JVC RS2 B Stock Blowout Special While They Last...

[captain-joe]

Well I set up my RS2 yesterday. The projector looks brand new and was delighted to find 0 hours on the bulb

In terms of loudness I would say its a tad louder than the Mitsubish HC5000 I had (which was practically silent) and on par or a little bit more quiet than my AE3000.

PQ-wise its just breathtaking right out of the box. I put it to 2.4 gamma and adjusted the brightness/contrast as per Gouger's settings and I popped in In Bruges on Blu Ray and it stunned everyone.

I have a question about setting IRE, I can't seem to find the spot to adjust this. TIA.

And strube I am very sorry to hear things are not going well. I hope that you get this resolved quickly and you can enjoy your RS2 as well.

I've watched a couple of hours on my B-stock AVS RS2 and I'm very happy
with the picture. The fan noise is very quiet compared to my last DLP projector and a non-issue. 13 hours on the bulb.

Septim::: How does the RS2 compare to the AE3000 which I presume you replaced? I ask since the AE3000 was my second choice.

Thanks

 

[septim]

I've watched a couple of hours on my B-stock AVS RS2 and I'm very happy
with the picture. The fan noise is very quiet compared to my last DLP projector and a non-issue. 13 hours on the bulb.

Septim::: How does the RS2 compare to the AE3000 which I presume you replaced? I ask since the AE3000 was my second choice.

Thanks

Well I can't speak for gaming yet. In terms of a natural looking image, contrast, and strangely sharpness the RS2 beats the AE3000 easily. I was expecting the first two things but I was pretty taken aback by how much sharper the RS2 is. I had read that the JVC D-ILA were not the sharpest projectors (I had the BenQ W5000 which is considered to be one of the sharpest). I would say that the RS2 is just a tad shy of the W5000. Right away we could see pores and everything that weren't as prevalent on the AE3000.

I was satisfied with the AE3000, it is a very good projector for the $2500. Now that they raised the price its much less of a deal. I thought I was going to miss the frame interpolation but I actually like pure 24p now. I don't watch sports so I can't really think of another need for FI. I will say that the AE3000 has a lot of interesting features, features I was unlikely to implement (lens memory), while the RS2 has a superior image. I am very happy with my decision, I enjoy the picture a lot more and I don't have to check for dust blobs each time I turn my PJ on.

 

[captain-joe]

Septim:

Thanks for your review. Now I know I made the right decision!!

 

[captain-joe]

BTW I purchased the custom ceiling mount made just for this projector.

The Cheif RPA-184

http://www.chiefmfg.com/productdetail.aspx?ProductID=4080

In the manual it talks about the screw length being critical during installation.

 

[strube]

Well here is a quick update as I have been very busy with other things.

So, I don't think it is the overheating that most commonly occurs with projectors, as after 12 minutes of a movie today, it is as if the power supply overheated and the whole thing just shut down (perhaps a thermal breaker in the power supply) - no overheat fans continue to run, and no warning indicators are on. If I wait about 20 minutes it will come back to life. The second time it came back to life today, I was able to watch an hour of movie.

I set it up on the table to test it for today and it isn't as loud. I think it was just running at a good natural frequency harmonic of my mounting box before and vibrating. It isn't too loud out of the box and sitting right next to me once the movie is going.

Anyway, airflow is not an issue, this is something else entirely.

I am glad that you guys are having good luck with yours! I will get this resolved, I just need time, which is in short supply this week.

 

[strube]

AVS is going to exchange the PJ. UPS will be here tomorrow to pick it up, and they should be sending a new one my way by the end of the week. I sure can't complain about that kind of service. I will probably buy my Denon "affordable" pre-pro that I am planning on when it is supposed to be released in October from AVS - their prices and service have been excellent...

Anyhoo, on Friday, I made it through the Machinist all the way through without it dying. I still think it has a faulty power supply from the previous issues, and I am glad they are doing an exchange. Now here's to hoping I get a good unit.

 

[strube]

The RS2 replacement will arrive next Wednesday. Not too shabby!

 

[DVDIT]

Got mine today!

I received my RS2 from AVS toady and boy this thing is huge. So huge in fact, I am afraid it might dominate the room if I mount it from the ceiling albeit at the back of the room. So I am thinking of wall mounting it at the rear of the room about 17' from the screen using this wall mount from Omnimount. http://www.omnimount.com/Product/Wall Furniture/ECS Series/ECS/

Is this any drawback to this installation? I am guessing picture quality would be the same whether mounted on the ceiling or on a shelf? Is the Carada BW a good match for this PJ? HT room is a bat cave with dark wall and ceiling. Thanks.

