Sony has added three new projectors to its home cinema lineup, led by its incredibly expensive new flagship model, the VPL-GTZ380.
The VPL-GTZ380 4K laser projector is based on Sony’s existing pro projector design, but comes in a smaller footprint and includes the latest X1 Ultimate picture processor that powers its most advanced Bravia TVs.
The new chip boasts an object-based high dynamic range remastering tool that helps to enhance colour and detail in each scene, according to the type of object found in each frame, be it a face, someone’s hands, a bowl of flowers etc. It also helps to make bright scenes brighter and dark scenes darker, Sony said, while cleaning up noise and upscaling standard definition and high definition content to 4K resolution as well.
As with Sony’s previous projectors, the VPL-GTZ380 uses a three-panel SXRD system based on reds, blues and greens. That panel is paired with an “enhanced laser light engine design” that consists of a new “deep red” laser, which the company said requires less colour-filtering, meaning it’s able to minimise brightness loss. Due to this, Sony claims 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut.
Sony said the dynamic range of contrast and brightness is further expanded by new technology that links the projector’s laser with its iris.
The VPL-GTZ380 is capable of projecting a 300-inch image, and is the company’s brightest-ever projector, offering an astounding 10,000 lumens of peak brightness. By contrast, LG’s latest CineBeam ultra short throw laser projector offers just 2,700 nits of peak brightness.
Buyers will of course need very deep pockets if they want to own such a high-performing model. Sony said the VPL-GTZ380 will go on sale in January priced at a cool £79,999.
For those with lower budgets, Sony has more realistic options in its new VPL-VW590 lamp projector, and its VPL-VW790 laser projector.
Those models are both 4K resolution and come equipped with the less powerful X1 for Projector processing chip. They boast a new Dynamic HDR Enhancer feature that Sony says will help improve the delivery of HDR10 and HLG content, and a new Super Resolution processing mode.
The VPL-VW590 is capable of outputting 1,800 lumens brightness, while the VPL-VW790 can hit 2,000 lumens and offers a 20,000 hour lifespan, Sony said.
Sony said the VPL-VW590 and the VPL-VW790 projectors are on sale now, priced at £6,999 and £11,999, respectively.
All three of the new projectors come with HDMI 2.0 connections and are capable of 4K playback at up to 60 frames per second.
