My dad lives in Park City. He talked to a local JVC dealer, and was told the RS1 can't be used above 5000 feet, and he would void the warranty if he used it there. I remember seeing something about this issue here a long time ago, but can't find it. Does anyone know what JVC's policy would really be?

Thanks,
Rick

???What????

I know there are a few members on here from Denver and other places in Colorado higher than 5000 feet with the RS1/HD1 and I have never read anything about the warranty being voided if using above 5000 feet. Hell, JVC first demoed the RS1 at Cedia in Denver in September of last year! Unless somebody knows something I dont (please tell me if you do since I live in Denver and expect an RS1 sometime soon), this does not sound right at all. Give JVC a call and see what they say to that and report back. I am sure if this was the case we would have seen menition of this LONG before now.

Yes, they demo'd it in Denver at 5280'. They wouldn't have a prayer winning a lawsuit if they denied warranty on any of us in Denver after doing that.

Edit: I was wrong, it does say there's a limit of 5,000 feet.

There's nothing whatsoever in the documentation, warranty paperwork, or otherwise that specifies an altitude limit. There is, in fact, the high-altitude mode which would indicate JVC not only condones its use at high-altitude, but has designed the product to function properly there.

The manual says:
High Altitude Mode: Select this when using the projector in a location of low atmospheric pressure (higher than 900 meters above sea level).

Okay, so fill me in... what effect would high altitude have on a projector?

The air is less dense, thus it cannot cool the projector as efficiently. High Altitude Mode basically runs the fan at 'jet engine' type RPMs to compensate (you have to move more air of a lower density to equal the cooling effect of denser air). I think pretty much everyone has remarked that the HA mode (in conjuction with high lamp if used) on the RS-1 is objectionable in terms of noise, so you'd be looking at either:

1) Taking a chance with overheating and running the PJ without the HA mode on.
2) Keeping the room climate controlled and cool.
3) Using a hushbox (which runs into the same problems but you have control over the fans used.

If the PJ broke and JVC was being paranoid, they could presumably check your RMA return address, and if it's a high-altitude area see if the PJ was set to HA mode. If not, they could have a case that you did not operate the unit within specifications, and thus void the warranty.

Wouldn't most of the noise of the fan depend a lot on the actual amount of air being moved? So at high altitude the noice might not be too bad at the higher fan speed.

I think pretty much everyone has remarked that the HA mode on the RS-1 is objectionable in terms of noiseNot true. I am not bothered at all at HA mode. But, with both HA and High lamp on at the same time, it did start to get objectionable. So, if you need both, then location could be a factor. Keithsimp posted a detailed report on the Owners Thread a while back about the differences in tone and volume of the two modes.If the PJ broke and JVC was being paranoid, they could presumably check your RMA return address, and if it's a high-altitude area see if the PJ was set to HA mode.How would they know it wasn't in HA mode? Are you that paranoid or do you think it has a secret 'black box' inside that keeps track of that even if you turn HA on when you sent it in for service?

I object to the RS1's fan noise in HA mode but not all that strenuously. The bottom line is that this pj more than makes up for it in PQ, IMO.

Dan

How would they know it wasn't in HA mode? Are you that paranoid or do you think it has a secret 'black box' inside that keeps track of that even if you turn HA on when you sent it in for service?
Well my thought was if the thing won't turn on (thus denying you the chance to update the setting), you send it to JVC, and pulling it apart shows heat problems, and you hadn't set it to HA mode (and the settings were preserved during the repair) there could be a potential issue.

When it comes to something that costs as much as the RS-1, yes, I am paranoid. I don't know how JVC handles RMAs but a lot of companies look for anything short of (or sometimes not) scuff marks on the case, to deny a claim. I simply wouldn't risk it, either for the RMA claim or just because you'd be without a PJ for a time if it does overheat and get damaged.

As to the fan moving air, I don't hear air moving. I just hear a plasticky vibration noise from a big fan that causes the plasticky case to vibrate. For me, at low altitude, it's time for a hushbox. But yeah, the picture is worth the effort. :)

The manual does state the altitude limit as 5000 feet. You are supposed to use high altitude if higher than 900m, which is about 2700 feet. I didn't find anything that states the warranty is void over 5000 feet. I will try to find time to call them.

Part of the problem is I think the guy is trying to sell higher price stuff to my dad. He came home asking me about 2.35, 3 chip DLP, etc, etc. He has the money, but I think going more than the RS-1 would be a waste, especially since he can hardly tell the difference between my RS-1 and Bluray, and his Panny 900U and standard DVD player.... :eek:

The manual does state the altitude limit as 5000 feet. You are supposed to use high altitude if higher than 900m, which is about 2700 feet. I didn't find anything that states the warranty is void over 5000 feet. I will try to find time to call them.

Not that I dont believe you, but what page does it say that on? I would like to read it.

Thanks

Not that I dont believe you, but what page does it say that on? I would like to read it.

Thanks

Page 30 says to use high fan over 900m.

"Specifications" page 48, says installation limit is 5000 feet.

There's nothing whatsoever in the documentation, warranty paperwork, or otherwise that specifies an altitude limit. There is, in fact, the high-altitude mode which would indicate JVC not only condones its use at high-altitude, but has designed the product to function properly there.

The manual says:
High Altitude Mode: Select this when using the projector in a location of low atmospheric pressure (higher than 900 meters above sea level).

Not trying to be argumentative here, but as I live at 7,000 feet, I could not help but notice that the manual clearly states "Installation Height Below 5000 ft (Approx. 1524 m)" in the Specifications section for the unit which can be found on page 48 of the RS-1 PDF Manual (www.jvcdig.com/manuals/DLA-RS1_english.pdf).

