{"id":19069,"date":"2016-04-27T18:22:00","date_gmt":"2016-04-27T22:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/?p=19069"},"modified":"2016-04-27T18:39:38","modified_gmt":"2016-04-27T22:39:38","slug":"jvc-dla-x750r-eshift-4k-projector","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/?p=19069","title":{"rendered":"JVC: DLA-X750R eShift 4K Projector"},"content":{"rendered":"

4K Definition: for or against?<\/span><\/em><\/h3>\n

It’s been 6years since I built my <\/em>THX and <\/em>SMPTE specification home theatre. Since its first day, it keeps evolving from an <\/em>HD theatre to <\/em>3D, then I added Darbee Vision<\/strong> projector with additional upgrade to the subwoofer, speakers, projection screen, Dolby <\/strong>bi and DTS<\/strong><\/em>:X. The latest upgrade is full-spec <\/em>UHD with <\/em>Wide Color Gamut and <\/em>High Dynamic Range. The problem for me is the price.<\/em><\/p>\n

The only projector that can do all that cost $16,000. Thanks to JVC<\/strong>, there is now an alternative streeting at less than half of that. It is not a true <\/em>UHD (<\/em>8MP) but uses <\/em>4K eShift instead.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"DLA-X750_950_fv_lens_open\"<\/a>
\nCompared to my Panasonic<\/strong> PT-AE8000U<\/em> it replaces, the JVC<\/strong> X750R<\/em> is about 50% deeper, 25% thicker and a whole lot sturdier. It certainly has nothing flimsy about it. Everything from lens shift, zoom, focus even the lens cover are motorized making set-up a breeze. The inclusion of 4\u00a0adjustable feet (as opposed to the usual two on most projectors) makes positioning the projector perfectly an easy task. By using these feet, you can adjust both yaw, roll, and pitch in the most accurate way possible.<\/p>\n

JVC<\/strong>‘s e-Shift technology shifts sub-frames by 0.5\u00a0pixel both vertically and horizontally to achieve 4\u00a0times the pixel density of the original content. So visually, it’s closer to 4K<\/em> “interlaced” as opposed to full 4K<\/em>. Call it whatever you want, be it Faux-K<\/em> or 4K-lite<\/em>, it’s the end result that matters… and due to our eyes’ temporal image retention, the difference between the real 4K<\/em> vs eShift 4K<\/em> (version\u00a04) is virtually indistinguishable during playback of moving images.<\/p>\n

\"DLA-X750_950a\"<\/a>Also featured on this projector is a U-shaped ventilation system where the incoming and outgoing airflow are located in front of the projector so the projector can be mounted as further back as you want as opposed to the regular 12″\u00a0clearance most projectors need.<\/p>\n

Colour Management<\/strong><\/em>
\nAs I have mentioned in my various posts on various discussion forums and my Tweets<\/em> (@davidsusilo), 4K\/UHD<\/em> video is about more than just increased picture resolution. One of the other enhancements is Wide Colour Gamut<\/em> (colour space). A wider colour gamut means the resulting image is able to include more accurate colour palette. HDTV<\/em> uses a limited colour gamut that is defined by the ITU<\/strong> Recommendation\u00a0709<\/em>. For UHD<\/em>, ITU<\/strong> has defined an extremely Wide Color Gamut<\/em> as part of their Recommendation\u00a02020<\/em> and the Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc<\/em> system has adopted REC\u00a02020<\/em> as the \u2018container\u2019 for conveying a Wider Color Gamut<\/em>. That does not mean movies released on Ultra HD Blu-ray<\/em> discs will actually be created for display using the full REC\u00a02020<\/em> colour gamut. Rather the colour gamut can be greater than REC\u00a0709<\/em> and up to a maximum of the color gamut defined by REC\u00a02020<\/em>. For now and the foreseeable future, the movie studios plan to release their Ultra HD Blu-ray<\/em> titles using the colour gamut already being used by the digital cinema industry and this is called DCI-P3<\/em>. This is what you see at the cineplex.<\/p>\n

Although the JVC<\/strong> X750R<\/em> cannot reproduce the full REC 2020<\/em> colour space, it is the only projector at this price range that includes specific provisions for supporting the DCI-P3<\/em> colour gamut. If you want a full 4K<\/em> projector that can do a full DCI-P3<\/em> colour gamut you will then have to choose the Sony<\/strong> VPL-VW1100<\/em> at $26,000. Now playing in order to reproduce DCI-P3<\/em> colour gamut, a filter is used and in the case of the Sony<\/strong> VW1000<\/em> (and the upgraded VW1100<\/em>) the filter causes a noticeable light loss with the projected image being approximately 23% dimmer with the filter in place; whereas the JVC<\/strong> X750R<\/em> only suffers from 7% brightness loss.<\/p>\n

