Sony Electronics is expanding its home theater line-up by announcing new projectors and a new ES receiver compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X at CEDIA 2015. The new projectors include the VPL-VW665ES and VPL-VW365ES, which deliver native 4K resolution. These projectors are the successors to Sony’s VPL-VW600ES and VPL-VW350ES projectors, and a new long-lasting lamp gives both up to 6,000 hours of performance.

The VPL-VW665ES is compatible with HDMI input of HDR (High Dynamic Range) content with a 300,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio.

The new VPL-VW665ES and VPL-VW365ES use SXRD panels for a native 4K picture, with no artificial manipulation of pixels. Accurate color reproduction is ensured by Sony’s proprietary TRILUMINOS engine design, while Motionflow picture technology serves to deliver less blurry images when watching fast-paced action.

Both new models allow users to enjoy up-to-date 4K content services through the latest connectivity options using the latest HDMI standard and HDCP 2.2. A built-in RF 3D transmitter provides interface to industry-standard 3D glasses with a wireless signal for wider coverage and 3D synchronization stability. Professional calibration features allow operators to expertly adjust the picture to suit the viewers’ tastes.

The new VPL-HW65ES also launches at CEDIA, using full HD SXRD panels while borrowing interface and processing technology from its 4K cousins. The new model brings an advanced Reality Creation to the Full HD home theater experience along with higher brightness and longer lamp life of 6,000 hours. It also provides a built in RF 3D transmitter and a USB update function to enable the device’s firmware to be updated via a download and thumb drive transfer. The added IP control interface gives the projector home automation compatibility, which combines with its compact size and front exhaust for a range of flexible installation solutions.

Now installers can take advantage of Projector Calibration Pro software on HD through 4K Sony home theater models, allowing them to manipulate all of a projector’s features from a PC interface, including the color calibration tools. Setup configurations can be saved to a file to upload to any future installations. Additional adjustments made for a particular client can be saved in a separate file that will allow the installer to recall their original calibrations if ever needed to tweak that client’s system in the future.

The new projectors will be available in October 2015 at a suggested retail price of $3,999 for the VPL-HW65ES, $9,999 for the VPL-VW365ES and $14,999 for the VPL-VW665ES.

Sony also today introduced the VPLW5000ES, a 5,000 lumens 4K SXRD laser light source projector. Sony’s new reference-quality unit is the first projector designed specifically for home cinema use that features 4K resolution powered by a laser light engine that provides 5,000 lumens of brightness, is compatible with High Dynamic Range (HDR), emulates the new BT.2020 color gamut, and covers the full DCI color space.

Sony’s Advanced Motionflow feature reduces blur and maintains brightness and VPL-VW5000ES’ fast imagers. Along with HDR and BT.2020 capabilities, the VPL-VW5000ES also includes an HDMI input that is HDCP 2.2 compatible. That same input has enough bandwidth to accept 4K 60p signals up to YCbCr 4:4:4 8bit or YCbCr 4:2:2 12bit, thus helping to ensure that the VPL-VW5000ES is prepared to handle all types of video content now and in the future.

The VPL-VW5000ES can be tilted as much as 30 degrees. Thanks to a newly developed liquid cooling system with low noise operation, the projector can also be located near viewers without impacting the enjoyment of a program’s audio. The unit ships with a standard powered lens with a zoom ratio from 1.27 to 2.73:1 and lens shift capability of +/- 80% vertical and +/- 31% horizontal.

Benefits of the VPL-VW5000ES’ laser light engine include fast on/off times with no waiting for the projector to cool down – which means you can immediately turn it back on to resume binge-watching your favorite show. The light engine delivers a long operational life with a linear decrease in brightness, so the color shifts seen with traditional lamp wear are not expected. But if the color settings do shift over time, the VPL-VW5000ES includes a built-in re-calibration function that can be used to test how much the projector has drifted from its original factory calibration and reset it.

The VPL-VW5000ES is available for pre-order now and is expected to ship in Spring 2016 at a suggested retail price of $60,000.

Last but not least, Sony has announced the STR-ZA5000ES, a new ES receiver.

The high powered (130 watts x 9 channel) flagship model supports the latest 4K Ultra HD applications. It is the first ES receiver compatible with both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Using two additional amplifiers, these formats can support up to 11.1 channels of sound for the latest object-oriented audio sources that are now available from a growing number of platforms. The receiver also supports a long list of legacy surround formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

The ZA5000ES incorporates DSP technology which utilizes a high speed clock to achieve perational efficiency. A 32-bit floating point processor is also used to optimize signal processing, along with shorter signal paths to reduce impedance and interference from digital noise. All of these processors are mounted, together with an electrolytic capacitor, on the receiver’s power line.

To complement this, the ZA5000ES includes Sony’s latest D.C.A.C. EX technology with a new feature called Speaker Relocation. This compensates for less than ideal listening environments by closely simulating the sound field produced by optimally positioned and angled speakers.

Additionally, the ZA5000ES can deliver High Resolution Audio over HDMI. Sound quality is also improved by a newly developed preamplifier circuit that reproduces high resolution music with more accurate response and greater detail. There are also refinements such as independent power supply wiring with low loss gold bond wire.

To further enhance sound quality, the ZA5000ES utilizes a linear wideband power amplifier and highly efficient aluminum heat sink, a high capacity transformer with localized power supplies, a low phase noise precision crystal oscillator, and sonically tuned audio grade resistors.

The ZA5000ES includes six HDMI inputs and two outputs that provide full HDCP 2.2 compliance and supports the latest 4K 60P (4:4:4:) Ultra HD content. It can also distribute both 4K video and multichannel audio simultaneously to two different zones. Unlike conventional receivers, the ZA5000ES is even compatible with the new BT.2020 wide color gamut standard for future applications.

Additionally, the ZA5000ES can upscale video to 4K 24P and is one of the first receivers that can support High Dynamic Range (HDR) sources. A special test pattern is also included for verifying 4K connectivity.

The ZA5000ES features a built-in graphic user interface (GUI) which offers a visual confirmation of system set-up; while cursor keys on the receiver’s front panel provide full operability - even without the supplied Remote Commander.

In addition, an 8-port Ethernet hub is included on the receiver’s back panel, along with two Power over Ethernet (PoE) ports. A full complement of digital and analog inputs are also provided, along with redesigned gold-plated speaker terminals that support the latest audiophile cables.

The ZA5000ES provides access to system integration protocols via a special PING button on the front panel. There’s also web browser control plus cloud-based remote monitoring capability for Ihiji users. All of these settings can be saved to a flash drive and reloaded at any time using the USB interface located behind the receiver’s removable front cover.

The STR-ZA5000ES comes with a 5-year limited parts and labor warranty and includes a multi-function Remote Commander that supports a variety of discrete operating codes. It will be available in Spring 2016 at a suggested retail price of $2,799.