SONY VPL-VW385ES 4K REPORT

12/08/17

JoeRod

This is always my favorite time of year. Besides Holiday season and football we get new projectors! Sony has released a few new 4K models. You now can get a 4K Sony projector for just under $5,000. The VW285. This model which I am writing about is the $8,000 VW385. The 385 has taken the market by storm. It is the best buy for under 10K. The Black levels are impressive and as long as you do not have a super sized screen you will be able to enjoy HDR UHD movies in all their glory. 

Notice the above menu pic now shows the color space with the color format. That takes the guessing out of it when you might sometimes wonder if it is receiving what your UHD 4K Blu-ray player is sending in. When playing the new 4K format we immediately noticed the Contrast (HDR) setting needed to be bumped up into the mid to upper 60s. Depending on which player you have it could have an HDR slider to help with the brightness of the image. So far the main knock against the new format for projectors is the brightness or lack there of. I also liked the Contrast Enhancer set to HIGH. I have always liked Sony's Clear White setting set to LOW. Movies I was playing around with Reference picture mode and Cinema 1. Now for sports I would keep most settings but go with GAMMA 7, Bright TV and Motion Flow set to Smooth Low. Regular Blu-ray 1080p/24 movies I would use their True Cinema mode for Motion Flow. Of course all of these settings are personal taste and it takes a little bit to experiment and see what suits you. 

So what else can I say about this surprise superstar 4K projector? Motion is crisp, colors are rich and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised just how sharp it can get! Brands like JVC who attempt to fake 4K with their shift mode always loose in detail. You are either a 4K model or you aren't. You are either 8.8 million pixels or 2.2 million. I would consider taking Sony's 285 model over most of the competition this year. The 385 is for sure a no-brainer. It's going on 2018 and therefore time to get a real 4K projector. Sony now from a list price of $4995 has you covered. It's time to treat your eyes to 8.8 million pixels!

Don't take my word for it. If you are in Oakbrook, IL stop in and see their 385 in action at AUDIO VIDEO INTERIORS of Chicago. You can also give them a call at (630) 607-0054. 

Next up we see if the new SONY VPL-VW885 4K projector is up to the task playing MOANA for Mila and Raelynn! 

        REVIEW COMING SOON

CLICK HERE TO GO BACK TO:

JOERODHOMETHEATER.COM