OVERALL
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Scored using Projectors Methodology v3.0
Projectors Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Projectors Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Projectors Methodology v3.0

Sony VPL-DW126 review: 86 specs compared

Avg. price:~£370Native panel resolution:1280x800ANSI lumens:2600Throw ratio:1.36-1.77:1Lamp life:5000 hours

Sony VPL-DW126 Review: Compare 86 technical specifications to see how this product ranks in the Projectors category and whether it is worth buying.

Sony VPL-DW126
6.9/10

Overall score

Score
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, best-of lists, expert reviews and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 35%, List score 30%, Reviews score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 67% of models
Score components

35%

5.8

Technical score

30%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

25%

?

Reviews scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.8, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 6.8, the mark of a weaker model in this category

â–¼Worse than 67% of projectors
7.4

Value for money

Value for money
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the projector's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a projector with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 69% of models
Score components

70%

6.9

Overall score

30%

8.6

Price

â–²Better than 69%
5.8

Technical score

Technical score
5.8/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 82% of models
Score components

42%

6.3

Image Quality

22%

5.5

Projection & Lens

12%

5.3

HDMI & Gaming

10%

5.9

Audio & Features

8%

5.3

Connectivity

6%

4.5

Design & Power

â–¼Worse than 82%
?

Reviews score

Reviews score
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Grades by review (0)
We have not found an independent test of this model yet. Until we do, its review part counts as 7.8.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
No expert tests yet
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
  • sony-vpl-dw126
sony-vpl-dw126
Where to buy
    N/A~ £370
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of projector Sony VPL-DW126

Technical score
Technical score
5.8/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 82% of models
Score components:

42%

6.3

Image Quality

22%

5.5

Projection & Lens

12%

5.3

HDMI & Gaming

10%

5.9

Audio & Features

8%

5.3

Connectivity

6%

4.5

Design & Power

5.8
Reviews score
7.8
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the projector's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a projector with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 69% of models
Score components:

70%

6.9

Overall score

30%

8.6

Price

7.4
ANSI lumens
2,600
Market range: <280 – >4k
This projector reaches 2,600 ANSI lumens, brighter than 56.8% of projectors and equal to 1.7% of projectors.
Contrast ratio
2,500:1
This projector has a contrast ratio of 2500:1, lower than 69.4% of projectors and equal to 1.6% of projectors.
Native panel resolution
1280x800
This projector uses a native resolution of 1280x800, lower than 73.7% of projectors and equal to 8.2% of projectors.
Output resolution
1280x800
This projector supports output resolution up to 1280x800, lower than 74.8% of projectors and equal to 8.4% of projectors.
Projection technology
3LCD
Show more
Throw ratio
1.36-1.77:1
Min throw distance
0.9 m
Market range: <0.5 m – >1.651 m
This projector needs a minimum throw distance of 0.9 m, shorter than 63.3% of projectors and equal to 2.7% of projectors.
Max projection size
300 inch
Market range: <120 inch – >301 inch
This projector supports projection sizes up to 300 inch, larger than 51.5% of projectors and equal to 38% of projectors.
Zoom ratio
1.3
Market range: <1.1 – >2.06
This projector offers a zoom ratio of 1.3, wider than 42.5% of projectors and equal to 14.4% of projectors.
Motorized zoom
no
This projector does not have motorised zoom. 14.8% of projectors offer this.
Show more
Input lag
?
Auto low latency mode (ALLM)
no
This projector does not switch to low-latency mode automatically. 16.1% of projectors offer this.
Variable refresh rate (VRR)
no
This projector does not support variable refresh rate. 1.8% of projectors offer this.
HDMI version
?
Max HDMI bandwidth
10.2 Gbps
Market range: <10.2 Gbps – >48 Gbps
This projector supports HDMI bandwidth up to 10.2 Gbps, lower than 51.2% of projectors and equal to 46.5% of projectors.
Different HDMI ports reach 10.2 and 4.95 Gbps.
Show more
N. of HDMI ports
1
Market range: <1 – >2
This projector has 1 HDMI port/s, fewer than 54.2% of projectors and equal to 42.9% of projectors.
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
This projector connects to Wi-Fi networks for streaming. 46.7% of projectors offer this.
Wi-Fi via bundled wireless adapter.
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
This projector uses Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), which is newer than 50.1% of projectors and the same as in 5.4% of projectors.
Bluetooth connectivity
no
This projector does not support Bluetooth. 50.7% of projectors offer this.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Show more
Smart TV features
no
This projector does not have built-in smart TV features. 43.9% of projectors offer this.
Operating system
none
Android OS
no
This projector does not run Android OS. 19.1% of projectors run Android OS.
Dedicated smartphone app
yes
This projector comes with a dedicated smartphone app. 63.3% of projectors come with a dedicated smartphone app.
Sony Projector Remote app.
Remote control
yes
This projector includes a remote control. 1.5% of projectors offer this.
Show more
Light source type
lamp
This projector uses lamp light source technology, less advanced than 66.5% of projectors and equal to 33.5% of projectors.
Laser light source
no
This projector does not have a laser light source. 26.8% of projectors offer this.
Lamp life
5,000 hours
Market range: <3.5k hours – >30k hours
This projector offers lamp life of 5,000 hours, longer than 70.6% of projectors and equal to 5% of projectors.
Lamp life (eco mode)
7,000 hours
Market range: <5k hours – >30k hours
This projector offers eco-mode lamp life of 7,000 hours, longer than 76.6% of projectors and equal to 1.9% of projectors.
Operating power consumption
100 W
Market range: <57 W – >390 W
This projector uses 100 W of power, less than 70.5% of projectors and equal to 3.2% of projectors.
Normal mode power draw.
Show more