 

[strube]

I received my RS2 from AVS toady and boy this thing is huge. So huge in fact, I am afraid it might dominate the room if I mount it from the ceiling albeit at the back of the room. So I am thinking of wall mounting it at the rear of the room about 17' from the screen using this wall mount from Omnimount. http://www.omnimount.com/Product/Wall Furniture/ECS Series/ECS/

Is this any drawback to this installation? I am guessing picture quality would be the same whether mounted on the ceiling or on a shelf? Is the Carada BW a good match for this PJ? HT room is a bat cave with dark wall and ceiling. Thanks.

I have done a rear shelf mount on many projectors, and prefer it to ceiling mounts. However, the one you linked has a maximum weight of 30lbs, and the JVC isn't much less than that. I would recommend finding something with more weight capacity.

As for the screen, you should use Projector Central's projection calculator to make sure you can get the size you want at 17' - that is a longer throw than I am accustomed to. The 92" classic white screen is a uniform and decently bright image for me at 13' throw, but I don't know whether or not you would want the extra brightness at 17'. Also, it is hard to say because you didn't say how big your screen is/will be.

 

[DVDIT]

Screen is at the moment is 92" but I am going to go with 106" with the RS2.

 

[strube]

Screen is at the moment is 92" but I am going to go with 106" with the RS2.

What is your seating distance?

106" would be a little small IMO if you are anywhere near the 13' - 16' mark. We are going 110" in my dad's theater which gives a 36 degree viewing window at 12.5', which is kind of where we like to be for the best experience (a little bigger would actually be great but the low ceilings are limiting things quite a bit). Both my dad and I went too small with our previous screens in our respective HTs. Just a thought...

 

[jostenmeat]

Is this any drawback to this installation? I am guessing picture quality would be the same whether mounted on the ceiling or on a shelf? Is the Carada BW a good match for this PJ? HT room is a bat cave with dark wall and ceiling. Thanks.

If height and distance are identical, then of course the PQ is identical. Very generally speaking, it's better to avoid the extreme adjustments of zoom or shift, but some PJs actually get better contrast with some shift (and I don't understand the explanation, but I think the RS2 might be one of those). Otherwise, generally speaking, farther for more contrast, closer for brightness.

The only negative, and I've experienced it with a PJ on top of bookshelf, is that the LFE shakes the picture. No more with ceiling mount. However, a bookshelf is coupled to the floor, and since yours should be on the vertical wall, you will be less susceptible to this issue than I was.

Screen is at the moment is 92" but I am going to go with 106" with the RS2.

The best advice I can give you is to fire it at the blank wall for a week or so. Take down the 92 incher for now. So easy to find out for sure what is best, but not done often enough IMO. And it's free to do.

 

[DVDIT]

What is your seating distance?

106" would be a little small IMO if you are anywhere near the 13' - 16' mark. We are going 110" in my dad's theater which gives a 36 degree viewing window at 12.5', which is kind of where we like to be for the best experience (a little bigger would actually be great but the low ceilings are limiting things quite a bit). Both my dad and I went too small with our previous screens in our respective HTs. Just a thought...

Seating distance is about 16' from the screen. Unfortunately my speakers need a breathing room and need to put them away from any walls. 106" is the largest I could go. Ceiling height is 7".

 

[DVDIT]

If height and distance are identical, then of course the PQ is identical. Very generally speaking, it's better to avoid the extreme adjustments of zoom or shift, but some PJs actually get better contrast with some shift (and I don't understand the explanation, but I think the RS2 might be one of those). Otherwise, generally speaking, farther for more contrast, closer for brightness.

The only negative, and I've experienced it with a PJ on top of bookshelf, is that the LFE shakes the picture. No more with ceiling mount. However, a bookshelf is coupled to the floor, and since yours should on the vertical wall, you will be less susceptible to this issue that I was.



The best advice I can give you is to fire it at the blank wall for a week or so. Take down the 92 incher for now. So easy to find out for sure what is best, but not done often enough IMO. And it's free to do.

