[Phil Hinton]

JVC give AVForums exclusive access to their new DILA projector, the DLA-HD350. This projector will be released in October in the UK and will sit above the HD1 in the product range. There will also be a second model, the DLA-HD750 which is discussed within the video.

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On a cold and rainy summer’s day – hasn’t that been true for the entire summer? - AVForums were invited to attend a special ‘secret’ launch event for project Andromeda. No, not a space launch as the name might suggest, but rather the code name for JVC’s new DILA projectors and their first unveiling to the UK’s AV Press.

AVForums was granted exclusive access to the new projector on show for the day, the DLA-HD350 which will sit just above the DLA-HD1 in the JVC range. I was allowed to film and play with this one of a kind engineering sample to see what new features JVC had added and what the performance would be like. I have to say that no other member of the press got such a close and detailed look – so AVForums members are getting the exclusive.

Let’s get the main details out of the way. There is a full 10 minute video featuring the DLA-HD350, its menu system and an interview with Steve Carter, on the AVForums.TV video page HERE.

There will be two models added to the JVC HD world line up this year, the high level entry is the HD350 and the new premium model will be the HD750. The companies existing models will stay as they are, and are not being discontinued. So the full line up will look like this;
• DLA-HD1
• DLA-HD350
• DLA-HD100
• DLA-HD750

Both models (350 and 750) feature new high dispersion lens assemblies which it is claimed improves detail levels and stops unwanted light from escaping the optics system. Added to this is a new fully remote controlled lens shift assembly with the added benefit of a keystone adjustment for awkward installation positions and a remote focus function. There is also a lens appature control for adjusting the brightness according to the environment the projectors will be used in.

The main features that I wanted to see added to the JVC projectors were full colour temperature adjustment and a colour management system. Thankfully both models now come with the colour temperature and full gamma controls which should allow for accurate set up of the greyscale. Only the high end DLA-HD750 will feature the fully 3D colour management (RGBCYM) controls for the primary and secondary colours. I found it a little disappointing that the DLA-HD350 won’t have this feature, especially given that much cheaper models already come with this feature on board, and certainly most of the JVC’s competition; from the likes of Epson, Panasonic and Sony also have this. I get the feeling the ball may have been dropped again by JVC in not realising how important the enthusiast and custom install market find these options. Indeed the one complaint I have always had with the JVC machines (and forgave as they were MK1 variants) was the large gamut and no way to get it looking accurate. At least the high end model will have this feature, so maybe next year with enough nagging and prodding we can have it at all price levels.











The other slight worries for me, (before seeing the model in action) were the claims of an even wider colour gamut in these new models. How much more green error does JVC want to give us! But thankfully I can relax as the out of the box settings and resultant picture quality was not bad at all.
Other new features for these models are fully redesigned menu screens which are easy to navigate and a new remote control. There is also now a full onscreen gamma correction system which allows separate RGB adjustment as well as preset options.






Another big change for both new models is the inclusion of the silicon optix HQV Reon VX processor. This is stated as improving the picture processing over the older models and includes 10 bit 4:4:4 signal processing as well as a number of noise reduction options. Regulars will know that I rated the Mitsubishi HC6000 very highly in a recent review for its processing power, and it should be interesting to see how these new JVC model look in this regard.

Another welcome feature available on both the HD350 and HD750 is the V stretch mode for use with an anamorphic lens. I also understand that we may see a new lens assembly unit for use with both projectors, like that featured in our recent report on the HD100. You can see a video of that HERE.

And finally the biggest, most noticeable improvement to the new DILA machines is the actual case design. It’s more compact and slimmer than the older machines and the gloss black finish also adds an air of designer chic. The size of the unit looks much more manageable and wife friendly (almost identical to Sony’s VW60) and the new electronic lens cap is also a nice new feature.


The picture performance was a hard area to accurately judge at this point. The machine being used was an engineering sample so it wouldn’t be fair to try and give a complete opinion in picture terms. I also didn’t have any test equipment with me to try and sneak some readings of the gamut, but Steve Carter did have discs which I use as reference points in reviews. This proved to be quite useful and as the other members of the press were still travelling to the event, I took the time to catch some of the best known scenes from the HD DVD and DVD discs there.

Feeding the HD350 with DVD at 576i provided the most pleasing playback image I have seen for a while on an HD projector. The upscaling from the HQV processing provided a clean and detailed image with excellent gradation in chapter 15 of the Gladiator DVD. Blu-ray and HD DVD also looked very clean and noise free with clips from Fifth Element and Transformers. As you would expect black levels were very good indeed and there was the usual 3D picture depth we have become used to with JVC’s projectors. However as with previous models the gamut could do with taming slightly but as I didn't have time to try and play with the settings I will reserve judgement for our review sample when it arrives.

The DLA-HD350 is slated as being available in October, with the DLA-HD750 following on in November but at this moment there are no prices yet known. However, as the HD350 will sit between the HD1 and HD100 that should give you a good idea of where it’s likely price will be. As for the DLA-HD750, it’s going to be above the HD100, we just don’t know how high yet.

Below is the attached PDF of the press release.

I will also update this thread when we get pricing and more details or further info I pick up at IFA where this projector will be officially launched in a few hours time.


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[MIB]

Great Video Phil

Fantastic to see AVForums getting exclusive access from top manufacturers

[Hooky]

looks pretty good to me I cant wait to see these new projectors in action. Does anyone know if JVC will have any retailers or installers with these models on demo?

[ReTrO]

There will certainly be demo units on show at dealers, such as PJ where I work. No firm dates on availability yet, so this is a 'more to follow' time.

[JagoPlasma]

PDF?

cant wait for these to come out

[Stuart Wright]

Originally Posted by JagoPlasma

PDF?

Now attached.

[Alexlux]

Thanks a lot, we need it.