New DLA-RS20U State of the art THX certified JVC Front Projector is the best of the best that beats highend CRT projectors in almost all areas accept black levels.
JVC DLA-HD750 Front Projector (September 2009 Sound and Vision review)
It does not happen that often when several magazines and professional reviewers decide to make new equipment their reference equipment that all other new models and brands are compared too. For example when it comes to flat panel plasma and LCD displays the discountined Pioneer plasma is currently the reference display that all new high-end flat panel displays are compared with. When it comes to standalone BLU-RAY players the OPPO BDP-83 has been made the new reference BLU-RAY player by just about every publication I know of when comparing all new BLU-RAY players. JVC is known for their high quality Front Projector screens which keep improving in quality every year. In general just about every year JVC makes one of the best LCOS Front Projectors on the market. This year the JVC DLA-RS20U and JVC DLA-HD750 is known as the best of the best and I have seen lately several professional reviewers make these two Front Projectors their reference projectors. So for the year 2009 all other brands and models of projectors will be compared to the top of the line LCOS JVC Front Projectors. These JVC projectors are getting to be very close in quality to the best CRT projectors in terms of black level performance. CRT projectors still has deeper blacks. The JVC Front Projectors have a brighter and sharper image compared to the very best high-end consumer CRT projector every tested. If JVC next year on newer models can improve on the black level performance their projectors might beat or match the very best CRT projectors made. JVC is another Japanese company similar to Pioneer when it comes to making quality state of the art consumer products. The JVC DLA-HD750 Projector has a $7,495 list price according to JVC info. Sound and Vision listed the price as $7,999 which is incorrect.
Like all other JVC Front Projectors the DLA-HD750 will properly display 1080p/24 signals at 96HZ. 60HZ signals are refreshed at 120HZ.
A few select quotes from the Sound and Vision Magazine (September 2009 issue, Review located on pages 58 and 60)
"Excellent contrast without auto iris"
"Excellent picture without fussy calibration"
"Excellent setup flexibility without annoying limitations"
"The DLA-HD750 delivers stunning performance with no flaws worth mentioning. And the fact that it manages this after only a few minutes of adjustment makes it one of the finest video displays we've every tested"
"...I was so shocked to read JVC's promotional materials for its new DLA-HD750 projector." "On the company's Web page, it says, "There is neither an iris mechanism nor a compromise in the DLA-HD750 projector." In other words, every projector that uses auto iris - including Sony's identically priced VPL-VW70- is compromised and therefore inferior. If a well-mannered Japanese company like JVC comes out swinging like this, there must be something special lurking inside the DLA-HD750's elegant chassis."
"The DLA-HD750 is one of a mere handful of video projectors to earn THX certification. (The only other brands boasting this status are Runco and the moribund Vidikron.)"
"It's difficult to review a product like this because its nearly perfect picture tends to pull me into the content of what I'm watching - it never produces a flaw or artifact that reminded me I was suppose to be reviewing a projector,..."
"Bottom Line" "I'd be blown away if the DLA-HD750's astounding performance came after hours of careful tweaking. But this projector delivers at least 95% of its potential if you simply switch to the THX mode and play with the basic picture controls for a couple of minutes. This combination of performance and simplicity is what we hope for but seldom find in consumer-electronics products - and it's what makes JVC's DLA-HD750 one of my favorite video products ever."
JVC DLA-HD750 D-ILA Front Projector (Home Theater review link)
Here is a March 2009 review link on the JVC DLA-HD750. I did not post this link back in March since it does not mention how 1080p/24 is handled and most the time I only post reviews that mention how the 1080P/24 feature works. Of course now I know from my research that JVC refreshes 1080p/24 at 96HZ and 60HZ material at 120HZ for all the new models. This true film quality 96HZ feature can be found on every 1080P LCOS JVC Front Projector made over the years.
What is interesting about the Home Theater review is that the reviewer claims the DLA-HD750 has a overall better picture quality compared to prior projectors like the DLA-HD100 accept in the area of sharpness. The reviewer thought the JVC DLA-HD750 was softer compared to prior JVC projectors.
The JVC DLA-HD750 was so much better overall compared to the DLA-HD100 that the reviewer from Home Theater magazine decided to purchase one from JVC.
Here are select quotes from the March 2009 Home Theater review
" JVC’s recent generation of D-ILA projectors have been standard-setters in blacks and contrast. They have exceeded the performance of most dynamic-iris designs while eliminating the artifacts involved with that approach. These projectors were good enough that several HT regulars outfitted their own theaters with these rigs, including yours truly."
