SONY / SXRD PROJECTOR

Sony VPL-VW295ES / VW270ES + Vertex

The VW295ES and VW270ES have no Dolby Vision, but they show Dolby Vision as LLDV from the Vertex once HDR is set to HDR10. This guide gives the menu paths and what to switch off.

Sony VPL-VW295ES (US) and VPL-VW270ES (EU), 2018 native 4K SXRD lamp projectors. Not covered: the 2020 VPL-VW290ES, which has X1 processing and Dynamic HDR Enhancer.

DOLBY VISION WITH THIS SETUP

No native Dolby Vision; LLDV from the Vertex works when you set HDR to HDR10 and Color Space to BT.2020 by hand, or with the Vertex HDR InfoFrame.

Native Dolby Vision: NOThe projector does not accept a Dolby Vision signal. It supports HDR10 and HLG.
LLDV via the Vertex: YESIn HDR Auto the projector 'distinguishes HDR content automatically' from the signal. LLDV has no HDR10 InfoFrame, so it is shown as SDR unless you set HDR10 by hand or the Vertex adds an HDR InfoFrame.
HDR10: YESHDR options: Auto / HDR10 / HDR Reference / HLG / Off. HDR Reference suits HDR10 content with a maximum brightness of 1,000 nits.

Before you start

These models have 'Contrast Enhancer', not the 'Dynamic HDR Enhancer' of the VW290ES and XW series. Do not copy XW instructions.
You need a player that outputs LLDV and an LLDV EDID on the Vertex. The Vertex passes up to 18Gbps (4K60 4:4:4 8-bit, 4K60 4:2:2 12-bit, 4K120 4:2:0 8-bit). HDMI 2.1 modes (4K120 10-bit HDR, VRR, ALLM) do not pass.

1. Basic picture settings

Get HDR10 working through the Vertex first. Then add LLDV.

Video rangeFunction → Dynamic RangeAutoLimited = 16-235, Full = 0-255.
4K signal formatFunction → HDMI Signal FormatStandard Format; Enhanced Format only if 4K60 HDR shows no pictureSony: switches the video signal format for 4K content; go back to Standard Format if picture or sound fails.
HDR10 referencePicture → Expert Setting → HDRAutoPlay an HDR10 disc first to prove the normal HDR path.

2. LLDV: set HDR10 by hand

Force HDRPicture → Expert Setting → HDRHDR10 (or HDR Reference)Auto only reacts to HDR signalling, which LLDV lacks. Sony: compare HDR10 and HDR Reference and keep the one with the best average brightness and highlight gradation.
Wide colourPicture → Expert Setting → Color SpaceBT.2020LLDV is BT.2020 content.
HDR brightnessPicture → Contrast(HDR)Adjust to tasteContrast(HDR) replaces Contrast when HDR is set to HDR10 or HLG.
Back to Auto afterwardsPicture → Expert Setting → HDRAutoOtherwise SDR sources are shown with an HDR curve and look wrong.

3. LLDV alternative: the Vertex HDR InfoFrame

Keep HDR on AutoPicture → Expert Setting → HDRAutoWith the Vertex 'Enable Custom HDR' InfoFrame the projector sees an HDR10 signal and applies its HDR10 setting (Vertex steps: see the central Vertex page).
Colour space checkPicture → Expert Setting → Color SpaceBT.2020Check it once LLDV plays; LLDV is BT.2020 content.

THE VERTEX PART

Vertex settings for this setup

LLDV: either force HDR on the display (see the steps above) or let the Vertex send an HDR10 InfoFrame with Enable Custom HDR (part B2). Use one of the two, and undo it for SDR.
Connect the Sony to a Vertex output (often TOP when a Dolby Vision TV uses BOTTOM); give the player's Vertex input an LLDV EDID.
HDR trigger is optional: HDR = HDR10 set by hand works without it; with the Vertex 'Enable Custom HDR' InfoFrame you can leave HDR on Auto.
'Enable Custom HDR' stays on after power cycles; switch it off for SDR sources.

VERTEX DOLBY VISION SETUP — ALL STEPS →

Switch these off

Picture menu → Contrast Enhancer (High / Middle / Low / Off)Contrast Enhancer adjusts levels per scene on top of the player's LLDV tone mapping. Start with Off and compare (our recommendation).
Input Lag ReductionOff for films. When On, Motionflow and NR cannot be set.

How you know it works

With HDR set to HDR10 (or HLG) the Picture menu shows Contrast(HDR) instead of Contrast.
LLDV shows full colour and bright highlights, not a grey, pale picture.

Problems and fixes

LLDV looks washed out

HDR is still on Auto or Off. Set Picture → Expert Setting → HDR = HDR10 and Color Space = BT.2020, or turn on the Vertex HDR InfoFrame.

No picture at 4K60 HDR

Set Function → HDMI Signal Format to Enhanced Format.

Blacks crushed or grey

Check Function → Dynamic Range against the range your source sends.

SDR looks wrong after LLDV

Set HDR back to Auto, and turn off the Vertex 'Enable Custom HDR' if you used it.

NOT CONFIRMED BY THE MANUFACTURER

The 'HDR Reference' option is listed in the current VW295ES manual; early units may need a later firmware to show it.
Which luminance values to enter in the Vertex HDR InfoFrame for LLDV: HDfury publishes no official value set for the original Vertex.

CHECKED AGAINST

← ALL DEVICE GUIDES VERTEX DOLBY VISION SETUP →DIAGNOSTIC PLAYBOOK →