Looking for a native 4k projector and screen

R

Ras777

Audioholic
I have been looking at many different reviews on both native 4k and projectors that upscale and in all honesty, I think I am more confused then I was 6 months ago when I was leaning towards the Sony VW295 ES. If you had $6000 to spend on a projector with a dedicated home theater room that you can make very dark what would you buy? I will most likely go with a 120" screen and will sit 13ft from the screen. Also, how do you feel about Da-lite, Screen Innovations, and Elite screens?
 
panteragstk

panteragstk

Audioholic Warlord
You'll see a lot of JVC fans here and for good reason. They are supposed to among the best on the market. With your budget is shoot for one of those.

At least, that's my plan when I decide to upgrade.
 
DigitalDawn

DigitalDawn

Senior Audioholic
Both of the entry-level JVC and Sony 4K projectors are great. Sony tends to display a bit brighter and JVC has darker blacks.
 
BMXTRIX

BMXTRIX

Audioholic Warlord
No question that I would get a JVC projector and, if money allowed, I would pair it with a DaLite HD Progressive 1.1 screen of AT LEAST 130" diagonal if viewing from 13' eyes to screen.

Typical screen size is 10" to 12" per foot of viewing distance. Going smaller is under the THX minimum viewing angle, and 4K video can't be appreciated at that distance if you go under 10" of diagonal for each foot of viewing distance.

In a dedicated theater space with full light control, and especially if the room has received darkening treatments with dark paint on the walls and ceiling with dark carpet, you will be blown away by the quality that JVC delivers.

Sony delivers as well, but the scale for better black level performance leans in JVC's direction. Also, there have been some reports of Sony LCoS projectors losing some contrast as they age. JVC projectors do not have this same issue reported. I can't speak first hand of this being an issue, but it does help tip scales towards JVC as well.
 
R

Ras777

Audioholic
Thank you very much for that input. I have been watching the projector comparison from TV Specialist on you tube. They seem to be put together very well but of course it opens the door to constant second guessing, at least for me anyway. The JVC is $1000 more then the Sony so I need to find a dealer in my area that could set up a side by side comparison. My understanding is the JVC does have a motorized lens with memory which is goood for switching between 6:9 and 2.35:1 BMXTRIX curious what criteria you use to select the best screen? Thanks again for the advice.
 
BMXTRIX

BMXTRIX

Audioholic Warlord
I think the biggest push for me is that the JVC will not only have better black levels, but the loss in contrast reported from a number of Sony LCoS owners in recent years makes me worry about the long term quality which Sony offers. That's my biggest push towards JVC.

As far as screens go...
I think there are probably a number of similar screens out there, but the main goal of any screen is the most accurate reflection of video content back into the room. Most screens have some texture to them. This is required so that when light hits the screen it doesn't just 'reflect' like a mirror. But it is diffused and scatters in all directions evenly. The smoother the screen, the more reflective it will be, and this creates hot-spots. Think of a dry-erase white board vs. your painted wall. While the dry erase board is more reflective, it's not diffuse enough and you get a poor image on it. But, the wall will show texture. That texture will impact image quality.

So, the HD Progressive materials from DaLite are incredibly smooth. You can't really see any texture to those materials at all. Yet, they are also VERY diffuse. So, you get an extremely wide viewing angle with a very smooth image both left to right and top to bottom, with a very neutral, color balanced, screen surface.

This screen material used to be marketed as JKP Affinity screens by DaLite and were designed by Joe Kane Productions (I believe) and were introduced as their high-end home-theater screen. Of which, I am in agreement with.

The cost is similar to what a ALR screen may run, so about $1,500 more than their DaMat material (standard white matte finish). Since a screen could easily be a 20-year purchase, or more, if well taken care of, I think that the extra money spent is worth it for the long term in a really nice home theater space where budget allows it.

If I could NOT afford it, then the DaMat is similar to about 100 other standard flat screens on the market and I would probably just get a Silver Ticket screen. For that matter, if I wanted to save some money for the first few years and maybe get a better screen later, I would get a Silver Ticket white screen from Amazon and call it a day. They are surprisingly good quality for the money and really are similar to what mid-tier manufacturers offer for $1,000 more.
 
AcuDefTechGuy

AcuDefTechGuy

Audioholic Jedi
Definitely the JVC NX5/RS1000 and NX7/RS2000 or one of the older models.

I've been using PJ's since 1992, and I've never seen any picture quality from PJ look as good as these JVC's.

Can't wait to check out the upcoming JVC NZ3 Laser PJ.
 
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R

Ras777

Audioholic
What should I do in regards to aspect ratio? 16;9 screen or the 2.35:1 cinemascope? is this more of a personal preference? Black bars on the top or the sides Hmmm... Any advice in helping with this decision would be appreciated.
 
BMXTRIX

BMXTRIX

Audioholic Warlord
1.78 or 2.39 screens are as much a personal preference as screen size can be. But, I typically push people towards 1.78 unless they have a very wide room without a lot of height to work with.

You also typically would want a anamorphic lens if you are striving for best in class image quality with 2.39.

That said, I did a write up on this question right here:
 
R

Ras777

Audioholic
Excellent article, well written and exactly what I was looking for. Thanks, Paul much appreciated.
 
Truthslayer

Truthslayer

Full Audioholic
Definitely the JVC NX5/RS1000 and NX7/RS2000 or one of the older models.

I've been using PJ's since 1992, and I've never seen any picture quality from PJ look as good as these JVC's.

Can't wait to check out the upcoming JVC NZ3 Laser PJ.
Agreed, if going 4k, go with a laser projector.
 
R

Ras777

Audioholic
How would the NZ3 stand up aginst the NX5? The NZ3 is pretty affordable at $3700.
 
AcuDefTechGuy

AcuDefTechGuy

Audioholic Jedi
How would the NZ3 stand up aginst the NX5? The NZ3 is pretty affordable at $3700.
I haven’t seen the NZ3 yet, but I can’t wait.

From what I’ve heard, the NZ3 has a “great picture quality“ and is “very bright”. But it won’t match the awesome PQ and black levels of the more expensive JVC.

I think for many people, a “great picture quality and very bright LASER” PJ is great enough, even if it’s not the best.
 

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