Overview, design and build
If we were building a dedicated home cinema tomorrow, we would, without doubt, install a 3D projector. While cynics continue to shrug at the tsunami tide of 3D flatscreen TVs heading our way, and we also have some reservations, we've yet to meet anyone who's walked away from a 3D home projector demo who didn't have a grin on their face.
After all there's something completely understandable about the simple proposition of movie-watching in a dark room, with no disturbances. In this context, 3D is a killer addition to the home entertainment experience.
And if we were equipping said picture palace, Sony's second generation VPL-HW30ES would be on our shortlist.
It's a breathtakingly good projector, blessed with an alluring price tag. By our reckoning, that's the equivalent of around fifty family visits to the local multiplex (including snacks and beverages). This thing would pay for itself in no time.
The Sony VPL-HW30ES' design is in line with previous Sony SXRD (Silicon X-tal Reflective Display) projectors. The distinctive curvaceous, glossy lid and side-mounted inputs look suitably swish. Our test sample was finished in the standard black, but there's a new white finish available, too.
There's a broad connection choice of two HDMIs, PC D-Sub, component video, RS232 and Ethernet. Yet one obvious omission is a 12V trigger. Frankly all projectors of this calibre should have this as standard. Used to integrate a projector with an electric screen, this 3.5mm jack can hardly be construed as a luxury. We're sure we're not alone in feeling a little miffed by its absence.
There are other marked differences between this model and last year's VPL-VW90ES, but these seem more justifiable given the cost saving.
The motorised lens protector and zoom have gone, along with the ingeniously integrated 3D glasses sync transmitter. Instead, we get a separate transmitter, the TMR-PJ1, which ties to the projector via Cat5 cable.
Consequently, you'll need to give the Sony VPL-HW30ES some thought when it comes to installation, as the transmitter needs to be placed close to the screen, facing the audience.
Thankfully, the imaging engine beneath the lid is just the same; the 240Hz panel delivers superb detail and colour fidelity.
New this season is a Dynamic Lamp Control, which delivers three times the brightness of last year's model. This light boost makes a huge difference to 3D performance.
Sony has also refined its 3D projector glasses. First time around, you needed to affix little filters to each lens; this year the new Active Shutter TDG-PJ1 eyewear is good to go straight from the box.
They're also considerably lighter; Sony has reduced their weight by 18g. Even worn over prescription spectacles, they're manageable. While they have to be manually powered up to sync, they switch off automatically, preserving juice.
The glasses are USB rechargeable – a 30-minute session on the ring main provides around 30 hours of use.
Interestingly, the spectacles are not officially included with the projector. Like the transmitter, they're an optional extra. However, Sony UK concedes that all dealers are likely to bundle goggles and projector together as a package. Do remember to check this when comparing prices from different retailers.
The motorised zoom may be missed, but horizontal and vertical lens shift wheels make for a simple setup. The throw distance is generous enough to achieve an image of 120-inches from a distance of a little over 13 feet.
The remote control is also backlit, an eminently sensible provision.
The VPL-HW30ES is respectfully quiet. Run the lamp on Low and fan noise drops to a gentle 22dB; this is perfectly acceptable in a cinema environment. Even during quiet scenes we weren't really aware of it.
Performance and verdict
While this projector offers multiple tweaks for colour temperature, gamma and noise reduction, you really don't need to work too hard to get a great-looking image.
Regardless of your views on 3D, the VPL-HW30ES is a fine 2D projector. It's capable of deep, convincing blacks with tangible shadow detail. Unlike rival D-ILA technology, SXRD relies on a dynamic iris to deliver deep contrast. Here the Advanced Iris system has a couple of auto modes, which adjust to scene content; sensitivity is variable. I wasn't particularly aware of the iris opening or closing during my audition. Alternatively, you can manually set and fix it to taste.
The VPL-HW30ES is all about eye candy. Arthouse animation Chico & Rita looks simply ravishing, displaying vibrant reds rather than washed-out oranges. Colours really pop from the screen.
There are no fewer than nine picture presets available, including a trio of Cinema modes designed to emulate the characteristics of 'real film', 'digital cinema' and 'pro monitors.' There are also modes dedicated to 3D gaming and still photography. Investigate them at your leisure, because differences can be subtle.
Motion resolution is good, provided you engage Sony's proprietary fast framerate technology. The VPL-HW30ES offers two MotionFlow processing modes, Low and High.
With MotionFlow off, the moving picture resolution of the unit falls from 1080 lines to approximately 750 (when motion is locked at 6.5 pixels per frame). The good news is that horizontal panning judder is inherently low.
Switch the Motion Enhancer to Low and definition creeps up to around 950 lines. The process creates some slight artefacts around moving objects, but nothing to write home about. We'd regard either setting as fine for watching movies.
Give the High setting a wide berth though, unless you're watching ice hockey... or maybe curling. The resulting sheen removes all traces of cinematic texture.
In 3D mode, the VPL-HW30ES is nearly as impressive. The 240Hz panel is fast, but there's still some double imaging visible on traditionally troublesome Blu-ray discs.
Thankfully, the quality of 3D authoring is evolving rapidly and as a consequence discs seem less susceptible to crosstalk. Resident Evil: Afterlife and Tangled (an interesting double bill at the best of times) offer stunning depth and clarity. RE: Afterlife consistently uses rain and water to emphasise depth, which is far more effective on a large screen than when viewed on 3D TV. The credit sequence in particular is stunning; you really will feel caught in the downpour.
The VPL-HW30ES is equally entertaining when fed by a console. Sony has a small but perfectly formed selection of 3D titles now for the PS3, and they're quite a hoot in Gigantovision. Fast-moving games are next to impossible to spot crosstalk on, so you can just relax and play.
Perhaps predictably, Sony has also invested this projector with the ability to dimensionalise 2D content, using algorithms borrowed from its Bravia TV line. However, we hereby deem this feature to be pointless and refuse to comment on it further.
Verdict
The Big S has delivered a barnstorming big-screen projector with the VPL-HW30ES. Not only is it good enough to convert the fiercest 3D cynics, it's also a darn fine 2D projector in its own right.
While it may not be perfect – the lack of a 12V trigger particularly rankles and we'd rather the transmitter was back integrated with the lens assembly – this remains a compelling argument for bringing big-screen 3D home.
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