From AV Magazine Italy:
"The announcement of the new full HD projector Sony VPL-HW50ES threw into turmoil that many fans have been waiting for a new Sony 4K projector more accessible. Another part of fans hoped at least in the introduction of a model "lampless", ie with light engine-based laser and / or phosphor and / or LED. The presentation of the new HW50 instead leaves a bad taste in your mouth, they seem to read the new specifications that improvements over the previous model (HW30) are only marginal. In addition, the decision to leave a reflector type manual seems anachronistic.
The reality is a bit 'different and a long interview with Tak Nakane, product manager for Sony projectors, has shed light on some aspects that are worth to be made public. First of all, the development of new HW50 has been directly managed by the father of the model 4K, that 'Ing Matsuda has in fact revolutionized the field of projection Hi-End, putting in line all competitors.
Matsuda has completely redesigned optics which now allows a detailed and luminous efficiency significantly higher. The luminous flux now rises to 1,700 lumens while in calibration conditions (6500 ° Kelvin) light output remains at 1195 lumens (source Sony).
The changing lenses, even if a manual was an obvious choice to make the most of the new DSP X-Reality Pro, which promises to give a detail never seen before in full HD images. The processor is in fact derived directly from the one entered in the VPL-VW1000ES is similar to what is included in the top of the range Sony LCD TV (HX855, HX955) and has been optimized for video projection. Unfortunately, the new HW50 here at IFA is turned off. The first public appearance will be at CEDIA, the United States and the second just in Italy, in Milan, in the next Top Audio Video Show from September 13, to be practical in the European premiere.
The new HW50, calibrated to the best of our ability, directly challenge the model VW1000, in a shoot-out on the screen by 3 meters wide, with native 4K content. We reveal all the details of this super (duper) comparison in the coming days. The price of the new HW50 should be between 3,300 and 3,500 euros, with integrated IR emitter and a pair of glasses in the box. The previous model HW30 should be repositioned short about 2.500-2-700 Euro."
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.avmagazine.it%2Fnews%2Fvideoproiettori%2Fces-proiettore-lg-af115-sxrd-1080p_2801.html&langpair=it|en&hl=en&ie=UTF8
Unlike many members, I do not give Sony a free pass to cut corners. Products should be evaluated on their own merits. To their credit Tom Huffman and Kris Deering also noted the substandard optics. The less consumers discriminate, the harder it is to raise the quality of the next generation. In any event its good to see both Sony and Panasonic begin to implement basic quality optical principles like lens coatings as they already do for their excellent camera lines. These well known engineering principles will allow an increase of native contrast and reveal the 2K SXRD pixel elements. If the errors are low enough (or the resolving power high-enough) then Sony can consider going to 4K next year.
Its taken over a year to restore pixel fidelity to the front projector market (the DLP camp released products without 1:1 pixel mapping). Whew!
Edited by HiFiFun - 9/3/12 at 4:48am
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