Sony VPL-VW85 Projector - Image Quality 10

Posted on January 4, 2010 by Art Feierman

Sony VPL-VW85 images below are from either Blu-ray, or HDTV, with the exception of Lord of the Rings (standard DVD). These images are not overly accurate compared to the image the VPL-VW85 projector projects on the screen. There are color shifts (too much yellow, in this case), saturation differences, etc.

These images are provided to support the commentary. In reality, the projectors always look better than the images in our reviews. From a color standpoint, my dSLR camera still adds a very slight green shift to some photo shoots that I have not been able to completely remove. In other words, while we can demonstrate differences in black levels and shadow details of the VW85, the photos are only approximations of skin tone and color accuracy.

Bottom Line on Black Level and Dark Shadow Detail Performance:

Excellent overall. With blacks only a close second to the JVC RS20/RS25, and comparable shadow detail, this Sony is about as good as it gets. In this area, perhaps only JVC's RS35 (an RS25 made with a much higher quality control level on all things, including lens, optical engine), may prove to be really, visibly superior. Even the JVC RS25, while technically better, is not that much better to have a serious advantage, as last year's JVC did have, over last year's Sony.

Overall Color & Picture Quality

❮ ❯

Truly impressive. It all adds up to a first class picture. Colors are really good, skin tones, as noted, most believable (despi5e a touch too much red). There's nothing not to like with the VPL-VW85 projector when it comes to overall picture quality.Of course, that's about what you want to expect when spending on a projector in this price range. It's going to have to be some other aspect, not the picture quality of the Sony VPL-VW85 home theater projector, to dissuade you from owning one.A mix of additional images to show off the VPL-VW85, Don't forget, our section on how the Sony performs on HDTV, primarily Sports, is found below: