Sony 4K Projector - Advice Request

[Sky2K01]

Hi Everyone,

 

New to the forums so g'day all! Apologies for my first post being a rather long one.

 

Anyway, for past handful of years, have run a 1080p projector (Sony VPL-HW55ES) setup in a dedicated H/T room (approx. 6m x 3.7m) on 125" 16:9 screen which has been pretty rock solid and most enjoyable enough to this amateur, but now hoping to finally move up to 4K sometime soon.

 

Have considered Epson & JVC, but rather stick to Sony.

 

Aside from the lamp vs laser debate and price point chat, in a technical perspective if I've been given an option to acquire a VPL-VW590es or the latest Sony VPL-XW5000ES offering, which would be the best selection to go with?

 

The former offers picture / lens memory, 3D and other subtleties I believe which the XW5000ES does not to my limited knowledge?

 

In an ideal world, the clear step up would have been the XW6000ES, which alas Sony has seen fit to not release into Australia it seems.  

 

The 5000ES seems to be getting some pretty great reviews (with some common downsides), but then again so did the 590ES previously.

 

So, I'm hoping more learned people here in this technology space can enlighten me as to the better selection all things considered?

 

Many thanks in anticipation of your feedback / thoughts on this one.

 

Cheers

[mikizee]

I'd take the laser 5000ES any day of the week. No brainer as far as I am concerned.

[betty boop]

13 hours ago, Sky2K01 said:

 

The former offers picture / lens memory, 3D and other subtleties I believe which the XW5000ES does not to my limited knowledge?

the 5000es seems a very stripped back machine in a lot of ways. it will locoed back to setup and calibration id suggest. a well calibrated 590es and which likely pickup cheaper in the first place should certainly be a good option ? 

[xPLAYRZx]

Another vote for the XW5000ES.  If you need lens memory, then I'd look at a 2nd hand 760/790/890 before going to the 590 (you should still be able to find an ex-demo unit with low hours).  Don't see the sense in buying a lamp based projector if laser fits in your budget.

[betty boop]

the thing is though there are sony 590es available at lower price than you'd find a 2nd hand 760/790 or gee even an 890es ! and with the 590es you'd also get a free lamp ! and you'd get a full warranty with the 590es and a spare lamp would mean your average person is not going to be worrying about buying a lamp for a very very long time !  lamps have pretty long life these days and its not just missing lens memories .. its even missing motorised  lens focus, or even lens shift.. so have to do this wiht a ladder and try and get focus dialled in from afar ! id have to go back 5 projectors to one without all this that comes standard on projectors these days and for good reason ! then there is no 3D? 

 

i don't see the angst against lamp projectors. ive owned 5 lamp projectors so far and typically keep 3-5 years. current one ive owned nearly 3 years and way am going banging through just about every new release 4k uhd and gaming and watching sport .. it will be another 7 ? years before i change a lamp. and then with the spare mine came with, it will  be another 10 years before id even bother changing it ? even if get half that life the lamps arent that expensive if i had to buy one after 10 years ?

 

id put the money saved frankly into a good pro calibration and buy a ton of 4k uhd discs ... and sit back and enjoy  with peace of mind of factory warranty at back of mind...

[hitman0012]

XW5000ES owner here. Having to manually adjust the lens, annoying yes... but should be set and forget. I took the time and played with it for about an hour and its good to go now.

[Sky2K01]

Thanks to all those who've taken the time to provide feedback on my dilemma (query) above.

It's much appreciated and certainly food for thought!

 

Commentary seems to be running slightly in favour of the XW5000 thus far. 

I guess Sony penny pinched to get the price point on the XW5000 where it is, stripping out nice to have (fundamental?) features. Then stuck the boot in further by not bringing the XW6000 to Aust. *sigh*

 

@hitman0012

Can't be any more real-world comment than that then if you're already a XW5000 owner.

Did you come from an earlier Sony model for comparison to the new? How are you finding it?

Are you using it on a 16:9 screen?

 

As a thought bubble, I wonder does the X1 processor like on a 590ES get smashed by the capabilities of newer X1 Ultimate of the XW5000?

