Sony VPL-VW50 "Pearl" 1080p Home Theater Projector Review: Overview-2

Sony VW50 Pearl Home Theater Projector: Phyiscal Tour

As usual, we'll start, facing the front of the Sony VW50 projector. Dead center is the Sony's owered zoom lens with a 1.8:1 zoom ratio. Almost above it, and just to the left, is the small front, infra-red sensor for the remote control. (Please note, we will look at the Sony's remote in the General Performance section, not here.)

Hot air vents out on an angle from the vents at the front left and right. Below, are two, screw thread adjustable front feet. There is a non-adjustable rear bar serving as rear feet.

Unlike almost all other projectors, the Sony lacks a control panel on the top. Instead, a minimal set of controls is on the right side (looking from the rear). From back to front, there is the Lens button which toggles between Lens Focus, Lens Zoom and Lens Vertical Shift, and unless turned off, brings up a test pattern to make it easier to focus. Next comes a tiny "disk pad" which handles arrow key functions and if pressed in the center acts as an Enter button. Further front is the Menu button, next is Input for selecting your source, and finally Power off/on. Press once for on, twice for off.

With most projectors, inputs are in the rear. Not so the VW50 Pearl, instead its inputs are also on the right side, below the small control panel.

Click to enlarge. SO close

The selection of inputs is about average for a higher end projector. There are from the left (actually the rear), two HDMI inputs (a third would have been nice, but I'm a bit greedy), A single standard analog computer input (HD15 connector) is next.

An S-video and a composite video input are next, followed by the usual 3 RCA jacks for a component video input. There is also a 12volt trigger for screen control, and lastly an RS-232 jack labeled Remote, for command and control (such as controlling the projector, its menus, etc., from a computer. And that covers the input panel.

Click to enlarge. SO close

I should mention that there are two "idiot" lights on the top of the projector near the front, one is the On/Standby, and the other a "Lamp/Cover" indicator which can tell you two things: If it's time to replace the lamp, or if the cover not closed for the lamp filter area. Different flashing patterns identify the problem. With the On/Standby, it can warn of overheating, a fan problem or a general electrical problem.

Overall, the Sony is a fairly large projector, good looking and designed to blend well with a lighter colored ceiling. Thanks to the forward venting, and the wide range zoom, the Sony should also be equally at home on a rear shelf, although a long shelf, as the VW50 is almost 19" deep, and you won't want to put it flush against the back wall for ventilation reasons.