Bristol Pete
Distinguished Member
My HS50 arrived today.
After much deliberation over my next purchase and despite not having been able to demo the Sony HS50 due to my location and apparent lack of projector dealers in the south west, I decided to order one via www.Nexnix.co.uk forum sponsors who have again come up trumps for me. I did pay the extra £20.00 for a dead pixel/panel check and the unit is fine out of the box
First Impressions.
First impressions are good. The unit is somewhat organic in shape and is borderline minimal. Cosmetically it is a million miles away from the rather cheap looking LCD projectors that I had owned previously, including the Sanyo Z1 and the Panasonic 300 and HS10 (though the HS10 never looked cheap). In effect, it looks like an expensive piece of kit, and something that can take pride of place within your av/lounge/cinema room. The lens shift buttons are effective, well designed and quite taught when shifting the image, which allows the picture to be tightened for want of a better word - when you have found your sweet spot. Measuring about 12 inches in length, the HS50 is bigger than the aforementioned projectors, though not quite as cumbersome as the HS10 and HS20 in its set up due to the short throw lens. Finally, the filter is situated at the rear of the machine, concealed behind plastic casing. Nice.
Connection.
Like its elder brothers, the connection sockets are situated at the rear of the unit, with component being my current connection of choice as I have my DVD, sat box and my x-box piped through a Denon 2805 with component switching. One initial disappointment I can level at Sony is the removal of the much used multi cable, supplied with both the HS10 and HS20. To me, this cheap but effective cable was a godsend as it allowed me to hook up a direct DVD connection whilst switching other component sources via the multi-cable and amp. This does seem like a backward step, but it is not the be all and end all. Aside from component there is an HDMI input, s-video, composite and a vga input should you wish to use a computer to drive the image, game or indeed surf the web on a big scale. I am yet to appraise the HDMI input but it is something I may consider in the future
Operation.
This machine really does run quietly. The HS10 was a jumbo jet in comparison. It is situated around two feet away from my viewing seat and the fan noise is not heard. As with the earlier Sony models, there is no power on switch as such and it is simply a case of switching the unit on from the mains. Therefore, I recommend unplugging the machine when not in use. Hey, you never know when lightning can strike! As before, the lens shift is very effective and now a pre-requisite for the projection industry as more and more people join the world of fp and use projectors within the confines of a lounge, rather than a darkened av room. The words ‘plug and play' spring to mind when I look at the Sony. That's not to say it is not tweakable - it is. However, a front projection novice could wire and fire the HS50 in moments and jump straight into a movie. The zoom ring is manual situated on the front of the machine. It is quite thin and a tiny little bit awkward to set but once done it should not need to be adjusted. The focus is just inside the zoom ring and is a lot easier to handle as you set your screen up. The remote is a carbon copy of the HS10 and 20 model though without the electronic zoom and focus which is a shame, though the budget of this machine must dictate the removal of the electronic zoom etc. No problems overall.
Performance.
I have tested some DVD material on the machine tonight, along with the Man Utd vs. Arsenal game on Sky Sports and I have had a few games of Pro-evolution 4 on the x-box. Firstly, DVD played on my Denon 2900 via component is sublime. Note that I allow the DVD to deinterlace the image, though the 50 is no slouch in this department, offering progressive and film pulldown in the picture settings should you decide to use an interlaced DVD deck. My current favoured test disks are Open Range, Troy, The Football Factory and Hell Boy.
Firstly, I refer to chapter 18 on Open Range when the free-grazers have a shoot out in the town. Here, the black level is superb. In fact, the Sony is so good at black level I actually went into the Denon set up menu and asked it to output a lighter black mode as it was almost too dark, thus crushing/negating the detail found in the blacks. So far so good. The relatively high resolution allows a very detailed picture and the finely woven garments worn by Costner and co. in open range look fantastic. The gunpowder smoke on screen reveals no vertical banding and there is no on screen noise for the eye to see. Overall, a very clean, sharp detailed picture endemic of a well made LCD projector.
