharpness. Very happy considering I bought my projector on close-out at 1/2 price. Thanks for this great review.

[@Dave_Stafford]

Nice surprise to see a review like this pop up. Had a projector years ago and absolutely loved it. Amazing to see how much they've moved on. Great review and just might be the trigger to explore again... thanks!

[@cameralabs]

You're welcome! With giant TVs becoming affordable, projectors have found themselves in an increasingly niche market, but for screens above 100in they still have a place! The image from this one was fantastic.

[@Dave_Stafford]

@@cameralabs Yep, something different and watching a movie is more of an event..

[@rp20010]

A fine projector. I'm very impressed with the image sharpness and 1080p upscaling. The X1 for projector chip really makes this a strong option for UHD HDR playback.

[@Jatinda]

Great review Gordon. Our Panasonic PT AE 6000E has just developed an image problem with lines down the picture which I believe is not cost effective to get it repaired. I've switched back to our backup projector for now. Never been a Sony projector fan but things seem to have moved on a long way these days. Thanks for the info. :)

[@cameralabs]

You're welcome! I hear of various issues with most projectors over time, but I'm still smitten with the picture from this one!

[@EagerSnake]

If you can have a controlled environment, then a projector is amazing. That feeling of having a huge screen in front of you is just out of this world. Yes, OLED is getting cheaper and it looks utterly incredible, even the cheap ones, but, but, the feeling of these little wonders is unique. I'm still saving to get one, I just moved to Italy, and I'm finding pretty hard to get the receiver I wanted from Sony here, at least for now. I don't know if you have kids Gordon, but I'm diying to get one of these so I can show my daughter a movie in an environment like this. She's just 3 months old hahaha, so, I have time so save some money. Anyway, thanks for the review. As always, Sony is really doing amazing av products.

[@cameralabs]

Glad you enjoyed it - and yes, having a dark cinema room is great for the kids, when you can get them away from short-form content!

[@handcoding]

This projector review was such a pleasant surprise! I’m actually in the market for a new 4K projector myself, so your timing couldn’t have been better. And if you might be up for doing more reviews along these lines, I think that’d be fantastic!

[@cameralabs]

You are very welcome Ashley! I really loved this model and as I said at the end, I'm looking at buying it myself soon. They're not cheap, especially compared to 1080 or pixel-shifting pseudo-4k models, but I've not seen anything to beat the quality.

[@handcoding]

@@cameralabs This Sony projector sounds really promising, but I’m also looking for a projector that can semicompetently handle HDR content? And while it sounds like this projector’s high mode can do that, I’m a bit wary of the fan noise that you had mentioned? In my case, my projector is 1.6 m (5′ 6″) above my ears-do you think that the projector’s high-mode fan noise would be an issue at that distance?

[@cameralabs]

@@handcoding depends if the back wall is immediately behind you or further back. Mine is right behind me with the projector 1m above my head and I found it too loud in High mode, so while it will be quieter in yours, it will still be quite audible. Depends how much that bothers you. BUT note no projector can really handle HDR anywhere near like a TV can. They don't have enough range, so they all fudge it to some degree. I would recommend forgetting HDR on a projector and seeing how they compare in their lower bulb modes, in this case very well! See if you can get a demo.

[@handcoding]

@@cameralabs That’s all handy advice! And in my case, my projector is about 4 m (13′) from the front wall about 4.5 m (15′) from the back wall. (The room as a whole is about 8.5 m × 4.5 m / 28′ × 15′.) And all in all, I appreciate your insights about this. Thank you!

[@cameralabs]

@@handcoding your bigger room will certainly make it sound quieter than mine, so you might be ok, but I'd still not worry too much about achieving meaningful HDR on a projector. Good luck!

[@Aetherhole]

Loved seeing this review even though I am more of a tv panel guy. I had a projector but the constant looming of “I have used xxxx amount of hours already on my bulb” just was too much. And also now with HDR content the dynamic range of the modern TVs is just much more appealing. Additionally, having small children at that time made enjoying a PJ setup not the most ideal. Still, love the content! Love to see more!