 

Cheers

[xPLAYRZx]

11 hours ago, betty boop said:

i don't see the angst against lamp projectors. ive owned 5 lamp projectors so far and typically keep 3-5 years.

 

I wouldn't call it angst, lamp projectors are more than capable but I really feel the game has moved on. The fact Sony don't even offer a lamp based cinema projector anymore speaks to this. For anyone buying now and asking advice on "what HT projector should I get" and their budget allows them to look at laser, I believe it's absolutely the right choice.

Edited October 2, 2022 by xPLAYRZx

[betty boop]

22 minutes ago, xPLAYRZx said:

 

I wouldn't call it angst, lamp projectors are more than capable but I really feel the game has moved on. The fact Sony don't even offer a lamp based cinema projector anymore speaks to this. For anyone buying now and asking advice on "what HT projector should I get" and their budget allows them to look at laser, I believe it's absolutely the right choice.

that’s only Sony, because they can raise the price point the 2 series projector sat at with 5000 replacement.  most other brands offer lamp for good reason and fully capable ones. No one at this price point strip back their projectors as in this case with laser to hit the price point. And while say 

“don’t see the sense” there is a lot of sense if considerably cheaper, meets the needs and for many will be many years to come. I don’t frankly understand this complete dismissal when can be completely suitable,  appropriate, capable of excellent result and for much cheaper price point. And especially where would be spending quite a bit more for what is a quite a stripped back product in the laser in this case. 
 

folks like op as they are should look at both options, it makes no sense to not look at both

Edited October 2, 2022 by betty boop

[xPLAYRZx]

OP isn't interested in what other brands may or may not offer, they asked about Sony 4K projectors, specifically 590 vs 5000.  Sounds like if the 6000 was available in Aus they would have already made a decision.  There is no mention of budget, so perhaps it's not always about 'saving a few bucks' or finding something that can do the same for less.

 

It's simple, if you don't need lens memory or OOTB 3D support, the 5000 is the better choice.  The question regarding 590 vs 5000 is more than just a lamp vs laser conversation, the XW series is a progression of all it's included technologies (new chipset, new optics, new X1 processor, etc).  If the features omitted by Sony to get the 5000 to it's price point don't meet your specific needs, then move on.  I doubt you'd find any claims of the 590 doing X better than the 5000.

 

In the words of Daft Punk (expressed by Jimmy)...

 

 

[betty boop]

I’ll leave it there, clearly have some strong  views with exclusion of others  

[hitman0012]

8 hours ago, Sky2K01 said:

@hitman0012

Can't be any more real-world comment than that then if you're already a XW5000 owner.

Did you come from an earlier Sony model for comparison to the new? How are you finding it?

Are you using it on a 16:9 screen?

 

I upgraded from Sony VW270ES. Loved that projector and the 5000 was a bit of an opportunistic/impulse buy.

Its been a great buy and enjoy spending a bit more time in the theater room. Picture quality is great.

Using on a 16:9 screen.

My only advice would be mounting position is key. I find with the zoom, i don't have much margin for error.
Don't let the manual adjustments deter you, Ive been using it for 2-3 weeks now and haven't had to readjust it.

[Sky2K01]

@hitman0012, 

Howz that setup with your new 5000 holding up?

 

After much toing & froing with suggestions from here, agonising over the pros n cons of each (and viewings in store), I've ended up landing on getting the 5000 as opposed to the 590 in the end for my personal situation & theatre setup.

Would have been so much simpler equation if Sony brought the 6000 here to Oz. Idiots. 

 

Anyway, should be getting installed in a few weeks time. Looking forward to end result! 

Then have to try offload the 1080p Sony which I been given some advice offsite to a ballpark expectation of $$ return. 

[cwt]

Sky2k ; nothing worse than second guessing yourself once youve bought . If you value 4k picture quality as very important [and higher dcip3 colour gamut fidelity as important to you ] not to mention more lumens[500 more than the lamp version] for it as more important than other factors ; thats your call..

Its no small thing that previous sony laser projectors like the 760s 23 odd k price have been drastically undercut .

