Anybody get one yet? I so curious about it and I am waiting for a review, but nobody has posted a thing about it. I see that they are shipping already, The HT store by my house is supposed to have one on display 'some time next week,' but I am impatient. Anyone have any comments, beside telling me to get in line for an :) RS20?

Yep its all about the RS20 right now. The panny ae3000 is the best bang for the buck @ $2500. The VW70 has to prove its price point, the price is a big disapointment, i think thats the main reason for the low interest also that there is no VW80 availablity in the U.S. currently & no review yet at pj central. I wonder what a powerbuy price would be like for a VW70 if there was one. Check out the VW80 threads

I recently viewed a VW80 side by side with the HD100. By all accounts the RS20 is a modest update of the HD100 so its not like the quantum leap of quality improvement that might be suggested by some.

My finding were that the VW80 is a considerably better machine in all the important area's compared to the HD100. I can't see how the RS20 could compete. People looking into the RS20 would do well to see the VW80 before buying.

So is the VW70 going to be equivalent to the VW80? I hope so, becasue the VW80 threads make it look pretty good.

Im sure someone is going to post a review sooner or later, right?

The local HT store claims that the new Sony will blow the RS20 out of the water, hard to substantiate, seeing as he hasnt seen either of them, but my interest is peeked.

I recently viewed a VW80 side by side with the HD100. By all accounts the RS20 is a modest update of the HD100 so its not like the quantum leap of quality improvement that might be suggested by some.

My finding were that the VW80 is a considerably better machine in all the important area's compared to the HD100. I can't see how the RS20 could compete. People looking into the RS20 would do well to see the VW80 before buying.

Couple questions:

How the heck are we gonna see a VW80 when we don't even know if it will be available in the USA?

What accounts are you basing your assumption that the RS20 is a modest update of the HD100? Have you seen an RS20?

Couple questions:

How the heck are we gonna see a VW80 when we don't even know if it will be available in the USA?

I'm in the UK, plenty of VW80 over here right now.

What accounts are you basing your assumption that the RS20 is a modest update of the HD100? Have you seen an RS20?

The opinion I heard was from the dealer. I've also read about comparisons from folks demoing the HD100 to the HD750 here in the UK and a couple of similar opinions from the US. A modest but definitely welcome PQ upgrade was the general flow that I got.

Your a little behind in the US, the HD750/RS20 is expected anytime here. I need to sell my HD100 before I can go with the VW80 so a week maybe two. By that time the dealer who demoed the VW80 will hopefully have a HD750 and I'll certainly demo that if possible and see for myself. It'll have to be a good deal better than the HD100 though and I just don't think that's the case.

Yep its all about the RS20 right now. The panny ae3000 is the best bang for the buck @ $2500. The VW70 has to prove its price point, the price is a big disapointment, i think thats the main reason for the low interest also that there is no VW80 availablity in the U.S. currently & no review yet at pj central. I wonder what a powerbuy price would be like for a VW70 if there was one. Check out the VW80 threads

Unfortunately the VW70 is part of Sony's SURE program...essentially all authorized dealers have to sell at MSRP. That is part of the problem because at $8k retail, it is a big jump over its competitors.

Unfortunately the VW70 is part of Sony's SURE program...essentially all authorized dealers have to sell at MSRP. That is part of the problem because at $8k retail, it is a big jump over its competitors.

Is VW70 = VW80.

The price I have for the VW80 is £4k in comparison to £5.2k for the HD750 or £7k for the Marantz 11S2.

I don't personally know...the VW80 is not available in the US.
But....it would NOT surprise me if they were the same. In fact I would be more surprised if they actually made a whole new unit for a different market....not very cost effective.

I don't personally know...the VW80 is not available in the US.
But....it would NOT surprise me if they were the same. In fact I would be more surprised if they actually made a whole new unit for a different market....not very cost effective.

I remember they did something similar with the HS50/51 and 60/61 for Europe and US markets. Probably the same thing here albeit less subtle and clear cut.

Unfortunately the VW70 is part of Sony's SURE program...essentially all authorized dealers have to sell at MSRP. That is part of the problem because at $8k retail, it is a big jump over its competitors.


SURE program reminds me of the "Fair Trade" laws of the 1970's. Back then we had to pay full price for all our stereo components, speakers, etc. :(

My finding were that the VW80 is a considerably better machine in all the important area's compared to the HD100. I can't see how the RS20 could compete. People looking into the RS20 would do well to see the VW80 before buying.

