[Liam @ Prog AV]

I agree with Gary. It's almost a cheap trick that doesn't belong in a high-end solution like the JVC!!

[Rich H]

Well I sure would have loved memory zoom on my RS20! I use a variable image size with automated 4 way masking, so memory zoom settings on my projector would have been the cherry on top. (As it is I prefer my set up to an A-lens/CIH set up anyway).

Still, it's not something I bemoan since I wouldn't have expected JVC to offer zoom memory and I'm getting along fine without it.

[raigraphixs]

Here is a selection off photos with a JVC750 + Carada Criterion Series 110” diagonal 16:9 screen. The projector with the screen is awesome. These pics were taken first time, some better than others, and not very straight, hence the bottom right corner is out, as the projector is not mounted central to the screen yet, and do not necessary reflect the image quality which looks better than in the photos. Even better if the walls were darken with black material.


Wish i could keep it, but the Carada screen does not fit my room plan, as its in front off a window, my plan to move it when not in use was a silly one, due to the size. Its been packed away now, and will be up for sale at a huge discount due to me badly scuffing both top corner sides off the trim on the wall which can be masked with small black material patch, not noticeable from front.

Click to enlarge

[mooro1973]

I went up to T.L.C. Broadcast this afternoon, to see the 750.

Bare in mind I am coming from the Panasonic PTAE-500.

John showed me into the projector room with 3m 2.35:1 screen, and fired up the J.V.C.

Wow! Amazing. Just like being at the cinema. I was completely blown away by the image.

I saw loads of test screens, and tried very hard to see motion smear. On one test shot, of cars moving across the screen, the number plate detail did blur, but t.b.h. I could not see it in any movie action scenes.

I also thought the convergence was ever so slightly out, but both John and Andy assure me that what I have seen is actually better than on their 950, and well within tolerances. Again no real impact whilst watching films.

The black level is incredible. I really don't see the point in an anamorphic lens now, since the zoomed 2.35 image looked superb, and bars invisible, and this on a 3m screen (mine will be just over 2m so brighter).

One unfortunate result of my visit is I have lost my audio virginity. In the projector room were in wall Wafer-2's, which sounded brilliant, but out of the price range I really want to pay. Andy then took me to listen to some Pioneer Kuro's which I am interested in now, especially after listening to the Kef's. I though these sounded pleasant, but seemed to lack punch, and some of the higher sounds. I am a bit gutted that I have now developed even a rudimentary audio taste since more monies must be spent.

I would also publicly like to thank John and Andy for their time. They answered all questions, showed me examples of every source material I asked for, then took the time to set up different speaker combos for my auditory pleasure. Even though I probably kept them behind a bit after work, they did not make me feel unwelcome. So top marks for customer service to both of them.

They do however know how to defeat the haggle, and though I managed some movement, it was nothing that would register on the richter scale!

I still think the 750 is a steal at approx. £3,600, however.

Now to do the cinema room!

[KelvinS1965]

Sounds like you had a great time Mooro1973. Always tempting to go to a good store and see all the other goodies (especially the ones you weren't intending to look at ). Did you take your AE500 with you to compare? Sometimes seeing a projector in a very good room will improve the picture anyway (though not enough in this case probably), plus it gives you a base line to work from. Equally putting a HD750 in a light coloured room (I've no idea what TLC's demo room is like BTW) might be dissapointing if you've demo'd it in a good room.

Interesting thing re the motion blur: Some say that putting the sharpness and/or detail enhance too far causes artifacts that are apparent during motion, so worth knowing about, worth trying. It might explain why I haven't noticed it on mine as I left both settings at or near default as I could see ringing on test patterns if I raised the settings.

PS. If you think it looked good zoomed, you should see one through a decent lens.

[RedMatt17]

Wow, does this mean there are still 750's still out there? I have been trying to find one, but clearly haven't been looking in the correct places.

Is the consensus here that everyone would take a 750 over a 950?

