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SubscribeJVC headed into last week's CEDIA Expo in Denver with the announcement of two new models that will represent the new entry point into the firm's LCoS-based native 4K laser projector family.
The DLA-NZ500 and DLA-NZ700, also known as the RS1200 and RS2200 respectively in JVC's professional series for integrators, share a new compact chassis that is said to make them the world's smallest native 4K projectors and represent a 35% volume reduction compared with the earlier DLA-NZ7. With the discontinuation of JVC's DLA-NP5/RS1100 lamp model when the new units become available later this fall, JVC's home theater projector line will be entirely laser. The firm's step-up models, the DLA-NZ800/RS3200 ($15,999) and DLA-NZ900/RS4200 ($25,999), which were introduced in June as updates to the DLA-NZ8 and DLA-NZ9, will remain in the line.
The DLA-NZ500, priced at $5,999, becomes the new entry model in the 4K D-ILA series. It features 2,000 ANSI lumens, just 100 more lumens than the departing NP5, but brings a long-life BLU-Escent single-laser+phospor light engine in a compact chassis measuring approximately 17.7 x 7.2 x 18.9 inches (WHD) and weighing just under 33 pounds. Along with the redesigned optical engine and circuit board that enables the smaller size, JVC has revised the ventilation to port the warm exhaust from the rear instead of from the front as in earlier models, thus eliminating any potential impact on the projected image and allowing more flexibility for installation.
The 0.65mm lens previously found in all but JVC's flagship NZ900 model has been upgraded to a wider 80mm lens but offers a reduced zoom range with its 1.6X spec; it still offers motorized zoom, lens shift (±70% vertical, ±28% horizontal), and focus. Images are supported at up to 200-inch diagonal and created by JVC's third-generation 0.69-inch native 4K (4096x2160) D-ILA imaging chips, though JVC's e-shift pixel shifting, which provides up to 8K resolution on screen from the NZ800 and NZ900, is missing in any form from these two new models. JVC claims a 40,000:1 native contrast ratio for the NZ500 specifically.
JVC has retained or added desirable new features in the NZ500, including the company's trademark Frame Adapt Gen 2 dynamic tone mapping as well as the ability to recognize and play HDR10+ HDR content that comes with its own dynamic metadata. The projector is spec'd only for 100% Rec.709 color gamut—which translates to approximately 74% of the DCI-P3 color space used for most HDR content—though it will likely reach something over 80% DCI-P3 as is typical for single laser projectors. Available are both an SDR Vivid mode for bright rooms or use with animated/game content, and the UHD Alliance's Filmmaker Mode.
The DLA-NZ500's jack pack includes a pair of 32 Gbps, HDMI 2.1/HDCP 2.3 ports that support 4K gaming at 60Hz (not 4K/120Hz as provided by the full-bandwidth 48 Gbps ports in the NZ800 and NZ900), though no input lag spec was cited. The HDMIs are accompanied by an RJ45 Ethernet port and a USB-A port for service and updates. Connections found in earlier JVC D-ILA projectors but missing here are additional control options such as a 12V trigger or RS232C, and most noticeably, the synchro port for a 3D emitter as 3D is not supported in these new projectors. 3D enthusiasts will now have to go with the NZ800 or NZ900 for that feature.
The step-up DLA-NZ700, priced at $8,999, shares the same chassis and essential features with the NZ500, except for a boost in brightness to 2,300 ANSI lumens, a doubling of the native contrast to 80,000:1, and the addition of a Cinema Filter option that boosts color gamut to 98% DCI-P3 at the usual expense of some light output. (We found in our review of the DLA-NZ900 that insertion of the Cinema Filter resulted in an approximately 33% drop in brightness.)
Both the DLA-NZ500 and DLA-NZ700 are expected to be available for purchase in November.
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However the 32 Gbps port and lack of 4K 120 hz is really disappointing. I run my gaming PC at 4K 120 hz all the time as it then can handle 24, 30, 40, 60, and 120 hz content playback perfectly without any downtime switching. Is it confirmed that it definitely won't have 4K 120 hz though? The PS5 only has a 32 Gbps port but still outputs 4K 120 hz albeit at lower bit depth to achieve that. (Still -- really disappointing either way that they couldn't just make the port 48 Gbps and avoid this issue entirely.)
Motion processing with movie-based content at 24Hz is always a concern because of the mismatch with the video frame-rate and I've yet to see it done perfectly and effectively with all content (though madVR's Motion AI processing, at the cost of a $16,000 video processor, is impressive in its ability to smooth motion and still retain a film-like look). It comes down to whether it bothers you enough with some content that you want to turn on the FI functions, which hopefully smooths things out just enough at the lowest settings to satisfy your needs without introducing gobs of soap opera effect. Without a direct comparison of two projectors with the same content, it's hard to say which might be better. Nothing was specifically cited in the announcement for the new projectors indicating anything had changed with the processing from earlier models.
Regarding HDMI 2.1 -- yes, these are HDMI 2.1 ports but for some reason JVC no longer actually cites the HDMI version, only the bandwidth. You can still call something HDMI 2.1 even if it is not full bandwidth, and I can cite at least one projector (LG's HU810) that cites HDMI 2.1 but tops out at 24 Gbps. Technically speaking, I've been told that 32 Gbps is the minimum required for playback at 4K/120 from the game consoles or computers, which matches the spec on these new JVCs. However, JVC is citing capability only up to 4K/60. Without getting a sample in and reading the EDID with our instruments I can't say how they identify themselves to other HDMI devices in the chain, but I would strongly guess they would be seen as HDMI 2.1. More critical is what the display communicates to the source about what signal types and frame rates it accepts.
https://www.projectorcentral.com/Sony-VPL-XW5000ES-Laser-Projector-Review.htm
To answer the question, 100% DCI-P3 gamut, or the ultra-wide gamut in excess of 100% BT.2020 offered by some RGB laser projectors, can indeed be noticeable with HDR content. You'll see it in more saturated and natural (less orange) reds primarily, specifically in content mastered at DCI-P3 or greater. But the upgrade to get full DCI-P3 gamut can be costly in either dollars or light output (in cases like the JVCs which use a color filter to achieve this). I wouldn't avoid stepping up to an excellent LCoS-based native 4K laser projector from your old 1080p model just because I don't have the budget to go full DCI-P3.
That said, I would wait to see some reviews of the new JVCs but my gut is that both will likely be the hands down choice over the XW5000ES, for at least two reasons. First and foremost is the far superior tone-mapping from JVC vs. what's in the XW5000ES, second is the lens on the XW5000ES, where in my opinion Sony cheaped out to hit a price point. It is not a sharp lens when used without Sony's electronic sharpening features, and it is not motorized or providing an option for lens memories, which I think is ridiculous for a $5,000-$6,000 native 4K projector. I urge you to read our review.
