Overall picture quality No pixellation No scan lines long lamp life True 16:9 projector 1080i capability

Blacks could be better, but this is an lcd projector.

I bought this projector at ebay a few months ago and I am amazed by it picture quality. I am Still using the original bulb. It seems to last for a long time. I am using it on a smallish 66" widescreen because my viewing distance is quite close. I am only about 8 1/2 feet from the screen. If you're thinking about getting a rear projection set, Don't! It is better to get a 32" - 36" TV for daytime watching and a front projector for nightime movie watching. Rear projection with with no lights can be very fatiguing. Front projection always looks more filmlike and easy on the eyes. And you can use a really large screen that no rear projection can match. For $580 dollars that I got it on Ebay, it is a steal!!!

Similar Products Used:

I have seen other projectors from these manufacturers: Infocus, marantz, and sharp dlp projectors Runco, Sony, and Vidikron CRT projectors.

Excellent image, delta pixel arrangement, contrast actually as good if not better than my other projector the SONY VW10ht and also NO DEAD PIXELS which are annoying. LAMP LIFE 3000 hours as compared to 1000 to 2000 hours for the VW10ht. Can take HDTV signals at 1080i, got to be seen to be believed.

Image at 400 ANSI lumens a little dimmer than the VW10HT, but then compared to CRT projectors at 100-200 ANSI lumens it is much brighter. I'd advise to use a high gain screen. No computer VGA input.

In its day the best LCD Widescreen 16:9 projector around. Excellent product, only arguably bettered by the VW10HT and VW11HT later. Stereophile Guide to Home Theater magazine in Spring 1998 gave this projector an AA rating in their Recommended Components. Slightly soft image with LDs but this is corrected by the razor sharp DVD images especially from my Pioneer Elite DV09 DVD player. NO DEAD PIXELS. SONY in their infinite wisdom actually built two microswitches for each pixel so that for a dead pixel to occur, this would mean that both switches would have to fail. As compared to my other projector the later VW10HT, which already has some pixel failure. I don't know why Sony did not have this switch arrangement for the VW10HT and VW11HT. As the unit has a unique DELTA pixel arrangement pixelization in the image is almost invisible as compared to typical stripe arrangements which are used in data projectors, and my VW10HT. The projector has a built in line doubler, the quality of which is incredible. As good as an external line doubler. All video signals are line doubled for amazing resolution. DVD at 480i is already amazing but images from HDTV at 1080i will blow you away with the depth and clarity of the image. The main problem with the projector is the noise from the cooling fan, this not a problem with action movies but when you watch movies with lot of quiet scenes then you can hear the fan in the background. To improve on the noise level you can place the projector in a custom built box with 12V fans to provide additional ventilation. This helps A LOT, then the projector is really good.

Similar Products Used:

VW10HT, VW11HT, Panasonic AE100 (good cheap projector but pixelization is a problem) N.B. I have an extra brand new sealed PK-PJ500 bulb if anyone needs one as I don't think I will be needing it. P

Uniform brightness, lack of pixelization, gery scale/color tracking, black level, high lumens once recalibrated, lack of video noise.

Noisy fan, not set up right by factory.

I''ve been tweaking the VPL-W400Q for 3 years now. The blacks can be vastly improved by a dedicated A/C line, upgraded heavy power cord (preferrably containing silver)with an Audioquest RF clamp on it, silver video component cablels (Monster Silver Video is THE best, as verified by Joe Kane of the Imaging Science Foundation. BNC(RGB)fittings soldered are an improvement over using an RCA-BNC adaptor fitting. Another important setup concern is to align the projector lens perferectly parallel to the center of the screen, and the lens aiming out toward the middle of the screen as Sony indicates.(at least in the top 1/3rd). Do not align the center of the lens with the top of your screen. Sharpness will suffer, so will blacks. Your room should be pitch black. get rid of all light. If that is not practical, then the ceiling, walls and floor around the screen, 4-6 ft. in all directions, should be of a very dark color so as not to reflect light back onto the screen thereby washing the picture out. This makes a huge difference. Last but not least, unless you know how to enter the service sub-menu and are trained to adjust the bias and gain on the 3 LCD panels you will never see what the VPLW400 can do, which is absolutey stunning and much better then even the new VPL11 in black level, brightness and color/grey scale tracking. The VPL400 has a 250 watt bulb, the new VPL11 only a 200 watt. When you adjust the gain in and bias in the service menu, the result is a deeper black level, and 200% brighter image! I''ve performed the internal recalibrations for several VPLW400 owners and simply astonished them.

