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Sony VPL-HW30ES

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  1. User ratingsUser ratingsratings of product added by Productz users
  2. Expert ratingsExpert ratingsexperts ratings from editorial reviews
  3. Consumer ratingsConsumer ratingsratings from the biggest online stores worldwide
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4.2
based on all reviews
User ratings:
36
4.2 out of 5
36 user ratings
5 stars
41 %
4 stars
36 %
3 stars
22 %
2 stars
0 %
1 stars
0 %
Editorial reviews:
13
  1. See more
4.1 out of 5
9 user ratings
5 stars
33 %
4 stars
66 %
3 stars
0 %
2 stars
0 %
1 stars
0 %
Read editorial reviews

Pros

  • The projector is remarkably quiet in either mode
  • 3D is greatly improved
  • maintaining similar features and image quality

Cons

  • no vertical stretch mode for use with an anamorphic lens
  • Blu-Ray players are horrible in their design and execution
  • Manual Max provides a slightly lower brightness than Off

Key specs

  • SXRD
  • 40, 300 in
  • 1920, 1080 px
  • 1300 lm
  • yes
  • 2000 h
  • , 22 dB

Sony VPL-HW30ES - Pros & Cons

Sony VPL-HW30ES

Pros

  • The projector is remarkably quiet in either mode
  • 3D is greatly improved
  • maintaining similar features and image quality
  • Shadow detail is maintained well
  • smoother
  • more natural picture
  • distinctive curvaceous
  • glossy lid and side-mounted inputs look
  • superb detail and colour fidelity
  • The standard default picture settings are nicely judged
  • the 3D was perfectly usable

Cons

  • no vertical stretch mode for use with an anamorphic lens
  • Blu-Ray players are horrible in their design and execution
  • Manual Max provides a slightly lower brightness than Off
  • can't set up any given mode separately for each input
  • The settings are also dependent on source resolution
  • The projector only needs a bare minimum of adjustment
  • picture was actually too bright
  • details are still scarce
  • projector undergoes a hard power cycle
  • default gamma settings can crush shadows in some instances
  • No cable included for 3D sync transmitter

Sony - Video Reviews (3)

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Sony VPL-HW30ES - Full Specifications

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General
Projector typeSXRD
Connectivity typeWired
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Design
Design typePortable projector
Portableno
Colour of product
  • Black
  • White
Built-in displayno
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Dimensions
Width16.04 in
Height7.06 in
Depth18.27 in
Weight22.05 lb
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Lighting
Type of lampUHP
Lamp life max (normal)2000.0 h
Lamp life max (eco)3000.0 h
Number of lamps1
Bulb power200.0 W
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Features
Backlit remote controlyes
Handheld remote controlyes
Memory card readerno
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Compatibility
3D support (3D-Ready)yes
Can convert 2D to 3Dyes
Compatible glasses
Active
Full HD 3D (1080p)yes
Glasses includedyes
HD readyyes
Full HD (HD ready 1080p)yes
HDRno
Analog signal format system
  • NTSC
  • NTSC 3.58
  • NTSC 4.43
  • PAL
  • PAL M
  • PAL N
  • SECAM
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Power
Operational Power Consumption (min-max)< 300
Power consumption (typical)300.0 W
Power consumption (standby)8.0 W
Power consumption (PowerSave)0.5 W
Separate power connector (mains)
Large power inlet connector
Power managementMains
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Connectivity
Analog 3.5mm outputno
Analogue 3.5mm inputno
Analogue RCA stereo inputno
Component input (YPbPr/YCbCr)yes
Number of component video (YPbPr/YCbCr) inputs1
Composite inputno
Digital coaxial input (S/PDIF)no
Digital coaxial output (S/PDIF)no
Serial interface typeRS-232
DisplayPortno
DVI inno
HDMIyes
HDMI version1.4a
Number of HDMI inputs2
HDCPno
Headphone outputno
Microphone inputno
S-video inputno
SCART inno
USBno
USB 2.01
VGA inyes
Number of VGA (D-Sub) ports1
AC (power) inputyes
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Technical details
Noise level< 22
Operating relative humidity (H-H)35 - 85
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Optics
Lens shiftyes
Focal length range (f-f)18.7 - 29.6
Horizontal lens shift range25 - 25
Vertical lens shift range0.65 - 0.65
Type of lens shift
  • Horizontal
  • Vertical
Lens memoryno
Throw ratio1.5 - 2.3
Optical zoom1.6 x
FocusManual
Aperture range (F-F)2.5 - 3.4
Zoom ratio1.6 x
Matrix size0.61
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Image
Screen size40 - 300
Screen size compatibility40 - 300
Resolution1920 x 1080 px
Supported graphics resolutions1920 x 1080
Native aspect ratio16:9
Aspect ratio16:9
Digital gamma correctionyes
Brightness (max)1300.0 lm
Contrast ratio7500:1
Dynamic contrast70000:1
Image frequency
  • 24p
  • 50p
  • 60p
Refresh rate240.0 Hz
Video formats supported
1080p
Noise reductionyes
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Communication
Ethernet connectionyes
Number of Ethernet LAN (RJ-45) ports1
Wireless network (Wi-Fi)no
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Audio features
Built-in speakersno