" The DLA-HD750 ($7,500) addresses every nit (pun intended) that anyone could have possibly picked with its previous projectors. It’s THX approved and includes HQV Reon-VX video processing, a full color-management system, and a 16-step adjustable iris to tailor its light output. Like JVC’s previous offerings, it’s a three-chip projector (no rainbow artifacts here) that uses D-ILA imaging chips, which is JVC’s proprietary flavor of LCOS."
" The DLA-HD750 also resolved enough detail to show that the non-IMAX footage was ever so slightly enhanced to match. In my experience, this projector sets the standard for blacks and contrast. It bests even JVC’s previous designs by a subtle but palpable margin. (Note that some of the improvement could be due to the DLA-HD750’s more accurate, higher gamma curves.) "
" This projector feels very organic and is never digital looking when the material is up to the task. "
" The JVC DLA-HD750 is equipped like a flagship ought to be. The little touches add up to a significantly refined experience in every way. While the DLA-HD750 isn’t quite as sharp as the DLA-HD100 I’ve had for months, it is improved in every other aspect of its performance and especially color. I’ve been digging through my catalog of new and old favorites to watch on this rig in a way I haven’t in years. In other words, I’m enjoying movies more for being able to watch them on the DLA-HD750. That and the fact that I’m not letting JVC have this projector back are the two highest compliments I can offer a projector. The check’s in the mail!"
The entire review can be read at the following link
Two new Mitsubishi LCD Front Projectors have been added to the current in production 1080P/24 list
Both of these projectors properly display 1080P/24 signals at 48HZ just like a film projector according to the Mitsubishi spec sheets (The links below can be clicked on to bring up Mitsubishi spec sheets.)
The Mitsubishi HC6800 has a 30,000:1 Contrast Ratio and a suggested list price of $3,495. Technically only authorized Mitsubishi dealers that have retail stores are suppose to sell this model. Once and a while over the Internet or EBAY you might be able to find this projector for around $1,999.00.
The Mitsubishi HC7000 Diamond is their current top of the line LCD Front Projector. It has a 72,000:1 Contrast Ratio and a suggested list price of $4,995. Technically only authorized Mitsubishi dealers that have retail stores are suppose to sell this model. Once and a while over the Internet or EBAY you might be able to find this projector for around $2,699.
The Panasonic PT-AE3000U LCD Front Projector has been added to the current in production list
It is my understanding that the Panasonic PT-AE3000U will display 1080P/24 BLU-RAY sources correctly at 96HZ when Frame Creation is turned off in the menu (When I say correctly, I mean like a film projector, true 4:4 pulldown). 30HZ and 60HZ sources are displayed at 120HZ. When Frame Creation is turned off the Panasonic PT-AE3000U will have a natural film quality look without 3:2 pulldown judder. When frame creation is turned on Mode 1 or Mode 2, film based BLU-RAY's have a smooth video look instead of a natural film quality look. List price for this projector is $3,499.
Quotes from Review: "Frame Creation. The AE3000 has a new feature which Panasonic calls Frame Creation. When activated, it allows the projector to evaluate movement between previous frames, generate an interpolated frame as a half-step, and insert it into the frame sequence. This is then played back at either 120 Hz or 96 Hz depending on if the source is 30, 60, or 24 fps. You have three choices-Off, Mode 1, or Mode 2. You can select "Off" if you want to disable the feature altogether. Mode 1 will use the prior two frames to do the interpolation, and Mode 2 will use the prior three frames. The benefit of Frame Creation is that it renders a smoother, sharper image when the camera is panning, or when detailed subject matter is moving across the screen. The sharpening effect is more pronounced in Mode 2 than it is in Mode 1. Why did Panasonic give you the option to turn it on or off, you may wonder? The reason is that, though Frame Creation sharpens the image, it can make the image look to some viewers a bit less like natural film. Thus it can create an effect that some find objectionable. Therefore, you can experiment with it, and decide for yourself whether you want it off, or in Mode 1 or Mode 2."
Just like all 120HZ Sony's, when MotionEnhancer is turned off the KDL-65W5100 will correctly refresh 1080P/24 material using the 5:5 pulldown method. This 65 inch Sony KDL-65W5100 is a real bargain at $4,999.99. It has a 100,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio and delivers a better picture quality then Sony's 70 inch KDL-70XBR7 that lists for $19,999.99. That 120HZ 70 inch Sony LCD only has a 15,000:1 Dynamic Contrast ratio (ANSI contrast numbers are more important, but Dynamic Contrast ratios can be used when comparing displays made from the exact same manufactory). For those that really want a 70 inch LCD flat screen they will need to pay $15,000 more just for an extra 5 inches, then on top of that the picture quality is not as good as the 65 inch.