In all honestly, perhaps not quite as ‘filmic' as some DLP machines but equally without the viewing problems occasionally encountered with that format. However, please note that the PQ of the Sony when considering the inherent drawbacks of LCD is staggering and is the best LCD image I have seen bar none. Switching to Troy and skipping to the scene where Pitt and co invade Turkey, I was again very pleased by the sheer amount of detail that the HS50 can pick out. Pitt's headgear is pitted and covered in marks, as is his shield. The HS50 can pick out the fine detail with ease and I am sure that there are going to be many more ‘I have never noticed that before' moments when watching my back catalogue of DVDs. Popping the Football Factory into the 2900 again reveals the superb black level and its eye for detail. I had not noticed the bags under the assembled actor's eyes before or the lack of razor blades again owned by the cast as they scrap it out in Fila coats, burberry hats and white trainers
Detail wise this really is superb projector and it has actually really surprised me. The superb 1:85:1 image found on the testing HellBoy DVD is lovely. Again, the black level is astounding and the detail eeked out is amazing. I consider hellBoy to be a real test for any PJ and the alleged 6000:1 contrast ratio of the Sony seems to be able to handle the darkness of the movie. Switching to SKY sports revealed the obvious limitations of watching TV through a projector due to the low bit rates on UK sat and cable. However, colour wise it is spot on. Manchester Utd's away kit worn earlier tonight is ‘proper' black. In addition, the image is detailed enough to pick out the weave of the material on the kit.
Finally, the x-box connected via component is superb. Sharp, smooth and again very detailed. I actually prefer playing games on an LCD machine compared to DLP.
Note from what I can see, the iris does work and I cannot hear it in action as it attempts to draw the best contrast from the relevant scene. It seems to removed that washed out effect inherent to some LCD machines, resulting in a lucid, bold picture. The settings available are off, on and auto. Oddly on and auto result in a different picture. Overall I will leave set on auto.
I cannot think of any real superlatives to describe the picture quality of the HS50 though I can write about how pleased I am with it and how I consider this money well spent. It is worth keeping
Overall.
I thoroughly recommend the HS50. Any faults? Well no - not really. However, I am aware that it has been described as a little dim out of the box. Actually, I found this to be true. However, had I not read that then would I have thought it? In reality in a darkened room and not even in absolute black out the image is fine although I can understand why some folk may say that it lacks punch. Obviously, I have not yet tweaked the image; I simply plugged it in, sat down and did some viewing
I have refrained from posting screen shots for the time being as compressed jpegs simply do not reflect or give the machine justice
Hope this helps. Any questions? I hope I can answer. Thanks for reading.
Captain Benefit
After much deliberation over my next purchase and despite not having been able to demo the Sony HS50 due to my location and apparent lack of projector dealers in the south west, I decided to order one via www.Nexnix.co.uk forum sponsors who have again come up trumps for me. I did pay the extra £20.00 for a dead pixel/panel check and the unit is fine out of the box
First Impressions.
First impressions are good. The unit is somewhat organic in shape and is borderline minimal. Cosmetically it is a million miles away from the rather cheap looking LCD projectors that I had owned previously, including the Sanyo Z1 and the Panasonic 300 and HS10 (though the HS10 never looked cheap). In effect, it looks like an expensive piece of kit, and something that can take pride of place within your av/lounge/cinema room. The lens shift buttons are effective, well designed and quite taught when shifting the image, which allows the picture to be tightened for want of a better word - when you have found your sweet spot. Measuring about 12 inches in length, the HS50 is bigger than the aforementioned projectors, though not quite as cumbersome as the HS10 and HS20 in its set up due to the short throw lens. Finally, the filter is situated at the rear of the machine, concealed behind plastic casing. Nice.
Connection.
Like its elder brothers, the connection sockets are situated at the rear of the unit, with component being my current connection of choice as I have my DVD, sat box and my x-box piped through a Denon 2805 with component switching. One initial disappointment I can level at Sony is the removal of the much used multi cable, supplied with both the HS10 and HS20. To me, this cheap but effective cable was a godsend as it allowed me to hook up a direct DVD connection whilst switching other component sources via the multi-cable and amp. This does seem like a backward step, but it is not the be all and end all. Aside from component there is an HDMI input, s-video, composite and a vga input should you wish to use a computer to drive the image, game or indeed surf the web on a big scale. I am yet to appraise the HDMI input but it is something I may consider in the future
Operation.