That's a pretty bold statement. Where JVC competes with Sony is in native contrast. Do you know what the native contrast of the VW80 is?

Long story short I've had some time to kill since selling my SIM2 C3X 1080p and ordering the new SIM2 1080 unit not in for a couple more weeks. So I've been buying and selling a bunch of different projectors now for a couple of months. I will be putting the sony VW70 up tonight. I'll post my impression's for those interested. I'am no way an expert and my experience will be based on what I see. BTW I didn't pay MSRP on this unit it can be had for a lot less trust me ;).

with the VW70 at $7999 MSRP, a projector equally equipped to the VW80 (or the VW80 itself) would logically MSRP significantly more here in the USA.

That's a pretty bold statement. Where JVC competes with Sony is in native contrast. Do you know what the native contrast of the VW80 is?

It may well be a bold statement but not one that I would indulge in without a belief it were true.

I'm less of a facts and figures type person when it comes to projectors. I couldn't tell you what the exact figures for on/off or ANSI was nor could I tell you whether the contrast on a Tuesday evening without beer was worse than Saturday evening with beer. :)

This is going to sound crazy so brace yourself but all I did was look at the image and make a judgement :eek: :D

Better than HD100 and not by a small amount hence the HD750 needs to really push the boat out compared to the previous model. From what I've read its a small but key update on the HD100 in terms of picture quality plus some nice extra features and functionality.

with the VW70 at $7999 MSRP, a projector equally equipped to the VW80 (or the VW80 itself) would logically MSRP significantly more here in the USA.

Apparently the VW70 isn't the same as the VW80 since it doesn't have the motion thingy and dark scene insertion plus maybe or may not other things too.

I don't know why the US market doesn't have the VW80 yet much smaller markets such as the UK, France etc. do?

Apparently the VW70 isn't the same as the VW80 since it doesn't have the motion thingy and dark scene insertion plus maybe or may not other things too.

That is a shame as that is something I really enjoyed and what made me purchase the VW200. The VW200 is still
current in the Q as their reference projector. Its possible leaving off the 120hz and film mode was to further differentiate the two products. The VW70 panel is also driven fully digital like the JVC where the VW200 has some analog stages.

Long story short I've had some time to kill since selling my SIM2 C3X 1080p and ordering the new SIM2 1080 unit not in for a couple more weeks. So I've been buying and selling a bunch of different projectors now for a couple of months now. I will be putting the sony VW70 up tonight. I'll post my impression's for those interested. I'am no way an expert and my experience will be based on what I see. BTW I didn't pay MSRP on this unit it can be had for a lot less trust me ;).


Yeah, do that please. Im really interested.

with the VW70 at $7999 MSRP, a projector equally equipped to the VW80 (or the VW80 itself) would logically MSRP significantly more here in the USA.

But see the thread on the VW80 in Australia where it has an MSRP of approximately $4k

Are we positive the VW60 is not about to slip off the edge of our Flat Earth?
It is no longer present on the Canadian site (though It remains in the U.S). Even the HW10 is not clickable, though it is available through various dealers and Sonystyle Ca will provide if you ask nice.

The 200 is still there.

ted

But see the thread on the VW80 in Australia where it has an MSRP of approximately $4k

true. the MSRP there is $6999AUD. so, logically, if they had the VW70 for sale as well, it would be for less than $6999AUD.

The VW200 is still current in the Q as their reference projector. Its possible leaving off the 120hz and film mode was to further differentiate the two products. The VW70 panel is also driven fully digital like the JVC where the VW200 has some analog stages.

I'd like to audition the VW200 sometime. It sounds like a nice projector. I was surprised to hear how high the native contrast is on the Ruby compared to the Pearl, so the VW200 is likely a noticeable step up in that respect from the higher volume Sony's. I'm also not a fan of the JVC digital backplane so I hope Sony doesn't go that route, although if they went that route with the VW70 then it sounds like that's the direction they are headed.

Sony tells me the Vw70 is essentially the same as the 80, they just detail the specs slightly differently.. He thought the scaler was updated in the 70 slightly and told me point blank that the 70 is their best projector on the market right now for most people. The 200's Xenon bulb is awesome but the 70 is super bright and has all the bells and whistles. I think we should see some reviews in the next few days..

craig

Long story short I've had some time to kill since selling my SIM2 C3X 1080p and ordering the new SIM2 1080 unit not in for a couple more weeks. So I've been buying and selling a bunch of different projectors now for a couple of months. I will be putting the sony VW70 up tonight. I'll post my impression's for those interested. I'am no way an expert and my experience will be based on what I see. BTW I didn't pay MSRP on this unit it can be had for a lot less trust me ;).

