JVC DLA-RS35 Projector Calibration and Settings

Posted on February 10, 2010 by Art Feierman

JVC DLA-RS35 Projector Calibration and Settings

We calibrate each home theater that is reviewed. Normally we just do a basic grayscale calibration, but the JVC DLA-RS35 projector also benefits from having its individual colors calibrated in its Color Management System.

If you are seriously considering the RS35, and aren't doing your own calibrations, it makes sense to bring in a pro. At this level in the game, calibrating can go beyond the projector to the input devices, room conditions, etc. Keep in mind that this projector is about as good as it's going to get in terms of under $10,000 projectors. The "out of the box" performance of the JVC DLA-RS35 is rather very good, it definitely improves with a proper calibration.

JVC DLA-RS35 Color Temperature

First, here are the color temperature measurements for the Cinema 2 mode, as well as the THX mode.

Important clarification: Cinema 2, and THX modes are almost identical, but for this important difference. The CMS for THX is already "calibrated" and is not user adjustable. Cinema 2 allows you to use the CMS system.

Out of the box, THX is definitely superior to Cinema 2. The color temp and brightness may be essentially identical, but the THX mode's individual color adjustments (RGBCYM) are better, and you get better skin tones, etc.

Like with the recent RS25 and last year's RS20 the thing is, we believe, that we can improve slightly of the THX settings, by calibrating Cinema 2.

That said, THX is extremely good. One of the best "out of the box" performances we've encountered.

These are the measurements, taken "right out of the box."

Color Temp over IRE Range (Pre calibration):


	Cinema 2	THX
30 IRE	6463	6462
50 IRE	6670	6670
80 IRE	6752	6755
100 IRE	6870	6877

Essentially identical, but in THX mode many image controls are not accessable.

Lumen Output and Color Temp at 100 IRE (mid zoom):


Cinema 1	624	5979
Cinema 2	680	6870
Cinema 3	726	8030
Natural	670	6892
Stage	724	8033
Dynamic	774 @ 10161	781 @ 10143 with Color Sat. set to 0
THX	677	6877
User 1 or 2	677	6891

JVC DLA-RS35 Basic Settings


	ma 1	Cinema 2	Cinema 3	Natural	Stage	Dynamic	THX
Contrast (0)	-1	-1	-1	-1	-1	-1	-1
Brightness (0)	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
Color Sat.	(0)	(0)	(0)	(0)	(0)	(10)	(0) -12
Tint	(0)	(0)	(0)	(0)	(0)	(0)	(0)
Color Temp	(5800)	(6500)	(7500)	(6500)	(7500)	(High Bright)	(6500)
Gamma	(B)	(A)	(C)	(Normal)	(D)	(D)	(Normal)

In addition to calibrating Red Green and Blue for a correct grayscale balance (6500K), there are a number of other settings that come into play. Typically Contrast and Brightness (white balance and black balance), need to be done first. Color saturation and gamma also need adjustment.

Our final settings (the default settings for Brightness, Contrast, Saturation and Tint are all 0, in all modes). Mike made adjustments to these, and the Color Temp settings for each of the seven modes:

Both User modes (1 and 2) have same default and adjusted settings as THX mode
Lamp Mode=High (unless noted otherwise)
Lens aperture fully open
All other settings at default (untouched)

Zoom set at mid-point for all measurements

Note, the JVC does not have User savable settings (you can customize all modes). The RS35 has those two User modes that start out the same as THX. When we say "not savable", understand: If you make changes, the next time you go to that mode, those changes will still be there. But, if you make more changes, the older ones are lost. With a true User Savable memory, once you hit save, you will always get those settings back, unless you make changes and resave the User mode.

To get the very most out of the DLA-RS35, a calibration is necessary, but will only yield a slight improvement over THX mode. Dynamic mode seems improved in terms of color, compared to last year's RS20.

The CMS is much improved, as noted. This allows for a pretty straightforward calibration, without the hassles encountered by early buyers of the RS20 last year.