The projector VPL AW15 by Sony operates as a LCD device with 1300 ANSI lumens, a HDTV 1280 x 720 resolution and a contrast of 12000:1. The manufacturer rates the durability of the included lamp at 2000 hours. The presence of a lens shift function enables flexible vertical or horizontal positioning of the projector. The achievable distances are shown in the Distance Calculator. A look at the light output reveals: The 1300 ANSI lumens are sufficient to illuminate an image width of up to 366 cm in darkened rooms. If room light is present, we recommend not exceeding a maximum width of 244 cm. For media input, video signals up to 1080P are supported. Since entering the market in 2007, production has been discontinued; the manufacturer no longer actively offers the model. Note: According to our information, replacement lamps (original or generic) are no longer available for this projector.
Hello dear community,
I‘ve been using this model for 5 years now and have replaced it once in that time because the first unit "fell ill" with shading. I am now on my 3rd lamp with the second device and am still satisfied. The picture is simply harmonious and rich in contrast without any readjustment (the color temperature should be set to "warm"). The device itself is quite quiet, easy to operate and, above all, very dust-resistant - I‘ve had a few disappointments with Epson. The resolution is still sufficient, especially for PS3 games, as 720p is standard here. Tip: After approx. 1000 hours you should change the lamp mode from "Low" to "High", then the brightness will work again;) TOP! It‘s a shame that Sony never continued the AW series and retreated back into the high-price segment:(
Autor:
flycaptain 25.07.09
5
Stars
First-class device in this price range
The picture is simply outstanding. I can only recognize fly screens from a distance of 1 m. For the price, buy, buy, buy.
Autor:
sirgoele 22.01.09
5
Stars
Very cool device
Now I‘ve had my AW 15 for 18 months and now have 275 hours on the lamp. The device is tuned by C4H with a red filter and of course calibrated to D65. Here are the pure values that this device brings to the screen: SW: 0.07 (!)Contrast on/off total : 10400:1(!)Contrast native 2150:1(!) - Ansi : 240:1. These are the bare figures that are very close to the current Full HD devices. In a direct visual comparison, I couldn‘t find any appreciable difference between an HW 10 out of the box and my AW 15 that could make me buy the supposedly cheap HW 10 (1800 Euro = 3600 DM !), but they are almost the same and resolution alone isn‘t even worth the paper it‘s written on. On the contrary, if you mainly use PAL DVD, an HD Ready is still your first choice. I will now wait and see how the next generation turns out - especially in terms of price. Under the pretext of higher resolution, projector prices have shot up brutally. I‘m only talking about the HD 350 (4000 euros!) and some people are talking about fair and reasonable prices (probably too much money or dealers?) At the moment, if money wasn‘t an issue, I‘d go for the HD 350 when buying a new projector, but if money is an issue, I‘d probably go for the HW 10 or the HC 5500 if you can set it up. But as I said, I‘m not stupid and just throw almost 2K out the window - for what?
Autor:
Olivier 19.09.08
4
Stars
... the 2nd repair seems to have done the trick!
So, now to my 3rd entry.
According to the 2nd repair, the complete circuit board was replaced. Since then my device has been running perfectly and no longer whistles. It looks like Sony has got the problem under control. I‘m definitely happy!
Maybe I was just unlucky and bought a model from Monday...
Autor:
Irene 31.05.08
4
Stars
@Oliver
Hello Oliver,
I also have the device and it‘s really great. I have had it tuned with a filter and the black level and contrast have improved again. Could you write what problems you have? Sony can‘t get the lamp beeping under control, mine has already been sent in because of it. At first it was fine and then after a few weeks it started again. But you get used to this beeping, just ignore it. If you read in forums how many problems others have with their projectors, the Aw is still good in comparison. Nevertheless, it is not a high-end projector and has weaknesses.
Autor:
Olivier 29.05.08
3
Stars
Not satisfied!
I already made an entry on 27.10.07 and now, for better or worse, I have to revise my opinion!
The device is now being repaired for the 2nd time in 6 months and there seems to be no end to it. So far the device has not yet had 300 hours of operating time and has already been under repair for over 6 weeks! Sony won‘t replace the device for me, but just artificially delays everything.
According to the motto: After 1 year the warranty has expired anyway!
In addition, the device suddenly starts to whistle and then it won‘t be long before it has to be repaired again!
I wouldn‘t buy the device again under any circumstances, even if it delivers a good picture and is whisper-quiet. Everything else is not right at all and Sony‘s service leaves a lot to be desired!
Autor:
daljarak 22.04.08
5
Stars
Have it too
My first impression.....Great !
My second impression.......good !
Mine has no shading, but there is some banding on consistently bright surfaces if you look closely. After 20 hours it is now also starting to whistle!
I still don‘t recommend buying the AW 15 !
