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Sony announces the company is broadening its line of laser light source (Z-Phosphor) projectors in the mid-brightness range with three new models between 4,100 and 6,000 lumens. The new models are the VPL-FWZ65 (6,000lm WXGA); VPL-FWZ60 (5,000lm WXGA); and the VPL-FHZ57 (4,100lm WUXGA).
Designed for commercial applications including education, corporate, large venue and entertainment, the new models expand Sony's laser-based professional projector family to a total of nine, starting at 2,000 lumens and going up to 7,000 lumens, in WXGA, WUXGA and 4K resolutions.
“4000 to 7000 lumens is really the sweet spot of the installation category for higher education, corporate, and integration projects, and that's where these models are targeted,” says Wally Mohri, marketing manager for business projectors at Sony Electronics. “The addition of the WXGA line to our WUXGA series expands the applications that can benefit from the combination of high quality, long laser life, low maintenance and flexible AV integration capabilities.”
Sony is also adding two new lamp-based models (VPL-FW65, 6,300lm WXGA, and VPL-FW60, 5,200lm WXGA), for installation applications better-suited to lamp-based projection.
The new projectors share many features with the existing models in Sony's line. Each uses BrightEra panel technology to reproduce natural-looking and vivid colors.
Sony's literature says, “The new models are designed to deliver enhanced picture quality with features such as ‘Reality Creation,' a technology already in use by Sony's home theater projection systems for high-end consumer entertainment. The Reality Creation engine analyzes and processes every input signal to refine detail, clarity and sharpness for naturally up-scaled images. This provides higher-resolution perspective, even with the lower-resolution WXGA series.”
Sony's laser light source means there's no lamp that needs to slowly warm up or cool down, no lamp to limit tilt angle and no trade-off between high brightness and high resolution. The laser projectors are designed for up to 20,000 hours of maintenance-free operation, depending on the usage environment, which contributes to reducing users' total cost of ownership.
In addition to the long-life laser light source design, the projectors are designed for energy efficiency due to the 3LCD engine. The VPL-FHZ57 operates at 370W power for energy efficiency. Low power consumption also reduces heat dissipation, in turn lowering fan noise. Sony's literature says the VPL-FHZ57 laser projector has the quietest operation in its class (32dB, 28dB at Standard Brightness mode).
"The Reality Creation engine analyzes and processes every input signal to refine detail, clarity and sharpness for naturally up-scaled images. This provides higher-resolution perspective, even with the lower-resolution WXGA series."
The new models have a wide powered lens shift, which can help in challenging installation environments, for example maintaining audiences' site lines by installing the projector above a screen, or horizontally avoiding HVAC ducts on the ceiling.
The new models can be combined with a variety of optional lenses, including a short throw and tele-zoom covering up to 4.84:1 throw range, and they use a bayonet lens mounting system for easier and quicker lens changes.
Sony's newest lens option is the VPLL-3003 ultra-short throw lens is, according to the company, the first interchangeable ultra-short throw lens for 3LCD projectors. This lens is designed for sharp focus and minimized picture distortion due to a large mirror system, and easy adjustment of lens shift and focus via remote control. Its 0.33:1 throw ratio allows it to be used in tight spaces with no clearance from the wall.
The lens can project an 80” to 300” diagonal image with minimal throw distance (39” throw distance for 140” diagonal image), designed for small meeting rooms, as digital signage or use in museums.
The new models all have built-in HDBaseT interfaces, enabling connectivity and reducing total system costs by using a single cable which runs all the video, audio, control and IP signal up to 328 feet (100m).
Sony has developed a new intuitive unified control protocol for its projector line, for easier integration of varying models used in the same installation. Control system partners including Crestron, Extron and AMX will support Sony's new control protocol.
The following is planned availability for the new Sony projectors:
VPL-FHZ57, 4,100lm WUXGA, Laser, Available now
VPL-FWZ65, 6,000lm WXGA, Laser, April 2016
VPL-FWZ60, 5,000lm WXGA, Laser, March 2016
VPL-FW65, 6,300lm WXGA, Lamp, June 2016
VPL-FW60, 5,200lm WXGA, Lamp, May 2016
VPLL-3003 ultra-short throw lens, available now
