What Hi Fi Sound and Vision
17 NOV 2008
Sony VPL-HW10
Flatscreen prices are falling apace these days – and projectors are gamely following suit. Two of our 2008 Award-winners are available for less than £1500, which is an astounding drop over the previous year.
This VPL-HW10 might not be quite as cheap as that, but it's Sony's most affordable HD projector yet, and it has a terrific specification and performance.
This is an SXRD design, capable of projecting a 40in-300in image from a fairly short distance. It has a Full HD resolution with support for 1080/24p, two HDMI inputs and a claimed contrast ratio of 30,000:1.
Easy to set up and manoeuvre
It's simple to set up, thanks to easily accessible manual zoom and focus controls and an intuitive menu system. It's bulky enough that you don't want to be moving it often, but it's always good to know it can be repositioned easily if necessary.
Of course, the proof of the pudding lies in the eating. We kick-off with Blood Diamond on Blu-ray, and are impressed.
The picture is similar to that of the current range of Bravia flatscreens, so you get an extremely balanced colour palette offering vibrancy in the lush scenery, while recreating skin tones with tangible realism, as well as a great combination of white punch and black depth.
Exceptional edge definition
Edge definition is really rather exceptional, and 24fps motion plays out without stutter or smear. Overall detail levels are impressive, though we have seen one or two at the price with a smidge more insight.
Switching to DVD, the Sony proves it's a dab-hand at upscaling standard-def content. Images are clean and stable, and offer class-leading edge definition, colour balance and motion handling.
Any problems? Well, the InFocus IN80 offers similar performance at a ridiculously cheap price. Still, the Sony is undeniably brilliant in its own right, and no doubt it will drop a little in price itself. Look out for it.
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