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Sony VPL-VW80 vs VW85

post #1 of 13
1/17/10 at 12:29am
Thread Starter 
Hi,

I'm thinking of upgrading my projector. I currently have a Sony VPL-HS60. I'm considering a Sony VPL-VW85. The local dealer wants to get rid of their demo VW80 and I can get it for about $1500AUD cheaper than a VW85. They don't have a demo VW85 yet for me to do a comparison.

Can anyone comment on what are the differences between the 80 & 85? What are the benefits of the 85 in a "real world" environment? I don't have a fully light controlled bat cave. The projector is in a family room with light walls and a matt white ceiling. I am using a Stewart Firehawk G3 screen.

Thanks for any comments or opinions.

Richard
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post #2 of 13
1/17/10 at 10:43am
If you don't have a fully light controlled viewing environment the VW80 and VW85 may be wasted. You may want to consider the HW15 instead or alternatively the BenQ W6000, W20000, Mitsubishi HC6800, Panasonic AE4000 or Epson 8500.
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post #3 of 13
1/17/10 at 1:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thomaco View Post

...Can anyone comment on what are the differences between the 80 & 85? What are the benefits of the 85 in a "real world" environment?...

TJN has reviewed both
http://hometheatermag.com/frontproje...rd_projector/#
Brighter and sharper seems to be one concensus difference difference.
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post #4 of 13
1/17/10 at 2:13pm
Just purchased the vw85 3wks ago and love it. I had a jvc hx1 (lcos) and the difference is amazing. My room is not totally light controlled and the picture looks great. Everyone who has come to watch movies or games noticed the difference, it even passed the wife test!:. The picture is vibrant on a 110 inch matte white 1.0 screen. The motion flow is great for sports! The projector is completely silent. I was concerned about dust blobs which kept me away form lcd projectors.
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post #5 of 13
1/18/10 at 6:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thomaco View Post

Hi,

I'm thinking of upgrading my projector. I currently have a Sony VPL-HS60. I'm considering a Sony VPL-VW85. The local dealer wants to get rid of their demo VW80 and I can get it for about $1500AUD cheaper than a VW85. They don't have a demo VW85 yet for me to do a comparison.

Can anyone comment on what are the differences between the 80 & 85? What are the benefits of the 85 in a "real world" environment? I don't have a fully light controlled bat cave. The projector is in a family room with light walls and a matt white ceiling. I am using a Stewart Firehawk G3 screen.

Thanks for any comments or opinions.

Richard

The VW80 is very similar to the US VW70. Either are inferior to the VW85. But, if you can save money it brings the question into play "is it worth $1500 more". Hard to answer...I would personally say yes, especially considering you are comparing a brand new VW85 and a demo VW80...but that is my opinion.
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post #6 of 13
1/18/10 at 10:10pm
Im with Jason considering a fresh bulb will run you a few hundred. Just makes sense to have the newer unit.
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post #7 of 13
1/19/10 at 2:59am
Also consider that the re-sale value will be much better for the VW85. In addition it's brighter which is handy when you have ambient light issues.

That being said, I wouldn't go for either if your room is compromized with ambient light. You pay A LOT for the extra contrast that you're just throwing away in such an environment. You would be able to get the same picture quality (or even better with a brighter PJ) with a cheaper projector.

If you have a light colored room which is completely devoid of light, you get some advantage in black level in dark scenes. However, not as much as you would in a dark colored room. Take into account that in a light colored room, one tiny little light is all it takes to completely wash out the superior contrast level compared to a far cheaper PJ. (In a really dark room, you can have a little light if it's directed away from the screen.)
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post #8 of 13
1/20/10 at 11:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Drexler View Post

Also consider that the re-sale value will be much better for the VW85. In addition it's brighter which is handy when you have ambient light issues.

That being said, I wouldn't go for either if your room is compromized with ambient light. You pay A LOT for the extra contrast that you're just throwing away in such an environment. You would be able to get the same picture quality (or even better with a brighter PJ) with a cheaper projector.

If you have a light colored room which is completely devoid of light, you get some advantage in black level in dark scenes. However, not as much as you would in a dark colored room. Take into account that in a light colored room, one tiny little light is all it takes to completely wash out the superior contrast level compared to a far cheaper PJ. (In a really dark room, you can have a little light if it's directed away from the screen.)

Valid points, but there are many other advantages to the Sony over some of its competition that should be taken into consideration, other than just the high contrast.
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post #9 of 13
1/21/10 at 12:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason Turk View Post

Valid points, but there are many other advantages to the Sony over some of its competition that should be taken into consideration, other than just the high contrast.

You're absolutely right. However, I still feel that the main thing you pay for in high-end projectors is contrast (or mega lumens with the ultra-high end...). Not saying they don't have other advantages.

There are cheaper PJ with very good color, sharpness, motion, uniformity, POP etc, but non of them approaches the Sony or JVC in on/off contrast. In a non-ideal room I would at least look at cheaper alternatives like the IN83, 8500UB, HW15, SP-A800B, the BenQs etc. before plunging in.
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post #10 of 13
1/22/10 at 8:01am
I would to some degree disagree with the part that contrast is the main thing you pay for. Take the Epson HC8500...200000:1 rated contrast yet just over $2k. The Sony is in a completely different league yet is less contrast rated. Fact is there are many factors when considering different models is all I am trying to point out.
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post #11 of 13
1/22/10 at 5:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason Turk View Post

I would to some degree disagree with the part that contrast is the main thing you pay for. Take the Epson HC8500...200000:1 rated contrast yet just over $2k. The Sony is in a completely different league yet is less contrast rated. Fact is there are many factors when considering different models is all I am trying to point out.

Well, rated contrast yes, but real world?..

The Epson has a native on/off of about 7-8000:1 if I recall correctly while the Sony has been measured at about 20 000:1.

I would say that a cheap DLP like a BenQ W5000 would sweep the floor with the JVC/Sony if it only had significantly higher contrast. It's razor sharp, has spot on colors, uniformity and tons more POP than the LCOS machines. But then again I'm a DLP guy...

Sadly it's not even close in contrast...
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post #12 of 13
1/23/10 at 2:02am
Thread Starter 
Hi All,

Thanks for your comments. I know that I'll be throwing away contrast with something like the VW85 but am willing to pay a good price for colour accuracy, uniformity, clarity, sharpness, quiteness, ... I am open to other suggestions if you have any.

Richard
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post #13 of 13
1/24/10 at 11:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Drexler View Post

Well, rated contrast yes, but real world?..

The Epson has a native on/off of about 7-8000:1 if I recall correctly while the Sony has been measured at about 20 000:1.

I would say that a cheap DLP like a BenQ W5000 would sweep the floor with the JVC/Sony if it only had significantly higher contrast. It's razor sharp, has spot on colors, uniformity and tons more POP than the LCOS machines. But then again I'm a DLP guy...

Sadly it's not even close in contrast...

Right but the JVC RS15 (much cheaper) can do 32k:1...all I am saying is that contrast is only one aspect in a higher end projector to consider.
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