I read the Cine4home review of this PJ and the the furthest throw distance increases the contrast quite a bit. Due to the size of the PJ the only non-intrusive place to mount this PJ is at the back of the room behind the seats. I have read the lens shaking with LFE. Putting the lens protector foam solves the problem, so I was told. I used to experience a lot of unwanted rattles before but since I replaced my sub with a JL audio Fathom and the receiver with Onkyo 805 and now 886, the Audyssey corrects all issues I used to have. So hopefully I won't have that issue.

As for throwing a picture at a blank wall, my HT is a bat cave with almost black wall and ceiling.

 

[jostenmeat]

Seating distance is about 16' from the screen. Unfortunately my speakers need a breathing room and need to put them away from any walls. 106" is the largest I could go. Ceiling height is 7".

My front row is closer at 15'. I went with a 159" screen. I played with the pic for a week. I "predicted" about a 120", and boy was I wrong.

 

[DVDIT]

My front row is closer at 15'. I went with a 159" screen. I played with the pic for a week. I "predicted" about a 120", and boy was I wrong.

WOW! That is massive. Do you have enough brightness? What kind of screen do you have?

 

[jostenmeat]

WOW! That is massive. Do you have enough brightness? What kind of screen do you have?

I use this and it's super affordable. Very affordable. AVS sells 'em too. Projector People as well. You can custom order, for a very nominal sum. I added CSR and roller casing in custom black, and all of that was maybe only $100.

The issue with using this screen is being within the "viewing cone". IOW, you want the PJ close to the height of your head. Couple feet is still fine (but closer means brighter). Doesn't matter how far in front of you, or behind you, only the angle. Also, the width of the seating arrangement matters. You want them to be within 20 degrees. The number doesn't sound high, but that's still a lot of play. I use two rows of four. I honestly cannot detect the difference in brightness between ANY of the seats, except for the extremes of the front row only.

I got mine as a manual, and it's less than 1k shipped for a screen that is larger than 75 sq ft. I highly doubt you'll go that big, and therefore highly recommend a fixed screen.

Some say it's actually cheaper, if willing to do DIY, to buy the manual, rip the material out, and then fix it yourself. I don't recommend this path, because firstly the material is super stiff with basically zero give, and the emuslified glass is something you definitely don't want to scratch, or else you'll always see that scratch. Otherwise, some say it's a tough material and it's hard to destroy... YMMV.

Brightness is fantastic. I find high lamp mode to be too bright, even with my older bulb at 836 hours. With my new bulb, I actually raised the PJ some more to reduce the retro reflective effect. I recommend a ceiling mount if using this screen, for this kind of adjustment flexibility. Ok, if using wall mount, just make it so you can play with the height easily enough.

It looks like an enormous plasma. I've had people over who were absolutely confused. They even asked, "What the hell kind of TV is that?". I recently saw my first 103" plasma when picking my friend up from his work, and if it was two years ago, my jaw would've dropped. But, I knew even that wouldn't be big enough for me today.

 

[DVDIT]

Awesome post, jostenmeat. I can mount the PJ closer to my head or anywhere for that matter to get the absolute best, I just can't move it around. Once I mount it I can't drill another hole. I will read up on that AVS link.

 

[jostenmeat]

Awesome post, jostenmeat. I can mount the PJ closer to my head or anywhere for that matter to get the absolute best, I just can't move it around. Once I mount it I can't drill another hole. I will read up on that AVS link.

Thanks, and you're welcome. I need to tell you that if 106" is going to be close to accurate, this screen may very well be TOO bright for you.

Otherwise, say that it looks perfect at 100" with a unity gain screen. If you setup the angle for a 2.0 gain (which is probably very common), it would look exactly the same, only bigger, with a 141" screen. (141" is 199% the size of 100").

 

[DVDIT]

Thanks, and you're welcome. I need to tell you that if 106" is going to be close to accurate, this screen may very well be TOO bright for you.

Otherwise, say that it looks perfect at 100" with a unity gain screen. If you setup the angle for a 2.0 gain (which is probably very common), it would look exactly the same, only bigger, with a 141" screen. (141" is 199% the size of 100").

I measured the wall again. I can accommodate a screen size max @ 96 inches wide, so I can get a 110". Is that going to be too small for a HP in a completely dark HT room with dark wall and ceiling? If I go with the HP @ 110", is ceiling mount the best option @ 16' viewing distance. I only have one row of three seater theater chair and I sit at the sweet sopt. i.e the center.