SONY changes the Front Projection Landscape with a real "Pearl" **NEW Info (9/15)**

RAF · 09-13-2006, 10:10 PM

We came away from the Sony Press Conference at CEDIA this afternoon with a realization that the entire pricing structure for state of the art Front Projectors has been completely decimated.

They introduced their brand new 1080p SXRD (LCoS) 3 chip projector - the VPL-VW50 (nicknamed the "Pearl" after its older sibling, the $10,000 VPL-VW100 - The "Ruby" -) with the following specifications:

1080p resolution (1920 x 1080)
3 Chip SXRD (LCoS) technology
2 1080p HDMI inputs with full support for 24fps!

And here's where it gets interesting:

List Price $4999!!!

That's half the price of last years FP with some added capabilities. There are some differences (a UHP lamp instead of a Xenon lamp) but on first glance the plusses greatly outweigh the minuses.

Naturally, we will be visiting both the SONY booth and the STEWART SCREENS booth (they announced a SONY/STEWART home theater partnership at the conference as well) to do some extensive hands on viewing, etc. with the actual unit. And, as I write this, Ron and Parker are working on getting the video of the press conference on line here at the HTF so you can see the announcements unfold. There are some other goodies there as well (including the fact that the Sony Blu-ray player will output 1080p/24 which is very good news for the best presentation of film material.) Watch for an announcement when the video becomes available.

And for those who want a little "taste" of what was, up to now, a "rumor" here's a link to some of the specs.

Look for our video.
Look for additional specs as they are posted on the web.

Sony says the unit will be available from them "immediately" (whatever that means.)

$4995 list price.

The game has changed and the ripple effect has to make other projectors cheaper from top to bottom. Otherwise it's a no brainer for people who were looking for an FP option.

Much more to follow.

**HTF Ads**

Tim Glover · 09-14-2006, 12:59 AM

Thanks for posting that. First, $4999 is an UNREAL price for this....unreal. Should street for around $ 4000 perhaps????

Even better news for those who still can't bring that home will be the more affordable offerings from Panasonic, Optoma, InFocus, & Mitsubishi....add Sanyo & Benq to that mix too.

With Sony's 1080p Pearl pricing strategy...it actually helps lower the cost of other units imo.

Wow. Wow.

Might just be that 1080p front projection is more of a reality than a dream.

RAF · 09-14-2006, 01:22 AM

Quote:

With Sony's 1080p Pearl pricing strategy...it actually helps lower the cost of other units imo.

Exactly, Tim. As I mentioned in the "normal" thread in the Displays area, lowering the price of any desirable technology causes a ripple effect in all models with lesser specs. It's win/win all around and all interested in HT at all levels benefit.

To me, the trip has already been worth it and the show doesn't officially begin until later this morning!

Incidently, since I observed your signature graphic, you might be interested in what film we will be seeing this evening at a theater here in Denver in 4K digital (!) - thanks to Texas Instruments. Yep - Superman Returns. (No, I can't sneak out a digital copy for you and post it here as a CEDIA "video." You'll have to settle for the Sony Press conference for now!)

Way past my bedtime or I'll never make it through tomorrow.

Tim Glover · 09-14-2006, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAF

Exactly, Tim. As I mentioned in the "normal" thread in the Displays area, lowering the price of any desirable technology causes a ripple effect in all models with lesser specs. It's win/win all around and all interested in HT at all levels benefit.

To me, the trip has already been worth it and the show doesn't officially begin until later this morning!

Incidently, since I observed your signature graphic, you might be interested in what film we will be seeing this evening at a theater here in Denver in 4K digital (!) - thanks to Texas Instruments. Yep - Superman Returns. (No, I can't sneak out a digital copy for you and post it here as a CEDIA "video." You'll have to settle for the Sony Press conference for now!)

Way past my bedtime or I'll never make it through tomorrow.

Way cool!! Superman Returns! That's swell.

Very jealous.

Get some rest Robert...as we expect much more reporting from you.

RAF · 09-14-2006, 07:23 AM

The VPL-VW50 is officially on the SonyStyle site HERE.
Shipping in October.
Film at Eleven (last night)

RAF · 09-15-2006, 08:30 AM

More information HERE. We will be looking at the JVC today or tomorrow.

Early info: The SONY is under $5,000. The JVC is under $7,000.

The SONY ships in early October. They are "predicting" that the JVC ships in "First Quarter, 2007."

Tim Glover · 09-15-2006, 09:49 AM

Good stuff Robert....how was the movie you dog!

Larry Sutliff · 09-15-2006, 01:46 PM

This is great news. I want to save for the Pearl, though I still don't know how I'm gonna do fp in my space. I'll have to try to figure out a way.

Michael Osadciw · 09-15-2006, 05:59 PM

I see a 1080p projector in my near future!!

Awesome news, Robert!!

Mike

Tim Glover · 09-16-2006, 04:59 AM

I just read that review on the Pearl which, btw, was the most specific and detailed video gear review I have EVER read. Wow.

The Pearl is out of my price range for now...but after reading that review, this one might just be worth waiting a little and selling off a few body parts in order to get it.

....Looks might impressive. Mighty impressive.