JVC DLA-HD1 Problems: Yellow Banding (Horizontal)

[HDPete]

JVC DLA-HD1 Yellow Banding Problem

I was one of the lucky few to be able to get my hands on one of the special offer JVC HD1's from Elliot at product launch. After a while of getting used to the unit and it bedding in, I noticed that it was showing signs of yellowish banding across the horizontal plane at 1/3 screen intervals. This post is to explain further what I am seeing and to get your expert advice on how best to proceed.

This was most noticeable on pure white test images (100 IRE), but also on generally bright scenes. Once you know it's there, it's very difficult to ignore. This is applicable to all sources (Sky HD, Sky SD, PS3 (Media server & Bluray), Meridian G91 DVD).

After the usual process of elimination (cables, sources, HDMI switch box etc), I came to the conclusion that it was indeed something not quite right with the projector itself. I even checked the screen by zooming the image in / out and the banding moves with the image, so it's embeded as part of the projected image.

Now; PJHifi's customer service was exemplary and Elliot invited me to take the unit in and for him to have a look at it. After confirming that there was indeed visible banding, the unit was replaced with a brand new unit. Forgive me Elliot if I haven't quite got this right, but it was explained that when the units are calibrated in the factory, the screen is split up into man (256?) segments. The colour balance is then adjusted for each segment.

However, after getting round to fitting the unit again, I notice the same problem and would like to poll other users for their experiences and whether this is something you too have noticed, or if there's a wider issue that you haven't yet seen. Admittedly, the degree of banding is considerably less than before, but nevertheless still noticeable (and irritating). I didn't notice it at PJHifi when we checked it out of the box, but I can't be certain if it was there, but I couldn't see it because it wasn't as bad as before (but I was looking hard!); or whether it has developed over time. For £3,900 I am not as happy with my purchase as I should be.

JVC have since reported back that my original unit was within their tolerance levels for acceptability on shading and software updates are unlikely to fix this although it may be possible.

I now have the option to return the unit again for further investigation but it has also been suggested that I talk to JVC Tech direct to see what their take on the situation is.

In case it makes a difference:

• The unit is ceiling mounted (but I don't see how this could make a difference),
• Has very slight vertical lens shift applied,
• NO pixel adjustments,
• NO colour adjustments,
• Banding visible in all preset profiles, and altering the user profiles to drop brightness & contrast doesn't help much.
• The room isn't light controlled except for drawing the curtains, but even in PJ's cave, the problem was still apparent, so I don't think that a change in room light control would make a difference.

Is this something that can be corrected with calibration by someone like Gordon?

I am aware from other private conversations of at least one other owner who has experienced the same issue. Has anyone else noticed the same?

Any other advice on how best to proceed?

Many thanks in advance.
Peter.

[Avi]

Peter

Is it only visible on 100IRE images ? I know shading can affect LCD/SXRD/DILA and it may vary from unit to unit. Also have you tried the unit at home mounted right way up/or the image uninverted out of interest ?

If you're hot happy I would not accept the unit.

AVI

[HDPete]

Hi Avi,

100IRE is the sure fire test, but the banding is visible on all bright scense. For example, the current C4 logo when going to a ad-break is white / cream with the '4' logo on top. This is also very noticeable.

Anything that's white, cream or other light colours has a different hue to the colours in the horizontal plane at 1/3 intervals.

I haven't inverted the unit to test as I don't see why it would make a difference (although the truth beknownst, it is a pain to get the unit up / down from the mounts). I'll try over the weekend if a friend pops in - he can give me a hand to get the HD1 down.

Cheers,
Pete

[HDPete]

Just re-read your post - I'll try the uninverted first - good idea!

[mikeaitch]

I have noticed this issue just recently, thought it was my screen. I'll contact Ivojo and see what they have to say. Also I have seen flickering and occasional momentary loss of picture

[warbie]

Originally Posted by mikeaitch

I'll contact Ivojo and see what they have to say. Also I have seen flickering and occasional momentary loss of picture

That can't be right.

[Mr.D]

I have very slight yellow banding on mine. To be honest it doesn't bother me in normal use. My unit otherwise is excellent. Very minor purity error towards the LHS ( inverted) the brightness uniformity seems excellent , convergence is great , no overspill.

[The WB]

Originally Posted by mikeaitch

I have noticed this issue just recently, thought it was my screen. I'll contact Ivojo and see what they have to say. Also I have seen flickering and occasional momentary loss of picture

changed my cable, no more problems.

[Shepardos]

Hi,

I have/had the same problems with Yellow Banding (shading) with my JVC-HD1. It was one of the first shipment from JVC. They will swap the unit so I don't know it it will be better.

I heard that quality checking on the first shipment didn't done well so I hope the the new units will be better checkt!

What Firmware version did you get on your new unit? 61? What will you do with the new unit? Many people in germany has the same problems:

http://www.beisammen.de/thread.php?threadid=75926</b>

So how many people her in UK has the same problems?

[HDPete]

My German language isn't very good. How many German owners are experiencing the same problem?

How do you check the firmware version?

I understood that the banding was down to callibration, not directly controlled by firmware.

Peter

[HDPete]

Originally Posted by Avi

Peter

Is it only visible on 100IRE images ? I know shading can affect LCD/SXRD/DILA and it may vary from unit to unit. Also have you tried the unit at home mounted right way up/or the image uninverted out of interest ?

If you're hot happy I would not accept the unit.

AVI

AVI,

I haven't managed to check the inversion settings yet. Will try over the next couple of days and report back.

Can others also report their level of firmware - just in case there is anything different in the f/w versions relating to this problem. Perhaps GaryB can offer some feedback and whether or not this is a known fault that can be rectified via firmware?

Pete

[Avi]

Originally Posted by HDPete

AVI,

I haven't managed to check the inversion settings yet. Will try over the next couple of days and report back.

Can others also report their level of firmware - just in case there is anything different in the f/w versions relating to this problem. Perhaps GaryB can offer some feedback and whether or not this is a known fault that can be rectified via firmware?

Pete

Pete

IIRC I'm on FW 061 following a recent update. I can't say I've really noticed any banding and we watched Star Wars Empire Strikes Back and Narnia yesterday that both have extensive bright snow scenes. I'm using an ND2 filter but I don't think that will make a difference.

AVI

[HDPete]

Cheers Avi,

How do you check the firmware level, and where do you get any update from?

Pete

[Ivojo]

Originally Posted by HDPete

Cheers Avi,

How do you check the firmware level, and where do you get any update from?

Pete

This is included in the documentation for the firmware upgrade to check versions:

Either on the remote or the projector press Up, down, right, left, Enter (you may have to attempt this a few times to get the timing right). The firmware version is displayed along with some other details. Press exit on the remote.

[GaryB]

Originally Posted by HDPete

AVI,

I haven't managed to check the inversion settings yet. Will try over the next couple of days and report back.

Can others also report their level of firmware - just in case there is anything different in the f/w versions relating to this problem. Perhaps GaryB can offer some feedback and whether or not this is a known fault that can be rectified via firmware?

Pete

I've not noticed this on any HD1s I've seen (and I've seen around 60-70 of them so far). I looked at what I think was your original unit and I couldn't see it on there either. Our main screen was away last week at the CEDIA show. It's back now so I'll take another look at a few.

I don't think firmware would have any effect but it's worth updating to V61 anyway.