[The News Bot]

Reviewed by Phil Hinton
The DLA-HD950 is a worthy replacement for the HD750 - if not a huge leap - it just makes thing easier to set up and get to that excellent image quality quickly. JVC do it again by introducing a reference level projector that replaces the best dynamic range and picture quality at the price with exactly the same ingredients in the new model.
Read the full review...

[Pulse1]

Many thanks for a superb review Phil Think all us 750 owners were waiting to see the improvements the 950 had to offer in terms of a fully calibrated image but with your review we can all relax now As you stated the additions are features for SD material really and the better quicker calibration controls are a welcome bonus from JVC. I'm glad i got my 750 for a great price now but once again your reviews are trustworthy and accurate which make the buying decision so much easier

[madshi]

Thanks for the review!

You mention:

- Superb Ansi-contrast performance (573:1)

How does that compare to the HD750? As far as I remember, the HD750 was considered to not be top of the class in Ansi-contrast. So has the HD950 improved here? Or did you measure similar results with the HD750, too?

Thanks!

[Phil Hinton]

Originally Posted by madshi

Thanks for the review!

You mention:

- Superb Ansi-contrast performance (573:1)

How does that compare to the HD750? As far as I remember, the HD750 was considered to not be top of the class in Ansi-contrast. So has the HD950 improved here? Or did you measure similar results with the HD750, too?

Thanks!

Yes it was very similar, give or take the expected meaurements. I'm away for a few days so will answer questions when I get back. Thanks for the comments guys.

[Tony Lazzerini]

Originally Posted by madshi

Thanks for the review!

You mention:

- Superb Ansi-contrast performance (573:1)

How does that compare to the HD750? As far as I remember, the HD750 was considered to not be top of the class in Ansi-contrast. So has the HD950 improved here? Or did you measure similar results with the HD750, too?

Thanks!

I don't have measurements but black-level and contrast do seem to be better than the 750 when we compared them.

Tony

[Pecker]

Frankly, I'm getting fed up of telling you how good these reviews are Phil, so let's just take that as standard.

Now you'll have to forgive my next comments, as I can't access YouTube from work, so I can't watch that demo you have up, so I have to go by your comments and that still - however, it appears from the still to be a section from the DVE demo material.

I think it should be pointed out that the section from the demo indicated by that still is not, in many ways, a particularly suitable clip to have used to demonstrate how capable of CMD is at handling motion in film.

For that section, if I remember rightly, the makers of DVE deliberately left the camera shutter open for longer to deliberately induce motion blur in a way you wouldn't usually see in 24fps film. I don't doubt this will have played havoc with the projector's CMD system, producing results far worse than with more normal viewing material.

Once again, thanks for the excellent review.

Steve W

[Phil Hinton]

Originally Posted by Pecker

Frankly, I'm getting fed up of telling you how good these reviews are Phil, so let's just take that as standard.

Now you'll have to forgive my next comments, as I can't access YouTube from work, so I can't watch that demo you have up, so I have to go by your comments and that still - however, it appears from the still to be a section from the DVE demo material.

I think it should be pointed out that the section from the demo indicated by that still is not, in many ways, a particularly suitable clip to have used to demonstrate how capable of CMD is at handling motion in film.

For that section, if I remember rightly, the makers of DVE deliberately left the camera shutter open for longer to deliberately induce motion blur in a way you wouldn't usually see in 24fps film. I don't doubt this will have played havoc with the projector's CMD system, producing results far worse than with more normal viewing material.

Once again, thanks for the excellent review.

Steve W

No the reason for using that clip is that its not a motion picture with big lawyers ready to clamp down on showing copyrighted material (I'm sure Joe wouldn't mind that we use the less than 30 seconds clip as a demo piece, after all thats what it is designed to be used as).

However, the clip on DVE is video based 1080/24 which is an ideal test for the CMD as that is what it is supposed to help with, why go easy on something, test it fully.

