CFI - JVC X35 Creative Frame Interpolation
I have the same comments about JVC's CFI (called Clear Motion Drive - sounds impressive), as with the other JVC projectors we've reviewed. Even in the low setting, there is visible noise around the moving objects. (It is expected.) That was under close inspection, I really rarely noticed when casually watching, and the smooth motion more than made up for that. As is typical of most CFI's I found it fine for sports viewing.
Figure the more dynamic processing being done, the more likely you'll notice. This X35 lacks e-shift2 - another dynamic feature. With the X55R and higher, engaging e-shift with Clear Motion engaged, seemed to increase the noise - the visibility of those minor artifacts. (E-shift on those other JVC's can add a goodly amount of additional artifacts, especially in the more intense e-shift2 modes).
The low setting isn't bad, for those that don't mind some "digital video look and feel" to their film based movies. Not the best but good. There have only been a very few CFI's that I would even consider watching movies with. I guess in this case I trade my enthusiast's hat for a purist's.
JVC Fancy Features
Once again, I managed not to really look at several features the new JVC projectors offer. Notably:
Pixel Adjust function. I did work with this on one of the higher level JVC projectors, but the X35 has a more basic system. In this case, you can adjust for panel mis-alignment in increments of 1 pixel. The higher end models do so in 1/16th pixel increments. That's two really different processes. 1 pixel shift adjustments go back many generations with JVC. I have, and use it on my RS-20. The more complicated adjustments on the higher end JVC's is more digital effect, so more trade-offs. That's OK, we've seen the same with Epson and others pixel adjustment systems that do fractions of a pixel. I'm not a great fan, but they can help if the initial alignment is off a good bit.. I would simply prefer that these 3 panel manufacturers learn how to more perfectly align the panels to begin with.
Environment Settings: An interesting feature I didn't really try out enough to make a judgement. My walls and ceilings are pretty neutral in both rooms I use. Theoretically, the Environmental setting would allow you to help compensate in a family room where your walls might be, perhaps a medium light beige, or rust color, or... Ambient and image reflected light will pick up some of that beige caste, and add it to the picture. Ideally the Environment setting will allow you to back out, somewhat, such color shifting. Of course if you bring in a professional calibrator who is going to calibrate all critical gear, and for the room, not sure this is needed. I'm thinking it might be best adjusting for different scenarios in the same room (such as different types, amounts of ambient light).
Picture Tone Adjustment: I think I've found another curious feature, that I didn't explore. The idea here, is that adjusting many image controls can affect the overall grayscale adjustment. With Picture Tone, changes to gamma, brightness, and contrast, should not reduce grayscale accuracy. Thus, you decide to increase brightness and contrast to get an overall lighter looking image, this feature should allow you to keep grayscale shift out via its adjustments. I have not worked with this feature. I tend to be of the opinion, that you calibrate, to get all that right. And you go to brighter modes, when you need more muscle. Perhaps next year, we'll take a close look at these controls, as we did with e-shift2 this year in other JVC projector reviews. I suspect this feature serves more purpose with the better calibration possible with JVC's high end projectors.
DLA-X35 Projector Lens Memory
This is a great feature, which is why I talk about a lot. As an user of a 2.35:1 screen (I also have 16:9 screens), I can really appreciate Lens Memory, as it saves me thousands of dollars for an anamorphic lens setup. Short version. Get a 2.35:1 screen. Setup your projector with a "Cinemascope" shaped movie (2.35:1), so you are filling the screen width, and height with the movie. Save it. Now go find some 16:9 content. Zoom out to a smaller sized image so that the vertical of a 16:9 image (which is taller), fits on the screen. You now have letterboxes on the left and the right. Save that setting as well. Now, at the touch of a button you can switch back and forth between 16:9 and 2.35:1 widescreen content, getting the largest image possible for both.
At the mimimum, to do Lens Memory, a projector must have motorized zoom and focus. Better still to have motorized lens shift. Of the most direct competing projectors that sell for under $3500 in the US, the lower cost Panasonic PT-AE8000U offers lens memory. The two most direct competitors, the Sony HW50ES, and the Epson Home Cinema 5020UB/Pro Cinema 6020UB, lack this ability, due to manual lenses.
JVC DILA Remote App
The images here, are from the JVC app running on my iPhone. JVC has released an app for ios - most newer iphones and ipads are supported. I downloaded the app from the Apple App store, which was, as typical, an effortless event.
That was easy. I didn't however get it to work.
Here's the catch, at least for the current generation of JVC projectors (RS as well as X series projectors): Per the instructions, the JVC projectors simply don't support wifi, so they must be hardwired to your network. The App, of course, is a wifi solution..
The only way to get the JVC DILA Remote App to work with any of the current JVC projectors is if you connect directly.
Typically, in a home, that means running the usual CAT 5 or 6 (or 7?) cable from the back of the JVC to your house's router. Bottom line, until I do that, no joy.
Still I did spend time looking at the App's features, and they seem comparable to the regular remote.
You can also control all the lens functions, zoom, lens shift and focus, as well as select Lens Memories.
You can select sources, power up and down, select a preset picture mode, and even calibrate JVC projectors. (note, the app has a Color Management area for the high end JVC projectors.
Color, Brightness, Color Temp, Lens Control and Lens Memory, Gamma selection and Custom Gamma settings area.
All the 3D controls are there as well. Finally there are "environment" settings, such as screen size, viewing distance, and wall color. No remote would be complete without a static info page. Rest assured, the JVC app has an info page as well.
Short version: If you can hardwire your current generation JVC into your network, then you can essentially replace your traditional remote control with your iPhone. I will update if I manage to hardware the JVC.
Why do this, you ask? Why not. That iPhone or iPad, (Android gear too, in most cases), can not only control your projector, but lighting, heating, security. To paraphrase "one remote to rule them all."
Time to move on, let's look at the hardware!
