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36 reviews
Apr, 2025
alaTest has collected and analyzed 36 reviews of Sony VPL-HW50ES. The average rating for this product is 4.6/5, compared to an average rating of 4.2/5 for other products in the same category for all reviews. Reviewers are impressed by the noise and design. The usability and price are also mentioned favorably, but some have doubts about the size.
image quality, price, usability, design, noise
size
We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other products in the same category the Sony VPL-HW50ES is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 91/100 = Excellent quality.
Expert review by : Ty Pendlebury (cnet.com)
The Sony VPL-HW50ES may cost more than most televisions, but if you have the budget it will give you a fantastic cinema experience in the home.
The Sony VPL-HW50ES projector produces huge images with excellent black levels, full shadow detail, and reference-quality colors; very good value for this level of image quality; highly accurate picture is available using preset picture modes; lots of...
Somewhat more expensive than the comparably performing JVC DLA-X35; focus, zoom and lens shift aren't remote controlled; won't work with standard-compliant third-party 3D glasses.
The Sony VPL-HW50ES costs more than most TVs, but for a fantastic big-screen cinema experience in the home it's a very good value.
Expert review by : Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity (hometheaterhifi.com)
The VPL-HW50ES floated a bit under the radar at CEDIA, with 4K being the hot word and not having a real hot feature to latch onto. Having used it for an extended time with a lot of content, I can say it has left me incredibly impressed. Of the...
Expert review by : Thomas J. Norton (hometheatermag.com)
In Sony's pantheon of projectors, the VPL-HW models are the company's solid middle-class family. While a product selling for $4,000 or nearly so isn't likely to be found at Target or Walmart, in the projector world it sits nicely between bargain...
Combine brightness with the amazingly deep black levelsits dynamic iris offers, with minimum side effects, together with near spot-on post-calibration color and compelling 3D, and you have a projector that can compete with anything else in its price...
Expert review by : Thomas J. Norton (hometheater.com)
In Sony's pantheon of projectors, the VPL-HW models are the company's solid middle-class family. While a product selling for $4,000 or nearly so isn't likely to be found at Target or Walmart, in the projector world it sits nicely between bargain...
Expert review by : Thomas J. Norton (soundandvision.com)
2D Performance 3D Performance Features
Expert review by : Anthony Arrigo (projectorreviews.com)
Each year I do get some sneak peaks at new projectors before the CEDIA show. This year was no different. Of all the new projectors - ones that I didn't get to see in action pre-show - the VPL-HW50ES was the one that most impressed me. This new Sony...
All considered, regarding the initial pixel alignment error, the Auto Adjust feature does a very respectable job, even if this pre-production projector isn't as well aligned out of the box as new full production Sony's prove to be
Expert review by : Projector reviews (projectorreviews.com)
One of the brighter 3D capable projectors under $5000, Almost 1000 lumens in “best” mode, no problem, even with large screens (ie: 10+ feet wide), Excellent overall color, and skin tones, Lots of preset image modes, Calibrates beautifully for really...
Lacks lens memory for the small slice of people who would prefer a 2.35:1 screen instead of the standard 16:9 screens, Others offer lamps with longer claimed life, so you have a higher cost of operation, I still don’t like the Reset button where it is...
Pretty impressive! When it comes to blacks without spending a whole lot more (thousands), nothing seems to be better – the new Epson is probably about comparable. One could argue that the JVC X35 gets impressive blacks without a dynamic iris, (and...
Expert review by (projectorcentral.com)
With strong performance in both 2D and 3D, the Sony HW50 is a home theater projector we can recommend whole-heartedly.
Expert review by : John Archer (trustedreviews.com)
The HW50 sets new standards for its price point with tasty 3D and 2D performances.
Superb 3D pictures ; Brilliant 2D pictures ; Excellent value
Whining noise with some glasses settings ; A few 3D motion issues ; Reality Creation can struggle with very grainy sources
Expert review by (t3.com)
The Sony VPL-HW50ES is the Argo of home cinema projectors
Razor sharp detail performance ; Outstanding dynamic contrast ; Quiet operation
Light loss when viewing 3D ; Some minor crosstalk issues