CEDIA 2017 PROJECTOR REPORT

[AVSCraig]

This is how I saw things - everyone else that was at Cedia is encouraged to chime in!

JVC – the RS4500 laser projector continues in the lineup. JVC was demoing it on a 16’ wide x 9’ tall screen ( real 16:9 you could say ). I have one, and it’s a great projector.
The new RS440, 540 and 640 projectors – the RS640 was being demo’d on a 110” or so screen, showing 4K HDR in blow torch mode – about 68 foot lamberts from what we could tell. The new projectors have an improved “ eshift 5 “, which looked cleaner and a bit sharper. Other improvements –
CMD banding is fixed.
HDR is improved, and the dynamic iris works with HDR.
All models now have 3 year advanced replacement warranties.
Lower pricing ! All in all, these throw a better picture than before, with better / easier to use HDR. 18 Gbps HDMI inputs.
There is also an extremely limited 20 LTD model with 200K:1 native contrast – for $ 10,000.00. 

Epson – the only new projector this year is the HC LS100 short throw projector. Laser, 4000 lumens, $ 2999.00. A great alternative to a flat panel 1080p TV.
The rest of Epson’s home theater projectors continue for 2018.

Sony has revamped their 4K projector line up for 2018. All four of the following models use the same lens and 4K chips.  The models are –
VW285es – this model was being demo’d on a 160” diagonal screen. It looked quite good for the $4999.00 price point. I’m looking forward to seeing some in depth reviews. We were not able to tell what kind of contrast it had. 1500 lumens, power zoom / focus, but no lens memory. No manual / auto iris. 13.6 Gbps HDMI inputs.

VW385es – not demo’d. Looks promising specification wise. $ 7999.00. 1500 lumens, power zoom / focus, lens memory,  auto iris. Might be the best bang for the buck in Sony’s line up. 13.6 Gbps HDMI inputs.

VW675es – no change to the specifications other than an improved lens. 1800 lumens, power zoom / focus / lens memory.  Auto iris with better contrast than the VW385. 13.6 Gbps HDMI inputs. $ 14,999.00.

VW885es – this was being demo’d at Cedia – on two different screens. It looked excellent – a sharp bright picture.  2000 lumens – laser. Power zoom / focus / lens memory.  Auto iris. $ 25,999.99.  18 Gbps HDMI inputs. Looking forward to an in depth review of this projector.

The HW45es and 65es continue unchanged.

DLP projectors – we saw several at Cedia with the new “ 4K XPR “ chip. In the under $10,000 category -

Vivitek was showing the HK 2299 single chip projector ( $ 2499.00 ). 2000 lumens. The picture looked sharp, and had good motion. Not able to tell what the contrast looks like. I saw some RBE on this projector.

Optoma showed the UHZ65 projector. 2800 lumens, laser. It was hard to judge based on the poor demo conditions and a not so good Draper screen.

The best DLP projector in my opinion ( under $10K that is ) was the BenQ HT 9050 LED projector. I wasn’t able to judge contrast, but I didn’t see any RBE on this projector, and it too looked sharp, and had good motion.

If anyone who was at Cedia wants to add to this, chime on in. For my money, the best projectors / projectors to watch are ( most $ to least $ ) –

The JVC RS4500 – still a top tier projector. Outstanding picture.

The Sony VW885es. It most likely will turn out to be not as bright as the RS4500, but with careful screen size / selection, should be a great projector. Laser and an outstanding picture too.

The new JVC RS440 / 540 / 640 – they throw a better image than ever, are more 4K HDR friendly, and have killer black levels. Hard to beat. The RS540 looks to be the best “ bang for the buck “.

The Sony VW385 and 285. Both look to be excellent projectors for the money. The VW385 looks to be the best “ bang for the buck “ in the Sony 4K line up.

I’m personally still up in the air regarding the new DLP projectors. More reports are needed. After 9 years of 3 chip projectors, I see a little RBE on lots of them. YMMV !