$19,999.99 for a 70 inch screen is too much money for the average consumer. Sony needs to try and get the price down to $10,000 on future 70 inch models and then they would sell a lot more 70 inch LCD flat screens. Both the 65 inch KDL-65W5100 and 70 inch KDL-70XBR7 are both standard LCD screens without any local dimming LED backlighting. Personally if I was in the market for a new Sony LCD flat panel instead of paying $4,999.99 for the 65 inch KDL-65W5100 I would purchase the better quality 55 inch KDL-55XBR8 for the exact same price of $4,999.99. Of course the screen is 10 inches smaller but the black levels and color quality is much better on the XBR8.
A better choice yet would be the 65 inch Panasonic V10 plasma with a 96HZ refresh rate for 1080P/24. The V10 is getting excellent reviews and has good color accuracy and excellent off axis viewing. Since Pioneer is out of the plasma business my first choice for a 65 inch would be the Panasonic TC-P65V10 that has a list price of $3,995.95. That would be $1,000 cheaper compared to the Sony KDL-65W5100 and on top of that a better picture quality also.
It has been verified by a September Sound and Vision Review that Samsung Auto Motion Plus offers true 10:10 pulldown for 240HZ LCD models. Reference for this review will follow this posting. At least Samsung uses true 240HZ instead of the fake 240HZ used currently by most manufactories offering so called 240HZ models. It sounds like Sony is the other company that uses true 240HZ also, but still waiting for a review to verify the Sony 240HZ process.
On pages 54-56 of the September 2009 Sound and Vision Magazine is a Review of the 240HZ Samsung UN46B8000.
The Samsung 240HZ 8000 series LCD with "edge-lit" LED backlighting is an amazing engineering design since it is super thin at 1.2 inches thick. It also uses less power compared to standard LCD displays. The 8000 series has reduced motion blur with its fast 2ms response time and 240HZ refresh rate. When Auto Motion Plus is turned off on the 240HZ Samsung and a 1080P/24 signal is inputted, the display will do a true 10:10 pulldown. This 10:10 pulldown feature is ideal for BLU-RAY owners wanting to bypass the 3:2 pulldown judder process.
What is disappointing about the new Samsung 8000 series is the picture quality is not as good as a 72HZ Pioneer plasma or the 120HZ Sony XBR8 LCD with Local Dimming LED backlighting. The Samsung 8000 series costs less then a Sony XBR8. As I have mentioned before several months ago in a prior post, the Samsung displays have a good enough picture quality for the average consumer and the average consumer loves the light weight slim 1.2 inch thick design. Current sales numbers are showing that Samsung is selling a lot of these slim LED models since consumers are very attracted to the cosmetic looks even though the picture quality is medium quality. Hopefully manufactories that are still making Local Dimming models will be able to reduce the thickness of the cabinets. Consumers vote with their wallets and maybe LCD's with Edge-Lit LED backlighting like the 8000 series Samsung will one day replace Local Dimming displays in the years to come. Also Samsung keeps improving the Edge-Lit LED backlighting displays and maybe future new generations next year will have better screen uniformity issue and better off axis viewing. Perhaps one day several years from now 1.2 inches thick might be considered too thick. As technology improves a 1/4 of an inch thick flat panel design or smaller might become reality.
Here are a few select quotes from the September 2009 Sound and Vision magazine (Quotes taken from pages 54-56)
"(Unlike some other 240-Hz LCDs, the 8000 uses either frame repetition or interpolation to hit its high refresh rates.)"
"A new "edge -lit" backlight design is key factor responsible for striking flatness of Samsung's TVs."
"And Given the recent rage for "green" electronics, it should come as no surprise that edge-lit LED TVs are efficient consumers of energy."
"It should be noted that edge-lit backlight technology is very different from that used in LCDs with local dimming - Samsung's own LNA950 and Sony's XBR8 series models, for example. On those sets, the panel is backed by a full LED array, with modules that can be selectively dimmed to extend shadow depth in specific picture zones."
"Samsung's LED LCD set may lack the contrast-enhancing local-dimming feature found in higher-end (and considerably more expensive) models, but the UN46B8000 still managed to display fairly deep blacks and a respectable level of shadow detail."
"At $3,200 list, Samsung's UN46B8000 is priced quite a bit higher than many other TVs with a similar screen size. And while I found the set's color accuracy, picture detail, and video processing to be beyond reproach, its performance still came up short in some areas."
