- Mar 25, 2009
- 6,284
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My Sony VPL-HW40ES is 10 years old now. I've been thinking of upgrading my system to 4K. I suspect there will be a few installation challenges, but the first step is to look at what's out there and whether it is worth upgrading.
I had got in touch with our local Richer Sounds when I was buying my SVS PB2000 subwoofer recently. We got talking and I asked about the new Optoma UHZ68LV projector that was recently launched. They promised to contact me when they have the projector in stock for a demo. Sure enough, they contacted me last week. We arranged a demo for Saturday afternoon to compare the Optoma with Sony VPL-XW5000ES. O had carried a 3D disc with me, in case they had the 3D glasses for me to compare.
There were a few technical issues with the lighting initially. Eventually I got to check the Optoma first with a BBC 4K stream of Planet Earth III that was streaming from iPlayer. The feed was decent, but I wanted to check on 4K disc. They put on Bohemian Rhapsody disc (the last concert scene). There was an immediate improvement in the picture quality. Sharp with decent blacks and contrast. There was some judder when the camera panned across the crowd.
I then asked to play the same scene on the Sony. Technical glitches meant the Sony on the demo room wasn't showing picture, most likely due to a failed HDMI cable. So they brought another open box unit to fire it up. I was instantly blown away by the picture quality! The blacks, the contrast, the skin tone, the sharpness all were far superior to the Optoma! The picture had such a lovely cinematic feel!! I would have liked to demo more discs, but was running out of time. They didn't have 3D glasses either.
I am seriously tempted to go for the Sony. Need to check the feasibility and finances to see if it is possible. Their installer will get in touch with me; we'll take it from there.
I had got in touch with our local Richer Sounds when I was buying my SVS PB2000 subwoofer recently. We got talking and I asked about the new Optoma UHZ68LV projector that was recently launched. They promised to contact me when they have the projector in stock for a demo. Sure enough, they contacted me last week. We arranged a demo for Saturday afternoon to compare the Optoma with Sony VPL-XW5000ES. O had carried a 3D disc with me, in case they had the 3D glasses for me to compare.
There were a few technical issues with the lighting initially. Eventually I got to check the Optoma first with a BBC 4K stream of Planet Earth III that was streaming from iPlayer. The feed was decent, but I wanted to check on 4K disc. They put on Bohemian Rhapsody disc (the last concert scene). There was an immediate improvement in the picture quality. Sharp with decent blacks and contrast. There was some judder when the camera panned across the crowd.
I then asked to play the same scene on the Sony. Technical glitches meant the Sony on the demo room wasn't showing picture, most likely due to a failed HDMI cable. So they brought another open box unit to fire it up. I was instantly blown away by the picture quality! The blacks, the contrast, the skin tone, the sharpness all were far superior to the Optoma! The picture had such a lovely cinematic feel!! I would have liked to demo more discs, but was running out of time. They didn't have 3D glasses either.
I am seriously tempted to go for the Sony. Need to check the feasibility and finances to see if it is possible. Their installer will get in touch with me; we'll take it from there.
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