Sony has confirmed that its first 4K projector, the VPL-VW1000ES, will go on sale in January 2012.

Originally planned for release before Christmas, the VPL-VW1000ES is expected to sell for around $25,000 (£16,000).

The 3D-capable machine will be the first Sony projector capable of supporting resolutions over four times that of full HD, bringing 4K digital projection, already available in cinemas, into the home.

Having the capability is one thing, but to use it you might have to wait a little longer, since the 60+ new and classic movies which have been prepared for the 4K format are not yet available for home use.

Until they are, the VPL-VW1000ES uses a 4K upscaling engine, which can upscale both 2D and 3D Blu-rays and HD TV to the higher resolution.

Sony claims its new flagship projector will offer 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 2000 ANSI lumens brightness – twice as much as any of Sony’s existing consumer projectors, which will help greatly with the notoriously dark performance of 3D.

It will support a picture of up to 200in and offers variable throw distances and format options, as well as ‘near-silent’ operation.