JVC DLA-RS60 Physical Tour
02/28/2011 - Art Feierman
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JVC DLA-RS60 Physical Appearance
This DLA-RS60 projector is the first JVC we're reviewing using the new, larger box. The projector is definitely a size larger than last year's RS35, or, for that matter, all previous RS projectors which have shared the same case. We presume the larger box is there for the 3D design, and to provide a quieter, cooler solution than trying to stuff it all in the older design.
Everything is motorized, zoom, lens shift and focus. The lens, which seems to have especially good optics, is center mounted, and recessed, The otherwise shiny black piano finish of the projector is only interrupted by the gold trim ring around the lens, gold lettering, etc. Elegent looking, if large compared to most projectors that pass through here.
The JVC DLA-RS60's indicator lights are on the top front to the left of the lens (if you are facing the projector). In addition to the lens, the front also houses the front Infra-red sensor for the remote control. (There's a second one in the back.)
Four screw thread adjustable feet are located on the bottom.
This year, the input panel is on the back, not the left side (when looking from the back). Personally, I find back panels a "safer" place to put all the cabling, but in my last place, the side cabling worked great with the JVC (people entered from the other side of the room, seeing the side of the projector without the cables). In other words, which is best depends really, on your room.
There is, of course, a control panel on the projector. Here's a twist, though, JVC has placed the control panel for the DLA-RS60 (and the other new RS and X series projectors) in the center of the back panel of the projector. For most, that's just fine, but if you are shelf mounting with minimum rear space on your shelf, getting to the panel will be tough.
Of course, that's why the projectors call come with remote controls.
Control Panel
The RS60's control panel is located on the back of the projector, in the center, just to the right of the inputs and connections area.
At the top, is the Power button, with the usual press once for On, press twice for Off. Note: The JVC also has a hard power switch by the power cord.
The Input - source selection is next, followed by the OK, the Enter key.
Then comes the four arrow buttons in a diamond shaped arrangement. It would have been nice to have the OK button in the center, instead of above.
Lastly, side by side, are the Menu, and (menu) Back button. Pretty standard stuff. Of course, we all primarily rely on the remote control, and probably only use the control panel during initial setup, if at all. Especially buried on the back.
JVC DLA-RS60 and X9 Input/Output
This new case design moves the RS projectors inputs back to the rear of the projector, from the left side (looking from the rear) that the smaller case used last year, and is still used for the JVC HD250 and HD250Pro projectors.
Next up, are three RCA connectors for the component video input, followed by another RCA connector for basic composite video. Next is the S-Video input, followed by the RS-232 connector for controlling the projector directly from a computer or room controller. Finally, there is a 12 volt screen trigger for controlling a motorized screen or masking system.
The RS60 pretty much offers a standard complement of inputs and outputs, with no surprises, other than the connector for the 3D emitter (to control the active shutter glasses). As I usually say, I'd still like to see three HDMI ports, (and two separate circuits) but I've only seen that on a couple of 1080p projectors so far, usually ones with external processor boxes.
JVC DLA-RS60 Menus
JVC sticks with their rather very well laid out menu structure. I've owned JVC's for the last 3 years, and I have no complaints of note about the menus.
Since I did not do a photo shoot before returning the projector to JVC to "check it out", I'm leaving in the whole menu section from last year's RS35
There is the addition of some 3D controls, but beyond that the menus remain pretty much the same.
The RS60's menus will of course be the same as the RS50's. I've never worked with JVC's consumer group, so I don't know if the X7 and X9 projectors look exactly the same, or if they get a different treatment.
OK from last year's review (until an RS50 or RS60 show up).
Most of the image goodies are found on the Picture menu, which is the first main menu in the top right when the main menu is open.
Besides the usual Brightness, Contrast, Color Saturation, etc., the Picture menu has a Gamma sub menu, and and Advanced sub-menu which has sharpness, and the all important CMS (color management system).
This year we have the addition of CFI - creative frame interpolation, which JVC calls Clear Motion Drive, as shown on the Picture Adjust, Advanced menu on the right. JVC has placed those choices in the Advanced menu, off of the Picture menu. That's a good place for it.
