JVC Unveils New Projector Lineup

[admin]

JVC isn’t exactly a leader in TVs anymore, but they are a big name in home theater projectors. At CEDIA 2012 they unveiled their new projector lineup which ranges in price from $3,499 to $11,999 and is set to start shipping this November. The new line has a number of upgraded features including RF 3D glasses, 4K e-shift2, and a new lamp system.

Discuss "JVC Unveils New Projector Lineup" here. Read the article.

 

[FirstReflection]

I'm more interested in the "lowest" DLA-X35R / DLA-RS46 units! They forego the silly "4K" "wobulation". These JVC projectors aren't bright enough to handle the screen size necessary to even make 4K a desirable feature! Once you get over 120", 4K starts to seem a lot more useful. But below that size, 1080p is perfectly fine, so long as you're sitting no closer than the recommended 32 degree field of view.

I guess some folks who like to sit really close might appreciate this simulated 4K. But the JVCs have always maxed out at around 110" in terms of useful brightness. And while they're claiming the new 2012 models are brighter, last year's couldn't even handle 3D viewing they were so dim. I mean, they could DO 3D, but it wasn't anything anyone would want to watch - even on a rather small projection screen!

But I've rather high hopes for the X35R / RS46 units. Hopefully they'll be bright enough for 3D this time. And the $3500 price tag is certainly closer to what most people can afford.

I'm probably most excited about the new Panasonic AE8000U though. As always, one year later, they've basically caught up to Epson's black levels from last year. Epson basically did nothing at all to their lineup this year, so it's Panasonic's year to shine!

 

[jostenmeat]

I'm more interested in the "lowest" DLA-X35R / DLA-RS46 units! They forego the silly "4K" "wobulation". These JVC projectors aren't bright enough to handle the screen size necessary to even make 4K a desirable feature! Once you get over 120", 4K starts to seem a lot more useful. But below that size, 1080p is perfectly fine, so long as you're sitting no closer than the recommended 32 degree field of view.

I guess some folks who like to sit really close might appreciate this simulated 4K. But the JVCs have always maxed out at around 110" in terms of useful brightness. And while they're claiming the new 2012 models are brighter, last year's couldn't even handle 3D viewing they were so dim. I mean, they could DO 3D, but it wasn't anything anyone would want to watch - even on a rather small projection screen!

But I've rather high hopes for the X35R / RS46 units. Hopefully they'll be bright enough for 3D this time. And the $3500 price tag is certainly closer to what most people can afford.

I'm probably most excited about the new Panasonic AE8000U though. As always, one year later, they've basically caught up to Epson's black levels from last year. Epson basically did nothing at all to their lineup this year, so it's Panasonic's year to shine!

FR, I disagree with the limit of 110". Yes, it's a generalization, and if you are generalizing about the typical room with pizz poor light control (most rooms, even if they say "oh I have full light control"), ok then I agree with you. I have unity gain in mind btw, but put in retro reflectors or whatever, I think 110" can be blown away, personally speaking.

JVC has historically had better brightness than both Epson and Pana when calibrated. You don't see people saying that Epson/Pana have a hard limit at 100" or less, for discussion's sake (or am I wrong about that).

For full disclosure, 3D is about the last priority I have, and even with a 42 degree viewing angle from the front row, I don't care about any kind of 4K upscaling. 4K native, ok now we're talking, but I doubt I could afford that for a long time anyway.

Yes, it's just my anecdotal opinion. But I've seen the step by step improvements to my setup from adding side curtains, to adding black carpet in front of viewers, to painting ceiling black in front of viewers, etc. It was never subtle with any given step.

Given my setup, with the above in mind, the one improvement I actually wish the most for is improved black detail. Color accuracy would probably be second, and finally brightness third. I use a 126" DIY Seymour, see below. (I believe this pic is with all track lighting pointed forward for the pic, with use of flash, otherwise you can't make out nuthin' really; here you can make out some speaker drivers through the false wall on the right). Anyway, I can totally appreciate your concern about black level/detail, because with the more time that passes with my system, the more I understand its ultimate importance. At least for movies anyway, not so much for an NBA game.