Sony VPL-DW126 vs the average projector

246810TotalImage QualityProjection & LensHDMI & GamingConnectivityAudio & FeaturesDesign & Power
  • Smartphone app support
    This projector supports smartphone app control, while the average projector does not. 36.7% of projectors support smartphone app control.
    Sony Projector Remote app.
  • 1 more audio input ports
    This projector has more audio input ports than the average projector (1 vs 0). The average projector has 0 audio input ports.
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more RJ45 ports
    This projector has more RJ45 ports than the average projector (1 vs 0). The average projector has 0 RJ45 ports.
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more USB ports
    This projector has more USB ports than the average projector (2 vs 1). The average projector has 1 USB ports.
    2 vs 1
  • 18.2% brighter image
    This projector has higher ANSI lumens than the average projector (2,600 vs 2,200). The average projector has 2,200 ANSI lumens.
    2,600 vs 2,200
  • 50 inch larger image size
    This projector has a higher projection size than the average projector (300 inch vs 250 inch). The average projector has 250 inch of projection size.
    300 inch vs 250 inch
  • 0.11 m shorter throw distance
    This projector has a lower throw distance than the average projector (0.9 m vs 1 m). The average projector has 1.0055 m of throw distance.
    0.9 m vs 1.0055 m
  • 130 W lower power use
    This projector uses less power than the average projector (100 W vs 230 W). The average projector uses 230 W of power.
    Normal mode power draw.
    100 W vs 230 W
  • 18.2% brighter image
    This projector has higher ANSI lumens than the average projector (2,600 vs 2,200). The average projector has 2,200 ANSI lumens.
    2,600 vs 2,200
  • 50 inch larger image size
    This projector has a higher projection size than the average projector (300 inch vs 250 inch). The average projector has 250 inch of projection size.
    300 inch vs 250 inch
  • 0.11 m shorter throw distance
    This projector has a lower throw distance than the average projector (0.9 m vs 1 m). The average projector has 1.0055 m of throw distance.
    0.9 m vs 1.0055 m
  • 1 more RJ45 ports
    This projector has more RJ45 ports than the average projector (1 vs 0). The average projector has 0 RJ45 ports.
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more USB ports
    This projector has more USB ports than the average projector (2 vs 1). The average projector has 1 USB ports.
    2 vs 1
  • VGA input included
    This projector supports VGA input, while the average projector does not. 44.1% of projectors support VGA input.
  • Smartphone app support
    This projector supports smartphone app control, while the average projector does not. 36.7% of projectors support smartphone app control.
    Sony Projector Remote app.
  • 1 more audio input ports
    This projector has more audio input ports than the average projector (1 vs 0). The average projector has 0 audio input ports.
    1 vs 0
  • 130 W lower power use
    This projector uses less power than the average projector (100 W vs 230 W). The average projector uses 230 W of power.
    Normal mode power draw.
    100 W vs 230 W
  • Limited HDMI format
    This projector supports a less capable max HDMI input format than the average projector (1080p/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz). The average projector supports a max HDMI input format of 4K/120Hz.
    1080p/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz
  • Basic light source
    This projector has Basic light source than the average projector (lamp vs laser). The average projector uses a laser light source.
    lamp vs laser
  • No HDR10 support
    This projector does not support HDR10, while the average projector does. 57.6% of projectors support HDR10.
  • 1 fewer HDMI ports
    This projector has fewer HDMI ports than the average projector (1 vs 2). The average projector has 2 HDMI ports.
    1 vs 2
  • Low native resolution
    This projector has a lower native panel resolution than the average projector (1280x800 vs 1920x1080). The average projector has a native panel resolution of 1920x1080.
    1280x800 vs 1920x1080
  • Lower output resolution
    This projector supports a lower output resolution than the average projector (1280x800 vs 1920x1080). The average projector outputs at 1920x1080 resolution.
    1280x800 vs 1920x1080
  • 43.3% lower HDMI bandwidth
