Sony VPL-XW5000 ES review: 4K LASER home theatre projector

[@mchlhth]

Always a treat for us when you do home AV reviews, Gordon! I can tell you're just as enthusiastic about audio and video quality as you are about cameras, which translates into good, thorough, and yet easily digestible content for us. I work for an AV group on a university campus, and we'd switched nearly 200 projectors over to laser (1080p only, mind you) several years ago, and the benefits over lamped projectors are terrific and noticeable to even the layperson. They're easy to maintain, they turn on and are ready to go in a few seconds, and the colors are significantly better. Even the oldest unit in our fleet, at 6 years old, still has far less than 10k hours on it, so if we upgrade, we can donate them to local school district where they'll get many more years of use.

[@cameralabs]

Thanks! Yes, I love the low maintenance and quick startup etc, but I ultimately preferred the image from the 290

[@andersonsantamaria8943]

@@cameralabs i m not sure about buyin Sony VPL-VW590ES or sony XW 5000 ES WHAT WOULD YOU PREFER?

[@cameralabs]

@@andersonsantamaria8943 I haven't tested the 590 but I did test the slightly newer 290 / 325, which shares a lot with it and there's pros and cons to both as I point out in this review. The 5000 has the long laser life, a slightly brighter picture and darker blacks. BUT the 290 and 590 have a better quality lens that's also motorised, and to me produced a more natural looking image. I had to make the choice between the 290 and 5000 recently, and actually bought the 290, although I did get it for a cheaper price as well which helped seal the deal. If you can, try both projectors side by side in a shop or trial them at home.

[@leighpayton9748]

Your 'Laser Light Output' is the best unique tip I found for my projector. Set to 50, same image with half the noise

[@percybedford6266]

Excellent review. The 5000es is on my short list for upgrading my current projector.

[@gmkn2855]

I actually have searched many time to get some meaningful review of this projector. And this is one of the videos which are actually helpfull.

[@cameralabs]

Glad to help

[@larsv6144]

Viewed the XW5000 against the JVC NP5 (RS1100), both calibrated, and the JVC is still better in black levels, skin color and HDR. Sony is still better, but now only marginally, in motion flow. HDMI 2.1 is also necessary if you like to have HDR10+ or add a HDFury so you can get dolby vision.

[@wakawaka12320]

You don't need hdmi 2.1 for a hdfury to get dv? Hdfury itself isint 2 1 unless you get the vroom, it converts signal bavk to hdr10

[@wooster1173]

Thank you for this detailed review. I am going to buy this Sony VP next month to replace my old Mitsubishi HC7000 : jumping to 4K, laser beam, higher brightness, HDR, deeper blacks… will enhance greatly my home theater (and on top of that I will get a Yamaha RX-A8A 11-channels processor to improve the sound as well)

[@cameralabs]

Nice!

[@gmartin0312]

7:37 this is true unless however, you’re a person like me and wants to have a scope screen but for those times you watch something 16:9 you would need to hop up there and manually control and then again.

[@cameralabs]

Exactly right. This unit is not ideal for multiple aspects or anamorphic setups

[@scotpak100]

Agreed, i do this switching every time I put the projector on.

[@edmoore4431]

This was really helpful Gordon thank you. The 5000 is top of my list. I wish it produced a wider image at "UK front room" type throw distances but I might just have to flip the room so I can back the projector into the bay window area to get a suitably epic sized image!

[@cameralabs]

I fire mine towards sliding french doors. I have blackout curtains and a motorised screen.

[@JasonGolf]

Nice. I ended up getting the benq ht3550. 150in screen totally blacked out room. Works great w some trade offs but significantly cheaper.

[@roooooowl]

Excellent review! I've been deciding between this and the Epson Ls12000. I have a very Similar setup to you, projector is right above me and will be against the wall. I have less of a throw range but only have a 92" screen. My main concern is noise as I've had issues with projectors before, I'm hoping as you say with the light level reduced the fan noise is reduced at not too much light cost. Thanks again for the review, it's the best one I have found so far!