\"DLA-X750_950RR\"<\/a>Another interesting characteristic<\/strong>
\nHDR<\/em> is the second additional enhancement being introduced with UHD<\/em> video. Just about all of the movies already announced for release on Ultra HD Blu-ray<\/em> discs will include support for HDR<\/em> and even Netflix<\/strong> will also be supporting HDR<\/em>. However, there are outstanding issues with how projector will handle HDR<\/em> content. This is because UHD<\/em> HDR<\/em> specifications have adopted characteristics that assume the use of a very bright (LCD<\/em> and OLED<\/em> flat panel display) as the peak image highlights will be displayed very bright (e.g., 1000\u00a0NITS<\/em> or almost 300\u00a0ftL). The commercial digital cinema industry, on the other hand, has defined a commercial version of HDR<\/em> that has much lower peak brightness level requirements that would be applicable to home theatres, but that\u2019s not what is going to be used for the consumer video sources. So the question is although JVC<\/strong> (and Sony<\/strong>) claim support for HDR<\/em> on some of their new projectors, will it be possible to calibrate these projectors to produce satisfactory results when connected to a consumer 4K\/UHD<\/em> source providing HDR<\/em> enabled video? The answer is yes. In the case of the JVC<\/strong> DLA-X750R<\/em> projected to my 96″ 21:9 Stewart<\/strong> Studiotek 130 G3<\/em> screen, the projector can achieve very good HDR<\/em> results by using Gamma\u00a0D<\/em> preset, setting the Picture Tone<\/em> to 13, Dark Level<\/em> to 5 and Bright Level<\/em> to 6. This preset is automatically selected when the projector detects HDR10<\/em> content entered its HDMI\u00a02.0a<\/em> inputs as the case when I play back \u201cSalt\u201d UHD BD<\/em> using the Samsung<\/strong> UBD-K8500 UHD BD<\/em> Player.<\/p>\n

HD and UHD Formats Coding<\/strong><\/em>
\nTraditional HD<\/em> video sources all are encoded with 8-bits per color while the baseline standard for UHD<\/em> uses 10-bit per color. Dolby<\/strong>\u2019s version of HDR<\/em> is an option on Ultra HD Blu-ray<\/em> discs and when offered will provide metadata that provides for 12-bit depth for HDR<\/em> content. The JVC<\/strong> DLA-X750R<\/em> is the only projector that offers a full 12-bit path from the HDMI<\/em> input all the way to the displayed image. The D-ILA<\/em> (LCoS<\/em>) panels used by JVC<\/strong> support 12-bit colour resolution and the signal processing within these projectors also support the 12-bit depth. Not even the Sony<\/strong> $26,000 projector uses a 12-bit panel. Even though these JVC<\/strong> projectors do not include Dolby Vision<\/strong> processing, having full 12-bit support may prove useful as the 4K\/UHD<\/em> video standards and video sources evolve over the next few years as the support of Dolby Vision<\/strong>, should JVC<\/strong> choose to join the bandwagon, will only a matter of firmware upgrade.<\/p>\n

Home Automation Control<\/strong><\/em>
\nThis JVC<\/strong> projector is equipped with an Ethernet<\/em> socket so it can be controlled by Control4 <\/strong>or any other home automation you might want to use. It is also app controllable although there was no way for me to test it as the app keeps crashing and sometimes even freezes both my iPad<\/em> and iPhone<\/em>…so JVC<\/strong>, please fix this (note from JVC<\/strong>: “The app is not compatible with iOS 9 and there is no set schedule when the app will be updated<\/em>“).<\/p>\n

Calibration of the unit<\/strong><\/em>
\nAn automatic calibration software is available to download for free but ironically, even after multiple attempts (even with JVC<\/strong> Canada<\/strong>‘s assistance) the end results were less accurate than the THX<\/strong> factory preset; this is most probably caused by the method JVC<\/strong> uses to do the calibration by reading the direct projection values instead of reflected-from-screen values. Also as a calibrator, I was surprised that the THX<\/strong> preset, with a little general tweaks, results in a fairly accurate result. In fact, this is the most accurate projector I’ve ever encountered in my life. Of course, for the utmost accuracy, a professional calibration is still required.<\/p>\n