[AVSCraig]

The BenQ HT 9050 on a Dragonfly Ultra Black ALR screen -

[Kris Deering]

Wonder if that means BenQ fixed that model with firmware, because RBE was the WORST I've seen from a DLP projector in a long time with my review sample!!

[AVSCraig]

Wonder if that means BenQ fixed that model with firmware, because RBE was the WORST I've seen from a DLP projector in a long time with my review sample!!

The guy in that booth mentioned more firmware coming to fix other things, so maybe they already did some fixes. It could have been the material they were showing made RBE less apparent, I'm not sure. I even saw a little RBE on the Barco Loki at the Alcons room.

[Paul Heroy]

Nice rundown, thanks Craig.

For someone with a 16:9 screen (me) the Sony 385 basically just adds the auto iris, for $3k. Not sure that's quite enough bang.

I'm VERY curious but somewhat skeptical about the Optoma UHZ65 at the same price point as the Sony 285. Talk about an interesting comparison in contrasting technologies. LCOS, UHP, 1500 specced lumens, full 4K vs DLP, Laser, 2800 specced lumens, "faux K" wobulated (or whatever) pixels. DLP hasn't been competitive on the contrast front but the 285 is a bit limited without an iris.

[AVSCraig]

Nice rundown, thanks Craig.

For someone with a 16:9 screen (me) the Sony 385 basically just adds the auto iris, for $3k. Not sure that's quite enough bang.

I'm VERY curious but somewhat skeptical about the Optoma UHZ65 at the same price point as the Sony 285. Talk about an interesting comparison in contrasting technologies. LCOS, UHP, 1500 specced lumens, full 4K vs DLP, Laser, 2800 specced lumens, "faux K" wobulated (or whatever) pixels. DLP hasn't been competitive on the contrast front but the 285 is a bit limited without an iris.

maybe projectorreviews.com should do a head to head comparison !

[Paul Heroy]

maybe projectorreviews.com should do a head to head comparison !

No maybe about it! Left the suggestion on their CEDIA writeup on the UHZ65. These days when it seems so many products are just slight variations on a theme I'm really fascinated by the different approaches in these two.

[stanger89]

Nice rundown, thanks Craig.

For someone with a 16:9 screen (me) the Sony 385 basically just adds the auto iris, for $3k. Not sure that's quite enough bang.

I'm VERY curious but somewhat skeptical about the Optoma UHZ65 at the same price point as the Sony 285. Talk about an interesting comparison in contrasting technologies. LCOS, UHP, 1500 specced lumens, full 4K vs DLP, Laser, 2800 specced lumens, "faux K" wobulated (or whatever) pixels. DLP hasn't been competitive on the contrast front but the 285 is a bit limited without an iris.

Too bad all these XPR DLPs are circa 1000:1 native contrast.

[AVSMike]

Too bad all these XPR DLPs are circa 1000:1 native contrast.

Yes, for those that know about projectors, this was a real disappointment.

[stanger89]

Yes, for those that know about projectors, this was a real disappointment.

Yeah, I really, really like my Planar 8150, I was hoping for a real successor.  Something with all the DLP benefits, plus P3 gamut and a bit better contrast.  Too bad they went in the opposite direction.

[AVSCraig]

Well, I won an Optoma UHD60 at Cedia, so I'll set it up in my theater when it gets here, and demo it for people, take some screen shots, and check it out for you guys / gals ! 

[Tom Bley]

Well, I won an Optoma UHD60 at Cedia, so I'll set it up in my theater when it gets here, and demo it for people, take some screen shots, and check it out for you guys / gals ! 

That's nice!  Can't complain about free. 

[AVSCraig]

That's nice!  Can't complain about free. 

Call me - we have JVC pre - order pricing now !!

[Tom Bley]

Call me - we have JVC pre - order pricing now !!

I thought you were supposed to call me?!  Here I've been waiting all this time.

[AVSCraig]

I thought you were supposed to call me?!  Here I've been waiting all this time.

I can't a call out to save my life !