[@cameralabs]

Thanks! I actually ended up buying the older 290 after this as it fitted my installation better. It's actually a little louder than the 5000, but I can tune it out while watching, and it's only 1m directly above my head. Bottom line, they are fairly quiet but you will hear both

[@mmbyadagi]

Can you share the link for the projector mount ?

[@NikCan66]

Excellent over review on the plus and minus points of this projector.

[@did3d523]

is blacks level are setting more brightness with setting hdr range? thanks

[@AGC828]

Good content. But , what bugs ME to this day about "front projectors/big screens" is.....the companies still haven't come together and figurd out a way to hae maybe a CPU " attached to the masking-screen (or not) than can detect "markers" put in the film's 4k BLuRay disc or Streaming copy...to tll the masking -screen when to change aspect ratios.....for films like Dark Knight that uses 2 aspect ratios...switching back and forth throughout the film.....for THIS reason I still prefer flatscreens....even if that doesn't allow you to put the centre hannel speaker behind the screen at the perfect location/height...you don't really notice the dialogue is coming from below the screen's bottom edge heh...

[@cameralabs]

Yes, that would be good

[@michaelsch5796]

Great review Gordon.. nice to have something to break up all the normal camera/photography related videos that you do.. i love cameras and all that jazz, but sometimes i zone out from watching so many, so this was refreshing.. thank you 🙂

[@cameralabs]

Glad you liked it!

[@Sabundy]

That is one beautiful Sony projector 😮

[@marvinabugov4579]

Gordon: Hi from Canada. Saw your x5000 review. Thank you. Considering replacing my 2017 - Sony 285es with the x5000 but noticed you bought the 290es (325es). Due to a shootout last spring (high end sony vs high end JVC) at the MWAVE event (Stop the FOMO vlog) in the US midwest, it was discovered that SONY laser projectors are in need of “Base-Black” level / tone-mapping - firmware update. Yet, so far Sony seems to be resistant to do it - at least at this point. JVC has done it and as such JVC is that much further ahead yet again. I was ready to buy an x5000 but instead I am sitting on the sideline to see how this matter pans out. The 5000 projector is 6000 US but 7500 CDN. Most reviewers say that rather than fix it, Sony will just include the firmware update in yet another new model for marketing purposes. Have you heard anything from Sony, per chance?

[@cameralabs]

I haven't heard anything about this, sorry. I ended up going for the 290 / 325 because the lens looked a bit sharper to me and more importantly, the wider panel allowed the image to fill my screen better from my max distance. There's something that makes me happy when I see the image from the 290 / 325 which I didn't get so much with the 5000, even though my head keeps telling me it made more sense! But i also got a good price on one of the remaining stock, so that sealed it for me.

[@marvinabugov4579]

@@cameralabs Thx. Just thought you should know that Sony has more work to do on its lower tier laser projectors. Interestingly, it was a Sony projector engineer that was doing the commentary at that shootout and denoted what the issue was really all about. So you would think Sony would just fix it with a firmware update “quickly” given how widespread that particular video was distributed? Meanwhile, I am parking my wallet until its fixed or a new model is issued. I got fooled (so to speak) when almost back to back Sony issued the 295es (NA) to replace the 285es within months to fix a bunch of stuff. Don’t want to make that mistake again. I could buy a JVC but even at the budget level its about $2000 CDN more.

[@cameralabs]

@@marvinabugov4579 thanks, I'll keep an eye on this.

[@marvinabugov4579]

Further: In the shootout, in scenes from the movie 1917 there is a midnight scene with partial light from the moon. that scene is almost entirely “black”. The sony could not reproduce the moonlight highlight detail from buildings etc. While the JVC produced all of it - clear as day. The difference between the two tone-mapping systems was so striking the audience could not help but acknowledge the difference - by applauding JVC’s efforts!

