New JVC 3D Projectors

[Hawk]

JVCJVC USA today unveiled six new 3D-enabled 1080p home theater projectors at CEDIA EXPO 2010, using D-ILA projection technology and active shutter glasses, with prices starting at $4,495. JVC also unveiled the DLA-HD250, the industry's first sub-$3,000 1080p D-ILA home theater projector.

JVC's new 3D-compatible projectors are the Reference Series DLA-RS60, DLA-RS50 and DLA-RS40, to be marketed by JVC's Professional Products Group; and the Procision Series DLA-X9, DLA-X7 and DLA-X3, to be available through JVC's Consumer Electronics Group. All six host native contrast ratios that are unmatched in the industry:

* DLA-RS60 and DLA-X9: 100,000:1
* DLA-RS50 and DLA-X7: 70,000:1
* DLA-RS40 and DLA-X3: 50,000:1

"No other three-chip projectors in the home theater market can match the amazing 100,000:1 native contrast ratio of the DLA-RS60 or DLA-X9," said Klasmeier. "JVC's contrast ratio numbers are not artificially inflated by electronic circuitry or a dynamic iris, so every frame consistently and faithfully reproduces peak whites and deep blacks."

All are compatible with JVC's PK-AG1 Active Shutter 3D Glasses and PK-EM1 3D Signal Emitter (sold separately) for 3D presentations.

"3D has recently become a major box office draw. Now, with 3D broadcast channels emerging, and a growing number of 3D Blu-ray titles available, consumers want the immersive 3D experience in their homes," said Gary Klasmeier, product engineering manager, D-ILA Systems, JVC Professional Products. "Our new line of D-ILA projectors sets a new standard for home cinema. It's an immersive home 3D viewing experience."

For 3D content, each projector includes two HDMI 1.4a ports and supports side-by-side (broadcast), frame series (Blu-ray), and above-below 3D transmissions. An external 3D Signal Emitter (PK-EM1) syncs the projected image with JVC's Active Shutter 3D Glasses (PK-AG1). The external 3D signal emitter ensures solid signal transmission to the 3D glasses for a superior 3D experience, no matter what type of screen is used or how the home theater has been configured.

All six new projectors feature three 0.7" 1920 x 1080 D-ILA devices and are designed around JVC's third generation D-ILA High Dynamic Range optical engine that is optimized to provide exceptional native contrast ratios without a dynamic iris to artificially enhance contrast specifications. A directed light integration system and wire grid polarizer ensures optimum light uniformity and minimal crosstalk in the light path. In the top four models (DLA-RS60, DLA-RS50, DLA-X9, DLA-X7) a 16-step lamp aperture system matches the 16-step lens aperture to optimize the f-number (relative aperture) of the optics system in all steps. The DLA-RS40 and DLA-X3 feature a 16-step lens aperture.

With a new short arc gap, lamp brightness has been increased from earlier JVC models to 1,300 ANSI lumens. To reduce motion blur, JVC's double-speed 120Hz Clear Motion Drive technology uses a newly developed LSI for frame interpolation black frame insertion.

The four top models – DLA-X7/DLA-RS50 and DLA-X9/DLA-RS60 – have been designed to achieve THX® certification and are in the process of being tested by THX.

These same four models also include a new seven-axis color management system (R, G, B, C, M, Y and orange) that allows precise color tuning, especially in skin tones, and a choice of color profiles, including Adobe RGB, DCI and sRGB/HDTV. They have also been designed for ISF certification and will include an ISF C3 mode for professional calibration. Ninety-nine screen correction modes help to maximize viewing environments.

All six models share a completely new design, with a center-mounted lens and rear power, signal and control connectors for improved cable management and more versatile positioning and mounting options. Rear-to-front airflow also allows more placement flexibility while reducing thermal concerns.

The new JVC D-ILA projectors will be available in late November at the following prices:

* DLA-RS60/DLA-X9: $11,995
* DLA-RS50/DLA-X7: $7,995
* DLA-RS40/DLA-X3: $4,495

JVC's PK-AG1 3D glasses ($179) and PK-EM1 3D Signal Emitter ($79) will also be available in late November.