Similar Products Used:

Sharp Z9000, Sony VPLW11, Vidikron LCD''s, Ymaha DLP, Seleco CRT (the best, expensive and requires outboard Faroudja for best setup)

superb picture, only model with 16:9 chips

fan noise

This is the best bargain out there for HDTV ready FPTVs. Too bad Sony has dicontinued production.

Cinematic experience in your living room, 16:9 LCD chip format with full resolution on anamorphic DVDs, unsurpassed value

Poor black level, noisy fan, but these things are minor when you compare the picture size and quality possible, and take into consideration the cost of the projector

My neighbor introduced me to the W400Q on a 10' wide screen in his basement HT, awsome! I had been considering one of the new ~65" 16:9 HDTVs, and still was after seeing the W400Q because of some of the comments in the Big Picture VPL-W400Q forum. Despite visions of green fog, poor blacks, prism problems, noisy fans, and what sounded like inconsistent quality between production units I decided to take a chance with the W400Q. I have had the W400Q for over 3 months now and I am still amazed at the cinematic experience it provides vs what a much smaller 65" RPTV would have. Especially when displaying a full 16:9 anamorphic DVD on a 110" screen. And, for around 3500 this has to be among the best entertainment values for the dollar. Its to bad Sony discontinued this model, although some new and B stock units can still be had for around 3500.

Similar Products Used:

45" 4:3 Mits

Greatest Picture, you don't believe you can own your own movie theater inside your home.

Loud Fan noise

I had purchased this product and it has been giving me greatest picture. You don't believe it you never walk to your local theater and You are a few people who has the own cinema(theater) inside your home. I can compare the picture almost got more than 95% sharp as the local theater and with 200 inch screen. All I can say it is the best. My projector never give me any problems and it has been used for more than $300 hours. I would like to sell the projector
for $2200 as more than one year under warranty. This projector is rarely to operate because it has been under taken care of and no dead pixel or green effect. I am selling it because of finacial problem. Email me at d3_3@hotmail.com if you are interest or you have any more questions.

16x9 panels

Noisy fan

I have used the W400Q for over two years in my home theater and I must admit that it is a great projector. The 16x9 panels was the main reason to why I purchased the W400Q. The poor black levels of the projector never bother me as much as the noicy fan. It could be really annoying from time to time. I recently sold my W400Q since I'm upgrading to the new 10HT. However, I think that the W400Q still is one of the best LCD projects for home theater purposes. The picture quality on my old W400Q was great. I miss it ... since I haven't got my 10HT yet :-(

Similar Products Used:

Sharp XV-C20E

Great picture, Native 16:9 LCD panels, good internal scaler for plug N Play

Blacks are more like charcol grey. Although it's not as big of an issue as many make it out to be.

This is a great projector for Home Theater. Before I purchased this unit, I was considering a RPTV and I'm so glad I went the front projection route, there's simply no comparison. Good DVD transfers look great and HDTV is simply stunning. Bottom line, this is still one of the best values in Home Theater.

Similar Products Used:

Various LCD & DLP units

Best and sharpest picture

Loud fan

I had done a lot of researches before making a purchase for this projector. Man, I am telling you that I could not imaginze I am having my own theater in my home. The project is awsome and I have the best and very sharp picture even It projects on a wall only. A lof of my friends and my family call me every weekend...hey, are they any movies for this week. They loved this equipment and they don't have to local theaters any more. You will love it.. trust me

Sharp Picture, Clear Picture & reliable (no dot pixel, green effect)

Loud fan

I had done a lot of researches before making a purchase for this projector. Man, I am telling you that I could not imaginze I am having my own theater in my home. The project is awsome and I have the best and very sharp picture even It projects on a wall only. A lof of my friends and my family call me every weekend...hey, are they any movies for this week. They loved this equipment and they don't have to local theaters any more. You will love it.. trust me...

I wrote the same review before and I would like to offer for a sale and please contact me. I would like to upgrade to a new model.