[mooro1973]

Originally Posted by KelvinS1965

Sounds like you had a great time Mooro1973. Always tempting to go to a good store and see all the other goodies (especially the ones you weren't intending to look at ). Did you take your AE500 with you to compare? Sometimes seeing a projector in a very good room will improve the picture anyway (though not enough in this case probably), plus it gives you a base line to work from. Equally putting a HD750 in a light coloured room (I've no idea what TLC's demo room is like BTW) might be dissapointing if you've demo'd it in a good room.

Interesting thing re the motion blur: Some say that putting the sharpness and/or detail enhance too far causes artifacts that are apparent during motion, so worth knowing about, worth trying. It might explain why I haven't noticed it on mine as I left both settings at or near default as I could see ringing on test patterns if I raised the settings.

PS. If you think it looked good zoomed, you should see one through a decent lens.

I didn't take the Panny, as I didn't really expect it to even come close. T.b.h., as soon as I saw the J.V.C. on this beautiful 3m screen, I knew that in the last five years digital has come on leaps and bounds and is no longer the poor brother of c.r.t. (I started with a Barco Graphics 800 that I used to post about on here circa 2000 is this burn in? ). Thanks for the tip re: sharpness. It will probably be six weeks or so until the projector gets used now as I have to start and then finish in the garage!

The zoom/anamorphic debate is an interesting one. There seems to be zealots on both sides! Andy was saying that even with their decent German lens, there is still distortion of the image, and a slight softening. Of course this is versus the loss of brightness with zooming.

I "may" try one later on. Perhaps you'd like to bring yours around for a demo when I've finished the garage conversion ;-)

RedMatt: that is the last of T.L.C.'s current batch (sold two today), but I think on the page before this a dealer hints he has some 750's - good luck in the hunt - it is worth it! Tony said today that side by side the 950 had even blacker blacks, but we discussed Phil Hinton's findings that refute this, and concluded they may have been comparing a very good 950 versus a not so good 750. Or perhaps Phil had a rubbish 950!

[KelvinS1965]

As you're just down the road in Windsor I'm sure we could sort something out for me to bring my Isco over. My setup is a very long throw, which really maximises the use of a lens and means I get maximum contrast from my HD350 due to using it's minimum zoom.

I'd been zooming for 2.5 years and only bought the lens as a way to really try it out to see for myself, as it was a fair price secondhand I knew I'd be able to sell it on if it didn't work for me, but I've kept it. Each to his own though and I'd understand either route...my recent 'discovery' has been using masking, so that's my new hot topic.

There does seem to be only small improvements with the new range. The focus is in smaller steps, which I would like as I find mine a bit 'jumpy' sometimes, when it overshoots the 'sweet spot'. The thread on MTF on here and over on AVSForum shows there is an improvement over the HD750 to the HD990 (they actually used RS20 and RS35, but these are equivalent) in terms of MTF results. However, I've yet to read any review that measures more than a modest increase in contrast (Cine4home measured the HD550 at 32,000:1 up from 30,000:1 of the HD350 as an example). Of course the HD990 will be higher than the HD750, but that should be expected, plus they are more than twice the price of the last HD750s anyway.

I think I'll look out for a cheap HD950/990 in a few years time, when they aren't flavour of the month anymore, plus I don't need the CMS in the meantime, as I have a neat little external device for this as of today.

[RedMatt17]

Thanks Mooro. I'll take a look, and see if I can find one elsewhere. Congratulations on finding yours!

If I can't find one, I might be "forced" to get a 950. I'd need to save a little for that though, unless they are going to drop in price any time soon.

[Gonda]

Can somebody explain the meaning of "Lens Shutter" in Service Menu?

[GaryB]

It determines whether or not the Lens Cover closes in Hide mode.

[Tight Git]

Originally Posted by RedMatt17

Wow, does this mean there are still 750's still out there? I have been trying to find one, but clearly haven't been looking in the correct places.