[@cameralabs]

@@marvinabugov4579 I remember streaming 1917 on the 290 / 325 and thinking how good it looked, but it wasn't available when I tested the 5000. It's quite a tough test at times - amazing movie.

[@skyfiblue]

Excellent review! I’ve watched your camera reviews and am a projector enthusiast as well. Perfect! It would be interesting to see if you got a sample variance in the lens lottery or if the short cuts in using the old lens design are significant?

[@cameralabs]

Hard to say but while the 5000 is lower maintenance, I think I preferred the image from the 290

[@kenpoS2K]

At 140-150” what screen would you suggest? No windows, light controlled and walls/ceiling painted flat black. Great to see some new content on this projector, Thank you!

[@cameralabs]

I use Vutec

[@kenpoS2K]

@@cameralabs thank you I will look into those

[@kevenkohler761]

I am thinking about buying the Sony XW 6000. I’ve been reading that Sony projectors in the past had panel degradation issues. When they degraded, the projector lost black level and contrast. Have you heard this? I don’t want to buy a $12,000 projector and lose contrast.

[@cameralabs]

I mention this in the review

[@jarnorajahalme28]

Thanks for the timely review :-)

[@andrewmanning8297]

Hi Gordon. How will the 5000 work in a room with total light control, matte black walls, and Stewart studioTek 100 150 inch diagonal screen?

[@cameralabs]

Any projector would work well in a totally dark room!

[@jeremynorris2889]

I appreciate the video. I recently ordered a XW5000 so I'm looking forward diving in. How was the focus and white-field uniformity on your unit? Sony had some sample variance on their last gen projectors so I was curious about the new models. Thanks

[@cameralabs]

It looked fine to me, although as I noted, the lens comes from an earlier more affordable series, so inevitably wasn't as good as the 290 in some tests.

[@jeremynorris2889]

@@cameralabs Thank you. I am really hearing good things about the sharpness at least

[@AjaySingh-228]

Looks Good Sir🙂✌️Sony products prices are always tooo high

[@j_cob]

Hi Mate, Congrats on good work 👏👏👏 Not much good content about this projector at YT. After seeing Your review I know, that I'm gonno get one. Can You advise me some kind of good value motorized 150" screen for it?

[@cameralabs]

Thanks! I use a Dalite one that's 123in which I'm mostly happy with, although it has acquired some wrinkles.

[@j_cob]

@@cameralabs Thanks for such a quick aswear. Is there any other, which You would reccommend, in 150" size?

[@trendyprojectors4743]

I liked most of the features except the input lag.... I read somewhere that it has 21ms input lag, is it correct?

[@cameralabs]

I don't recall off the top of my head, but I thought I mentioned lag in the video. Either way, this one is better than older ones but still not ideal for gaming.

[@HomeCinemaJunkie]

When even a "budget" Epson 9400 has motorized zoom, I feel it is kinda cheap by Sony to not include it at this price range.

[@Tennis3Fan]

Excellent video; thank you so much for sharing. I’d be curious to know how comfortable you would be investing your own dollars into this unit, given other users panel degradation on the older SXRD models. I’ve been checking out the AVS Forums, too.

[@cameralabs]

I already have invested in SXRD twice before, with my latest HW15 having run now for over 10 years. I will definitely buy either the XW5000 or 290.

[@Tennis3Fan]

@@cameralabs Thank you for your reply. That is comforting to hear you would and that your two prior Sony projectors have worked out great for you. Have you noticed (or tested for) contrast decline? I’m looking hard at the 5000ES and wanting to figure out if I’d be happier with it over an 83” LG OLED.

[@nebtheweb8885]

@@Tennis3Fan So, what did you decide? The OLED, or the 5000es?

[@Tennis3Fan]

@@nebtheweb8885 Neither, actually. Grabbed a JVC RS1100/NP5 and have been very happy.

