JVC Projector

JVC has two divisions selling serious home theater projectors. Pro and Consumer. Their projectors are the same, with the only significant difference being the color of the lens trim and a thin line down the top. Same prices, same everything, so you don’t have ot worry about which one. Buy the one the dealer you like, has to offer.

JVC’s claim to fame is building the projectors with the best native black level performance at any price. Their LCoS panels they manufacture (D-iLA), simply offer up more dynamic range. They’ve been able to beat all the projectors using dynamic irises without one of their own, but they have now added dynamic irises to their three new models.

Best JVC Projectors Of 2024:

1. JVC DLA-NX5

The JVC DLA-NX5 is the best 4K projector you can get without spending the equivalent of what you’d pay for a small car. It had the highest contrast ratio (an astounding 21,494:1) and the brightest highlights of all the projectors we tested, along with almost full coverage of the wider DCI color gamut—so it produced the best HDR image. JVC uses true 4K D-ILA panels, so the NX5 can show every pixel in your 4K movies and games. The automated lens makes it easy to set up, and the projector gives you an accurate image out of the box. In our tests, this projector came closest to replicating the viewing experience of our reference OLED TV on a projection screen, but it is the largest, heaviest projector we tested.

Although the DLA-NX5’s peak brightness might be similar to that of the other models we looked at, its ability to display darker blacks made the image look that much better in our tests. Bright highlights popped against black backgrounds; on other projectors, the same highlights looked dimmer against a dark gray background. I could see details in nighttime scenes that were not visible on other projectors. Letterbox bars that were a dark gray on the other projectors seemed to disappear into the darkness on the JVC.

2. JVC DLA-NX7 4K D-ILA Projector

With its new 4K D-ILA imagers—and superb contrast, color, and HDR—the DLA-NX7 reconfirms JVC’s place near the pinnacle of home theater projection.

For much of the time I have covered front projection as a journalist, JVC’s LCoS-driven projectors have been among the most sought-after for serious home theater enthusiasts. Many of the respected projector reviewers I’ve worked with in the enthusiast press eventually purchased one as their reference—”I bought the review sample” was a common refrain among colleagues—and some have gone through several generations.

Admittedly, along with a few of the higher-end Sony projectors (also LCoS-based), the premium attached to the JVCs has made them less attainable for the average home theaterphile. Drawing a parallel with the world of automobiles, these projectors have played the role of the Porcshes, Ferraris, McLarens, et. al., for the home theater world.

3. JVC DLA-N5

JVC’s D-ILA projectors have long been some of the best premium performers around. The current range-topper costs around £35,000 ($35,000, AU$40,000), but you don’t need to be in financial super-yacht territory to get a taste of the company’s native 4K fun. Enter the JVC DLA-N5, the baby of the family.

D-ILA is JVC’s own name for its liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) projector panel technology. It prioritises image smoothness and high native contrast with some of the best black depths in the business, at least in the case of the top of the range JVC D-ILA models.

To expect the JVC DLA-N5 to match its pricier siblings is unfair, but with a claimed 40,000:1 contrast ratio, 4K resolution and fully motorised all-glass zoom lens, we’re still hoping for a lot of fun. Let’s dim the lights and begin.

The JVC DLA-N5 certainly costs a fair amount, but it still sits short of where the law of diminishing returns kicks in. Even at this price, it feels like there’s value to be had with a large-scale picture that’s so strong in HDR and colour care.

Its bigger, pricier siblings in the JVC D-ILA family are better and blacker, but there’s enough shading skill and depth of darkness even here to produce an incredibly involving and three-dimensional feel whether at 4K or Full HD. This is one of those products that we wish we had the space and the funds to own.

4. JVC DLA-Z1

JVC is no stranger to producing class-leading projectors. The company has produced a stream of them over the years, and we’ve used a fair few as reference products in that time.

Yet nothing we’ve seen from the company has been as ambitious as the 4K HDR DLA-Z1.

While both those technologies are firmly imbedded in the world of televisions, the combination is still a relatively rare thing in the world of ‘proper’ home cinema.

All the 4K projectors we’ve reviewed have been premium devices costing thousands, but even by those hefty standards the JVC is priced in a different league. It’s a cutting-edge uni, the like of which never comes cheap.

5. JVC DLA-RS3000

JVC offers two different series of 4K D-ILA Projector, which differ mainly in their cosmetic appearance. Both series are designed for home theater customers and production facilities but sell through different sales channels. For example, NX Series projectors are sold through retailers like BestBuy and Crutchfield, while the RS Series models are available through the custom installation dealer network. This review explores the JVC DLA-RS3000 which is nearly identical to the DLA-NX9.

The JVC DLA-RS3000 is an HDR commercial projector that delivers true 4K resolution (4096 x 2160). With a retail price of $17,999, the DLA-RS3000 sits at the higher end of JVC’s 4K FPJ lineup but its high native contrast combined with 4K resolution results in exceptional performance. Since this is a native 4K unit (unlike a 2K pixel shifting projector), it can faithfully reproduce all 8.8 million pixels found in 4K content.