So, I'd have to say that your statement is indefensible.

I have not seen photos of the inside of a Pearl, but does it have better cooling than the RS-1? Does the Pearl have an altitude limit? With as much air as the JVC can push through, I can't imagine it being a real problem. It is just the potential warranty issue that may bother some.

Page 30 says to use high fan over 900m.

"Specifications" page 48, says installation limit is 5000 feet.

Thanks. If any of you guys actually call JVC about this, I would be curious what they tell you. Honestly at this point, this would not stop me from getting this projector (and it wont as I have one coming at some point from AVS) If this ever did cause an issue with warranty (highly doubtful IMO) I would fight it to no end considering this machine (as I said earlier) was first shown in Denver at 5,280'. You could also take issue with the way this is worded which sounds more like a suggestion to me. It does not state the actual word "limit".

I asked Tryg about this quite a while ago and he told me there's nothing to worry about with the Altitude issue. (I have that in writing in an email) so, why not just ask your sales guy the same question. If they guarantee it to work, then you're covered.

And again, if JVC has one dealer in Denver or Albuquerque or SLC above 5K', then they have pretty shaky ground to say it has an absolute limit of 5K' and should not be used above that or the warranty is void.

It would be interesting to hear a true legal opinion on this situation - demoing and selling the unit outside of it's specified operating parameters.

It would seem that published specifications at time of sale would be the starting point for any litigation regarding performance and operation.....

I asked Tryg about this quite a while ago and he told me there's nothing to worry about with the Altitude issue. (I have that in writing in an email) so, why not just ask your sales guy the same question. If they guarantee it to work, then you're covered.

And again, if JVC has one dealer in Denver or Albuquerque or SLC above 5K', then they have pretty shaky ground to say it has an absolute limit of 5K' and should not be used above that or the warranty is void.


Good point. I also am buying from AVS (Jason) so I will ask Jason when I hear back from an email I sent him.

Part of the problem is I think the guy is trying to sell higher price stuff to my dad. He came home asking me about 2.35, 3 chip DLP, etc, etc. He has the money, but I think going more than the RS-1 would be a waste, especially since he can hardly tell the difference between my RS-1 and Bluray, and his Panny 900U and standard DVD player....

I think this is the real problem here, a shady salesman trying to make a few more bucks by selling a higher priced item, or something in his stock room that he is trying to move.

Not true. I am not bothered at all at HA mode. But, with both HA and High lamp on at the same time, it did start to get objectionable. So, if you need both, then location could be a factor. Keithsimp posted a detailed report on the Owners Thread a while back about the differences in tone and volume of the two modes.

I am running the RS-1 in low lamp/high altitude mode, and although it is noticable in during quiet moments in a movie, it is not overly objectionable. However, in high lamp/high altitude mode, the fan noise is bothersome.

I think this is the real problem here, a shady salesman trying to make a few more bucks by selling a higher priced item, or something in his stock room that he is trying to move.



I am running the RS-1 in low lamp/high altitude mode, and although it is noticable in during quiet moments in a movie, it is not overly objectionable. However, in high lamp/high altitude mode, the fan noise is bothersome.

Phisch, did you buy yours locally, and where in Colorado are you? Thanks.

I bought it from AVS. Mine was from the second batch. Westminster, a suburb of Denver.

When I viewed the RS-1 at a local distributor here in the Denver, the JVC reps for this region (Utah included) were not very concerned about the altitude as long as the projector was being run in HA mode. I highly doubt that JVC would sell/promote these projectors in this region the way they have, knowing that they would not have to honor the warranty because of the altitude. They would get crushed in a court of law if they tried to void the warranty.
Having said this, I do not know why they put this statement in the manual. The only purpose it serves is to raise questions as to why they put it there....

Low lamp/HA...all the way. :D

So, I'd have to say that your statement is indefensible.

Yep. I was wrong on both counts (noise and manual--though I did look through the latter three times). I updated the earlier statement to reflect this.

Yep. I was wrong on both counts (noise and manual--though I did look through the latter three times). I updated the earlier statement to reflect this.


No problem...I missed it the first time I read through the manual as well.

I certainly don't want to be an apologist for electronics salesmen (and I've never been one) but it is too bad the industry has such a poor reputation that most people automatically assume the worst in a situation such as this one. I think the case could be made that this guy was better than many of his peers in that he a) actually knew about the altitude spec and b) did the correct thing by mentioning it to the potential buyer. For all he knew the guy might have balked at spending more and not purchased anything from him. The salesman would be in for even greater criticism if he knew about the altitude limitation, said nothing to get the sale, and then it turned out there was a legitimate reason to not operate the JVC at 6,145' or whatever. This is a case of damned if you do and damned if you don't. As for suggesting a more expensive unit - if the buyer liked the quality of the JVC's picture it appears that the only way to equal it or even get close is to spend more - based on the majority of the feedback on this forum. And yes, dammit, I believe in the Easter Bunny.

Dick Fogg

You have a point, except I left out the part where he told my dad the projector wouldn't even work above 5000ft - That it would "shut down." B.S. if you ask me....

Yeah, I doubt that they put an altimeter in the unit. I'm still impressed that out of the hundreds of thousands of words written about the JVC on this forum that it took a sales guy in Utah to bring this interesting spec to light - too bad he overplayed his hand.
I suppose now you're going to tell me there is no Easter Bunny?

Dick Fogg

You have a point, except I left out the part where he told my dad the projector wouldn't even work above 5000ft - That it would "shut down." B.S. if you ask me....B.S. is correct. There's at least 3 in Denver, CO over 5280' and one in Evergreen, CO at about 7700' that works flawlessly.