Optoma UHZ68LV vs Sony VPL-XW5000ES demo experience

[bigboss]

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.

 

[R2D2]

I would order this instead:

https://www.lg.com/uk/tvs-soundbars/oled-evo/oled77g54lw-us95tr/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADANKJmsI_3ddXyEM_Ovo1g1pqLqd&clickref=1011lAq4auNi&utm_source=partnerize&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_content=genieshopping

New members of LG get 7 per cent off.

Or the LG 77G4 and get a further £500 off:

OLED77G45LW 77" 4K Ultra HD Smart TV HDR 120Hz Refresh Rate | LG-OLED77G45LW

Need a wall bracket? Click Here to find the right one for you LG OLED Evo technology Smart webOS Platform Brightness Booster Max One Wall Design G4 OLED Care + Product Description LG OLED Evo technology:Discover the pinnacle…

www.hughes.co.uk

Mind you I don’t like projectors.

 

[bigboss]

I would order this instead:

https://www.lg.com/uk/tvs-soundbars/oled-evo/oled77g54lw-us95tr/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADANKJmsI_3ddXyEM_Ovo1g1pqLqd&clickref=1011lAq4auNi&utm_source=partnerize&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_content=genieshopping

New members of LG get 7 per cent off.

Or the LG 77G4 and get a further £500 off:

OLED77G45LW 77" 4K Ultra HD Smart TV HDR 120Hz Refresh Rate | LG-OLED77G45LW

Need a wall bracket? Click Here to find the right one for you LG OLED Evo technology Smart webOS Platform Brightness Booster Max One Wall Design G4 OLED Care + Product Description LG OLED Evo technology:Discover the pinnacle…

www.hughes.co.uk

Mind you I don’t like projectors.

No chance. Nothing like a projector for a true cinematic experience. Besides, my projector screen is far bigger than 77 inches. If anything, I might swap the 50-inch Panasonic plasma TV behind the projector screen for a 75-inch one.

 

[R2D2]

No chance. Nothing like a projector for a true cinematic experience. Besides, my projector screen is far bigger than 77 inches. If anything, I might swap the 50-inch Panasonic plasma TV behind the projector screen for a 75-inch one.

Good deals going around at present for 75-inch TVs.

 

[bigboss]

Good deals going around at present for 75-inch TVs.

Thanks......I'm in no hurry. One at a time. 🙂

The 50-inch Panasonic plasma that I bought from a forum member 11 years ago is still going strong.

 

[R2D2]

Ex-display one here:

Sony PSE VPL-XW5000 Native 4K Laser Projector

Sony PSE VPL-XW5000 Native 4K Laser Projector Display System: 4K SXRD panel, projection system Display Device: Size of effective display area: 0.61" x 3Number of pixels: 24,883,200 (3840 x 2160 x 3) pixels Projection lens: Focus: Manual

www.hificorner.co.uk

Just Projectors are also doing a brand new one for £4400 with a 6 year warranty, could get Richer Sounds to price match.

Even cheaper ex-display ones at Sevenoaks:

Clearance Projectors | Ex Display | Open Box | Sevenoaks Sound and Vision

Sevenoaks Sound and Vision - Specialist Hi-Fi and Home Cinema retailer

www.sevenoakssoundandvision.co.uk

 

[daytona600]

75inch takes up all your living room
4k UHD projector + 125inch voice controlled Electric FloorScreen
Alexa play a movie , not been to a cinema since C19

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVVzAqeocxo

 

[bigboss]

Ex-display one here:

Sony PSE VPL-XW5000 Native 4K Laser Projector

Sony PSE VPL-XW5000 Native 4K Laser Projector Display System: 4K SXRD panel, projection system Display Device: Size of effective display area: 0.61" x 3Number of pixels: 24,883,200 (3840 x 2160 x 3) pixels Projection lens: Focus: Manual

www.hificorner.co.uk

Just Projectors are also doing a brand new one for £4400 with a 6 year warranty, could get Richer Sounds to price match.

Even cheaper ex-display ones at Sevenoaks:

Clearance Projectors | Ex Display | Open Box | Sevenoaks Sound and Vision

Sevenoaks Sound and Vision - Specialist Hi-Fi and Home Cinema retailer

www.sevenoakssoundandvision.co.uk

I'm getting a cheaper deal at RS 😉

 

[abacus]

Optoma used to be great, but they seem to have gone the high brightness route and sacrificed contrast and black levels these days.
The JVC DLA-NP5BE has a VIP price the same as the Sony at Richer Sounds, which is another to look at.
The Benq W5800 is the same price as the Optoma and it blows the Optoma out of the water. (Just switch to film maker mode)
There is also the Epson EH-QB1000B, however most reviews seem to say it needs to be calibrated to get the best out of it.
Laser DLP will give you a better HDR performance due to the brightness levels, (And providing it is not an Optoma they are also brilliant with sport) the downside is the blacks are not as deep in a light controlled room, (This is where the native 4K come into their own, but they fall short if the room lighting cannot be controlled)
BTW: Any HDMI cable that is over about 7m really needs to be a fibre cable for consistent 4K HDR performance.
Have fun choosing

Bill

 

[bigboss]

75inch takes up all your living room
4k UHD projector + 125inch voice controlled Electric FloorScreen
Alexa play a movie , not been to a cinema since C19

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVVzAqeocxo

Looks amazing! Sadly not compatible with my current build. Hopefully in my next house.....

