Sony VPL-VW295ES Review – Create Your Best Experience Yet

Are you ready to really get the best possible experience out of your projector? Maybe you’ve been tooling around with lower level projectors for a while and you’re ready to really step it up a notch, or maybe you’ve been using a high end model and now it’s time to replace the old one. No matter the reason, you’re going to find a whole lot to love about the Sony VPL-VW295ES. It has a whole bunch of great features we’re going to talk about and it definitely knows how to deliver the kind of movie watching or game playing experience you’ve been waiting for.

Who it’s for

This projector is not for the amateur movie night aficionado. Rather, it’s designed for someone who wants state of the art results each and every time they hook up their projector. Whether you’re watching a movie or hooking up your home videos or your video games, this projector is designed for the full-time quality control person. Now, that’s not to say it’s the one you want if you’re running a business, because for those making money off the use of their projector there are definitely bigger and better, even from Sony themselves, but for those watching and using at home? This is definitely going to be the high end.

Top features

When it comes to features, the Sony VPL VW-295ES definitely doesn’t skimp out. It’s actually considered a lower end projector compared to a lot of what Sony has to offer, so it’s something you should take a look at here. Don’t miss out on these awesome features and the many ways that you can really create the experience you’ve been looking for (and then some). We’ll talk about all of the best features and the top ways that this Sony projector can make sure you’re not shopping around for much longer. You’ll bit sitting back watching your favorite show in your movie room (from now until forever).

Natural 4K resolution

The true 4K resolution means that it’s designed to be just like the digital cinema projectors that you love going to see so much. It doesn’t default to this standard when you’re using a Blu-Ray UHD, but it’s still going to give you a whole lot of great quality and the complete width that will give you access to the resolution you’re looking for. You just need to make sure you have 4K content and you’ll be able to see just how sharp it actually is. You’ll also have none of the overlap in colors that you get with your standard TV or even other high end projectors. You’ll get every color you should have.

Supports IMAX

Ready to take your games and your movies to the next level? Then you’re going to want something that has IMAX capabilities. You’ll be able to really immerse yourself in some of the best parts of your favorite media with this and it’s actually something that makes Sony completely different from anything else. They’re the only ones that have IMAX certification. That doesn’t mean they’re the only ones who can play it, but they are the only ones who can say they have the official certification for it. Plus, they even have DTS sound certification to go along with it. So you get the amazing quality video and audio to match.

Motorized zoom lens

You’ll have some of the best zoom range that you could imagine with this projector, though it’s not as much as you can get if you decide to go with a higher end unit (which jumps the price quite a bit). With this one you’ll have vertical and horizontal lens shift that exceeds the average and also you don’t have any external controls for the lens (which makes the whole unit look more sleek). Because of that zoom lens you’ll be able to place your unit just about anywhere you want and then the lens will make sure that you get the full picture, exactly where you want/need it.

High quality black level performance

Most people just think of black as black and don’t really pay attention to gradients in it. With the Sony VPL VW-295ES you’re getting several different levels of black and several different layers when you’re watching a very dark scene. It’s not quite like a dynamic iris style, but it’s definitely going to be a step up from what you might have right now in your projector. You’ll be able to see what’s really happening in those dark scenes, which is definitely going to be the whole point, right? You’ll also be able to see different layers without having to get a super dark room.

Reality creation detail enhancement

Now you’re generally going to get a default setting of 20 out of 100 for detail enhancement, but you can actually increase it further if you want. For those who want even more sharpness to their screens you can turn it up as high as you like and get a sharper and sharper image. As with other systems, however, once you get to around 50 out of 100 you’re going to start seeing some noise distortion on the screen. So it’s going to be a bit of a balancing act for you to see what you get (or want).

Supports BT.2020 expanded color space

This color space means that you’re getting just about all of the colors that you could possibly expect to see. In fact, you’re going to have some of the widest color range you’ll find anywhere, and that’s definitely going to make it easier for you to see everything that’s happening and to enjoy all of the minor details that go along with your video or your game. Plus, with the addition of HDR, you’re going to have one of the highest quality projectors around. That’s what it’s all about, right?

Full calibration controls

Turning your projector to exactly what you want is actually a whole lot easier than you might have thought. That’s because you get 9 different calibration presets and you get to adjust each separately. You can calibrate the Cinema Film 1 & 2, Reference, TV, Photo, Game, Bright Cinema, Bright TV & User presets. As you adjust from the default setting you’re going to have a better variety of options from the brightest modes to the best quality level modes and more. You can also balance out different colors even better with your preferred settings and you can adjust them as much as you like. This refers to grayscale, gamma settings and a great deal more to create the balance you need.

Overall style

The look and style of this projector is actually a great benefit. It’s going to give you a moderate size and it has very clean lines that give it a minimalistic approach. Not only that but there are very few external controls at all because even the zoom lens has motorized, internal controls. You’ll have a dark gray or black finish throughout the exterior and the whole thing is a little big and bulky. It’s a little bit heavy as well, but you’ll have no problem setting it up just about anywhere and watching anything you want.