[@cameralabs]

Thanks! I was also anxious about bulb life when I got my first projector, but over 15 years it's not been a big issue for normal TV and movie viewing for me. Several thousand hours is longer than it sounds for normal use, it's only if you game on it - which you wouldn't as their response is too slow - that you burn through hours of life. But I agree, the appeal of HDR on a standard TV is also a nice experience! I have a 55in LG OLED and it's tonal range is amazing. But my projector screen is over 4x the area!

[@Akvinat]

JVC projectors are known to be quieter than regular, and have a very good picture quality. It would be interesting to see the review as I am on the market for projector right now and noise level is of crucial importance for me...

[@cameralabs]

Yes I'm interested in the JVC models too, but I don't have any contacts there unfortunately. There are lots of reviews of projectors online though.

[@Akvinat]

Looks like I will be getting JVC 1080p with the D-ILA technology. There are cheaper 4k projectors, but from what I see qualify of pixels is more important than quantity - I prefer my 720p projector to 4k TV.

[@cameralabs]

@@Akvinat hope it works out for you.

[@luckyqualmi]

I never had a TV since I moved out of my parents home almost 30 years ago. Instead I started with a huge DIY Beamer made out of stripped down LCD-Displays, after that I had a used Sanyo PLV-Z2 I think, that I got cheap. Repaired and sold it for more than it cost me, got a used PLV-Z3 instead, did the same again and later a used Z4. The last one I got maybe 15years ago is a used Sanyo PLV-Z700 and this one is still running every night. Overall I payed ~1000€ incl. good "ruby" lamps in these 30 years, had a huge picture (still bigger than the biggest modern TVs) years before most while others bought several TVs that broke down every few years. So overall, I'm glad with my chosen path. :)

[@cameralabs]

Sounds like a good plan!

[@mattdp846]

A projector video, I like.

[@NikCan66]

Excellent review and hopefully an 8k version will be interesting

[@cameralabs]

Thanks! 8k would be interesting but only for giant commercial screens. The pixel pitch of 4k even on a 120in screen at 3.5m away is invisible. In fact a lot of commercial cinemas only use 4k.

[@NikCan66]

@@cameralabs thanks for the update and the technical information was a joy to listen to.

[@badgastein2]

The Sony 5000 laser projector is now available for £4999 - cheaper than the bulb VW290ES, by joining the Richer Sounds VIP Club - UK only.

[@cameralabs]

do you represent Richer Sounds?

[@CaseTheCorvetteMan]

You sure do bang on a lot about the fans!! They're not that loud really, they're marginally quieter than my old Barco Cine 9 and significantly quieter than my NEC XG. I can't hear the Barco during a movie, (so obviously can't hear the Sony either, it is mounted to the side of my Cine 9) and despite how loud that NEC is, i could hardly hear that during a movie either when it was in my cinema room. Sure as hell couldn't hear it when i was gaming on it!!

[@cameralabs]

A classic case of your mileage may vary. It really depends how close the projector is to you - mine is only 1m above my head, plus the surrounding installation could reflect and make it worse, and you'll obviously notice more during quiet sequences. And as you mentioned, it depends what you were using before. I notice it, and it's way louder than my previous model, BUT ultimately I still bought it as I like everything else about it.

[@CaseTheCorvetteMan]

@@cameralabs yes for sure, but it isn't loud. My Barco has 7 fans in it, you'd certainly hear it, but watching a movie i'm not concentrating on listening for fans. It is mounted directly above my head.

[@striff]

Thanks for this, I'm considering this or JVC NP5 NP5 is a tad dearer, but seems like it gets a lot more people suggesting this over the VW290ES I too can't watch DLP projectors....

[@LittleMountainLife]

Holy crap! $5,500! Yeah I guess I’ll have to wait another few years to get my first 4K projector.