But, as with you, I'd either be interested in the entry level, or perhaps the 48 for the full blown CMS, something I've never enjoyed. I still don't think it's worth it yet for me to upgrade, of course a personal judgment with all things considered. Personally with any future purchase, I only foresee waiting out all the consumer feedback, fully intending to hopefully catch an AVS b-stock sale of sorts. Saved me 33% from the best price I could find otherwise, the last time I did that. (I just read they have a 3 hr guarantee or something, full refund on return if unsatisfied, but the return shipping is on your dime.)

 

[FirstReflection]

Yup, I hear ya on the fully blacked out, 2D-only setup

But I'm actually enjoying 3D at home, and the JVCs ain't cutting' it on that front! I think I said it a little confusingly, but I was trying to say how the dim image in 3D mode means that you can really only use the JVC projectors with a relatively small screen size, which then negates the usefulness of 4K!

3D sucks up, like, almost 75% of the light output in many cases. It's been a pretty sad situation in the home market. Last year, Epson had the brightness, but the dynamic iris didn't work in 3D mode! Panasonic probably had the best 3D experience overall, but it was still on the dim side and maxed out around 100" before it started to get very dim indeed. The JVCs, you had to stay under 100".

So I'm just saying, for me, since I want to use 3D mode, but I also want to use a larger than 100" screen size, I'd MUCH sooner take a brighter 1080p projector at a lower price, over a simulated 4K projector that's the same brightness at a higher price. I hope that makes sense I just think the extra brightness is a far more useful feature than the simulated 4K. 4K only makes sense to me if you're using a very large screen and/or sitting very close.

And that's why I'm pretty excited about the Panny AE8000U this year. The early reviews are saying that even though they only bumped the spec sheet lumen output from 2000 to 2400, there are more apprciable gains in the actual calibrated output modes. And Epson's turned the dynamic iris back on in their 3D modes this year. But they didn't get any brighter. So, like I say, I think this might be Panasonic's year to really shine

 

[jeanseb]

FR, I disagree with the limit of 110". Yes, it's a generalization, and if you are generalizing about the typical room with pizz poor light control (most rooms, even if they say "oh I have full light control"), ok then I agree with you. I have unity gain in mind btw, but put in retro reflectors or whatever, I think 110" can be blown away, personally speaking.

JVC has historically had better brightness than both Epson and Pana when calibrated. You don't see people saying that Epson/Pana have a hard limit at 100" or less, for discussion's sake (or am I wrong about that).

For full disclosure, 3D is about the last priority I have, and even with a 42 degree viewing angle from the front row, I don't care about any kind of 4K upscaling. 4K native, ok now we're talking, but I doubt I could afford that for a long time anyway.

Yes, it's just my anecdotal opinion. But I've seen the step by step improvements to my setup from adding side curtains, to adding black carpet in front of viewers, to painting ceiling black in front of viewers, etc. It was never subtle with any given step.

Given my setup, with the above in mind, the one improvement I actually wish the most for is improved black detail. Color accuracy would probably be second, and finally brightness third. I use a 126" DIY Seymour, see below. (I believe this pic is with all track lighting pointed forward for the pic, with use of flash, otherwise you can't make out nuthin' really; here you can make out some speaker drivers through the false wall on the right). Anyway, I can totally appreciate your concern about black level/detail, because with the more time that passes with my system, the more I understand its ultimate importance. At least for movies anyway, not so much for an NBA game.

But, as with you, I'd either be interested in the entry level, or perhaps the 48 for the full blown CMS, something I've never enjoyed. I still don't think it's worth it yet for me to upgrade, of course a personal judgment with all things considered. Personally with any future purchase, I only foresee waiting out all the consumer feedback, fully intending to hopefully catch an AVS b-stock sale of sorts. Saved me 33% from the best price I could find otherwise, the last time I did that. (I just read they have a 3 hr guarantee or something, full refund on return if unsatisfied, but the return shipping is on your dime.)

+1

What I like about JVC is that they are giving honest specs (except maybe for the lamp life...). Their specs shows all the projectors at 1300 lumens but once calibrated (in real day to day use), they are around 900, where the EPSONs are about 650. I have watch JVCs on a 136" 1.0 and the picture was just fine and bright.