    This projector has a lower HDMI bandwidth than the average projector (10.2 Gbps vs 18 Gbps). The average projector has 18 Gbps of HDMI bandwidth.
    Different HDMI ports reach 10.2 and 4.95 Gbps.
    10.2 Gbps vs 18 Gbps
  • No Bluetooth connectivity
    This projector does not support Bluetooth, while the average projector does. 50.6% of projectors offer this.
  • No HDR10 support
    This projector does not support HDR10, while the average projector does. 57.6% of projectors support HDR10.
  • Low native resolution
    This projector has a lower native panel resolution than the average projector (1280x800 vs 1920x1080). The average projector has a native panel resolution of 1920x1080.
    1280x800 vs 1920x1080
  • Lower output resolution
    This projector supports a lower output resolution than the average projector (1280x800 vs 1920x1080). The average projector outputs at 1920x1080 resolution.
    1280x800 vs 1920x1080
  • Lower contrast ratio
    This projector has a lower contrast ratio than the average projector (2500:1 vs 10000:1). The average projector has 10000:1 of contrast ratio.
    2,500:1 vs 10,000:1
  • No 3D video
    This projector does not support 3D video, while the average projector does. 55.4% of projectors support 3D video.
  • 8 earlier release
    This projector was released earlier than the average projector (2013 vs 2021). The average projector was released in 2021.
    2013 vs 2021
  • No 3D glasses support
    This projector does not display 3D with glasses, while the average projector does. 54.4% of projectors offer 3D with glasses.
  • 10 degrees less vertical correction
    This projector offers less vertical keystone correction than the average projector (20 degrees vs 30 degrees). The average projector offers vertical keystone correction of 30 degrees.
    20 degrees vs 30 degrees
  • Limited HDMI format
    This projector supports a less capable max HDMI input format than the average projector (1080p/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz). The average projector supports a max HDMI input format of 4K/120Hz.
    1080p/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz
  • 43.3% lower HDMI bandwidth
    This projector has a lower HDMI bandwidth than the average projector (10.2 Gbps vs 18 Gbps). The average projector has 18 Gbps of HDMI bandwidth.
    Different HDMI ports reach 10.2 and 4.95 Gbps.
    10.2 Gbps vs 18 Gbps
  • More outdated HDCP support
    This projector supports an older HDCP version than the average projector (1.4 vs 2.2).
    1.4 vs 2.2
  • 1 fewer HDMI ports
    This projector has fewer HDMI ports than the average projector (1 vs 2). The average projector has 2 HDMI ports.
    1 vs 2
  • No Bluetooth connectivity
    This projector does not support Bluetooth, while the average projector does. 50.6% of projectors offer this.
  • No RS-232 control
    This projector does not support RS-232 control, while the average projector does. 50.6% of projectors support RS-232 control.
  • 90% weaker audio output
    This projector has a lower audio output power than the average projector (1 W vs 10 W). The average projector has 10 W of audio output power.
    1 W vs 10 W
  • No sleep timer
    This projector does not have a sleep timer, while the average projector does. 82.4% of projectors have one.
  • Basic light source
    This projector has Basic light source than the average projector (lamp vs laser). The average projector uses a laser light source.
    lamp vs laser
  • 15,000 hours shorter lamp life
    This projector has a lower lamp life than the average projector (5,000 hours vs 20,000 hours). The average projector has 20,000 hours of lamp life.
    5,000 hours vs 20,000 hours
  • 13,000 hours shorter eco lamp life
    This projector has a lower lamp life in eco mode than the average projector (7,000 hours vs 20,000 hours). The average projector has 20,000 hours of lamp life in eco mode.
    7,000 hours vs 20,000 hours
  • 2 dB louder operation
    This projector has a higher audible noise than the average projector (33 dB vs 31 dB). The average projector has 31 dB of audible noise.
    33 dB vs 31 dB
  • 1 dB louder eco mode
    This projector has a higher audible noise in eco mode than the average projector (29 dB vs 28 dB). The average projector has 28 dB of audible noise in eco mode.
    29 dB vs 28 dB
  • 80.5 mm thicker body
    This projector is thicker than the average projector (230.5 mm vs 150 mm). The average projector has a thickness of 150 mm.
    230.5 mm vs 150 mm