It‘s an excellent projector with very good black levels and contrast, which you only find with Full HDs, but unfortunately it‘s very often affected by shading.
When I chose mine, it was the only one of 4 without shading !
In addition, there is the whistling that occurs with almost all AW 15s and sooner or later makes them a service case, which means you have to part with the projector for WEEKS...without a replacement! The picture and background noise of the projector alone are really excellent, but I wouldn‘t buy it again because of the whole thing!
Autor:
Waldi 19.02.08
5
Stars
question to rice
hey hey,
have already seen it live, just awesome...
I wanted to ask if you or someone can give me the link or something so that I can buy it in Greece... would be really cool... because for 599 you can‘t go wrong!? And I‘ve already googled like a madman, but can‘t find anything!
Thank you
greetings
Autor:
crawwler 04.02.08
5
Stars
Almost perfect, I can only agree with that!
I got the projector 3 days ago and I have to say its really great!
This is my first projector and I havent been able to compare many yet, but still!
The AW15 is! currently! still about 40 cm from my head and when I use it in eco mode, its principle no longer audible, (even if you turn the sound from the game or from the Blu-ray extremely low) just the air coming out (that you can feel)
From the high-frequency sound that some owners report, nothing can be heard with mine either!
At the moment Im still projecting onto a white wall but the picture is still impressive (wait until the screen arrives)!
Fly screen: if you stand directly in front of the wall, you can clearly count the pixels individually! For me, the screen is about 2.1m wide and the seat spacing is 3.5m, and from the fly screen, you can only see something with a menu like the PS3 with a 1080p connection via HDMI! With movies or directly in the game, absolutely nothing...
With normal DVDs, I have to say that Im not so thrilled. Especially if you only watch it via the chinch video input, the picture is nothing! The lamp life is almost too good for that. I havent used the component input yet, but it will probably be a lot better. So far, only tried Counter-Strike Source!
Image very acceptable and no streaks or anything else!!
Only drawback: only horizontal keystone correction... I think thats a shame, but well, you have to look at something like that anyway before you buy!
All in all, I am very very satisfied and the projector is certainly worth the price! (on ebay for €870 (incl. shipping to Austria!) on 01/28/2008)
Mfg crawwler
Autor:
Rice 19.01.08
5
Stars
Almost perfect !
First things first. I previously had the HS 60 and have to say that it was in no way inferior to the AW15. Nevertheless, the AW 15 is a further development and improvement, as it has become more compact and quieter. Of all the manufacturers I know, Sony offers the best dust protection, contrast (thanks to its own panel) and black level. 24P capability and the lie of the industry and the manipulation to make us switch to FULL HD projectors are reduced to absurdity by this projector. If you watch DVD and TV on a projector like I do and a Blue Ray every few weeks, you don‘t need Full HD! There is no projector that enhances the DVD picture through interpolation....none ! The Sony‘s aperture works almost perfectly, the black level and contrast, as mentioned, are right up there, coupled with 20 DB operating noise and 24P....unbeatable! I can only see the aforementioned fly screen from a distance of 1m, otherwise not at all. It‘s bright enough for a darkened living room, but if that‘s not enough you can buy this PANA sparkle or the Epson hairdryer. Improvements are still possible.
1 Only one HDMI is not up to date, just as only one YUV is not possible either, here the almost 2 year old Z5 even had both in double version.
2 The Sony service! Anyone who gets a good device can count themselves lucky, anyone who falls into the clutches of Sony service will probably not buy Sony again. 3. the whistling sound ! It‘s definitely there, some in dynamic mode, others in cinema mode, but it‘s there and it‘s annoying when you‘re sitting very close to the device. I have it 1.5m above my head and can no longer hear it from there, but when I walk up to the device I can hear it clearly. Finally, a word about tuning! I have now seen three versions of the AW 15. One with C4H tuning, one with a foil tuning and one out of the box. Personally, I think that these tunings are just a money-making exercise. I had this feeling once before when I saw a tuned Z5. It doesn‘t make anything better, it‘s usually just an improvement for the worse and nothing more. People suddenly look like lobsters and have red faces etc... for me it‘s rubbish. 200-300 wasted Euros that would be better spent on a good DVDP a la PANA S100 or Denon 1940.
What else can I say, for me it‘s by far the best 720p LCD I‘ve ever had and that you can buy under the sun of this planet. Incidentally, I no longer buy from so-called specialist retailers. I have had problematic experiences with goodwill and refunds. Just look for the cheapest online and that‘s that. The myth of gray imports is just as much nonsense! According to Sony and I called them, they produce standardized devices for Europe, i.e. a device that goes to Italy is designed in the same way as a German one...why do you think the menus are in so many languages? By the way, I bought mine from Greece for 599 euros! According to Sony I have full warranty....EU ! But beware of Ebay offers! There are suspiciously many AW 15 from so-called competitions on the road! It‘s always the same 2-3 people who offer them, one told me he had won three after I noticed it and wrote to him. A competition where one and the same person wins the same projector three times is out of the question! One more tip from me: The device must definitely not cost more than 915 euros as of today, January 19, 2008, anyone offering it at a higher price is just trying to earn more.
