The VPL-HS51 is Sony’s latest entry-level projector, with an MSRP of $3500. It’s funny to think how far things have come in just a few short years; in 2001 for instance, a projector in this price range would be either a featureless EDTV DLP or a sub-par LCD with major screen-door artifacts and severely “gray” black-levels. Now, in 2005 this is the second projector in a row that I’ve reviewed that cost less than $5000 and easily surpasses what was state of the art back when Josh Lehman reviewed the Plus Piano. I mention this because once again, here is a projector that has a performance level that does not match its price, in most categories.
Features
* Cinema Black Pro (with Advanced Iris Function and Lamp Control)
* High Contrast Ratio of up to 6000:1 (Advanced Iris Auto Mode ON)
* Lens Shift Function
* All Range Crisp Focus Lens (ARC-F Lens)
* Real Color Processing Function
* 1.6X Zoom Lens
* Three WXGA LCD Panels, .73" p-Si TFT Panels
* Resolution: 1280 x 720 (x 3) or 2,764,800 Total Pixels
* Lens: 1.6 Times Manual Zoom / Focus Lens (F2.4-3.1 / f21.3-34.1mm)
Standard Lens Throwing Distance: 40" - 1.2m-1.8m; 60" - 1.8m-2.7m; 80" - 2.4m-3.7m; 100" - 2.9m-4.6m; 120" - 3.5m-5.5m; 150" 4.4m-6.9m; 180" - 5.3m-8.3m; 200" - 5.8m-9.2m
* HD/IP Converter
* Ceiling or Table Mount Capable
* Improved Lamp Life Up to 3000 Hours
* HDMI Digital Interface
* 12 Bit Panel Driver LSI
* LCD Panel with MicroLens Array (MLS) and Wide View (WV) Film
* Gamma Control Software (ImageDirector 2)
* Ethernet Connection
Installation
The installation of the HS51 is a snap! This projector includes not only vertical, but also horizontal lens-shift. The zoom range of the HS51 is ample enough that you can use it on a table in front of you, or mount it on the ceiling behind you- on the same screen. Speaking of the lens assembly, the focus and zoom rings are nice and snug so you don’t have to worry about moving the rings too far in either direction while adjusting those parameters.
The rear panel of this projector includes an HDMI connector, Component Video, S-Video, VGA, and Composite Video. On the HS51 there is also an Ethernet connector (hidden behind a panel on the front of the projector), which allows you to connect the projector to your home network. Instead of the more-common 9-pin RS-232 connector, Sony uses a mini-USB connector on the HS51- this is for interfacing a computer in conjunction with the included Image Director software (more on this later).
Fan noise is almost nonexistent with this projector. When using the projector in the LOW bulb setting, you can barely hear the fan blowing in a silent room. The fan noise increases when you use the HIGH bulb setting, but this projector is still quieter than the Sharp XV-Z2000 (in fact it’s noise output rivals, if not, betters that of the Qualia 004).
The only way I think you could make this projector quieter would be to place it in another room! I make a big deal about the noise-level because the CRT that I’m used to contains no less than 5 fans, and sounds like a jet engine by comparison.
Calibration
Calibrating this projector was different from anything else I’ve ever encountered. Why? The Dynamic Iris. Sony’s implementation of a dynamic iris is probably the strongest feature on the VPL-HS51. By using what appeared to me to be 6 different steps in aperture size to regulate the black-level, the projector decreases the iris size as the APL decreases in a scene. This system was extremely effective, and slightly noticeable in both movies and video-sourced material. I would compare my ability to notice the iris as it opened and closed to the rainbows from a single-chip DLP projector, only not as distracting to me.
With all the different picture modes, adjustments, and extras included on the HS51, it can be calibrated to have a very pleasing picture. During my time with this projector, I used the Cinema mode exclusively as well as all power saving features with the bulb in LOW mode. Out of the box, the Low color temperature setting measured closest to D65- but was too red. In most cases people will calibrate either the Middle color temp, or the Custom2 (they are the same).
Grayscale tracking pre-calibration measured +1137K/+3823K from 20IRE to 100IRE.