This machine really does run quietly. The HS10 was a jumbo jet in comparison. It is situated around two feet away from my viewing seat and the fan noise is not heard. As with the earlier Sony models, there is no power on switch as such and it is simply a case of switching the unit on from the mains. Therefore, I recommend unplugging the machine when not in use. Hey, you never know when lightning can strike! As before, the lens shift is very effective and now a pre-requisite for the projection industry as more and more people join the world of fp and use projectors within the confines of a lounge, rather than a darkened av room. The words ‘plug and play' spring to mind when I look at the Sony. That's not to say it is not tweakable - it is. However, a front projection novice could wire and fire the HS50 in moments and jump straight into a movie. The zoom ring is manual situated on the front of the machine. It is quite thin and a tiny little bit awkward to set but once done it should not need to be adjusted. The focus is just inside the zoom ring and is a lot easier to handle as you set your screen up. The remote is a carbon copy of the HS10 and 20 model though without the electronic zoom and focus which is a shame, though the budget of this machine must dictate the removal of the electronic zoom etc. No problems overall.
Performance.
I have tested some DVD material on the machine tonight, along with the Man Utd vs. Arsenal game on Sky Sports and I have had a few games of Pro-evolution 4 on the x-box. Firstly, DVD played on my Denon 2900 via component is sublime. Note that I allow the DVD to deinterlace the image, though the 50 is no slouch in this department, offering progressive and film pulldown in the picture settings should you decide to use an interlaced DVD deck. My current favoured test disks are Open Range, Troy, The Football Factory and Hell Boy.
Firstly, I refer to chapter 18 on Open Range when the free-grazers have a shoot out in the town. Here, the black level is superb. In fact, the Sony is so good at black level I actually went into the Denon set up menu and asked it to output a lighter black mode as it was almost too dark, thus crushing/negating the detail found in the blacks. So far so good. The relatively high resolution allows a very detailed picture and the finely woven garments worn by Costner and co. in open range look fantastic. The gunpowder smoke on screen reveals no vertical banding and there is no on screen noise for the eye to see. Overall, a very clean, sharp detailed picture endemic of a well made LCD projector.
In all honestly, perhaps not quite as ‘filmic' as some DLP machines but equally without the viewing problems occasionally encountered with that format. However, please note that the PQ of the Sony when considering the inherent drawbacks of LCD is staggering and is the best LCD image I have seen bar none. Switching to Troy and skipping to the scene where Pitt and co invade Turkey, I was again very pleased by the sheer amount of detail that the HS50 can pick out. Pitt's headgear is pitted and covered in marks, as is his shield. The HS50 can pick out the fine detail with ease and I am sure that there are going to be many more ‘I have never noticed that before' moments when watching my back catalogue of DVDs. Popping the Football Factory into the 2900 again reveals the superb black level and its eye for detail. I had not noticed the bags under the assembled actor's eyes before or the lack of razor blades again owned by the cast as they scrap it out in Fila coats, burberry hats and white trainers
Detail wise this really is superb projector and it has actually really surprised me. The superb 1:85:1 image found on the testing HellBoy DVD is lovely. Again, the black level is astounding and the detail eeked out is amazing. I consider hellBoy to be a real test for any PJ and the alleged 6000:1 contrast ratio of the Sony seems to be able to handle the darkness of the movie. Switching to SKY sports revealed the obvious limitations of watching TV through a projector due to the low bit rates on UK sat and cable. However, colour wise it is spot on. Manchester Utd's away kit worn earlier tonight is ‘proper' black. In addition, the image is detailed enough to pick out the weave of the material on the kit.
Finally, the x-box connected via component is superb. Sharp, smooth and again very detailed. I actually prefer playing games on an LCD machine compared to DLP.
Note from what I can see, the iris does work and I cannot hear it in action as it attempts to draw the best contrast from the relevant scene. It seems to removed that washed out effect inherent to some LCD machines, resulting in a lucid, bold picture. The settings available are off, on and auto. Oddly on and auto result in a different picture. Overall I will leave set on auto.
I cannot think of any real superlatives to describe the picture quality of the HS50 though I can write about how pleased I am with it and how I consider this money well spent. It is worth keeping
Overall.
I thoroughly recommend the HS50. Any faults? Well no - not really. However, I am aware that it has been described as a little dim out of the box. Actually, I found this to be true. However, had I not read that then would I have thought it? In reality in a darkened room and not even in absolute black out the image is fine although I can understand why some folk may say that it lacks punch. Obviously, I have not yet tweaked the image; I simply plugged it in, sat down and did some viewing
I have refrained from posting screen shots for the time being as compressed jpegs simply do not reflect or give the machine justice
Hope this helps. Any questions? I hope I can answer. Thanks for reading.
Captain Benefit