Lab – Valerion strikes hard with the EBL, a technology that gives unparalleled blacks to video projectors
Valerion Vision Master Pro 2
Operation of the price board
Disable your advertising blocker to access all links above.
If Valerion has caused a stir in recent months, it is of course thanks to a very well executed Kickstarter campaign which has raised no less than 10 million euros for its new video projectors (the most funded campaign of the platform in 2024). The vision master plus 2, vision master max and vision master pro 2 (which we have just tested) are 4K video projectors to trilate at the attractive technical sheet, but it is notably because of their EBL (Enhanced Black Level) that they have been talked about a lot.
The Valerion Master Pro 2 during our test.
Advertisement
By default, a video projector uses full power of its laser in order to display the brightest image possible. If the light areas benefit from it, the dark areas for their part are negatively impacted: being enhanced by light, blacks appear less deep in the image, almost gray sometimes, and the general contrast suffers.
This is where the EBL intervenes. This feature is based on an algorithm that allows you to adjust the light of the laser in real time to improve the contrasts displayed on the screen. When a dark scene is detected and the light parts of the image are not too bright, the video projector does not need to put its laser at maximum power. Thus, by reducing the brightness of its laser, the light areas can remain at their normal luminance value, but the dark areas can appear darker. Result: the contrast increases clearly.
This unprecedented technology on a DLP video projector of this format is very effective it must be admitted, but quite difficult to measure objectively given its dynamic appearance (it adapts to each scene on the screen).
Advertisement
The measures
With a sequential contrast rate measured at 3540: 1, the Master vision far exceeds most DLP models which often struggle to exceed 1500: 1, as the Hisense C2 Ultra which however has the same triple laser. He even comes to ahead of the ultra -short focal length models of our comparison as The Cinema Edge Formovia And Theater Premium. Its native contrast is that said lower when you deactivate the EBL, and it falls closer to the 1500: 1. The comparative photos below clearly show the difference once this function is activated, even if you have to pay attention, the photos are never a perfect representation of what can be observed with the naked eye. (The images are raw, taken with the same settings on the device, and without touch -ups).
In fact, once the EBL is activated, the contrast appears even much higher, and it contributes to giving an unequaled depth to the dark scenes, in any case on transportable and “accessible” video projectors (as opposed to the more pro models like the Sony VPL/ Sony Bravia, or certain JVC). This causes it that says a certain derivative of colors, but the gain for the perception of blacks is such that we can only recommend activating it.
In any case, we hope that Valerion will refine this functionality and that other manufacturers will follow. We should hear from the competitors – Hisense and Xgimi in particular – at the IFA in Berlin in September.
Advertisement
Want to save even more? Discover Our promo codes Selected for you.
