Projector review: JVC DLA-HD 950
Bright and contrast-rich another winner from JVC
Picking up where the HD 750 left off, JVC's DLA-HD 950 (~7,000 USD) improves on one crucial aspect of its predecessor's performance the colors are more faithful. Our only real criticism of the device is that these new, improved colors come courtesy of the THX mode; and once THX is activated, the user can't adjust the picture settings.
Nevertheless, the JVC impressed us in just about every criterion we reviewed excellent connectivity, attractive design, accurate video processing. But we were more than just impressed with the contrast: The HD 950 sets a new record of 30,600:1, and that's without the iris. Close the iris, and it'll easily hit 40,000:1. Still, JVC famously eschews dynamic iris adjustment, so closing the iris means having it closed throughout: Dark images will look darker, as you'd hope, but so will bright images in fact, the projector's light output drops by almost half.
Calibration using the JVC's color-management system gave an almost perfect match for the HDTV color space.
We're genuinely impressed with the Clear Motion Drive motion-enhancement technology. Not only does it do a very tidy job of generating intermediate frames and removing pulldown judder; it also supports a range of input signals and stores the user's choice of film mode separately for each. Like with any such technology, however, it's best applied subtly: If you turn Clear Motion Drive up to its highest setting, halo effects appear on fast-moving objects.
Although the native contrast is huge, the ANSI contrast failed to match that of top DLP projectors. This might be down to diffuse surfaces in the lens system, which scatter light and therefore weaken the image's blacks. Some color shading also caught our eye in the corners of the picture, but these will barely be apparent during normal viewing.
Both DVD and Blu-ray signals display a high level of detail, and enjoy a welcome boost in motion clarity thanks to Clear Motion Drive. Those who prefer authentic cinema judder won't be disappointed either: With the technology deactivated, 24p Blu-rays display exactly as they should.
Read the full review of the JVC DLA-HD 950 at Televisions.com.
Any comments on the device or our review are most welcome.
Bright and contrast-rich another winner from JVC
Picking up where the HD 750 left off, JVC's DLA-HD 950 (~7,000 USD) improves on one crucial aspect of its predecessor's performance the colors are more faithful. Our only real criticism of the device is that these new, improved colors come courtesy of the THX mode; and once THX is activated, the user can't adjust the picture settings.
Nevertheless, the JVC impressed us in just about every criterion we reviewed excellent connectivity, attractive design, accurate video processing. But we were more than just impressed with the contrast: The HD 950 sets a new record of 30,600:1, and that's without the iris. Close the iris, and it'll easily hit 40,000:1. Still, JVC famously eschews dynamic iris adjustment, so closing the iris means having it closed throughout: Dark images will look darker, as you'd hope, but so will bright images in fact, the projector's light output drops by almost half.
Calibration using the JVC's color-management system gave an almost perfect match for the HDTV color space.
We're genuinely impressed with the Clear Motion Drive motion-enhancement technology. Not only does it do a very tidy job of generating intermediate frames and removing pulldown judder; it also supports a range of input signals and stores the user's choice of film mode separately for each. Like with any such technology, however, it's best applied subtly: If you turn Clear Motion Drive up to its highest setting, halo effects appear on fast-moving objects.
Although the native contrast is huge, the ANSI contrast failed to match that of top DLP projectors. This might be down to diffuse surfaces in the lens system, which scatter light and therefore weaken the image's blacks. Some color shading also caught our eye in the corners of the picture, but these will barely be apparent during normal viewing.
Both DVD and Blu-ray signals display a high level of detail, and enjoy a welcome boost in motion clarity thanks to Clear Motion Drive. Those who prefer authentic cinema judder won't be disappointed either: With the technology deactivated, 24p Blu-rays display exactly as they should.
Read the full review of the JVC DLA-HD 950 at Televisions.com.
Any comments on the device or our review are most welcome.
