Sony VPL-ES2 Multimedia LCD Projector 1500ANSI Lumens

by Sony

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.1 x 11.6 x 9.4 inches ; 6.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 11 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00067OS96
• Item model number: VPL-ES2
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #173,021 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 1, 2004

Product Description

Delivers superior image performance and automatic one-touch operation for home theater or business use / LCD Projection Technology 800x600 SVGA Resolution, Scans to XGA 1024x768 compressed Uses 157W UHP Lamp with about 4000 Hours (Standard) Lamp Life 40 to 300 Screen Coverage (Diagonally) 80 Throw Distance Whisper-Quiet 34dB Noise Level 1.2 times zoom lens 2-component (Y/R-Y/B, HD-15); Video Composite, S-Video connectors Weight - 6.3 LBS; Dimensions (WxHxD) - 11 5/8 x 3 1/8 x 9 3/8 Includes - Remote Commander(R) - RM-PJ2; Lithium Battery; RGB15 Cable; AC power cord; Air Filter; Carrying Case; Sony USA 2-Year Limited Warranty Card Note - Projector is a neutral device. Use reqiores either a PC / Macintosh computer or a Video or TV source to be added/connected

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good For Trying Out Giant Screen Viewing, December 26, 2005

By 

Andrew Siew (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VPL-ES2 Multimedia LCD Projector 1500ANSI Lumens (Office Product)

Despite the low 350:1 contrast ratio claimed by the manufacturer, at 800x600 resolution, this little budget projector delivers decently in giant screen entertainment.

Picture quality is at maximum when you set up the unit in a nearly pitch black room. The contrast is at its best around 85 and the brightness at around 65: daylight scenes look good even on a white wall, but the low contrast ratio of 350:1 is really bad for movies with excessive dark scenes and shadows. The black level adjuster is somewhat a reduntant feature as it washes out shadows further from darker scenes.

The focus range is not to my liking since I had the projector set up in a somewhat small room with lots of objects hanging from the wall: The projector can achieve a screen size of over 40" within a 1.4 meter throwing distance. It's good for someone who wants a giant bright screen in a very confined space.

As the projector has only a trapezoidal keystone corrector, it is limited to be installed to face the projection wall / screen at a perpendicular angle. Therefore, celing mount may be a good idea if you want to sit close to the center of the screen.

The light source / lamp is claimed to be able to last for 4000 hours under standard brightness setting; with the replacement lamp at around USD 300 locally, it may be time for a projector upgrade when you burn out the 5th bulb.

Considering how cheap this projector is (the cinema standard high-end Sony VPL-HS50 with 6000:1 contrast ratio goes for USD 2600 over here in KL), this Sony VPL-ES2 is worth pretty much every cent you pay for, and if you're sick of LCD projection technology by the end of the unit's third lamp life, you wouldn't have to think too long before going out to find yourself a Sony 40" LCD screen that cost 7 times more than the projector but has a backlight that lasts around
60,000 hours.

Purchase Price: USD 790

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great starter unit for home HD use-Sony VPL-ES2, January 10, 2006

By 

Douglas Brutsche (Pasadena,CA ,USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VPL-ES2 Multimedia LCD Projector 1500ANSI Lumens (Office Product)

I bought this unit not really knowing what to expect.
The first thing I did was to buy a 95"screen(Da-lite) next a DVD player(Samsung) that doubles the lines to 1080 and then a HDTV tuner(LG). This little unit is fantastic for watching PBS Nature programs in HD and it does well with movies too. I had to darken the window light in order to get optimal effect. The sound comes from a set of Altec Lansing 5.1 computer speakers w/ sub woofer.
I have installed and set-up projection systems as part of my job and I think this system does a great job,as I have it. I bought a HD Camcorder (Sony HDR-HC1) and it looks very pro on this system!

Final Note: Finally a hobbiest can now capture,edit,project video,and audio in a truly professional manner. I've played with video since the early 1970's, starting with the Sony Portapak, and now I've realized a dream, started so many years ago.
Thank You very very much...Sony

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Sony Projector, March 8, 2006

By 

Christopher Brown (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VPL-ES2 Multimedia LCD Projector 1500ANSI Lumens (Office Product)

I mostly use this projector for my dvd player and my game consoles. I find that it has a real crisp picture, and very easy to use. It is very compact and very portable. I was surprised. I would recommend this product to someone looking for a projector.