Inputs and connectors

Now, when it comes to connecting anything you want to this unit you’ll actually have a number of options. You get an RJ-45 LAN connector that’s used for networking and you’ll also have a USB and 2 HDMI inputs that offer HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2. There’s also an RS-232 serial port that you can use for legacy command as well as control. Plus, there’s a jack for the remote if you want to attach it directly and you’ll have 2 different 12 volt triggers. Overall, this unit is going to give you a whole lot of connectors and all of the aspects you need to set up your next movie.

Low input lag for gaming

If you’re a gamer you always want the fastest speeds so you can actually enjoy your games, but that’s not always easy to get. With this system you’re actually going to have a specific setting you can choose for input lag reduction. It’s hidden in the expert settings menu, but it’s going to make things a whole lot easier for you when you’re playing games. In fact, it cuts lag down to 27ms, which is one of the best you’ll get with a projector, as long as you’re playing a 4K game. If you play something lower quality you’ll have longer lag and if you turn on the game mode alongside the input lag reduction you’ll average around 40 ms.

Cost

When it comes to the price of this unit you’re actually going to get a great amount of features for the cost. You won’t have to worry about paying tens of thousands of dollars to get something that really works. Instead, you can actually get it for less than $5,000. That’s going to mean a great balance and you’re also going to be more than happy with the results and all of the other features that we’ve talked about. Take a look at the different pros and cons that we’ve talked about below as well. You might be surprised what all is there.

Pros & Cons

Before you buy anything you’re going to want to know all of the pros and cons and that’s exactly what we’re going to talk about. These are the features that you’re going to want to at least pay a little closer attention to. Whether some of the pros are what you need or not is up to you. And definitely how much weight you want to put on the cons is up to you. Instead, take a closer look and be ready to say yes or no based on the information that you find right here. You might be surprised just how many awesome features you’re going to find when you start digging.

Pros

• Good for rooms with moderate lighting control
• Natural 4K resolution that support HDR
• P3 color for more color variety
• 6000 hour lamp life when used in eco-mode
• 3 year warranty on parts and labor
• Motorized zoom lens for better close-ups
• High quality black level performance for
  distinct color variation
• Reality Creation Detail Enhancement
• 1500 lumen lighting for better visibility
• 3LCoS panels with full alignment controls that
  improve details
• Supports BT.2020 Expanded Color Space which is
  the  same as commercial theater
  projectors
• Full calibration controls to give more
  versatility
• Low input lag for gaming
• 3D capable for more varied game/movie play

Cons

• No one-button lens memory
• No dynamic iris
• No wireless networking option
• Somewhat slow for 180p games
• No onboard media player, Miracast or internet
  browser
• Lighting on the remote is not ideal

Your top alternatives

Now, the Sony VPL-VW295ES is not for everyone. You might find it to be too big and unwieldy or too fancy for your needs. Maybe you’re trying to save a little bit of money and still get a great quality projector. On the other hand, maybe you don’t think it’s big enough for what you’re trying to do and you want to make sure you get something even bigger. No matter which way you’re going, you’re going to find something great to help balance you out. So, choose bigger, smaller or exactly this one, no matter what you’re going to be off to a great start.

Sony VPL VW695ES

If you’re looking to go with something really high end this is another option you might want to consider. It’s a step up from the one we’ve been looking at and comes with a few extra features that just might make it your ideal choice. This one has lens memory and dynamic iris, which makes for a clearer and more sleek style for your picture. It also has 3D capability and works well for just about any kind of gaming. On top of that it has wired networking, HDMI inputs, 1,800 lumens, 4K resolution with 3 SCRD imagers and motionflow for the smoothest flow from one scene and movement to the next.

One of the drawbacks is that it’s not quite designed to go with the standard mounting gear. You’ll need to get Sony specific options. You’ll also find that dealing with Sony if you have some problems can be a bit of a hassle for some people. So make sure that you keep track of everything and that you know what you’re getting. Overall, it’s definitely going to be a high quality option that gets a lot done for a little more, okay, a decent amount more.

Optoma UHD60

For those who want a 4K projector but don’t want to spend a lot of money when they’re just getting started, the Optoma UHD60 is a good way to go. It still gives you true 4K ultra HD and 4x the pixels you get with 1080p. Not only that but it’s actually 3,000 lumens and it’s HDR compatible. You’ll also have 15,000 hours of lamp life and a high contrast ratio. Plus, it installs really quickly and easily, no matter where you want it. Get vertical lens shift, 1.6x zoom, easy throw ration and keystone correction. Overall, it’s going to take care of a whole lot without you having to do much of anything.

On the downside it’s a bit large and the top cover is not really as high end. Not only that but you’ll find that the finish is a little bit less than ideal and there might be some things you want to check out, like using a quality cable to connect this projector. You need a really good, high end, HDMI cable in order to get the kind of quality out of your video that you would expect.

If none of the two alternatives works for you, check out our list of the top 4K projectors available in the market today.

Wrap up

When it comes down to it you’re going to find a number of different projector options out there, as you know. But you might or might not find something that fits your needs the way the Sony VPL. VW295ES does. Just take a closer look at each of the pros and cons and see how they’re going to make it work for you.