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The second is a frame-by-frame analysis and adjustment of contrast levels to produce the optimum HDR look and feel. The first of those uses pixel-level analysis for sharpening texture and detail enhancements, and image upscaling. In terms of menus and modes, it isn’t much different from the VPL-VW270ES, but the Super Resolution Reality Creation and Dynamic HDR Enhancer features should offer some improvements. It’s based on the smarts of Sony’s 2020 Bravia TVs and is designed to boost HDR, picture detail and the motion processing of the latest range of SXRD projectors. New for the Sony VPL-VW290ES is the X1 for Projector picture processor. Liquid crystal layers offer better sharpness, while reflective DLP chips provide better black depth and Sony has previously harnessed these aspects to great effect with its SXRD projectors. It’s designed to take the best from LCD and DLP projector systems and avoid the worst of their compromises. Sony’s SXRD projector panels are based on liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) technology.
SONY VPL VW325ES HOW TO
How to set up your projector and get the best picture.It’s backlit so you can use it in the dark and features shortcuts for most modes and options so that you don’t have to spend too much time in the menus. The picture settings are easy to control using the standard Sony projector remote. Combined with the generous lens shift, there should be enough flexibility for most decent-sized rooms. Its 1.38:1 to 2.83:1 throw ratio means you can achieve a 100in picture from a distance of between 3m to 6.5m.
Those optics are motorised and remote controllable for focus, zoom and lens shift to give an on-screen picture of between 60in and 300in, depending on your projection distance. The light is split into red, green and blue pathways, each of which reflects off a separate 4K SXRD panel before being recombined for image processing and focused through the x2.06 zoom aspherical lens. Expect to get around two-thirds of that amount if using the bulb at high brightness, which we would recommend. It begins with a 225W high-pressure mercury lamp with a 1500 ANSI-lumen output, claimed to last for 5000 hours of viewing at low brightness before it needs replacing. The projection system doesn’t represent much of a departure for Sony either and that’s no bad thing.
SONY VPL VW325ES PLUS
There are two HDMI 2.0 sockets and a USB-A input for your source material, plus an ethernet port for firmware updates.
The ports and on-device buttons are found on one side. That’s a notable step up in size from the cheaper pixel-shifting Benq, Epson and Optoma alternatives and will require a proper AV rack or ceiling mounting rather than a coffee table or shelf. The chassis is the same as before, measuring 21cm tall and 50cm wide and weighing 14kg.
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