JVC USA today unveiled six new 3D-enabled 1080p home theater projectors at CEDIA EXPO 2010, using D-ILA projection technology and active shutter glasses, with prices starting at $4,495. JVC also unveiled the DLA-HD250, the industry's first sub-$3,000 1080p D-ILA home theater projector.
JVC's new 3D-compatible projectors are the Reference Series
DLA-RS60,
DLA-RS50 and
DLA-RS40, to be marketed by JVC's Professional Products Group; and the Procision Series
DLA-X9,
DLA-X7 and
DLA-X3, to be available through JVC's Consumer Electronics Group.
All six host native contrast ratios that are unmatched in the industry:
- DLA-RS60 and DLA-X9: 100,000:1
- DLA-RS50 and DLA-X7: 70,000:1
- DLA-RS40 and DLA-X3: 50,000:1
"No other three-chip projectors in the home theater market can match the amazing 100,000:1 native contrast ratio of the DLA-RS60 or DLA-X9," said Klasmeier. "JVC's contrast ratio numbers are not artificially inflated by electronic circuitry or a dynamic iris, so every frame consistently and faithfully reproduces peak whites and deep blacks."
All are compatible with JVC's PK-AG1 Active Shutter 3D Glasses and PK-EM1 3D Signal Emitter (sold separately) for 3D presentations.
"3D has recently become a major box office draw. Now, with 3D broadcast channels emerging, and a growing number of 3D Blu-ray titles available, consumers want the immersive 3D experience in their homes," said Gary Klasmeier, product engineering manager, D-ILA Systems, JVC Professional Products. "Our new line of D-ILA projectors sets a new standard for home cinema. It's an immersive home 3D viewing experience."
For 3D content, each projector includes two HDMI 1.4a ports and supports side-by-side (broadcast), frame series (Blu-ray), and above-below 3D transmissions. An external 3D Signal Emitter (PK-EM1) syncs the projected image with JVC's Active Shutter 3D Glasses (PK-AG1). The external 3D signal emitter ensures solid signal transmission to the 3D glasses for a superior 3D experience, no matter what type of screen is used or how the home theater has been configured.
All six new projectors feature three 0.7" 1920 x 1080 D-ILA devices and are designed around JVC's third generation D-ILA High Dynamic Range optical engine that is optimized to provide exceptional native contrast ratios without a dynamic iris to artificially enhance contrast specifications. A directed light integration system and wire grid polarizer ensures optimum light uniformity and minimal crosstalk in the light path. In the top four models (DLA-RS60, DLA-RS50, DLA-X9, DLA-X7) a 16-step lamp aperture system matches the 16-step lens aperture to optimize the f-number (relative aperture) of the optics system in all steps. The DLA-RS40 and DLA-X3 feature a 16-step lens aperture.
With a new short arc gap, lamp brightness has been increased from earlier JVC models to 1,300 ANSI lumens. To reduce motion blur, JVC's double-speed 120Hz Clear Motion Drive technology uses a newly developed LSI for frame interpolation black frame insertion.
The four top models – DLA-X7/DLA-RS50 and DLA-X9/DLA-RS60 – have been designed to achieve THX® certification and are in the process of being tested by THX.
These same four models also include a new seven-axis color management system (R, G, B, C, M, Y and orange) that allows precise color tuning, especially in skin tones, and a choice of color profiles, including Adobe RGB, DCI and sRGB/HDTV. They have also been designed for ISF certification and will include an ISF C3 mode for professional calibration. Ninety-nine screen correction modes help to maximize viewing environments.
All six models share a completely new design, with a center-mounted lens and rear power, signal and control connectors for improved cable management and more versatile positioning and mounting options. Rear-to-front airflow also allows more placement flexibility while reducing thermal concerns.
The new JVC D-ILA projectors will be available in late November at the following prices:
- DLA-RS60/DLA-X9: $11,995
- DLA-RS50/DLA-X7: $7,995
- DLA-RS40/DLA-X3: $4,495
JVC's PK-AG1 3D glasses ($179) and PK-EM1 3D Signal Emitter ($79) will also be available in late November.
JVC also introduced a home theater projector that for the first time provides advanced D-ILA technology at an entry-level price of $2,995. The new projector, to be marketed as the DLA-HD250 by JVC Consumer and the DLA-HD250Pro by JVC Professional, is priced below $3,000 and delivers 25,000:1 native contrast ratio and 1,000 ANSI lumens brightness. It is 2D only.
The DLA-HD250/250Pro features three 0.7-inch 1920x1080 D-ILA panels. It offers 25,000:1 native contrast and 1,000 lumens of brightness. It features an advanced HQV Reon-VX video processor by Silicon Optix.
Other features include a high-performance 2x motorized zoom lens with auto dust cover, as well as on-screen, customizable gamma control and ultra-quiet (19dB) operation.
"JVC projectors have been widely acclaimed for their performance, but they've remained out of reach for home theater enthusiasts with a limited budget," said Gary Klasmeier, product engineering manager, D-ILA Systems, JVC Professional Products. "With this new projector we bring D-ILA's remarkable film-like image quality and impressive native contrast to an entirely new market segment."
The DLA-HD250/250Pro will be available later this month for $2,995. It carries a two-year warranty.