A few Negatives comments from the Review
"Screen-uniformity issue with dark images"
"Picture contrast fades when viewed off-center"
"Although the Samsung's handling of dark images was very good for an LCD TV, watching dim scenes revealed a few weaknesses. A main sticking point for me was its tendency to abruptly downshift picture contrast when there was a cut from relatively bright scene to a dark one. This effect only kicked in periodically, but it was obvious to divert my attention when watching movie. The set also displayed below average uniformity: A faint "clouding" effect was sometimes visible at the screen's bottom during dark scenes in movies with letterbox bars, and both contrast and color accuracy took a noticeable dip when I viewed the screen from more then 30 degrees arc off dead center."
A few Positive comments from the Review
"Solid blacks and good shadow detail"
"Accurate, natural-looking color"
"Crisp, clean upconversion of standard-def programs"
The following super thin Samsung LCD's with "Local Dimming" backlighting have been added to the list
Wow, Incredible. I did not know Local Dimming displays could be made so thin. For example the Sony KDL-55XBR8 with Local Dimming is 5.9 inches think. The Samsung LN-55A950 LCD with Local Dimming LED backlighting is 4.4 inches think. The new Samsung UN55B8500 and UN46B8500 has Local Dimming and they are only 1.6 inches think!!!!! That is only .4 inches thicker then Samsung's LCD's with "Edge Lit" LED backlighting. This is going to be a very interesting review to read several months from now.
According to the spec sheet for the 8500 series, the new Samsung's will have a 7,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio which is a improvement over the 8000 series that has a 5,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio. I would like to see the ANSI contrast ratio on the 8500 series. This will be a interesting display to compare against the reference Pioneer PRO-141FD Plasma and the Sony XBR8. Most likely the Samsung picture quality at 240HZ with Local Dimming will be a improvement over the Sony 120HZ XBR8. The new Samsungs are scheduled for a September 2009 release.
LCD with Local Dimming LED backlighting (flat panel)
Click on links below to see the spec sheets for the Samsung 8500 series:
" Local Dimming LED: Innovative LED Local
Dimming technology selectively turns
blocks of LEDs off to render perfectly true
blacks while others are left on to produce
more light in order to express pure whites."
Update:
Even though the suggested retail price of the Samsung UN55B8500 is $4,499.99, from one of my reliable sources I have learned that some mail order companies several months from now plan on selling the UN55B8500 for around $3,153. Also the Samsung UN46B8500 with a list price of $3,599.99 in several months from now will be selling for around $2,523 from some discount mail order companies once large quantities of the displays become available. Of course the advantage of retail stores is that most of them have a 30 day return policy if one does not like the product. For those discount mail order prices one will most likely need to wait at least 2 or 3 months after the product is released. Retail Stores normal get the prodcut in first in small QTY's then discount mail order comapnies latter on get the product in once large shipments occur.
Sony 240HZ models: I have not added any 240HZ Sony LCD screens to the list yet. Most likely the Sony 240HZ models will do a true 10:10 pulldown for 1080P/24 signals when the MotionEnhancer feature is turned off. I am still waiting for some professional magazine or website to review a 240HZ Sony to verify they do a 10:10 pulldown before adding them to the list.
Important Note: Historically so far LCD's with Local Dimming LED backlighting have a better picture quality when compared to LCD's with Edge-lit LED backlighting. Also it use to be that LCD's with "Local Dimming" cost more compared to "Edge-Lit" models. Now all the above I just mentioned might not be true anymore. For example the new LG 47SL90 "Edge-lit" costs $2,600 list and has a 3,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio. The LG 47LH90 "Local Dimming" model costs only $2,400 list price and has a Dynamic Contrast Ratio of 2,000,000:1. Of course a professional review that would compare the two displays side by side might show the cheaper Local Dimming model is still better, but according to the LG spec sheets the more expensive "Edge-Lit" model has better contrast ratio. One cannot trust spec sheets, the best way to compare displays is to spend several hours with them side by side calibrating them and running test patterns and real live demo material. One cannot usually do that in a retail store. There are also so many models of displays now that only a few models can be reviewed by the magazines and professinal reviewers.
With so many new models of LCD's being released with "Edge-Lit" or "Local Dimming" LED Backlighting, most likely some high-end "Edge-Lit" models might start outperforming another companies low end version of "Local Dimming" models. In general the "Local Dimming" models should have the deepest blacks and the best overall better picture quality, but once and a while that might not always be true.
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