JVC D-ILA vs. LCD/DLP

blacksquid · #1 01-02-2006, 03:20 PM

Hi All,

My search for good HT gear continues...

I've recently seen ads for a JVC DLA-SX21UH D-ILA front projector at reasonable prices. Here are the specs for the DLA-SX21UH. Is it worth considering 3-panel LCos technology that is a little over a year old in light of new LCD/DLP stuff coming out?

BMXTRIX · #2 01-02-2006, 03:58 PM

It is worth considering LCoS if it is properly implemented in a solid home theater projector.

Which that one most definitely is NOT.

Current LCD and DLP technology simply floors the model you linked to and is an outstanding value. LCoS is almost not in the game but the Sony Ruby is the one exception as it sets the bar for 1080p technology.

At $10K the Ruby (Here) hits the streets at about $8K in some locations and offers almost 20 times the contrast ratio of the JVC unit. Yes, a high priced piece of work, but considering that it is true 1080p and has an incredible performance level, it is what I would call 'THE' way to go for a high end home theater setup.

Now, stepping away from the JVC and hitting a price near $2K and you have the Panasonic AE900, the Sanyo Z4, and the Epson 550 all of which will simply beat the JVC unit in overall quality.

1. You want a home theater projector that is HD - That means at least 1280x720 pixels and 16:9 native aspect ratio.

2. You want a projector that you can put where you need it to go. The Sanyo and Panasonic offer about the most flexibility for placement of any projectors on the market.

3. DLP is great, but is often $1,000 more money. The improvement in DLP is marginal at best and trades off some color quality to get an increase in shadow detail typically. The Mitsubishi HC3000 - if it fits your room, is an excellent choice.

Spend some time researching and reading reviews - if a projector has a good price, but not many reviews and is not brand new, then be cautious when considering it.

blacksquid · #3 01-02-2006, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMXTRIX

It is worth considering LCoS if it is properly implemented in a solid home theater projector.

Which that one most definitely is NOT.

Current LCD and DLP technology simply floors the model you linked to and is an outstanding value. LCoS is almost not in the game but the Sony Ruby is the one exception as it sets the bar for 1080p technology.

At $10K the Ruby (Here) hits the streets at about $8K in some locations and offers almost 20 times the contrast ratio of the JVC unit. Yes, a high priced piece of work, but considering that it is true 1080p and has an incredible performance level, it is what I would call 'THE' way to go for a high end home theater setup.

Now, stepping away from the JVC and hitting a price near $2K and you have the Panasonic AE900, the Sanyo Z4, and the Epson 550 all of which will simply beat the JVC unit in overall quality.

1. You want a home theater projector that is HD - That means at least 1280x720 pixels and 16:9 native aspect ratio.

2. You want a projector that you can put where you need it to go. The Sanyo and Panasonic offer about the most flexibility for placement of any projectors on the market.

3. DLP is great, but is often $1,000 more money. The improvement in DLP is marginal at best and trades off some color quality to get an increase in shadow detail typically. The Mitsubishi HC3000 - if it fits your room, is an excellent choice.

Spend some time researching and reading reviews - if a projector has a good price, but not many reviews and is not brand new, then be cautious when considering it.

As always, good advice Bmxtrix. However, can you be more specific regarding your analysis of the SX21UH? I do realize that the contrast ratios have improved dramatically with the latest generation of LCD projectors and that the models that you mention are more flexible with regards to placement (e.g. lens shifting). Projector Central reviewed previous model quite favorably and here is the DLA-SX21U review.

I have been seriously considering either the Panasonic or the Sanyo based upon reviews here and my own research both of which offer considerable bang for the buck.

df4801 · #4 01-02-2006, 05:30 PM

Remember, when you read reviews, you need to take in context WHEN the review was done.
ie, a review that says a projector "was great" back in 2003, means almost nothing today, as the bar has been raised. Also, that review also takes into account that the machine was a LCOS.

Also, remember, its actually hard to find a "bad" review of any projector.
Hint, hint...
Something about reviews, advertising, and the old greenback.

I agree with bmxtrix, get a HT projector thats 16:9.

blacksquid · #5 01-02-2006, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by df4801

Remember, when you read reviews, you need to take in context WHEN the review was done.
ie, a review that says a projector "was great" back in 2003, means almost nothing today, as the bar has been raised. Also, that review also takes into account that the machine was a LCOS.

Also, remember, its actually hard to find a "bad" review of any projector.
Hint, hint...
Something about reviews, advertising, and the old greenback.

Thanks. I did consider the date on the original review being in '03. The DLS-SX21UH however is an update to the original DLA-SX21U and the first ship date for the updated machine was 11/04.

In so far as I could tell, the Projector Central review seemed to be impartial. Old, relatively speaking, but impartial.

BMXTRIX · #6 01-02-2006, 08:57 PM

I don't know what price you are getting on the JVC, but all indications from the review of the prior model is that it carries with it the same qualities that most LCD has enjoyed, which is excellent color saturation - at a cost to black level performance.

Now, current LCD projectors simply blow away non-home theater designed projectors, and it just doesn't seem like that unit was designed for home theater. As with most business class projectors it can display video, but it doesn't set video up as the primary function of that projector.

Likewise, we really do need to consider the age of the projector. The review compares the SX21U to a InFocus 7200. That is 2 generations ago (almost 3 now!) for InFocus. The review then calls them more or less 'comparible'.

The Z4 and AE900 are being compared to current models from InFocus and Optoma and are being called comparible as well - if not superior. Plus, they come in thousands of dollars LESS. I wouldn't even think about the decision of whether or not to get that model of JVC - I WOULD NOT BUY OR RECOMMEND IT.

Yes, it is respectable on its own - but not in direct comparison to the competition. When directly compared it seems to fall flat on its face.

What would I get?

If money allowed:
Sony Ruby

If not...
Sanyo Z4
Espson 550 (or 800)
Panasonic AE900
Optoma H78DC4

The Z4 and 550 are near the top of my list personally - not sure which I think is better. Have no doubts though, the current lineup of projectors is formidible and the next generation only looks to be even better.

LEVESQUE · #7 01-04-2006, 10:42 AM

I just sold my JVC D-ILA HX1U (a 16:9 version of the SX21) calibrated by William Phelps to buy the new Sony Ruby and there is no contest. The Ruby is a far superior projector.

My neighbor has a Sony G90 (CRT) and prefers my Ruby.

. The PQ is that good.

Don't loose your time and money with the JVC. Go directly to the Ruby. Go see my screenshots with my Ruby on my "Equipment" link in my signature (scrool down to the end).

blacksquid · #8 01-04-2006, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEVESQUE

I just sold my JVC D-ILA HX1U (a 16:9 version of the SX21) calibrated by William Phelps to buy the new Sony Ruby and there is no contest. The Ruby is a far superior projector.

My neighbor has a Sony G90 (CRT) and prefers my Ruby.

. The PQ is that good.

Don't loose your time and money with the JVC. Go directly to the Ruby. Go see my screenshots with my Ruby on my "Equipment" link in my signature (scrool down to the end).

Nice!! The scaler on the Ruby rocks! I wish I had that much money to plunk down.

The price of the DLA-SX21UH that I'm looking at is a good bit less than half its original MSRP. It's new. BTW, the SX21UH supports both 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios.