[Mark Techer]

I thought I would share my experiences with the two JVC DiLA projectors RS10 (HD350) and RS20 (HD750).

DiLA stands for Digital Light Amplifier and this technology is one of two "refective" technology projectors on the market. The other is of course DLP. However, unlike a single chip DLP, DiLA has 3 chips (RGB similar to LCD) and therefore has no need for a colour wheel. The fact that the DiLA is reflective means that the black levels can be close to the definition - black is the absence of visible light.

When the earlier models (HD1/RS1, HD100/RS2)came out, the blacks were hailed as CRT blacks. I would not go that far, however, even the RS10 with a CR of 30,000:1 does produce some of the deepest blacks I have seen from a digital, lamp driven device at the price point. I use an RS10 for my lens testing (I own a DLP) and I recently demonstrated the blacks by projecting a white grid, black back ground test pattern (found on the JPK DVE HD BASICS BD) and simply casting a shadow with my hand. It is impressive when the black of the shadow almost matches the black in the test pattern. My DLP with Dark Chip 2 does not do this and why I do not test my lense with it.

The key differences between the RS10 and RS20 are as follows:
RS10: CR 30,000:1

RS20: CR 50,000:1
THX viewing mode
Extra inputs and 12V trigger

Both projectors have user selectable colour temperatures and where all video is mastered at D6500K, so the playback should be at 6500K as well. Both projectors have a 6500K setting, however, I have measure several using a colorimeter and the colour temp has not been a true 6500K. Luckily, both offer ‘custom’ settings and with the right gear (and some patience) you can get these machines to a true 6500K on screen and they look gorgeous. When I do this, I prefer to measure and adjust to the reflected light off the screen as that is the light you are watching, not what is coming out of the lens. I would have to assume that the 6500K setting provided by JVC is direct light based only. The point to remember here is that screens vary from manufacture to manufacture and some do not reflect equal amounts of RGB, therefore grey (grey in video is equal amounts of RGB) can not be true. And as all video is based on a grey scale, if the colour of grey is anything but grey at 6500K, then all of the colour program watched will also be off.

The THX Veiwing mode simply locks the colour temp to the factory setting of 6500K. This is great if you didn’t know what colour temp you’re supposed to view video at.

Both machines have a 2x zoom with both H and V lens shift making installation easy. Something JVC have done which I thought is neat is to use the same holes as the adjustable feet for mounting. You simply unscrew the 4 feet, and instert m5 bolts for attachment to a mount.

Both devices also have “V-Stretch” which is needed for Constant Image Height for use with an anamorphic lens.
The primary lens is recessed and has an electric door that covers and protects the lens when the unit is in standby mode.
The remote is feature packed and AR changes can be made on the fly, however CIH users must go into the menu to turn V-stretch on or off. Other projectors allow this to be done from a single push of a button.

Overall, I have been very impressed with these units and with the new models coming out this year, the prices of the RS10 and 20 have fallen. I am hoping to upgrade my DLP to one of the these DiLAs soon.

[Brian]

Nice review Mark, thanks!

[philip]

Yeah, good review. If I'll need one I will buy RS10 . That is cheaper than RS20.. Good job.