Is the consensus here that everyone would take a 750 over a 950?

(1) Kent Home Cinema website says they have one left (but obviously check).

(2) Yes, because it's only a marginal improvement for a couple of grand!

Good luck.

[Rip]

I have been wanting to upgrade to a 1080p projector for a while now & have allways been impressed with JVC however, I'v been looking at prices online & im confused about the model numbers & what order they are in as regard to quality as prices vary a lot from site to site. I know there HD1, HD100, HD350, HD750, HD950 & i think i may have seen other model numbers too.
Can someone please put them in order of quality & price i should expect to pay, thx

[Liam @ Prog AV]

The lens shutter mode means literally that, whether hide shuts it or not. One of the new features of the newer projectors (HD550/950/990) is an RS232 command to discretely open and shut the lens cover while the unit is on.

In response to RIP the generations go thusly:

HD1 / HD100 came first. Centrally positioned lens and a wider body than the others are the easiest way to determine.

HD350 and HD750 replaced this. HD750 brought THX certification to the party. Lens and DLA chip dramatically improved on previous generation, video processing changed from Gennum to HQV, new smaller unit with much lower running noise and integrate lens shutter. Recessed non-central lens position caused us a little blip with scope lenses but schneider caught up (Panamorph and Isco not affected). CMS and gamma adjustment appears among other features.

HD550 and HD950 continue the same line. Improvements to lens and chip again but not as dramatic as before. HD950 adds ISF to it's THX badge and simplifies the CMS menu over before. All models get clearmotion drive and IVTC (i.e. enhancements to the HQV processing), some new colour modes the personally I don't use, new remote with some more discrete IR codes. You can see the HD950 better the HD750, but at the price you can get the HD750 for at moment it's kind of a no-brainer.

HD990 is now added to the lineup which is like a turbocharged HD950. If you thought the HD950 could do good blacks and shadow detail you should see the HD990. This thing can recreate a black hole. I thought I was going to get sucked into the screen and reduced to a singularity.

Oh and we have two HD750s left

[Rip]

Ok thanks for that, i still see the HD1 & HD100 for sale so its best to avoid them then it seems.

I think i will only be able to manage to afford a HD350 but it sounds like a good PJ but a lot of places online say its no longer availabe, why is this if its a currant model?

[GaryB]

Originally Posted by Rip

Ok thanks for that, i still see the HD1 & HD100 for sale so its best to avoid them then it seems.

I think i will only be able to manage to afford a HD350 but it sounds like a good PJ but a lot of places online say its no longer availabe, why is this if its a currant model?

The HD350 is now discontinued and replaced by the HD550 but there may be one or two left in dealers. If you can track one down it's a real bargain at the end of range price.

The HD1/100 may be a couple of years old now, but they still represent a decent second hand buy at the right price.

[Rip]

Ok thanks, i see the HD550 for sale at £3119 delivered, is that a good price, or should i be able to i pick one up cheaper?

[GaryB]

Originally Posted by Rip

Ok thanks, i see the HD550 for sale at £3119 delivered, is that a good price, or should i be able to i pick one up cheaper?

That looks like a pretty good price but I would say with something like this, price shouldn't be the be all and end all. Demo facilities, good Service backup, etc. mean a lot. It's worth checking with Liam and the other AVF advertisers. If you can get it from them, I would suggest that you do as all of the advertisers on here are generally acknowledged to be jolly decent chaps by those who have dealt with them.

[Rip]

I'v been reading the review of the HD550 on here & one of the cons it says for the PJ is
"CMD system is flawed and doesn’t work with 1080/24 material and looks odd with any film based content"
What does that mean exactly, is it worth worrying about??

Also, i have been using a Sony VPL HS20 for a few years now, will the JVC HD550 be a big step up from that, what improvements will i notice?

Also been considering the panasonic PTAE4000, is the HD550 a lot better than it?