Post-calibration, the grayscale tracking was measured at +8K/+436K from 20IRE to 100IRE. Grayscale coordinates varied from D65 at most by 10.8% (20 IRE) and were within 6.1% for the rest of the grayscale. Gamma was measured between 2.21 and 2.48 depending on how closely I wanted to track D65 (this was with Gamma= OFF in the user menu). I did experiment with the Image Director software and the HS51. Because this projector does not have ruler-flat grayscale tracking, I do not recommend using this software to correct grayscale errors- the adjustment is too coarse to be effective in small areas of the grayscale range. With that said, if you use the Image Director software after calibration to tweak the overall gamma curve, it is very effective. In any case, I do not recommend using this software unless you have the proper measurement equipment, and have the proper training.
Contrast Ratios
Sony claims a peak on/off contrast ratio of 6000:1 on the VPL-HS51. This ratio is not out of the question depending on how you take the measurements. I typically measure contrast ratios post-calibration, with the projector tuned as accurately as I can get it. In this case I measured .002 ftL at the screen for a 0IRE field, and 10.39 ftL at the screen for a 100IRE field, making the on/off contrast ratio 5195:1 which is phenomenal considering both the cost, and technology of this projector. So, for roughly 1/3rd the price of the best single-chip DLPs on the market you can have a dynamic range that closely approaches what they can achieve- now that’s what I call a value!
ANSI or intrascene contrast is where the HS51 shows that it’s an LCD projector. Using the checker pattern from my Sencore VP-410 test pattern generator, I measured an average white level of 10.85 ftL and an average black level of .106 ftL resulting in an ANSI contrast of 102, post-calibration.
Screens
During my time with the HS51, I used a 72‚Äù wide 1.78:1 Stewart Luxus Deluxe frame with matching skins of: MicroPerf-Studiotek130, FireHawk, and GreyHawk RS. First and foremost, I was hoping to see that Sony had finally made an LCD projector that could be used with a perforated screen‚Ķthat was not the case. As normal, there was obvious moir?© present when I used the HS51 with the perforated screen. However, ignoring the moir?©, one thing was clear- this projector has the dynamic range to work well with a white screen. I didn‚Äôt feel that the Studiotek material was a hindrance to the picture at all; meaning black levels never made the image look washed-out. Once again, the FireHawk material improved the perceived black level of this projector, making it look very much like ‚Äúbaby Qualia‚Äù. Although I liked what the FireHawk did for the black levels, colors lacked the punch that they had on the white screen. And for the second review in a row, I felt that the GreyHawk RS was the best compromise between the other two screens: colors had most of the punch that was exhibited on the Studiotek and the perceived black level performance was almost as good as the FireHawk. If I were to choose a screen for this projector, it would either be the Studiotek or the GreyHawk RS.
Thoughts/Reactions
The most positive thing I can say about the Sony VPL-HS51 is that no-matter what I was viewing; it got out of the way of the content. Whether I was watching a movie in HD, primetime television, or a DVD- I never actually noticed the projector. I was much more immersed in the content I was watching. A perfect example: recently Man on Fire has been on HBOHD, I became so enthralled by the image, that I watched it twice. Maybe the best way to put it is that the HS51 will make you feel like you have your own, private screening room. For absolute punch, a DLP still edges-out LCD, but I thought that the HS51 produced a very film like image. I’m very satisfied with this projector.
Conclusion
For straight-up image quality for dollars spent, the Sony VPL-HS51 is absolutely a go-to projector! With a dynamic range that competes with projectors that are 3-4 times the price, no rainbow, virtually silent operation, extreme installation flexibility, uber-tweakablity using the Image Director software, and network connectivity: I can’t think of what more you could want for $3500. Be aware though, that this projector cannot drive huge screens; you’ll be pretty limited to the 100-110” diagonal range and that’s about it if you want the most accurate picture possible. But for those of you willing to use a smaller- to moderate-sized screen, you’ll be rewarded with a picture that is extremely pleasing- and for not a lot of dough, either.
I give the Sony VPL-HS51 a rating of 8.5 out of 10 (I have yet to see a 10, even the Qualia 004 would be a 9.3).
Special thanks goes to Stewart Filmscreen for their cooperation with this review.
Features, Images and Specifications from Sony Style
Read More Power and Consumer Electronic Reviews at eCoustics.