The RS3000 is rated at 2200 lumens and has an estimated lamp life of 4,500 hours in Low Mode. Even with the Low Mode’s reduced lumen output, the RS3000 is still capable of producing more than enough light for a home theater or conference room. The RS3000 uses the same bulb as the predecessor RS2000 but better optics realize an additional 300 lumens of brightness.

JVC’s proprietary 8K e-shift technology shifts pixels diagonally 0.5 pixel, quadrupling the picture perceived resolution to 8192 x 4320. While the RS3000 cannot accept an 8K signal and is not equipped with HDMI 2.1(HDCP 2.3) inputs, the unit can upscale 4K content to 8K before it is displayed.

How to Choose the Best 8K Projectors?

Light Sources

In modern multimedia projectors, metal halide (mercury) lamps of ultra-high pressure with the Ultra High-Pressure designation or UHP (100 atmospheres and above) are mostly used.

For projectors with high brightness (more than 10,000 ANSI lm), xenon lamps are used, providing a powerful luminous flux with a decent spectrum. However, xenon lamps have a shorter service life.

Noise Level

Each projector model is characterized by its own noise level, depending on the design of the device and the power of the fans used. The noise level can range from 20 to 45 dB.

For comfortable work in small rooms, this value shouldn’t exceed 30 dB. In large halls, especially if the projector is installed in an isolated room, the requirements for this parameter are less strict.

Number And Types of Input Connectors

Using the best 8K projectors for a home theater system, you will most likely need to connect an HDMI cable. However, there are times when you may require a different cable connection, for instance, if you wish to connect directly from the PC or monitor.

As a rule, modern projectors have a fairly developed connection panel, which comprises 1 or 2 analog (RGB) computer inputs, 1 RGB output for parallel connection of a computer monitor, several terminals for connecting analog video sources (S-video, composite, component), DVI, HDMI digital inputs, less often SDI and audio input.

Brightness

Nowadays, the brightness of projectors reaches 60,000 ANSI lm. As for home theaters designed for viewing movies in darkened conditions (the “Home Cinema” category), it is enough to use a projector with a relatively small light flux, from 600 to 1500 ANSI lm. If the video is shown in a well-lit room, I suggest that you opt for a projector with high brightness.

Mind that when the screen is exposed to direct sunlight, even the most powerful multimedia projector will be unable to provide a qualitative image. For protection from the sun, you must use curtains or blinds. Also, consider the possibility of electric lighting turning off in the area where the screen is located.

JVC Introduces Its New Lineup of 8K D-ILA Laser Projectors

We are excited to let you know that JVC has announced a new series of 8K D-ILA home theater projectors. These 8K e-shift models all utilize their BLU-Escent laser light source and they are the world’s first projectors to offer 48Gbps 8K/60p inputs.

JVC offers two different series of 4K D-ILA projectors, which differ mainly in their cosmetic appearance and are sold through different channels. For example, the NX (Procision) Series projectors are sold through retailers like BestBuy and Crutchfield, while the RS (Reference) Series models are available through the custom installation dealer network.

The three new JVC laser projectors are available in both the Procision Series and Reference Series lines. The new Procision Series models are the DLA-NZ9, DLA-NZ8, and DLA-NZ7, and the Reference Series equivalents are the DLA-RS4100, DLA-RS3100, and the DLA-RS2100.

3rd Generation BLU-Escent Laser Diode

These newly introduced projectors all utilize JVC’s 3rd generation BLU-Escent laser light source technology which is more efficient and compact. Due to its higher output, this upgraded light source can produce up to 3,000 lumens of brightness for 20,000 hours of nearly maintenance-free operation. The increased brightness allows use with larger screens and increases the peak onscreen brightness during HDR playback.

This high contrast ratio and deep blacks have always been some of the main benefits of a JVC D-ILA projector. In addition to the high native contrast ratio provided by the JVC D-ILA panels, the BLU-Escent laser light source can also be precisely modulated with over 1000 steps of dimming to deliver a dynamic contrast of ∞:1.

The new models deliver rich vibrant colors. JVC also claims that with the Cinema Filter engaged, they can reproduce 100% of the DCI-P3 color space.

8K/e-shiftX Technology

All the new JVC NX Series and RS Series projectors are equipped with JVC’s 0.69-inch native 4K D-ILA devices, so can accurately reproduce all 8.8 million pixels found in 4K content. In addition, JVC’s proprietary 8K e-shift feature can shift each pixel diagonally by 0.5 pixel to increase projected resolution. Before, this feature was only available on last year’s higher-end RS3000 / NX9. This year it is available on the DLA-RS2100/NZ7 at just $9,999.

8K/e-shiftX found on the NZ9/RS4100 and the DLA-NZ8/RS3100 is a new and improved version. It can now shift each pixel in four directions (up, down, left, and right) to produce over 35.3 million addressable pixels, which is enough to faithfully display 8K resolution. The D-ILA drive device was also improved, and it is now possible to display images at a speed equivalent to 240Hz.

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