We’ve so been waiting for this: a true 4K projector that was affordable to the average Joe, who is determined to put his money towards an awesome home theatre, rather than a boat upgrade.At just $7,999, the VPL-VW260ES is the least expensive native 4K projector that has been released in NZ so far. Hands up if you’re surprised we did a happy dance when we found. Since its release we’ve been heavily testing the precious magical box.And what do we have to say about the Sony VPL-VW260ES, you’re asking?

It’s so easy to forget, but if we would take the clock back say 10 years and look at what home entertainment looked like back then, we’d be surprised at how fast things change. In 2007 you were starting to build a library of Blu-ray titles, thankful that HD had finally made its way to disc. 4K was a technology of the future. Streaming was a curiosity and Netflix was a hugely successful DVD mail-order company with a billion discs delivered. It’s CES in Las Vegas that has long been the platform for the launch of audio-visual novelties. Sure, not all products showcased made it into people’s homes (actually a fair amount didn’t), but isn’t it interesting to see what goes on in the heads of the AV powers that reign and what new AV products are to be expected for the new year.

A few weeks ago we bumped into an article claiming that most audiophiles and home theatre lovers actually do not live on a big budget. It is just where their priorities are. It is what they choose to spend their ‘sanity money’ on. It got us thinking however; for which purchases do you splash out when you are building your home theatre set-up? And when are you just paying for branding and marketing? We give you our humble opinion in these matters.