10. Sony VPL-HS51: The Outsider, Continued

Our main apprehension about this projector was in the seemingly unrealistic contrast values announced by Sony. The specification of 6000:1 seems out of touch with reality, since the best DLP projectors on the market don't boast beyond 4000:1, and they're priced at twice what the Sony goes for. So, is the figure just another exaggerated marketing claim or a real achievement of LCD technology pushed to its limits?

The answer is in the operation of the VPLHS51's iris. As you know, the lens through which the light passes comprises an iris diaphragm which, when completely open, creates high brightness - and then low brightness when nearly closed. The problem is that in movies the light intensity constantly varies. If your iris is always wide open, bright scenes look marvelous, but darker scenes are indiscernible and blacks become gray. At the other extreme, a closed iris gives you deeper blacks and a broader range of gray shades, but attenuates brightness.

Sony has found a solution to this quandary and at the same time solved the problem of contrast ratio inherent in LCD technology. The principle is based on an iris diaphragm that opens or closes automatically depending on the scenes in the movie. In a few instants, the diaphragm adjusts the amount of light that passes through. The result is extremely impressive, achieving a contrast ratio that's visually identical to that of the best DLPs. Thus the weakest points of LCD technology are greatly minimized. Blacks have incredible density and can rival those of DLP projectors with no problem. And very bright scenes are no problem either, because the iris opens and light floods the screen.