Overall Color & Picture Quality
Classic entry level JVC, although the HD250, out of the box is a bit weaker, color wise than we're used to from JVC's lowest cost model each year.
Calibrate it and the DLA-HD250 hums. Skin tones and everything get very good, that's really very good. I didn't make it all the way up to excellent, for there is a bit too much red push which can show up in skin tones especially in bright scenes. Once again, though, I point out, "really very good" is a level of good picture quality, that I can say I've never seen on anyone's LCDTV, except maybe for some high end Pioneer Kuros and probably Runcos and SIM2 LCDTVs although those last two are first and foremost high end projector companies.
So, trust me on this, even if you are a madman with a light meter and calibration software, and can't get this JVC to the precision level of the JVC's with CMS (full color management), it's highly unlikely that any of your friends family, or even walk by strangers, will think that the JVC's color is anything less than beautiful. It takes us hard core, to complain about this level of picture quality.
JVC DLA-HD250 Projector: Performance, HDTV and Sports
Only a few complaints when it comes to changing modes - from fully darkened room, to one suitable for TV and friends. And that means at least a little intentional ambient light.
With about 850 lumens in our tuned (quick-cal) Dynamic mode (mid-point on the zoom), the DLA-HD250 is definitely less bright, at its brightest, than much of the competition. That said, it definitely also holds its own with the other LCoS projectors out there. It's the LCD and some DLP's that have a lot more brightness - up to double, and that is truly noteworthy.
I did most of my sports viewing in my theater - a really dark cave, when I want it to be, but for sports I never have it fully darkened, in fact, I usually have the back 7 down facing lights turned on (as shown), and if it's daytime, I might have the rear shutters open enough to add significant additional light. I have one side window near the screen, as you can see, that one stays mostly closed or it throws a visible amount of light onto the right side of the screen
With all of that, the JVC does take a little bit of hit, but in my room most of the light stays in the back thanks to all dark surfaces.
Not everything on TV is sports, however. I'm a big fan of music videos, and channels like Discovery HD, SyFi HD, History HD, and etc HD:
These two images from the Peter Lik (nature photographer) show on the Weather Channel HD:
As expected everything looks really good with the JVC HD250.
Missing for sports fans, though, is the CFI - creative frame interpolation, for smooth motion on sports. Missing also are an extra few hundred lumens which would definitely be appreciated. Those with smaller screens and no light issues, and may even use a calibrated best mode, with less than 700 lumens, for the best possible image for sports. and can still be pleased. But, larger screen owners, as always, who don't want to watch the superbowl with 10 friends in pitch blackness, will likely find themselves a bit thin on sufficient brightness.
That of course is true of all the LCoS projectors so far, and a good number of others. But, there are alternative projectors that can put out a respectable 1100 or even 1600 lumens, and every lumen helps. Home entertainment projectors - low cost ones more geared for family rooms than theaters, often have 1500 - 2000 lumens or more, because the manufacturers know how much harder it is in such rooms without everything dark. If sports viewing and HDTV viewing is your primary thing, and your room isn't ideal, there are likely better projectors for your consideration, even for less. This JVC can do such rooms but like many projectors isn't built with the horsepower to do them well.
As long as the room is compatible, the JVC does just fine on sports, but I'd still like to have the option of CFI, CFI can be found on projectors from under $2000. It is a bit dissapointing, since this JVC replaces an older projector - the RS15, that did have it. Oh well!
