The JVC DLA-X90R measures slightly warm with dark images, and gets progressively cooler with brighter images. After calibration (in the User 1 picture setting), the JVC tracked near-perfectly, averaging only 14 kelvins from D6500 across the grayscale range.
Every year for the past few, JVC has released a new line of projectors that subtly but meaningfully improves upon its predecessor. I think you could make a reasonable analogy to Porsche: a little expensive, extremely high-performing, and always improving. You’re not paying extra here for Faux4, so whether its benefits are real isn’t really a concern. Its benefits concerning potential screen size or seating distance are cool, but that isn’t what brings the boys to the yard. Add whatever icing you want, but JVC projectors like the DLA-X90R have the best contrast ratio of any projector you can buy, and as such, they create some of the best-quality images possible in your home.
Color temperature (THX setting before/ User 1 setting after calibration)
20-IRE: 6,408 K/6,496 K
30-IRE: 6,598 K/6,499 K
40-IRE: 6,697 K/6,508 K
50-IRE: 6,832 K/6,521 K
60-IRE: 6,909 K/6,539 K
70-IRE: 6,948 K/6,525 K
80-IRE: 6,964 K/6,536 K
90-IRE: 6,920 K/6,500 K
100-IRE: 6,893 K/6,499 K
Primary Color Point Accuracy vs. SMPTE HD Standard
|
Color |
Target X |
Measured X |
Target Y |
Measured Y |
|
Red |
0.64 |
0.63 |
0.33 |
0.33 |
|
Green |
0.30 |
0.31 |
0.60 |
0.59 |
|
Blue |
0.15 |
0.15 |
0.06 |
0.06 |
In the THX picture setting (and the forced THX color profile and 6500 K color temperature), the DLA-X90R measures slightly warm with dark images, and gets progressively cooler with brighter images. It averages 297 kelvins off the D6500 standard. After calibration (in the User 1 picture setting), the JVC tracked near-perfectly, averaging only 14 kelvins from D6500 across the grayscale range.
Though the JVC has an advanced color management menu with settings that indeed change its color points, it didn’t actually allow for improving them. As such, the colors were slightly inaccurate, and slightly worse than on the DLA-X7 model I tested last year, with undersaturated green and red.
Contrast ratio was excellent. In the High lamp mode on a 1.0-gain, 102-inch 16:9 screen, the JVC produced 21.07 ftL with a 100 IRE full-screen white and 0.0015 with 0 IRE, for a contrast ratio of 14,047:1. In the Normal lamp mode, the numbers were 13.61 and 0.0009, for a contrast ratio of 15,122:1.
A 16-step iris control is available to constrict light output, but as it merely limits absolute brightness, I’m not sure why you would use it.
There’s no overscan, and the projector can resolve a 1-pixel on/off pattern at 1080p. There was minimal fan noise. —G.M.
To great many of us JVC is a non company. If you live in a state like michigan,try to see a Jvc projector. I no that JVC want to stay Hi end,and with no system to be able to see or sell them in a large part of the USA they will. The last e-mail I had from Jvc they said I can try to call the east coast manger,to see if he could help. Please deal with Projectors we can see and buy. Phil
I stop reading anytime someone brings up the myth of "not being able to resolve 1080p from 10 feet". I used to actually believe that. When I went to go buy my first high-def flat panel about three years ago, I thought the 1080p crowd was a bunch of sheeple and I was going to get a dirt-cheap 720p tv and laugh at their stupidity all the way to the bank. However, I went to the store and looked at my 50" 720 golden calf high on the wall (at least 10 feet away), next to a variety of 1080p TVs (all displaying the same in-store loop), and could easily make out the jagged stair-structure of objects on the 720p TV. The 1080p's on the other hand displayed smooth, jaggy-free edges. It was a no-brainer. Hell, on my current 59" 1080p TV, I can still occasionally see the pixel structure, not enough to be bothersome, but enough to make me think that even at 59" 4K would be a noticeable improvement--and in the front-projector 90-140" range? I think the difference would be night and day. Mind you, I'm talking about real 4K not this JVC wobulation crap. Don't know why they waste their time with it, frankly. It didn't work out last time and it's not going to work out this time.
However, I, for one, am eagerly awaiting 4K as the new standard.
You REALLY need to re-visit this projector! Out of the box, the 3 panels are NOT perfectly aligned. You will see a red edge on white text or possibly a blue edge. There are several settings in the "Installation" menu for pixel alignment. One mode gives you a 32 Zone (I think, I never actually counted) convergence setting with VERY fine adjustment available for fine tuning the alignment in all areas of the picture. You will notice an INCREDIBLE improvement in resolution if you adjust the projector properly! Once you have the alignment, lens shift, zoom and focus adjustments dialed in, this projector is simply mindblowing! There should really be NO CONTEST between this and the 1080p Samsung projector! With your nose right on the screen you will not be able to identify individual pixels. This projector will give you the most film like experience you will ever find in a projector in this price range. So, go adjust, then come back and tell me what you think!
P.S. I HIGHLY recommend a 4K rated screen! If you are using an off brand, or cheap screen, you are NOT seeing all that this projector has to offer!