AV SYSTEMS PROJECTOR/BLU-RAY PLAYER/SURROUND SOUND/VIDEO STREAMER
SYSTEM 3: PREMIUM
1 Sony VPL-VW270ES (£4990) 2 Sony UBP-X1100ES (£749) 3 Denon AVC-X3700H (£999) 4 Monitor Audio Silver 200 AV12 (£2865) 5 Apple TV 4K (£179)
TOTAL: £9782
O
ur final system goes all-in for the biggest picture you can get in a home environment – using a projector. There are a number of decent ‘4K’-capable projectors around for less money than the Sony we highlight here, but you really can’t beat a true native 4K unit for the ultimate in real world, massive-screen home cinema entertainment. For that, of course, you have to pay – and no one could claim that five grand is a snip – but nevertheless if you want a wonderful UHD image for at least attainable money, the VPL-VW270 puts up an excellent case for itself.
Those familiar with the lights-out black levels offered by OLED TVs and the sheer brightness capabilities of QLED and LCD TVs may not raise eyebrows at the Sony’s capabilities in these areas. But by projector standards, contrast across the spectrum is exemplary. To give you an idea, the Sony’s contrast level is similar to that of a decent LCD TV.
Regardless of what’s on screen, insight on the whole is excellent. Solid colours are among the Sony’s strengths, with not only the differentiation of tones but also the layering and richness of the various colours on show.