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Overview video

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Sony VPL-DW126

  • Portable and lightweight design (approx. 2.6 kg) makes it easy to carry for business or education
  • Bright 2,600 ANSI Lumens allow for clear images even in rooms with some ambient light
  • Widescreen native WXGA (1280x800) resolution is ideal for modern laptop presentations
  • Versatile connectivity options including HDMI and network functions like Web Control
  • 3LCD technology provides vibrant, true-to-life color brightness without the 'rainbow effect'

What customers don't like about Sony VPL-DW126

  • Discontinued model as of May 2016, which may lead to difficulty in finding official replacement parts
  • Native contrast ratio (2500:1) is lower than newer or home-cinema dedicated models
  • Performance in bright rooms is limited; picture width should ideally not exceed 345 cm if room light is available
  • Lamp-based technology requires eventual replacement compared to modern long-life laser alternatives
  • Lacks modern 4K resolution and high-end HDR features found in current professional projectors

Verdict

The Sony VPL-DW126 is a portable 3LCD desktop projector featuring WXGA (1280 x 800) native resolution and 2,600 ANSI lumens of brightness, making it suitable for clear presentations in small to medium-sized meeting rooms. Its 3-chip BrightEraâ„¢ technology ensures vibrant color stability, while connectivity options include HDMI, VGA, USB for PC-free viewing, and built-in Wi-Fi for wireless streaming from mobile devices. Key advantages include its lightweight 2.6 kg design, energy-saving 'Auto Mode' for brightness adjustment, and an extended lamp life of up to 7,000 hours in Eco mode. However, its small 1W mono speaker may be insufficient for larger spaces, and its 2500:1 contrast ratio is relatively low compared to high-end home cinema models.

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