Introduction Sony’s latest top-of-the-line front projector effectively replaces the company’s original flagship SXRD projector, the Qualia 004. The new VPL-VW200 is not only superior in performance to the original statement piece, but also half its price. It is amazing how quickly things change in the world of video. The VPL-VW200 is a three-panel LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon)-based unit with a native resolution of 1080p. Probably the most impressive aspect of its performance, once you have it set up properly, is its color accuracy. In fact, it is the most color accurate front projector under $30,000 that I have tested. Nothing at or near its price ($15,000) can come close to the performance of the VPL-VW200 in terms of color. I am a big stickler when it comes to color accuracy, and my latest pet peeve has been inaccurate primary and secondary ...

Introduction The performance increase of home video products over the past three years, paired with precipitous price drops, is nothing short of unprecedented. 50-inch HDTVs that only a few years ago cost $20,000 today cost less than $2,000. Never before have we seen video technology get so good so fast and for so little money. Companies like Vizio have gone from no-name brands to literally billion-dollar ventures today, providing consumers with access to HDTV video that can be the core of a truly respectable home theater at Costco prices. Not to be outdone, Sony has stepped into the fray of incredibly powerful video with their Pearl projector that at last fall’s CEDIA trade show threw the world of consumer video projectors on its ass. This $4,999 projector drew attention from reviewers, dealers and competitors alike with its bright image, 1080p resolution, slick aesthetic and amazingly low price tag. Before I get into the nitty gritty, I ...

Introduction Sony, an undisputed heavyweight in the world of home and professional video, has introduced a new product and product line designed to achieve the often elusive and transient goal of creating the best video image in the home theater world. With their new Qualia brand, Sony has invested significant design resources in creating a variety of special products, from 70-inch rear projection sets to headphones to the object of this review, the Qualia 004 SXRD, which is a most impressive $30,000 video projector. Sony is no stranger to top of the line video, considering the historical market dominance of their G90 nine-inch CRT projector. In its day and for its price, the G90 was a home theater champion. Today’s consumer market no longer supports CRT projectors nor do I recommend them, considering the advances made in digital projection in the past few years. Gone are the days of low light output and the need ...