Sony has unveiled a pair of high-performance laser projectors that promise to significantly enhance the picture quality of their predecessors and introduce advanced gaming features worthy of the PlayStation 5 legacy.
Continuing with Sony's 2024 TV lineup, the new projectors are named Bravia Projector 9 and Bravia Projector 8, but they also retain their traditional model numbers: VPL-XW8100ES and VPL-XW6100ES with an MSRP of $31,998 & $15,998 respectively.
Both projectors utilize laser lighting technology with up to 20,000 hours of continuous use and Sony’s proprietary SXRD optics, featuring a true 4K resolution from a compact 0.61-inch imaging chip. They support HDR10 and HLG formats and, importantly for gamers, both projectors now offer full HDMI 2.1 support, allowing for 4K/120Hz input from the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and high-end PCs.
The projectors share a sleek, compact design available in black or white and are powered by Sony's latest XR Processor for projectors. This updated processor includes XR Dynamic Tone Mapping, which adjusts the brightness of each frame for optimal gradation in bright scenes and detailed shadows in dark scenes. This marks the first time Sony has included true dynamic tone mapping in its projectors, and it significantly enhances HDR performance, with customizable settings for tone mapping intensity.
Additionally, the XR Processor incorporates XR Deep Black technology, which manages laser light output to improve black levels and dark scene performance. This new implementation offers more detailed and vibrant dark scenes, as demonstrated during Sony’s recent showcase.
The XR Triluminos Pro system in these projectors can display over a billion colors and covers 95% of the DCI-P3 HDR gamut. The XR Clear Image feature enhances upscaling of sub-4K sources by reducing noise and optimizing texture appearance in the final 4K image.
The projectors also feature depth mapping and focal point recognition for a more three-dimensional image experience, which is expected to be even more impactful at the large screen sizes these models support.
Installation enhancements include gamma correction for HDR, keystone correction for aligning image edges in challenging setups, and improved blanking flexibility for 2.40:1 aspect ratios. Both models offer advanced motorized lens shift capabilities and additional picture position memory slots.
Each projector is equipped with a 13-piece Advanced Crisp Focus Lens, designed to preserve the sharpness of the native 4K resolution. These lenses feature 12 glass elements and a 70mm aspherical front lens, supporting a throw ratio of 1:1.35-2.84 and powered lens shifting of +/-85% vertically and +/-36% horizontally.
While these new models introduce many advanced features, they do not support 3D playback, a feature present in their predecessors. The main distinction between the XW8100ES and XW6100ES is brightness: the XW8100ES offers up to 3,400 lumens (210 nits on a 150-inch screen or up to 330 nits on a 120-inch screen), compared to 2,700 lumens for the XW6100ES. Additionally, the XW8100ES includes a Live Color Enhancer for more vivid colors, a feature absent in the XW6100ES.