[@TRmusicProductions]

Nice review. I'm not sure If you have seen the other pjs at this price point. ( nx5, epson ls1200, np5) if you have which would you choose.

[@cameralabs]

I think the Epson isn't true 4k, it shifts

[@darkashkev5461]

If you watch youthman's channel. We just had MWAVE last week here in KC and did a projector head to head of all of those projectors. The 5000 was one of the worst if not the worst one. All were professionally calibrated.

[@bernielockard1827]

@@darkashkev5461 there is no way the 5000 is worse than ls1200. The 1200 blacks have blue tint to them and colors look saturated more often than not

[@percybedford6266]

@@darkashkev5461 I don't think the Sony was properly calibrated for that event or it either it was a bad sample.

[@febinjw9674]

hi.. can u pls tell me which screen is best for this projector? my room is dark type and controlled light.. shall i buy elite cinewhite or ALR screen?

[@cameralabs]

I haven't tested many screens, sorry! I use vutec myself, but any wl work with it

[@leecaldwell1029]

If the room is light controlled your best screen is cinewhite, not ALR

[@gmartin0312]

Does this have a 16:9 chip? I have a JVC NP5 on demo and the 17:9 chip is bothering me with the light bleed on the sides.

[@cameralabs]

Yes this is now 16:9. Funnily enough, I personally prefer the 17:9 on the older model for my setup as it filled the screen better and the mild scaling from 16:8 to 17:9 looked a little sharper. Sure there's a crop top and bottom but most content I watch is wider still.

[@MassacSWE]

Just had a quick question regarding the thumbnail for the video. Is it possible for a camera sensor be damaged when looking straight into a laser projector? I know that focused laser beams can ruin a sensor, but is it the same way with a projected image?

[@peterwood2633]

Nah

[@cameralabs]

Hmm, good point, I'm not sure! I'll let you know if I ruined it!

[@nordic5490]

no. the laser light isnt directly projected.

[@MassacSWE]

False alarm. I've been noticing weird reflections ever since pointing my camera into a laser projector. Turns out it was the UV filter and the reflections immediately disappeared when I removed the UV filter.

[@nhtalbot]

Not trolling, I’m honestly curious why by a projector at this price over an 85” oled? Is it that you want an even bigger image? 120”? I admit I am pretty ignorant about projectors.

[@cameralabs]

It's a valid question! Yes, the number one reason is size. My screen is 120in, so the same as 4x60in TVs. Second its about installation. A 60+ TV may be thin but huge area to accommodate. My screen is motorised, so it disappears. I have it in fro t of a window with blackout curtains, so during the day I have a view, and at night a cinema experience. But yes, big TVs are cheap, bright and better for gaming and daytime viewing.

[@pf5658]

@ N T . 3d You have to experience a projector and screen in person to appreciate such a setup. Besides you ca get a more immersive experience with a screen that you can never get with a Tv no matter how big a TV you get. With projection screens you can get whatever size you desire. With a Tv you’re stuck with the limited sizes the manufacturers releases.

[@bighands69]

If you cannot accommodate a large projector screen then a large OLED would also be a great option. If the projector screen is going to be 80 inches you may as well just go with an OLED set. My projector screen is about 150 inches and there is no tv sets that can match that. I hope at some point to get a bigger screen.

[@amarjolly7483]

can i use 160 pure white screen in dar room with this projector

[@cameralabs]

160 is quite large, but the projector is bright and it should be possible in a dark room.

[@amarjolly7483]

Thank you@@cameralabs

[@MAFion]

Manual zoom and shift? I expected better from a so-called premium projector. If you're ceiling mounting this, it is horribly inconvenient. I mean, it's basically a deal breaker for me.

[@cameralabs]

I agree it's inconvenient, and will involve standing on a ladder or chair to setup, but you'd need to do that when fitting the projector anyway and unless you have a multiple aspect ratio setup, you should only set the lens once.

[@sethtotten]

Do the projects have apps built in?

[@cameralabs]

Sadly not

[@alanfelix8130]

This new line of Sony projectors are very appealing indeed just one question. Can it handle a 240” screen?

[@cameralabs]

I'd say probably, although it wouldn't be as bright obviously, so you'd want a dark room. When I use them on my 120in screen in a dark room, I have the brightness turned quite far down to save power and reduce fan noise, and they still look good, so I'd say there's plenty of extra brightness to drive a bigger screen. That said, if possible, trial one first as you may prefer a brighter model for that sort of screen size, as 240in is rather large.

[@BradFletcher-sg8ft]

Hi Gordon, does the 5000 allow for ip control? Thx

[@cameralabs]

I think you can log-into a webpage hosted by the projector to configure it over IP, like some earlier models, but it won't receive video over IP. You should be able to download the PDF manual to confirm.

[@BradFletcher-sg8ft]

@@cameralabs Thank you Gordon, I managed to get it operating via IP. I am using a remote app called Roomie. Only difficulty I have is the interface does not have up/down side /side enter keypad? Not sure why Roomie doesn’t support that. It does have other buttons and on/off commands

[@cameralabs]

@@BradFletcher-sg8ft cool stuff, I've never tried the IP control.

[@beobase]

How much would it cost to replace the laser?

[@cameralabs]

No idea but the life is so long, you'd never be likely to.

[@saikatbose8370]

Does it hav 3d. I think it has and you overlooked .

[@cameralabs]

EDIT: I've rechecked Sony's specs and they say it does support 3D. Mine was an early sample so may not have had the capability when I tested it.

[@saikatbose8370]

@@cameralabs Yes that can be a possibility. Hope they have included 3d as am sure it wont die and make a comeback as vinyals did.

[@sirjared21]

This on a 106" screen or an 83" oled?

[@cameralabs]

That's about two feet more on the diagonal, making for a much larger screen. But I'd say it's more about whether you want to view in darkness or in normal light AND how important HDR is to you as an OLED will do it and the projector can't get close. The PJ is more about recreating a big screen, lower contrast cinematic experience in a dark room.

[@dbfvideos1]

Hi Gordon what mount did you use?

[@cameralabs]

A peerless precision one from Amazon. Its affordable and ok.

[@mmbyadagi]

@@cameralabscan you share the link to it ?

[@did3d523]

all images are too dark no detail in dark zone like sony oled same problem with X1 ... HDR is just a CURVE LOG .... all dark detail become black ...

[@leeholloway6284]

6K and no earc!

[@shadowfallenable]

No 4K 120p and no 3D = no deal.

[@cameralabs]

Which projector has native 4k and 120p though?

[@shadowfallenable]

@@cameralabs Isnt JVC NZ series native 4K and 4K120p?

[@m3tro214]

@Dbz death theres no 3D on this one😑

[@m3tro214]

@Dbz death well you right on that it does have 3D on it. Maybe they might do a update for the 3D later

[@Babumoshaaai]

I would gladly pay $1400 extra if they put a GM lens on the front.

[@cameralabs]

Tgat would be the XW7000!

[@nebtheweb8885]

@@cameralabs Over here in the states, the XW7000 is WAY overpriced at $24,000. They sell the XW6000 for the price that YOU over there get the XW7000.

[@Warrentvoid]

Underwhelming and without 3D to boot.

[@cameralabs]

Underwhelming? Theres not many projectors with a laser and true native 4k panels at this price.

[@heimkinofande8691]

Dude, you need a professional calibration. That are not the true colors and I now the images from Sony Projectors.

[@cameralabs]

It's true, it's not been calibrated. These are out of box settings, plus you're seeing an approximation as I'm filming my screen, and you're viewing on YT. Have you tested the XW5000 yet?

[@nebtheweb8885]

Its been a few months since you have made this video. Do you still like your Sony XW5000???

[@cameralabs]

I bought the 290 / 325 instead of the 5000, as it worked better in my room.