JVC also introduced a home theater projector that for the first time provides advanced D-ILA technology at an entry-level price of $2,995. The new projector, to be marketed as the DLA-HD250 by JVC Consumer and the DLA-HD250Pro by JVC Professional, is priced below $3,000 and delivers 25,000:1 native contrast ratio and 1,000 ANSI lumens brightness.

The DLA-HD250/250Pro features three 0.7-inch 1920x1080 D-ILA panels. It offers 25,000:1 native contrast and 1,000 lumens of brightness. It features an advanced HQV Reon-VX video processor by Silicon Optix.

Other features include a high-performance 2x motorized zoom lens with auto dust cover, as well as on-screen, customizable gamma control and ultra-quiet (19dB) operation.

"JVC projectors have been widely acclaimed for their performance, but they've remained out of reach for home theater enthusiasts with a limited budget," said Gary Klasmeier, product engineering manager, D-ILA Systems, JVC Professional Products. "With this new projector we bring D-ILA's remarkable film-like image quality and impressive native contrast to an entirely new market segment."

The DLA-HD250/250Pro will be available later this month for $2,995. It carries a two-year warranty.

[PHC1]

Cool. I am very happy with the JVC RS35U, the RS60 sounds like it raised the bar higher yet.

[W9TR]

Anybody have first hand experience with the new JVC's? It may be time to pull the CRT off the ceiling and try something new.

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by W9TR

Anybody have first hand experience with the new JVC's? It may be time to pull the CRT off the ceiling and try something new.

Yes.

Just curious. Why would that be the one to make you replace the CRT?

[W9TR]

CRT like contrast ratio. Nothing to do with 3D really.

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by W9TR

CRT like contrast ratio. Nothing to do with 3D really.

We need the 3D because someone told consumers they want it, not because they actually do.

I would hope a CRT guy would look at a picture not a contrast number. The JVCs (including the new ones) set performance/reliability benchmarks in their price ranges. But get beyond those ranges and there are projectors that far exceed the JVCs' performance envelope, especially for the most jaded of CRT guys.

[W9TR]

Any recommendations? I didn't get a chance to go to CEDIA this year, so missed out on seeing all the new goodies. I am definitely a jaded CRT guy with an aging G70 on the ceiling. It is to the point where I need to replace the green tube and fix some convergence drift, so I'm looking at new PJ's. I have seen the 950 and 990 and thought they were pretty good. Almost as good as my Sony but not quite there yet. I was hoping the new series would have better blacks and more neutral mid tones / skin tones.

Regards,
Tom

[Masterlu]

I am a die hard Sony G90 fan; I have 2 in use and 2 new ones in the box. Properly calibrated, it is as good as it gets for this jaded CRT guy.

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

I am a die hard Sony G90 fan; I have 2 in use and 2 new ones in the box. Properly calibrated, it is as good as it gets for this jaded CRT guy.

Didn't say it was bad to be a jaded CRT guy.

But if you're coming out of CRT to a fixed pixel device, looking at a contrast spec is not the way to do it.

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by W9TR

Any recommendations? I didn't get a chance to go to CEDIA this year, so missed out on seeing all the new goodies. I am definitely a jaded CRT guy with an aging G70 on the ceiling. It is to the point where I need to replace the green tube and fix some convergence drift, so I'm looking at new PJ's. I have seen the 950 and 990 and thought they were pretty good. Almost as good as my Sony but not quite there yet. I was hoping the new series would have better blacks and more neutral mid tones / skin tones.

Regards,
Tom

Before I answer you need to know that I work for the people that own Wolf Cinema and that's how I've seen the JVC. We think it has the potential to look like a Wolf, a baby Wolf, but a Wolf nonetheless.

In December, one of my Pennsylvania dealers installed a DCL200FD, the Wolf LED projector with ProScaler, in place of stacked G90s. Customer thought it was quite a step up.