[@cameralabs]

Yeah, that was my feeling too. 1080p projectors are affordable, but native 4k ones are expensive and just haven't gone down in price over the years. I waited over five years and they've only gone up! So it's a case of either buying a TV, accepting a pixel-shifting pretend-4k model, or ponying up the cash!

[@Akvinat]

I've just recently seen a price of 8k projector... most cars are cheaper than that...

[@nebtheweb8885]

@@Akvinat Cars haven't been $8,000 in over 25 years or more. Average New-Car Price Tops $46,000.

[@Akvinat]

@@nebtheweb8885 DLA-NZ9 is $24999, maybe a little less expensive than an average new car, I agree.

[@TimofejNenarokov]

Gordon are you me? Coffee, cameras, hi-fi and home cinemas, all things i like a lot ((((((((((((:

[@cameralabs]

I think there's quite a lot of crossover (pun intended!) between imaging and AV hobbies!

[@TimofejNenarokov]

@@cameralabs absolutely

[@SinaFarhat]

Nice! You seem to get a good amount of features and picture quality for that cost! Have a good week!

[@cameralabs]

Thanks!

[@Sabundy]

That is one beautiful projector 😃

[@cameralabs]

It sure is!

[@tanhockjun]

For the first sec while I was watching this video,I thought I was watching Dino bytes... :P

[@cameralabs]

Hah! Yeah maybe if it were a vintage projector!

[@marvinabugov4579]

No mention of calibration or the need to? Why did resolution 4096 (only saw 3840) not show up in the info screen?

[@cameralabs]

Because I was sending a 3840 signal which the projector was scaling to 4096

[@salehkambijo1849]

Am coming from Epson 4010 and i want upgrade to sony vw290es or jvc nx5 both have less prightness than the Epson. Will i see them dim or i will be satisfied with overall picture quality? Am in controled light room

[@cameralabs]

I've not tested the Epson or JVC, so can't advise, sorry

[@salehkambijo1849]

How's the bright with only 1500 lumens?

[@cameralabs]

This is the projector I have at home and have been using daily. In a dark room, the brightness is just fine, in fact I have it on the dimmer reference profile. But it's a projector not an HDR TV, so the experience is different.

[@peterwood2633]

A moment of silence for Gordon now that days ago the XW5000ES with laser engine and 1800 calibrated lumens was announced for imminent release in May. Moving on, I see you have one in for long term review, will it be written or on YT also? Cheers!

[@cameralabs]

Luckily I was still saving for the 290, so I now get to choose between them! It's not one-sided either. The 5000 loses the motorised lens adjustments and slightly wider image from the same distance, and is of course more expensive, but surely a laser, brighter image and slightly quieter operation even at full brightness would make the 5000 a better choice. I've already seen it in action and am waiting for a review sample to spend some quality time with, hopefully in the next couple of weeks. I will be making a new video about it here, and adding to my article at cameralabs.com which i think you've already seen.

[@peterwood2633]

@@cameralabs Gordon the 290es should be dead to you/us at this point. The processor alone is worth it all things being equal. The noise you've mentioned is a big factor for me also, I'm glad I was outbid on a circa £3000 used 270es on eBay a couple of years ago, I assumed same noise levels as my 40es but only later read that in high lamp it's a lot noisier. You should look at the ls12000b from Epson too. One dealership told me people are chopping up their reference setups for this projector! Distance is a problem in your room which sucks. In mine I've got plenty of room to do 120-122" which is my max screen size. Agree they should inherently be wider lensed

[@cameralabs]

@@peterwood2633 yeah, I'd got so used to the lens on my HW projector not quite filling the screen that the slightly wider image from the 290 was a very pleasant bonus for my setup. If I go for the 5000, I'll have the same lens as my old projector, so same size image, but it will at least have the other upgrades.

[@uneCENT]

Hi, I have this projector and when turned on, it makes a quick (~1 sec) electrical arcing sound. It works great, shows no sign of issues but I was wondering if yours does it as well or if it is a sign of mine going bad from day 1.