Joe Kane has never mentioned that any induced techniques where used in its creation that I have read or heard in his interviews (or commentary on the clip section), but thats by the by as the artefacts are more than just judder issues (watch the video?).

And believe me the issues are there with 1080/24 film material. It is present in exactly the same way as seen in the DVE clip just I didn't want to use heavily copyrighted material to show it (and get into trouble) maybe you should see one with CMD running? After all its only my job to find and report on these issues- not mislead them as you suggest (and CMD here is the same as other versions available) it's up to users how they deal with the information (if at all) and go and see it for themselves. I am waiting on the usual 'It must be broken or you have a faulty unit comments'.


Ok must dash

[madshi]

Originally Posted by Phil Hinton

[...] you have a faulty unit [...]

Funny enough, that's exactly the comment a german user got from his dealer and from JVC Germany, when he reported this CMD issue. They want him to send his projector in, so they can repair it.

[Pecker]

Originally Posted by Phil Hinton

No the reason for using that clip is that its not a motion picture with big lawyers ready to clamp down on showing copyrighted material...

I'm with you - good point.

Originally Posted by Phil Hinton

Joe Kane has never mentioned that any induced techniques where used in its creation that I have read or heard in his interviews (or commentary on the clip section)...

Actually he does exactly that on the commentary on DVE. I don't have it with me - I'll look it up when I get home.

Originally Posted by Phil Hinton

And believe me the issues are there with 1080/24 film material. It is present in exactly the same way as seen in the DVE clip just I didn't want to use heavily copyrighted material to show it (and get into trouble) maybe you should see one with CMD running? After all its only my job to find and report on these issues- not mislead them as you suggest (and CMD here is the same as other versions available) it's up to users how they deal with the information (if at all) and go and see it for themselves. I am waiting on the usual 'It must be broken or you have a faulty unit comments'.

Just to be clear Phil, I'm sure you're right and the problems appear on more normal 24fps film too, but I just think that selection may have amplified them.

Steve W

[Phil Hinton]

Originally Posted by Pecker

Just to be clear Phil, I'm sure you're right and the problems appear on more normal 24fps film too, but I just think that selection may have amplified them.
Steve W

I would hope so seeing as I have tested it and have reported what I have found (and using my experience with other such system to evaluate what it is doing). And I am clear that is not just DVE showing the issues. It is no better or worse than any other frame interpolation technology. Take from that what you will. And are you seriously suggesting that we should only test things with films? I'm stuggling to see what your point is here. Sorry.

Funny enough, that's exactly the comment a german user got from his dealer and from JVC Germany, when he reported this CMD issue. They want him to send his projector in, so they can repair it.

As I say its no better or worse than anyother such system, so it will be interesting to see what they say.

[Pecker]

Originally Posted by Phil Hinton

I would hope so seeing as I have tested it and have reported what I have found (and using my experience with other such system to evaluate what it is doing). And I am clear that is not just DVE showing the issues. It is no better or worse than any other frame interpolation technology. Take from that what you will. And are you seriously suggesting that we should only test things with films? I'm stuggling to see what your point is here. Sorry.



As I say its no better or worse than anyother such system, so it will be interesting to see what they say.

Phil, I don't understand why you're being so defensive.

All I said was that the way in which that portion was shot might amplify the problem slightly, whilst accepting it'll still be there on all film material.

Steve W

[madshi]

Originally Posted by Phil Hinton

As I say its no better or worse than anyother such system, so it will be interesting to see what they say.

The system in the new Epson (not out yet) is reportedly artifact free. I've personally seen it and at least in the Casino Royale scene (which is usually used to show up FI artifacts) there were no artifacts whatsoever, while last year's Epson showed artifacts in the same scene. The new Epson has a newer and more powerful FI chip on board compared to last year's model.

[thrang]

Phil

I think for some of us, the use of CMD would be for 1080i sports material. Have you tested the projector extensively for this use?

Also curious if red/green fringing can be seen in small areas of white during horizontal motion or panning, an issue (SAH?) with the current model for many. Most clearly seen in the zebra strips of a referee jersey...