[Liam @ Prog AV]

Yep from the HS20 you are looking at a truly massive upgrade. Resolution, brightness, contrast, black level, video processing, optical quality, all are improved from a HS20. The AE4000 would be better than the HS20, but it isn't in JVC league at all. Plus it's LCD technology like your HS20 which to try get these bigger contrast figures uses dynamic picture processing which adds more artefacts and shifts gamma mid-movie. I'm really not a fan of any of this dynamic processing guff. The JVC has a truly incredible native contrast ratio, the rest of the competition has to resort to after-processing to try keep up

[Boxinghris]

I got my DLA-HD750 a few days ago and after a load of hassle with the mount finally got the whole shebang up and running last night - absolutely love it.

First question of what will probably be a few over the next few weeks/months, is how do i select the THX mode?

On the remote are buttons for all the other modes to switch bewteen on the fly, but then when I want to return to THX I have to get up the OSM and select it that way.

Now I'm sure it's me that's missing something very obvious here and re-reading the manual would probably enlighten me (it didn't last night), but can someone save me the chin-scratching please?

[Liam @ Prog AV]

Picture mode in the settings menu. You have various presets and the last one is THX

[Tight Git]

No, you haven't missed anything.

The only way to select THX mode is through the menu.

How on earth JVC managed to omit a THX button on the remote is beyond me.

Having said that, I always keep to THX mode, so it's not a problem...

Fabulous PJ though, isn't it?

[Liam @ Prog AV]

LOL exactly! It's the kind of thing you set once hardly worth putting a button on the remote!!!!

[Rip]

Originally Posted by Liam @ Prog AV

Yep from the HS20 you are looking at a truly massive upgrade. Resolution, brightness, contrast, black level, video processing, optical quality, all are improved from a HS20. The AE4000 would be better than the HS20, but it isn't in JVC league at all. Plus it's LCD technology like your HS20 which to try get these bigger contrast figures uses dynamic picture processing which adds more artefacts and shifts gamma mid-movie. I'm really not a fan of any of this dynamic processing guff. The JVC has a truly incredible native contrast ratio, the rest of the competition has to resort to after-processing to try keep up

Ok thx, do you think the HD750 is worth the extra money over the HD550?

I'v been told the HD750 has been discontinued so to answer my own question i guess not.

[Liam @ Prog AV]

If you can find one then at that discount level yes. Not the latest tweaks of the new design (120Hz, IVTC for 24p etc etc), but for the price you are getting a 50,000:1 LCOS chip and THX and a CMS. Not sure if there are any left anywhere now we've been getting calls from people who spent a little too long sat on the fence LOL!!

[music]

Richer Sounds, Holborn, London had a couple of HD350's (in black) left two or three weeks ago I think. Price around £2,300 or £2,400.

[Liam @ Prog AV]

Snap that up as fast as you can cos now it's posted online it will be gone by Saturday eve I bet!!!

[danny daniell]

I recently purchased new 350 and am currently trying to figure out which screen would suit it best. I will be sitting approx 4m from the screen,the ceiling height being 2.8m. The screen will need to be motorised and fixed to the ceiling. It will sit inside a bay window,the maximum width 0f the casing can be no more than 2.36m. If anyone can advise me,would be greatly appreciated,

Dan

[Liam @ Prog AV]

I would recommend the VuTec Lectric I 45" x 80" using VuFlexPro material. Comes in around £1,400, is a good 1.3 gain white material with tensioned backing so remains ripple free without having to use up more width with a tab-tension system.

Otherwise Beamax is a common choice. Beamax 10015 has a 226cm long case and a viewable image area of 210x118cm. It's quoted as a 1.5 gain white but is more like 1.2, not as uniform as the VuFlexPro and not as stiff but almost half the price at around £800. This is a more standard electric drop down screen, not tab-tensioned or anything.

In both cases you will need to cost additional remote controls or triggers if required