The Best 1080p Resolution Home Theater Projectors of 2008

Sony VPL-VW60 vs. JVC DLA-RS2

Overview
Image Quality
General Performance
Warranty
Summary, Pros, Cons

In the review of the VW60, I mentioned at one point, that it might be considered a "poor man's" JVC RS2. We'll explore that, and other aspects of these two projectors.

Links to additional one-on-one comparisons:

Panasonic PT-AE2000U vs. Sanyo PLV-Z2000
Mitsubishi HC4900 vs. Panasonic PT-AE2000U
Sanyo PLV-Z2000 vs. Mitsubishi HC4900
Epson Home Cinema 1080 UB vs. JVC DLA-RS1x
Sony VPL-VW40 vs. Epson Home Cinema 1080 UB
Epson Home Cinema 1080 UB vs. Panasonic PT-AE2000U
BenQ W5000 vs. Sony VPL-VW40
JVC DLA-RS2 vs. Sony VPL-VW60

The Basics: What is similar about these two home theater projectors - features?

Above: JVC DLA-RS2 (left), and the Sony VPL-VW60 (right)

Both of these projectors are three panel LCoS technology. The VW60 relys on a dynamic iris to help it achieve its best possible black levels, while the JVC DLA-RS2 manages even better black levels, without gimmicks.

Both have two HDMI inputs, and both support HDMI 1.3. The JVC RS2, however supports Deep Color - one of those "future" improvements we can expect on Blu-ray discs, for better color handling. The Sony, unfortunately, does not.

Both have very good remotes. I like both remotes, about evenly. If I had to pick one, it would be the JVC. The Sony does not have discrete buttons for each source, so to change from one to another source, the JVC remote has the advantage.

Projector Warranties

Since were talking hardware right now, I should mention the projector warranties. Both projectors come with a two years, parts and labor warranty. Talk about a tie!

Time to consider the differences:

Projector Sharpness

Neither projector would be considered one of the sharper ones. This year, the bar for sharpness has moved up, but only slightly. Both of these would be described as a bit softer than the sharpest projectors out there. Both, however, pass my test, as being more than acceptable. I might notice, that you are more likely to notice sharpness differences when viewing HDTV source material that was shot with a 1080p video camera, than on movies, which have been converted from film. This is due to the film itself, having its own sharpness (and film grain) issues.

As regular readers of our reviews know, I like to sit close - barely 12 feet from a 128" diagonal screen. When I was choosing my RS1, sharpness was a factor. I decided at the time, that it would be sharp enough. I was right. The Sony VPL-VW60 and the JVC DLA-RS2 are, for all practical purposes, about equally sharp, and the same sharpness as the RS1. While any tiny improvement, of course, is always appreciated, both of these, make the cut.

Review continues below this advertisement.

Out of the Box Projector Performance

The JVC DLA-RS2 offers excellent out of the box color performance. Not perfect, of course, and it can be improved, but, most people would be most impressed, without any adjustment.

By comparison, the Sony VPL-VW60 leaves much to be desired. I simply described out of the box performance, in the VW60 review as "not good". The Sony definitely needs work. A basic "end user" calibration disc can get you a long way to where you want to be. That said, for those lacking "skills", I'd recommend a professional calibration, to get the most out of the Sony.

The same could be said for the JVC. A professional calibration will still get you the best results, although, because of the much better out of the box performance, there isn't much to do, and I suspect that if you are doing the calibration yourself, you are far more likely to get where you want to be, with the JVC.

Black Levels and Shadow Details

Despite the excellent black level performance of the Sony, it is definitely a cut below the JVC projector. At its best, on the right type of dark scene, the Sony, with its dynamic iris engaged, approaches what the JVC does naturally, but doesn't equal it. On scenes that are a mix of very dark and bright, the JVC holds a commanding lead.

Image below, captured from the JVC DLA-RS2, from The Fifth Element (Blu-ray)

In the quest for the best black levels (this side of CRT projectors), so far, the JVC DLA-RS2, is a class of one. The Sony, overall, is more competitive with the older JVC RS1 (and we presume, the RS1x), than the RS2. Overall, I think that the Sony is roughly more in line with the RS1, and I'd probably still give the advantage to that lower priced JVC.

