Optoma UHZ68LV vs Sony VPL-XW5000ES demo experience

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.
 
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I would order this instead:


New members of LG get 7 per cent off.

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


Mind you I don’t like projectors.
 
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I would order this instead:


New members of LG get 7 per cent off.

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


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.
 
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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.
 
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Ex-display one here:


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:

 
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Ex-display one here:


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:

I'm getting a cheaper deal at RS 😉
 
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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
 
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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...
 
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.


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