Thanks

[Phil Hinton]

Originally Posted by madshi

The system in the new Epson (not out yet) is reportedly artifact free. I've personally seen it and at least in the Casino Royale scene (which is usually used to show up FI artifacts) there were no artifacts whatsoever, while last year's Epson showed artifacts in the same scene. The new Epson has a newer and more powerful FI chip on board compared to last year's model.

Yes, I have seen it too, and still wouldn't use it on film material, but thats not because of artefacts I have yet to see FI treat film correctly and not looking like sped up digital video footage.

[Phil Hinton]

Originally Posted by thrang

Phil

I think for some of us, the use of CMD would be for 1080i sports material. Have you tested the projector extensively for this use?

Also curious if red/green fringing can be seen in small areas of white during horizontal motion or panning, an issue (SAH?) with the current model for many. Most clearly seen in the zebra strips of a referee jersey...

Thanks

Yes I tested it with sports material from a 1080i/50 source and it worked ok but with the occasional artefact or hiccup when there was a lot of moving information. Funnily enough I thought it looked ok as well with CMD switched off. As we watch real football in this country (where they actually use their feet) our referee's thankfully don't look like zebras! I can't say I have noticed what you are saying with my viewing so far and as a rule when I use the HD750 for personal viewing, its for film content only.
I will however see if I can see the issues you discuss as I'm sure there will be some American Football action on ESPN HD over the weekend. (how are the Bears doing this year, they were always a result I looked for - I remember the 1985 Bears very well and saw them play the Cowboys at Wembley the same year).

[albriscoe]

What a great review Phil

I think you were spot on with the CMD comments, last week we had a 950 here on test for approx 6 hours, and I must say we all preferred the image with it turned off.

We only watched film material in 1080p/24fps but all agreed that in our eyes it produced a slightly softer image and looked better with it off.

Apart from that what a belting pj.

Once again thanks for a brilliant review, top notch as usual

cheers Al

[benmbe]

Hi Phil,

Serious Thank you for this review, as I shall be auditioning the 950 at some stage within the next year, with hopes of purchasing this finew projector.

£6000 being the most that I am willing to pay for such a product, and noticed that this projector can be had for around £5.500+ is fine.

That said' with the VAT going back to 17 1/2% by January still doesn't put me off.

Phil? you do realise how much trust and respect, you have from a number of members of this site........OF WHICH IS NOT TO BE UNDERESTIMATED AT ALL.

Well done and keep up the good work, also the rest of the team who work behind the scenes.

Respectful and Genuine Regards.

[Phil Hinton]

I have removed the ansi contrast line from the Pro section of the review while we look at how we collate this data. We want the data to be usable and at the moment looking at the results there seems to be room for improving how we achieve this. As always we value your feedback and are acting on it in this case. We have not used ansi measurements in other projector reviews up until this point and if we are to introduce them they need to be consistant, valuable and repeatable. Removing this line from the round up of the review has no bearing on the final conclusions or performance of the projector. We are listening to what you guys want and also trying to work out how to introduce valuable new data points that are consistant and repeatable. Thanks.

[Marmeldjuke]

My understanding of the way you weigh perfomance & quality product is as unbiased as it comes. With that in mind, very pleasant reading.

Just discovered that my own Epson EMP-TW2000 started changing light output sporadically on still images, so I might be looking for something new. After reading, I im just wondering if my bat cave will be worthy enough for this JVC unit.

Thank you!

[tryingtimes]

Great clip of the interpolation mess, Phil.
It just hasn't a clue what to do with those vertical railings.

I'm totally in agreement about not using the algorithms on film. The only one which interests me and that I haven't had long enough with to judge is the Dark Frame Insertion of the Sony models.
It was very also interesting to read a while back about what the HD750 was doing with the frames in order to combat the 'sample and hold' effect.

I have an HD1 and go through phases of being bothered by the artifact.