Earlier this week, we talked up Sony's new duo of Ultra HD 4K projectors, live from the CEDIA Expo in Denver, Colorado. The company is planning an entry-level model and a high-end model for 2014. However, that's not all there is to be had in this category -- not even close.
JVC is throwing several new prospects into the growing ring of 4K home theater projectors and was showing off several of them last week at CEDIA Expo 2013. Coming later this year, the company will introduce the Procision Series DLA-X900R, the DLA-X700R and the DLA-X500R, which will be marketed by JVC's Consumer AV Group. The company will also make the Reference Series DLA-RS6710, the DLA-RS67, the DLA-RS57, the DLA-RS4910 and the DLA-RS49 available through JVC Professional Products Company.
All of the new projectors are 3D-enabled and offer e-shift 3. The latter is the company's latest e-shift technology, which allows the projectors to create a native 4K (3840x2160 pixel) image from a 1080p imaging chip (OK, actually from three 1080p chips, one each for red, green and blue). To put things simply, the 4K image is built by the 1080p imaging engine precisely shifting by one pixel in three directions, thereby quadrupling its effective resolution. That 4K image may not come from a native 4K imaging chip, but you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference, even with native 4K test patterns.
This year's projectors differ from previous models in that they can now accept a native 4K input (up to 60p). Last year's models were only capable of upscaling the input signals to 4K. Of course, all of the new projectors can also upscale 1080p (or 720p or 480p) to Ultra HD, so they are compatible with all sources.
Other new perks include three sixth-generation JVC D-ILA imaging devices, a user-selectable Intelligent Lens Aperture for deeper blacks, Clear Black and Clear Motion Drive (CMD 3) features, and a Multiple Pixel Control (MPC) processor with eight-band detection. The MPC has four presets and an Auto setting that can detect the best upconversion process possible, by detecting the frequency of each pixel.
JVC also says to expect a new smartphone app, which doesn't just provide remote control for your projector, but also allows you to adjust picture settings -- all from your favorite portable device. Also worth noting is that the top five models have a brand new Adobe RGB picture mode.
The new projectors also pick up several popular features from last year's models, such as active shutter 3D and lens memory which allows the projector to support CinemaScope material without an external anamorphic lens. For lens memory, there are ten lens presets for the DLA-X900R, DLA-X700R, DLA-RS6710, DLA-RS67 and DLA-RS57, with the DLA-X500R, DLA-RS49 and DLA-RS4910 getting five.
According to JVC, the DLA-RS6710 ($12,499), the DLA-X900R ($11,999) and the DLA-RS67 ($11,999) are built using hand-selected, hand-tested components and have a 150,000:1 native contrast ratio and a 1,500,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. Each one comes packing two pairs of PK-AG3 RF 3D glasses and a PK-EM2 3D Signal Emitter, for 3D viewing right out of the box. The DLA-RS6710 also includes a spare lamp and comes with a five-year warranty versus the three-year warranty on the DLA-X900R and the DLA-RS67.
For a slight step down (and really, it's so slight), the DLA-X700R ($7999) and the DLA-RS57 ($7999) offer a native contrast of 120,000:1, a dynamic contrast ratio of 1,200,000:1, and a two-year warranty.
The DLA-X900R, the DLA-X700R, the DLA-RS6710, the DLA-RS67 and the DLA-RS57 all have ISF certification and are designed to pass the 400-plus tests necessary to achieve THX 3D Certification (pending).
The last models in JVC's new lineup include the DLA-RS4910 ($5199), the DLA-X500R ($4999) and the DLA-RS49 ($4999), each of which has a native contrast ratio of 60,000:1 and a dynamic contrast ratio of 600,000:1. The DLA-RS4910 provides ISF certification and a three-year warranty, while the DLA-X500R and the DLA-RS67 come with a two-year warranty.
JVC will continue to offer 2013's DLA-X35 and the DLA-RS46 through the new year. The rest of JVC's 2014 projector lineup are expected to start shipping in November 2013.
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