Projector Brightness

These two are not far apart, but the JVC RS2, is definitely the brightness winner in best mode, while the Sony has the advantage in "brightest". After adjustments, in best mode, the JVC bested the Sony by about 10% (537 lumens, compared to 493). In brightest modes, it's the Sony with 723 lumens compared with 591 lumens for the JVC, a difference of about 20%.

In brightest mode, however, the JVC, though a bit dimmer, does produce the slightly better overall color balance.

Both of these projectors can push out some additional lumens in brightest modes, if you are willing to give up some color accuracy.

Overall Picture Quality

Once calibrated, both projectors produce an excellent overall image. The Sony, with more color management, can be a bit more perfect than the JVC in having individual colors being dead on. (such as getting the red correct in the American flag), but both, overall, are capable of excellent color temperature accuracy. Skin tones on both are extremely good after calibration.

Image above, from Casino Royale, shown on the Sony VPL-VW60

The win has to go to the JVC DLA-RS2, for overall picture quality, as the difference in black level performance gives it an advantage that offsets any minor weaknesses it has, compared to the Sony VPL-VW60.

The JVC's support for Deep Color, also makes it more "future-proof", and once significant content is available with Deep Color, it should further separate the two projectors.

JVC DLA-RS2, and Sony VPL-WV60 Cinemascope and Aspect Ratios

Both projectors support an anamorphic lens (something than neither of their less expensive siblings do without an outboard processor).

Projector Pricing

No comparison here. The JVC is definitely, significantly more expensive. With reports of the Sony VW60 being now available for under $4000, that puts it a good, couple of thousand dollars below the JVC RS2, which lists for $7995, and is typically sold by local dealers who discount very little. Still, there is some online pricing action on the JVC, so that a significant discount can be found, but that still leaves that couple thousand dollar difference.

Projector Value

These two have to be considered close to a tie. However, the goal in this price range is focused more on the performance side, than the pricing side. So, while the Sony gives you a bit less for less money, most people shopping in this (large) price range, I think, will choose the JVC as a better value proposition, IF, they can afford it. If you demand the JVC's level of performance, it currently has no truly close competition, whereas the Sony does face serious competition from the JVC RS1 and RS1x, as well as less expensive projectors like the Epson Home and Pro Cinema 1080 UB projectors.

Review continues below this advertisement.

Art's Two Cents

If you are on a quest for the best picture in an under $10,000 projector, the JVC is your choice. The big price difference, between it, and the Sony, however, will have a significant number of folks happily accepting a "second best" type product. I should note, that I also consider the RS1/RS1x at least the equal to the Sony VW60, those three are close enough to be considered the same class of performance, just a step down from the RS2.

I'm still kicking around the idea of upgrading my RS1 to the RS2. I'd love the extra black level performance, but the RS1 has the extra lumens to comfortably work with my 128" diagonal Firehawk screen, whereas the RS2, though acceptable filling my screen when reviewing it, I think will come up a little underpowered as the lamp dims with a lot of hours on it. (Still thinking about it, though.)

The Sony VPL-VW60, is, however, an excellent projector, with many loyal fans, including hard core enthusiasts and purists. It should satisfy most critical viewers that can't afford the big bucks for the JVC DLA-RS2

Click on these links to read more in-depth comparisons.

Panasonic PT-AE2000U vs. Sanyo PLV-Z2000
Mitsubishi HC4900 vs. Panasonic PT-AE2000U
Sanyo PLV-Z2000 vs. Mitsubishi HC4900
Epson Home Cinema 1080 UB vs. JVC DLA-RS1x
Sony VPL-VW40 vs. Epson Home Cinema 1080 UB
Epson Home Cinema 1080 UB vs. Panasonic PT-AE2000U
BenQ W5000 vs. Sony VPL-VW40
JVC DLA-RS2 vs. Sony VPL-VW60

Overview
Image Quality
General Performance
Warranty
Summary, Pros, Cons