Just make sure it was an authorized dealer and hope they don't get caught...also they better give you a full MSRP receipt or Sony will void your warranty when you need it.

Just make sure it was an authorized dealer and hope they don't get caught...also they better give you a full MSRP receipt or Sony will void your warranty when you need it.

I work for an auto OE, we "advise" our dealers on suggested MSRP, but don't force them to only sell at MSRP.

Being forced to sell at "MSRP only" sticks in my face like not fair and price fixing.

Did I not read recently where some LCD makers were fined big time for that?

I'm no lawyer, but in the end the consumer does lose.

I work for an auto OE, we "advise" our dealers on suggested MSRP, but don't force them to only sell at MSRP.

Being forced to sell at "MSRP only" sticks in my face like not fair and price fixing.

Did I not read recently where some LCD makers were fined big time for that?

I'm no lawyer, but in the end the consumer does lose.

Oh I TOTALLY agree. The new law that allows this is well, bad for consumers. Sony's SURE policy is pretty strict (not at liberty to discuss details, but I am not messing around trying to get around it either). I personally wouldn't buy anything at MSRP nowadays either, so it stinks I have to sell at MSRP with certain products. Oh well...good thing there are lots of options out there.

Seems the 70 is much improved over the 80. Different scaler and the newest technology. A dealer told me this is the best SXRD available...true? No idea...

Seems the 70 is much improved over the 80. Different scaler and the newest technology. A dealer told me this is the best SXRD available...true? No idea...

i hope you meant the 70 is much improved over the 60.

the 80 has everything the 70 has (bravia engine 2, Advanced Iris 2, etc.) PLUS Motionflow and Dark Frame Insertion.

No I didn't. Spoke to a dealer today that insisted the 70 is the best Sony to date.

lying?

maybe more misinformed than lying. first of all, i suspect the $15,999 VW200 with the carl zeiss lens and xenon bulb is still the best sony projector to date. second, since the VW80 will never be available here in the United States (as far as we know), it is unlikely the dealer you spoke to has any first hand knowledge of the comparisons between the VW70 and the VW80.

but he probably should not have proclaimed the VW70 to be better than the VW200, although I'm certain there is some newer technology in the VW70 (newer than the 200, not newer than the 80).

I agree the VW80 appears to offer features that place it above the VW70, yet lacks some stuff on the VW200 such as the better optics.

He said newer technology in the 70 than BOTH the 200 and 80....

200 yes, 80 no (as far as the spec sheets and people first receiving the units have indicated).

It sure seems like a hefty price increase from the HW10 to HW70. You can get the 70 for well below MSRP but it seems from some of the posts in the HW10 thread the 10 can get close to a 70 with proper calibration.

Aqua...

Someone would have to have both the HW10 and VW70 to know for sure how close they can be made to be.

The point Kris Deering made to me today, even if the HW10 can enhance performance thru some service menu tweaks, most people are not likely to make the adjustments. So, If Sony has indeed caused the HW10 to underperform so it is less competitive with the VW70, only sophisticated users inclined to tinker would ever get the most out of the HW10.

But that's the beauty of AVS. If there is a way to push the envelope, we find it. :D

Oh I TOTALLY agree. The new law that allows this is well, bad for consumers. Sony's SURE policy is pretty strict (not at liberty to discuss details, but I am not messing around trying to get around it either). I personally wouldn't buy anything at MSRP nowadays either, so it stinks I have to sell at MSRP with certain products. Oh well...good thing there are lots of options out there.

Well, if they change the name from MSRP (Manufactures Suggested Retail Price) to MFP (Manufactures Fixed Price) then it would be clear they (Sony/others) are fixing the price and your hands are tied, "suggested" is just that - here is a starting point and then you the retailer can go from there based upon your margins/etc.

(sorry for thread hijack)

One of my friends just purchased the 70. We are going to compare it to the 200 this week sometime. :)

One of my friends just purchased the 70. We are going to compare it to the 200 this week sometime. :)

Yes! It will be great to read your verdict on this Joerod