Sony Electronics has expanded its BRAVIA line-up with the introduction of two new 4K HDR laser home cinema projectors, the BRAVIA Projector 8 (VPL-XW6100ES) and BRAVIA Projector 9 (VPL-XW8100ES). Aimed at bringing professional-grade cinematic experiences into the home, these projectors are designed to cater to a wide range of entertainment needs, including movie viewing, sports, and gaming. With the inclusion of Sony’s XR Processor, previously seen in their BRAVIA TV series, these models promise improved image clarity, contrast, and color reproduction.

The BRAVIA Projector 8 and 9 are the first in Sony’s projector range to feature the XR Processor for projectors, a modified version of the processor used in Sony’s high-end TVs. This processor introduces several enhancements, such as XR Dynamic Tone Mapping, XR Deep Black, XR TRILUMINOS PRO, and XR Clear Image.

XR Dynamic Tone Mapping analyzes peak brightness frame by frame, optimizing tone mapping for more vivid and authentic colors. XR Deep Black manages laser dimming in dark scenes, resulting in deeper blacks while maintaining accurate color expression.

The XR TRILUMINOS PRO technology boasts the ability to reproduce over a billion colors, and XR Clear Image enhances 4K upscaling, reducing noise and recreating lost details with a vast database.

"We are thrilled to bring these two new BRAVIA Projectors to the market, as these new offerings showcase the depth of Sony's experience of more than 50 years of bringing cinema home to our customers," said Christopher Mullins, Home Cinema Product Manager for Professional Displays and Solutions, Sony Electronics.

"With the technology of our Sony BRAVIA XR Processor now powering our projectors, these enhanced new products demonstrate our continued mission to ensure customers can enjoy the excitement and immersion of a professional-grade cinematic viewing experience from their very own home."

Both models use Sony's unique Z-Phosphor laser light source technology, which improves efficiency and longevity, offering up to 20,000 hours of uninterrupted use. The BRAVIA Projector 9 provides up to 3,400 lumens of brightness, while the BRAVIA Projector 8 offers up to 2,700 lumens. This increased brightness allows for clear images even in rooms with ambient lighting, making these projectors suitable for various home settings.

For gaming enthusiasts, both projectors support 4K resolution at 120 frames per second (fps) with an input lag of just 12 milliseconds, thanks to the inclusion of two HDMI 2.1 inputs and Auto Low Latency Mode. This feature set aligns with the latest gaming consoles, such as the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, as well as high-end PC gaming setups. The BRAVIA Projector 9 also includes a Live Color Enhancer, designed to maintain vibrant colors even in well-lit environments, further enhancing the gaming and viewing experience.

In terms of design, both projectors are notably compact for their performance class, fitting easily into home cinema setups. They are available in black or white finishes to suit various interior designs. Installation is facilitated by features such as Corner Keystone correction and lens-shift functions, which allow the projectors to be positioned in rooms with challenging layouts, including those with high ceilings or limited depth.

The BRAVIA Projector 8 and 9 also offer compatibility with popular home automation systems, including Control4, Crestron, Savant, AMX, and remote maintenance services such as OvrC and Domotz. This allows users to integrate these projectors seamlessly into existing home automation setups and control multiple devices with a single remote.

These new models replace the older VPL-XW7000ES, with the BRAVIA Projector 9 positioned above the BRAVIA Projector 8 as a more premium option, but below Sony's top-end GTZ380 projector. The BRAVIA Projector 9’s price point places it in direct competition with high-end offerings such as the JVC DLA-NZ900, targeting the same premium home cinema market.

The BRAVIA Projector 8 (VPL-XW6100ES) has a suggested retail price of $15,999.99, while the BRAVIA Projector 9 (VPL-XW8100ES) is priced at USD 31,999.99. Both models are expected to be available for order starting in early September through Sony Electronics, Amazon, Best Buy, and other authorized dealers. The XW5000ES, which won our Highly Recommended Award, will remain in the lineup as Sony's entry-level laser projector option.