It had the same lumens as the 5000 ;crazy 

I would be a bit miffed with sonys incremental improvements for all the years when JVC kept improving their firmwares until sony finally came good with a bit of value..

  

[hitman0012]

On 12/11/2022 at 4:42 PM, Sky2K01 said:

@hitman0012, 

Howz that setup with your new 5000 holding up?

 

 

Its going great. Really enjoying it.
Good on you for the big purchase haha.

[Cemo]

On 03/10/2022 at 6:04 AM, hitman0012 said:

 

I upgraded from Sony VW270ES. Loved that projector and the 5000 was a bit of an opportunistic/impulse buy.

Its been a great buy and enjoy spending a bit more time in the theater room. Picture quality is great.

Using on a 16:9 screen.

My only advice would be mounting position is key. I find with the zoom, i don't have much margin for error.
Don't let the manual adjustments deter you, Ive been using it for 2-3 weeks now and haven't had to readjust it.

Hello 

Is XW5000 a worthy upgrade from Sony 260ES? Or downgrade? Or equal?

My screen ise 136 inch 16:9 Dalite 0,9 gain with an Oppo 203. Completly black room

Thank you

[TP1]

On 27/01/2023 at 2:28 AM, Cemo said:

Hello 

Is XW5000 a worthy upgrade from Sony 260ES? Or downgrade? Or equal?

My screen ise 136 inch 16:9 Dalite 0,9 gain with an Oppo 203. Completly black room

Thank you

 

I would suggest  the 5000 will be a worthwhile upgrade from the 260ES.  Apart from all the benefits of laser, the 5000  is using next generation tech in terms of new panels and  processors.   Not so long ago to get the performance of the 5000, you would have to spend thousands more than the current RRP.

[Rudy238]

Ciao, il mio primo post...

 

Nobody gives a damn... ergo I cancel...

 

BUON ANNO A TUTTI
&
GoodAudioVideo
Grazie
Rudy

 

Il mio sistema:

 

SONY VPL-VW790ES Pana 820UB ADEO 21:9 3mt Guadagno 1.2 Denon X3800H

Front Mordaunt Short Performance 820 Cent. Marantz ES7001 Surrx8

Sub Velodyne 7.4.1 ATMOS/AURO 3D

Edited January 10 by Rudy238
Nobody gives a damn... ergo I cancel...

[Ollz]

I've read countless complaints from people with Gamma Drift problems and panel degradation with the Sony projectors. I don't know how much of a problem this is in the real world, but I do come across it mentioned a lot. It's a known issue as far as I'm aware, and I've not seen any evidence they've actually fixed it. DYOR of course.

 

With this in mind, and at this price point, I might lean more toward the Epson LS12000, or save up for a JVC.

Edited August 10 by Ollz

[betty boop]

7 minutes ago, Ollz said:

With this in mind, and at this price point, I might lean more toward the Epson LS12000, or save up for a JVC

one key differentiator with JVC over all these others is dynamic tone mapping that it does frame by frame.. its a pretty amazing set and forget can have JVC when using with 4k uhd material with HDR. the JVC also have a very natural look to them not over sharp or digital looking.. more analog film like... we are very pleased with our jvc some years down... pro calibrated and doing wonderful job still  

[Ollz]

2 minutes ago, betty boop said:

one key differentiator with JVC over all these others is dynamic tone mapping that it does frame by frame.. its a pretty amazing set and forget can have JVC when using with 4k uhd material with HDR. the JVC also have a very natural look to them not over sharp or digital looking.. more analog film like... we are very pleased with our jvc some years down... pro calibrated and doing wonderful job still  

 

Yeah, in a dedicated room I'd say the JVC would always be the preference if budget allows. Don't think I've ever seen anyone say they're not satisfied with the results they get. You can of course add in video processors with other projectors to handle tone mapping, but that obviously adds to the cost.

[betty boop]

9 minutes ago, Ollz said:

You can of course add in video processors with other projectors to handle tone mapping, but that obviously adds to the cost.

yep video processor was about price of my JVC 4k projector in itself so yep ..no thank you .. just the projector will do was my thinking and its been great so far no matter what we throw off it and off multiple source