3D Projector Reviews

Full-On/Full-Off Contrast Ratio: 6,217:1

For the picture settings plus additional details on calibration and video processing tests for this review, go to soundandvision.com. Pre-calibration measurements were made in the Cinema Film 1 preset at the default settings. Post-calibration measurements were made in the same mode. With the Sony VPL-VW350ES’s Lamp mode set to Low and Contrast Enhance set to Medium, its black level measured 0.004 ft-L and peak white 26.2 ft-L for a contrast ratio of 6550:1. With Contrast Enhance switched off, black level measured 0.005 ft-L and peak white 26.7 ft-L for a contrast ratio of 5340:1. Contrast ratio measurements in Reference and User modes were significantly lower.

Before calibration, the Sony’s grayscale showed a reddish bias at all IRE levels. The Delta E of its pre-cal grayscale averaged out to 8.6; calibration improved that average to 1.8, with a high of 2.7 at 20 percent brightness. Grayscale tracking was smooth throughout the full brightness range. (Delta E is a figure of merit that indicates how closely a display adheres to the Rec. 709 HD color standard. Experts generally agree that levels below 3 are visibly indistinguishable from perfect color tracking.) The Delta E of the Sony’s color points in the Cinema Film 1 preset default settings averaged a just-OK 4.2. Calibration improved that to 3.1.

With the 2.2 Gamma preset selected, gamma in the Cinema Film 1 mode averaged 2.2, hitting 3.0 at 90%. The Sony passed all of our standard- and high-def video processing and clipping and luminance/chrominance multiburst tests.—AG