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Sony VPL-VW325ES: This is what a $5,500 projector looks like

Up close with this gorgeous -- and ridiculously expensive -- SXRD projector from Sony.

Geoffrey Morrison
Geoffrey Morrison is a writer/photographer about tech and travel for CNET, The New York Times, and other web and print publications. He's also the Editor-at-Large for The Wirecutter. He has written for Sound&Vision magazine, Home Theater magazine, and was the Editor-in-Chief of Home Entertainment magazine. He is NIST and ISF trained, and has a degree in Television/Radio from Ithaca College. His bestselling novel, Undersea, and its sequel, Undersea Atrophia, are available in paperback and digitally on Amazon. He spends most of the year as a digital nomad, living and working while traveling around the world. You can follow his travels at BaldNomad.com and on his YouTube channel.
Geoffrey Morrison
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1 of 7 Geoffrey Morrison/CNET

Sony VPL-VW325ES

The VPL-VW325ES is a high-end 4K projector that's able to create some truly stunning images. Here's what it looks like up close.

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2 of 7 Geoffrey Morrison/CNET

Motorization

The 325ES features motorized horizontal and vertical lens shift, as well as motorized zoom and focus.

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3 of 7 Geoffrey Morrison/CNET

Big boy

Like most high-end projectors, the 325ES is large and heavy, though not quite as large as the Epson 5050UB.

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4 of 7 Geoffrey Morrison/CNET

SXRD

The 325ES uses three 4,096x2,160 SXRD chips, Sony's version of LCOS, to create an image.

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5 of 7 Geoffrey Morrison/CNET

Minimal inputs, maximum control

Like most projectors intended for a home theater, there aren't many inputs but there are a variety of control options.

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6 of 7 Geoffrey Morrison/CNET

Flush buttons

Practically hidden on the opposite side as the inputs, there are buttons on case you can't find the remote. 

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7 of 7 Geoffrey Morrison/CNET

Remote

Largely unchanged for many years, the backlit remote has everything you'll need to control the 325ES.

Check out our full review.

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