[@cameralabs]

Not sure what you mean. There's a relay click sound but that's all. Could be your power cable, earthing or socket, , have you tried a different power cable plugged into a different socket or source?

[@uneCENT]

@@cameralabs Thanks for the reply. It is brand new, installed by an integrator so I haven't had the chance to try much yet. They do have a surge suppressor inline though that may be causing the projector to be unable to draw as much power as it wants as quick as it wants when it starts. I plan to remove that to see if it helps. It does sound like a relay click, but prior to clicking it sounds like electricity arcing. Once on though, no issues.

[@uneCENT]

Update - the surge suppressor was not the issue. Same sound. Because no other issues exist, I am just going to roll with it and hope it breaks before the warranty is up if it is going to break.

[@wooster1173]

Good review. Thx ! Is your whole room painted in white ? Or the screen side is in a darker tone ?

[@cameralabs]

Thanks! Sadly my cinema room right now is painted white, so I'm not getting anywhere near the contrast that's possible. I'm planning on changing that soon. In the meantime, Sony just announced a new laser model that replaces this one, see: www.cameralabs.com/sony-vpl-xw5000es-4k-laser-projector-review/

[@wooster1173]

@@cameralabs I was about to purchase the 290es but the 5000 changes my plan. The laser + the improved brightness + less fan noise are definitely a game changer. I don’t really mind about missing the motorized lens shift since it will be installed once and for all. My only regret : the 290es can be found at 3700€, so I will have to wait before the 5000 price starts to decrease. I can’t imagine the upgrade it will be compared to my current Mitsubishi HC7000.

[@wooster1173]

@@cameralabs My home theater room was originally painted in white, and one of the first thing I did 15 years ago was to changed it to red (on the side and the ceiling) and brown (on the front), both in dark tone : it has improved dramatically the picture rendering. That’s the cheapest investment one can make for improving his home theater.

[@cameralabs]

@@wooster1173 my feelings too, although I will personally miss the slightly bigger image from the 290 at the same distance in my own setup. So the 5000 will be like my HW15, not quite filling my screen, which is frustrating, BUT the laser light, increased brightness, practical HDR etc more than make up for it overall. I'm reserving judgment until I get a 5000 to review - hopefully soon- but I'm expecting it to be a solid choice.

[@wooster1173]

@@cameralabs I have a 2.45m screen (width) and the throwing distance is 4.00m : do you think the 5000 might not support this room setting ?

[@jim586]

Anyone interested in native 4K Sony laser projector needs to wait. There is a very significant announcement to be made in the next few days. You have been warned!

[@cameralabs]

And here's my hands-on preview: www.cameralabs.com/sony-vpl-xw5000es-4k-laser-projector-review/

[@diluxe]

Great reviews 👍

[@cameralabs]

Thanks! Hopefully its replacement with the laser light should be ready to review soon, keep an eye open for it...

[@diluxe]

@@cameralabs have you reviewed the Epson LS12000?

[@cameralabs]

@@diluxe no, I haven't, but I will try to demo it before testing the new Sony. As I understand it, the Epson still uses 1080 panels and pixel shifting to achieve 4k, rather than 4k natively, right?

[@skakdosmer]

£5500????? You can get an R3 body for that! Or an R5 plus an 800 f11!

[@salehkambijo1849]

How it's blacks

[@cameralabs]

They're good, but not as good as the 5000 laser model which I've also reviewed. That said, I recently bought this one as I preferred its image overall.

[@Fluterra]

Sony is far behind JVC. Panel degradation is real and will render your Sony projector useless once it’s out of warranty. I was a big Sony fan, but when my 995ES panels developed a greenish blotch, I switched to JVC and could not be happier.

[@cameralabs]

I'd like to check out the JVC projectors. Your 995 is an expensive projector, I'd have been unhappy if anything had happened to it. How many hours were on it when you started noticing issues? Which JVC models have you tried?