Sony has announced the Bravia Projector 7, also known as the VPL-XW5100ES, which joins the Projector 8 and 9 in its current lineup. The new projector replaces the VPL-XW5000ES and uses SXRD, Sony's LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) variant, which promises better contrast ratios than the more common DLP and LCD chips.
The most recent Sony projector we reviewed, the VPL-VW325ES, had the best contrast ratio we've measured in years. It's a fairly safe assumption this new projector will be even better. The new Projector 7 has 2,200 claimed lumens and has a laser light source for potentially even better color.
Additionally, the laser light source will quickly dim with dark scenes, potentially offering even more impressive black levels. (Not that black levels have been an issue with SXRD projectors in the past.) Combining the strong native contrast ratio of SXRD with a fast-acting dynamic contrast, the 7 should look great in dark rooms.
Brightness was, historically, more of an issue with Sony projectors. Both DLP and LCD projectors, not able to compete with LCOS (in either Sony or JVC forms) for contrast ratio, often went for higher brightness. We've reviewed several projectors recently with over 3,000 rated lumens. Even though they always measure less, they're still impressively bright. The Projector 7's 2,200 claimed lumens should be adequate for its intended use in dedicated home theaters.
For comparison, one of the best-looking projectors I've reviewed recently is the short-throw BenQ X500i, also rated for 2,200 lumens but putting out an as-measured 911. With the 325ES, I measured 1,136 lumens from a claimed 1,500. If the Projector 7 has a similar rated-to-measured ratio as the 325ES, it will be even brighter than the plenty-bright X500i.
In terms of contrast ratio, I measured a stunning 8,327:1 on the older Sony. The BenQ X500i had one of the best in recent years and, yet, it was still only a fraction of the 325ES at 1,990:1. The average contrast ratio for projectors we've measured at CNET in the last few years is 854:1. While the 7 will likely be more expensive than either of these projectors, its contrast ratio should be impressively greater.
One feature in the 7 that is a bit controversial is the Aspect Ratio Scaling Mode: "Seamlessly switch between 2.35:1 and 16:9 content on Cinemascope screens — no lens adjustments needed. The new Aspect Ratio Scaling Mode provides greater viewing flexibility with just a tap." This means the projector will crop content to fit a 2.35:1 screen. Cropping is bad. Don't crop. I prefer a motorized lens with presets. That way, you can watch either type of content in its correct aspect ratio, as large as it can fit, assuming you have a 2.35:1 screen. All you have to do is press a button. Even manual adjustment is fine, as long as the projector has the zoom range for it.
No pricing has been released, but the Projector 8 is $16,000 and the VPL-XW5000ES is $6,000 so it should be somewhere between the two prices.