Sony VPL-HW30ES - Q&A

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Sony VPL-HW30ES Sony - Editorial Reviews (13)

4.1
Based on 13 reviews
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
Sony VPL-HW30ES Sony VPL-HW30ES 3D SXRD Projector
Sound & Vision logo
Sound & Vision
Published: 02.11.2011
Sony VPL-HW30ES 3D SXRD Projector

2D Performance 3D Performance Features

Sony VPL-HW30ES Sony VPL-HW30ES review
Expert Reviews logo
Expert Reviews
Published: 26.10.2011
Sony VPL-HW30ES review
5.0

Cinema-quality 3D effects and stunning 2D images make this the best home cinema projector we’ve seen this year – but the price makes it only for serious film fans

Sony VPL-HW30ES Sony VPL-HW30ES
AVForums logo
AVForums
Published: 14.09.2011
Sony VPL-HW30ES
3.5

Phil Hinton checks out Sony's second generation 3D projector

Sony VPL-HW30ES Sony VPL-HW30ES
Trusted Reviews logo
Trusted Reviews
Published: 23.08.2011
Sony VPL-HW30ES
4.5

Sony’s latest VPL-HW30ES projector delivers 3D for half the price of Sony’s debut 3D projector. But does that mean it’s only half as good?

Sony VPL-HW30ES Sony VPL-HW30ES Review
PCMAG logo
PCMAG
Published: 21.12.2011
Sony VPL-HW30ES Review
4.0

The Sony VPL-HW30ES is an impressively capable 1080p projector for both 2D and 3D, but finding the best settings for it can take some time and effort.

Sony VPL-HW30ES Test Report: Sony VPL-HW30ES 3D HD Projector
Sound & Vision logo
Sound & Vision
Published: 30.11.2011
Test Report: Sony VPL-HW30ES 3D HD Projector

There are two ways to look at the rapidly decreasing price point of 3D HD projectors. The first way: Manufacturers are racing one another to the bottom by finding ways to make 3D cheaper and cheaper. The second, more accurate way: 3D is just a new feature (though one marketed to within an inch of its life) found on cheaper and cheaper products, just as 1080p resolution was a few years ago.Looked at through those eyes, the Sony VPLHW30ES is less a “new 3D projector” and more a continuation of a long line of excellent SXRD models from Sony that now just happen to also do 3D. Plus, it’s a fantastic value.

Sony VPL-HW30ES Sony VPL-HW30ES Home Theatre Projector review: Sony VPL-HW30ES Home Cinema Projector
CNET logo
CNET
Published: 12.04.2012
Sony VPL-HW30ES Home Theatre Projector review: Sony VPL-HW30ES Home Cinema Projector
3.5

The Sony VPL-HW30ES is a fine all-round home-cinema projector with good-quality 3D, but you'll need to do a bit more wiring than normal.

Sony VPL-HW30ES Home review
whathifi logo
whathifi
Published: 31.10.2011
Home review
5.0

Very capable, but there are better projectors for the cash

Sony VPL-HW30ES Sony VPL-HW30ES Home Theater Projector Review - Projector Reviews
Projector Reviews logo
Projector Reviews
Sony VPL-HW30ES Home Theater Projector Review - Projector Reviews

[...]Read More...

Sony VPL-HW30ES Sony VPL-HW30ES 3D Home Theater Projector Review
projectorcentral.com logo
projectorcentral.com
Sony VPL-HW30ES 3D Home Theater Projector Review
4.0

A review of the Sony VPL-HW30ES, a 3D 1080p SXRD projector for home theater

Sony VPL-HW30ES Sony VPL-HW30ES review
TechRadar logo
TechRadar
Published: 11.10.2011
Sony VPL-HW30ES review
4.0

Sony's second-generation 3D projector is a sensation, regardless of dimension

Sony VPL-HW30ES Sony VPL-HW30ES review
Home Cinema Choice logo
Home Cinema Choice
Published: 12.12.2011
Sony VPL-HW30ES review

Bigscreen 3D for the masses Sony’s second-generation 3D projector is a sensation regardless of dimension, says an enthusiastic Steve May If I was building a dedicated home cinema tomorrow, I would, without doubt, install a 3D projector. While cynics continue to shrug at the tsunami tide of 3D flatscreen TVs heading our way, and I also have some reservations, I’ve yet to meet anyone who’s walked away from a 3D home projector demo who didn’t have a grin on their face.

Sony VPL-HW30ES Sony VPL-HW30ES
AVForums logo
AVForums
Published: 14.09.2011
Sony VPL-HW30ES
3.5

Phil Hinton checks out Sony's second generation 3D projector

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