One more thing:
I‘ve owned the following projectors so far: Sanyo Z1, Z1X, Z3, Z4, Panasonic PT AE 700, Sony VPL HS 60, NEC VT 46, I‘ve seen and tested pretty much every projector. Don‘t let yourselves be ripped off!
Autor:
Wenzi 16.01.08
5
Stars
Top device
I agree with the comments here. However, the projector could be a little brighter - so you should darken it well (especially in Eco mode). This is the only way to keep the fan running extremely quietly; in normal mode it‘s annoying (only 1.5m away from the projector). The whistling I mentioned (it was more like bright singing) came directly from the lamp on my first model! I replaced it (from an AW10) and the noise disappeared. I run the AW15 on a Playstation and BluRays with 1080/24p come out absolutely interference-free and clean. The picture is also flawless on a Kathrein 910, even in PAL mode on high-quality channels. You should take a closer look at the settings, because you can get a lot of brilliance out of them. I would buy it again.
Autor:
Schmidy 07.12.07
5
Stars
Top device, great price/performance ratio
After agonizingly reading through forums and test reports, I finally decided on the Sony. I also had the Epson EMP-TW700 to choose from. In the end, the quiet 20dB and the ability to play 1080p/24 (not possible with the TW700) tipped the scales in favor of the Sony. And I was not disappointed. The projector has a great picture and shows no artifacts even in fast scenes. The fan is practically inaudible - the only drawback is the quiet whistling when the lamp is running in Eco mode. At full brightness, the whistling is gone, but the fan is slightly louder. All in all, however, the whistling is only audible if you concentrate on it - so it‘s not an issue when watching an exciting movie.
The much criticized fly screen is not an issue for me - distance to the screen approx. 4m, screen width 2m. If you move up to about 1.5m, the screen is visible, especially in bright scenes. Contrast and black levels are great, making sci-fi really fun
I control the Sony with 720p from my receiver (Yämmi RX-V2600) via HDMI. As a result, I was able to achieve a significant increase in quality compared to the direct playback of 576p via YUV (from my Denon DVD-2200). But enough words, let the next movie speak....
Autor:
Fischer 10.11.07
5
Stars
Good projector!! Very quiet!
Best projector of my 10 projectors Ive ever had! I was a little hesitant to buy it because of the fly screen. I wanted to get the Panasonic first. But at a distance of 3.5 meters and a picture width of about 1.6 meters, the fly screen is actually not visible! And its quiet. Yes, I know you can read in the forums that a high-pitched whistling sound can be heard (probably from the power supply), but I dont find it disturbing at all! (I can hear a high-pitched whistling sound too) The image is very good. And there is no RBE. Great projector! I can only recommend it.
Autor:
Guido 05.11.07
5
Stars
Sideshot function
Hello Ralf, regarding your question about the sideshot function, the Sony VPL AW15 can be placed wherever you want, whether ceiling-mounted, on the floor, to the left or right of the screen, anything is possible with the countless settings, take a look at
http://www.cine4home.de/tests/projektoren/SonyVPL-AW15/AW15Preview.htm
oder here in the operating instructions
Autor:
Ralf 03.11.07
5
Stars
Sideshot AW15???
I‘m thinking of replacing my Sony VPL-HS3 with the VPL AW15. I couldn‘t position my HS3 in the center of the screen, so the sideshot function was always very helpful. Does the AW15 also have this function or does it have to be positioned in the middle of the screen?
Autor:
Guido 02.11.07
5
Stars
VPL AW15
So I was finally able to compare this projector and have to say, it is really whisper quiet, you can hardly hear it, I don‘t know of any projector in this price range that can do better, brings a very good black level with amazingly beautiful colors and high contrast on the screen, countless settings are possible with this projector, I connected the Sony via HDMI. thanks to Sony...bussi:
Autor:
Olivier 27.10.07
5
Stars
Sony VPL-AW15
After weeks of toing and froing about which projector might be the best for me, I finally decided on the AW15 from Sony.
I would buy it again in a heartbeat! Whisper quiet, great workmanship and the picture quality is very good. The price-performance ratio is really great! The only annoying factor is the huge remote control! You can kill someone with it...
Autor:
speedy 30.08.07
5
Stars
VPL AW15
I‘m very happy with my purchase.
It works best with a 16:9 screen in a well darkened room.
It‘s also very quiet. :)
Full HD 1080P compatible
Sony Website
Product Sheet english