 

[bigboss]

Optoma used to be great, but they seem to have gone the high brightness route and sacrificed contrast and black levels these days.
The JVC DLA-NP5BE has a VIP price the same as the Sony at Richer Sounds, which is another to look at.
The Benq W5800 is the same price as the Optoma and it blows the Optoma out of the water. (Just switch to film maker mode)
There is also the Epson EH-QB1000B, however most reviews seem to say it needs to be calibrated to get the best out of it.
Laser DLP will give you a better HDR performance due to the brightness levels, (And providing it is not an Optoma they are also brilliant with sport) the downside is the blacks are not as deep in a light controlled room, (This is where the native 4K come into their own, but they fall short if the room lighting cannot be controlled)
BTW: Any HDMI cable that is over about 7m really needs to be a fibre cable for consistent 4K HDR performance.
Have fun choosing

Bill

I did think about the JVC as well. Good point about fibre cable...

 

[daytona600]

JVC Excellent
SIM2 from italy worth a look if you have a higher budget
Sony - great deals on these with new EU Sanctions

Sony projectors, abrupt interruption of sales in Europe

We learned the news yesterday, and it's been confirmed today: sales of Sony home cinema projectors have been suspended indefinitely in Europe. Once stocks r

www.avcaesar.com

 

[bigboss]

Optoma used to be great, but they seem to have gone the high brightness route and sacrificed contrast and black levels these days.
The JVC DLA-NP5BE has a VIP price the same as the Sony at Richer Sounds, which is another to look at.
The Benq W5800 is the same price as the Optoma and it blows the Optoma out of the water. (Just switch to film maker mode)
There is also the Epson EH-QB1000B, however most reviews seem to say it needs to be calibrated to get the best out of it.
Laser DLP will give you a better HDR performance due to the brightness levels, (And providing it is not an Optoma they are also brilliant with sport) the downside is the blacks are not as deep in a light controlled room, (This is where the native 4K come into their own, but they fall short if the room lighting cannot be controlled)
BTW: Any HDMI cable that is over about 7m really needs to be a fibre cable for consistent 4K HDR performance.
Have fun choosing

Bill

The thing that goes against JVC is its lamp.

New EU regulations mark the end of lamp-based projectors

Ban on bulbs begins in 2026, but expect the impact to start now

www.whathifi.com

The Sony doesn't do 3D. Decisions decisions.....

 

[bigboss]

After a lot of deliberation, I have reserved the ex-demo Sony VPL-XW5000 as well as Panasonic DPUB820. I am getting a good deal for the Sony. I will need to change the build slightly to accommodate for the larger projector, so one of the RS installers will be visiting this afternoon to take a look and advise.

 

[R2D2]

After a lot of deliberation, I have reserved the ex-demo Sony VPL-XW5000 as well as Panasonic DPUB820. I am getting a good deal for the Sony. I will need to change the build slightly to accommodate for the larger projector, so one of the RS installers will be visiting this afternoon to take a look and advise.

That’s the combination I would’ve bought too if I were buying. My Panasonic 4K Blu-ray player is loud and so is the 820 but you just turn the volume down a bit compared to other 4K Blu-ray players I have had. Glad you got an excellent deal on the Sony projector I would’ve gone ex-demo too. 👍

 

[bigboss]

The installer came today. He did suggest if it was better to simply go for an 85 or 98 inch TV which will be cheaper. I explained that the whole process of getting the projector screen down, dimming the lights and snuggling into a blanket to watch a film gives a theatrical experience that is unmatched. Speaking to my wife later with these options, she agrees with me. We'll be replacing the 50-inch Panasonic with a 77-inch OLED (mostly Philips 909 as it has 4-side ambilight that will sync nicely with rest of Philips Hue lights in my house). And get the Sony projector as well.

 

[R2D2]

The installer came today. He did suggest if it was better to simply go for an 85 or 98 inch TV which will be cheaper. I explained that the whole process of getting the projector screen down, dimming the lights and snuggling into a blanket to watch a film gives a theatrical experience that is unmatched. Speaking to my wife later with these options, she agrees with me. We'll be replacing the 50-inch Panasonic with a 77-inch OLED (mostly Philips 909 as it has 4-side ambilight that will sync nicely with rest of Philips Hue lights in my house). And get the Sony projector as well.

Pretty awesome:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp5dyyyUfJE

 

[bigboss]

Update: I've ordered an ex-demo model of Sony VPL-XW5000ES. I've also ended up upgrading my Panasonic plasma TV by ordering the 77-inch Samsung S95D OLED but probably that's for a separate thread.