Sections
- Page 1 Sony VPL-VW520ES Review
- Page 2 Picture Quality Review
- Page 3 3D and Conclusions Review
Sony VPL-VW520ES: 3D Picture Quality
While the VW520ES is extremely watchable in 3D mode, it’s not quite as immaculate as it is in 2D mode. The problem is that its 3D pictures show a bit more crosstalk ghosting noise than we’d like, detracting from the incredible sense of crispness and resolution the projector delivers at all other times.
On the upside, the projector’s reasonably high brightness for its class ensures that 3D images still look vibrant and dynamic despite the dimming effect of Sony’s active shutter glasses, and the strong contrast performance helps 3D images enjoy a convincing and large sense of space.
Other things to consider
As mentioned in the Set Up section, we’d say the projector gives the best account of itself pictorially, especially when watching HDR, if you leave its lamp set to its high-powered Normal level. However, as well as reducing the lamp’s lifespan this setting also causes quite a hefty upsurge in the noise made by the projector’s cooling fans. 
This probably won’t be an issue in large rooms where the projector may well not be installed near your seating position, but it could force you to stick with the lamp’s Eco setting – which is, brilliantly nearly silent – in relatively compact surroundings.
One other slight irritation is that the VW520ES takes an eternity to warm up and cool down – though while this might be a pain from a reviewing perspective, we wouldn’t imagine it would likely often be an annoyance in the sort of dedicated ‘movie night’ home cinema room where a projector of such price and quality is most likely to end up.
Should you buy a Sony VPL-VW520ES?
Yep. Provided you a) have nearly £9000 to spend and b) accept that it’s just possible that much more expensive projectors with much more brightness might deliver more emphatic HDR experiences later on in 2016/2017.
Verdict
The VW520ES is another stunning projector from Sony, combining 4K and HDR thrills to cement the brand’s current position as the maker of our favourite sub-£10k projectors.
How much longer Sony will be able to keep the native 4K projector world to itself is anyone’s guess, but for now if we had £8,800 free to spend on a projector, we’d have no hesitation in spending it here.
Trusted Score
Score in detail
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Value 9
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2D Image Quality 10
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Features 10
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3D Image Quality 7
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Design 8
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