Convergence is also pretty much bang-on right out of the box with less than 1\u00a0hour spent to perfect the convergence. Something that I have not seen in quite a while. In fact, just last night I calibrated a $16,000 projector which took me nearly two hours to perfect its convergence. To me, it is not so much about having the convergence to be correct out of the box or otherwise, but more of a testament of the quality control done by JVC<\/strong> at their factory. No wonder they call their delivery system as \u201c4K Precision Image<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"DLA-X750_950v\"<\/a>3D Functionality<\/strong><\/em>
\nIn terms of brightness, the DLA-X750R<\/em> has greatly improved brightness which translates to much improved 3D<\/em> performance both in terms of brightness and in a very noticeably lower 3D<\/em> crosstalk\/ghosting…something that I\u2019m very prone of. With the brightness of 1,400\u00a0lumens using a 265-watt light bulb (based on real-life measured-performance, not manufacturer\u2019s claim), I can easily watch a movie presentation with all my lights turned on. Too bad, however, a 3D<\/em> emitter priced at $150 is sold as an optional extra in order for me to watch 3D<\/em> presentation. I also find that the price for the 3D<\/em> glasses at $200 per pair to be very high in these days. No wonder the industry is starting to call it quits on their 3D<\/em> displays. Not too many families are willing to cough up an additional $1,000 for an emitter and 4\u00a0pair of glasses.<\/p>\n

A General Overview<\/strong><\/em>
\nAll in all, the JVC<\/strong> DLA-X750R<\/em> is an amazingly affordable UHD-Premium Class<\/em> projector which both black and brightness level is unsurpassed by any projector even doubling its price range. Add that to the fact that cable TV providers, Netflix<\/strong>, Shomi<\/strong>, and Crave<\/strong> are starting to broadcast in UHD<\/em> plus the soon-to-be-released UHD Bluray Disc<\/em> being on the horizon, to those who are on the fence in getting into UHD<\/em>, now it\u2019s the time for you to jump in.<\/p>\n

PROS<\/strong>:<\/em>
\n\u2022 Very affordable for what it can do
\n\u2022 Super bright
\n\u2022 Great out-of-the-box performance
\n\u2022 12-bit<\/em> panel
\n\u2022 12-bit<\/em> HDR<\/em> capable
\n\u2022 100% DCI-P3<\/em> Wide Colour Gamut<\/em> capable
\n
\nCONS<\/em><\/strong>:<\/em>
\n\u2022 App does not work
\n\u2022\u00a03D<\/em> requires an optional emitter
\n\u2022 Expensive 3D<\/em> glasses<\/p>\n

GENERAL INFORMATION
\nPrice\u00a0:<\/em><\/strong> $8,500
\nWarranty period\u00a0:<\/em><\/strong> for the projector, 2 years, parts and labour
\nand for the lamp, 1 year or 1,000 hours (whichever eventuality comes first)
\nManufacturer\/Distributor\u00a0:
\n<\/em><\/strong>JVC\/Kenwood
\nT\u00e9l.\u00a0: 905.670.7211
\nca.jvckenwood.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Equipment used for this review:<\/em>
\nAudioQuest<\/strong> Pearl HDMI 2.0a<\/em> Cable (UHD BD<\/em> player to receiver)
\nGutWire<\/strong> B10<\/em> Power Cables for all equipments
\nJVC<\/strong> DLA-X750R<\/em> Projector
\nMonoprice<\/strong> Cabernet Redmere HDMI 2.0a<\/em> Cable (receiver to projector)
\nPioneer<\/strong> Elite SC-95<\/em> Receiver
\nSamsung<\/strong> UBD-K8500 UHD BD<\/em> Player
\nStewart<\/strong> Filmscreen Studiotek 130 G3<\/em> Projection Screen
\nTorus Power<\/strong> AVR15+<\/em> Power Conditioner<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

4K Definition: for or against? It’s been 6years since I built my THX and SMPTE specification home theatre. Since its first day, it keeps evolving from an HD theatre to 3D, then I added Darbee Vision projector with additional upgrade to the subwoofer, speakers, projection screen, Dolby bi and DTS:X. The latest upgrade is full-spec […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":19119,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5,21,10],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19069"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=19069"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19069\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/19119"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=19069"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=19069"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=19069"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}