The Pixel Adjust menu allows the JVC to digitally shift the red, green, or blue, data by one pixel up/down/left/right. This means that if a JVC projector has any pixel misalignment greater than 1/2 pixel diameter (it can be corrected to less than that).
This menu is the Color Temp menu for doing the basic grayscale adjustments. Sorry, I have no image to show you of the CMS, although it's fairly typical in capability.
Our final menu is the gamma control menu, which is extremely flexible
.
Not only can you adjust the gamma of white, but also you can do each primary color separately. Further, the JVC RS60 comes with Normal, and 4 additional gamma presets, plus it allows you to save three of your own custom settings. Note also, that when doing so you can adjust each IRE point separately.
I also like the grayscale provided on the screen, which gives you a good idea if you are crushing blacks or whites too much, or expanding them the way you want. A great Gamma control.
JVC DLA-RS60 Remote Control
JVC offers up a new variation of last year's remote, for the JVC DLA-RS60 and its siblings, the RS50, RS40, X3, X7, and X9. I'll have a picture up as soon as another JVC arrives.
This year's remote has some different functions, although the actual physical remote is the same, but some buttons doing different jobs than last year's version.
Basically:
Two power buttons near the top. On on the right, and Off to the left.
Then come two rows with six discrete inputs, including the 2 HDMIs.
The next row has some new functions. There is still the main lens function, but to its right, in the center, is now the Lens Aperture control instead of aspect ratio. On the right is a button to control the CFI - smooth motion - they call Clear Motion Drive.
Next row - two small round buttons, one is a Hide feature, the other is the backlight button.
Then comes the arrow keys and navigation in a round configuration, with a center OK (Enter) button. Below the ring, are Menu and Back, two more small round buttons.
Further down, are nine more buttons in 3 rows, each sporting a different Picture preset like THX, User, or Cinema.
That leaves only the last four buttons at the bottom of the JVC DLA-RS60, and, from left to right, they provide direct access to controls for:
Gamma, Color Temperature, Color Profiles, and Picture Adjust which toggles you through all the usual controls like brightness, contrast, sharpness...
Despite the claim of only 7 meters (about 22 feet) max range, We found last year's version to be a good deal more robust than that. Expect the same this year.
DLA-RS60 Lens Throw
The JVC RS60's 2:1 aspect ratio zoom lens provides plenty of placement flexibility to either ceiling or shelf mount. To fill a 100 inch diagonal, 16:9 aspect ratio screen, the front of the projector can be as close as 9 feet, 11 inches, or as far back as 20 feet, 1 inches. Using these measurements for 100 inches, you can figure out the range for any other screen size. These are the same as with last year's JVC projectors.
DLA-RS60 Lens Shift
The RS60 has lots of lens shift too, and it's motorized. For that same 100 inch screen, the projector can be placed anywhere between 15 inches above the top of your screen surface, to 15 inches below the bottom of the screen surface. Those are approximates, JVC doesn't have exact numbers in its manual, but likely it's 14 inches and change above and below.
There are some projectors with a bit more lens shift, but that's pretty good flexibility. The horizontal lens shift allows a maximum of about 30 inches to the left or right of the center point.
Remember, that the two "work together" the more vertical you use, the less horizontal is available, and vice versa. If you have maximum vertical, there is no horizontal lens shift, and so on.
Anamorphic Lens
JVC offers an anamorphic lens and motorized sled for the JVC DLA-RS60, and X9. JVC uses a Panamorph lens, and sled. If you buy it from JVC, instead of Panamorph (through your dealer, either way), you'll get a custom mounting plate for the sled, instead of a "universal" one with lots of different holes to support many projectors. It's your call. It's possible you can save money using the generic. If you are going through a local dealer, you'll spend less money on the mounting, with the JVC custom version, which might offset the higher cost. If you are doing it yourself, well, a custom plate is easier, obviously, but if you have talent with such things, I'm sure the generic plate will serve you just as well, even if it takes a bit longer.
A motorized sled is optional as there is a second anamorphic mode designed to let you watch 16:9 and 4:3, with the anamorphic lens set permanently in front of the lens.