Projector Reviews

Full-On/Full-Off Contrast Ratio: Infinite (Dynamic Full), 31,000:1 (Dynamic Limited), 14,000:1 (Native)

Measurements were taken in a variety of conditions with the bulk made using the projector's Reference preset. The selected gamma preset was 2.2. All calibration was done with the dynamic laser/iris disabled and the contrast ratio measurements taken in a variety of modes as noted. Calibration work was done using a Colorimetry Research CR100 colorimeter profiled to a Colorimetry Research CR250 spectroradiometer via CalMan 2020. All viewing and measurements were done on a 140-inch diagonal 2.40:1 Stewart Studiotek 130 screen (1.3 gain). Post-calibration results improved to a max dE of 1.9 and an average of 1.2 for grayscale/gamma and a max of 1.6 and average of .9 for colorimetry (SDR/REC.709). These are reference level results for any display.

Full on/off contrast was measured with a Minolta T-10 meter from approximately 12 inches away from the lens face. I tested the projector at 100% laser levels using a range of dynamic laser/iris settings:

The overall contrast performance of Sony's 915ES was an improvement over what I previously measured with the company's 995ES model, which features a similar dynamic contrast system (dynamic laser dimming plus a dynamic iris in the lens assembly). This applied to not only its native contrast, but the different dynamic modes as well. There was not much difference between the Dynamic Full and Limited modes until you approached near-black levels of 2% or lower. The 915ES had similar results to the 995ES in that a single lit pixel onscreen did have a noticeable effect on the black floor, lowering the effective contrast ratio regardless of which mode was used. This should be used as a more realistic expectation for overall dynamic range for any contrast mode.–KRD