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CEDIA Expo 2013 - Day 1

Blog posted by Ron Jones This series of Blogs will report on home theater projectors and related products being introduced at the CEDIA Expo trade show being held in Denver, CO USA.  Today's blog covers projectors from JVC, Sony and Epson and I plan to post another blog tomorrow for the second day of the show that will cover additional manufacturers and their most interesting products.

JVC -

JVC held a press conference to introduce their new line of projectors that includes updated models that includes eShift models with a 4K video input. These JVC 4K projectors can accept 4K signals via either of the two HDMI inputs.  It should be noted that these projectors do not have a native 4K resolution display capability.  Rather, they display two 1080p fields that are offset diagonally that produces what I would term a "4K-Lite" image that has the appearance of the pixel density of a native 4K image, but ultimately cannot accurately resolve all of the image information that can make up a native 4K image.

Pic 1 - JVC projectors

Pic 2-DLA-X900R-front

  Perhaps the biggest news is JVC is adding a dynamic iris to their projectors. The top of the line JVC projectors (e.g., DLA-RS67, RS6710) now boasts a 150,000:1 native contrast ratio and when the dynamic iris is used up to 1,500,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio is claimed. .

Pic 4 - JVC-side-1

 

Pic 5

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JVC has updated the DILA chips used in the new models which now offers a higher fill factor and contributes to a 10% increase in light output from the new projector models.

Pic 7

The new JVC models feature eShift-3 (3rd generation) that accept a direct 4K signal input and then creates two 1080p sub-frames (i.e., fields) that are shifted 1/2 pixel diagonally, as illustrated in the following JVC slide from their presentation.

Pic 8

Below is the JVC press release:

DENVER, September 26, 2013 – JVC today announced a new, expanded line of home theater projectors that delivers substantial improvements in image quality and achieves the industry’s highest native and dynamic contrast. The performance boost is driven by a new imaging device, upgraded version of the company’s e-shift technology, 4K source compatibility and a user-selectable Intelligent Lens Aperture.

With its new line, JVC continues to offer the industry’s highest native contrast performance, further improved this year by a new D-ILA device and a new wire grid polarizer. JVC has also added a user-selectable Intelligent Lens Aperture that can dial in even deeper blacks. And projectors equipped with 4K e-shift3, the latest iteration of the company’s e-shift technology, feature a 4K signal input (60P) so that now both 4K and 2K sources can be displayed as 3840 x 2160 images.

JVC’s 2014 projectors are the Procision Series DLA-X900R, DLA-X700R, and DLA-X500R, marketed by JVC’s Consumer AV Group, and the Reference Series DLA-RS6710, DLA-RS67, DLA-RS57, DLA-RS4910, and DLA-RS49, available through JVC Professional Products Company. All are 3D-enabled and offer 4K e-shift3.

The new JVC projectors use three sixth generation JVC D-ILA imaging devices. This new device features a pixel gap that’s 40 percent narrower than the previous chip for a smoother picture, a 10 percent improvement in light efficiency for a light output of 1,300 lumens, and improved native contrast, which is also enhanced by a new, third generation wire grid optical engine. As a result, native contrast ratios for the new projectors are:

DLA-X900R/RS67/RS6710                        150,000:1

DLA-X700R/RS57                                     120,000:1

DLA-X500R/RS49/RS4910                         60,000:1

To further boost contrast, JVC has developed a user-selectable Intelligent Lens Aperture. When engaged, JVC’s Intelligent Lens Aperture produces deeper black levels while maintaining white levels superior to what’s delivered by competing projectors using a dynamic iris – performance attributable to JVC projectors’ inherent high native contrast capabilities. As a result, the new JVC projectors achieve the industry’s highest dynamic contrast ratios:

DLA-X900R/RS67/RS6710                        1,500,000:1

DLA-X700R/RS57                                     1,200,000:1

DLA-X500R/RS49/RS4910                          600,000:1

JVC’s 4K e-shift technology was first developed to upconvert and scale 2D HD content to a 4K signal. With 4K inputs, the new JVC projectors can now process 4K signals as well to deliver a smooth, detailed image. Picture performance is further optimized by a new Multiple Pixel Control (MPC) processor with eight-band detection. The MPC processor offers four presets plus an Auto setting that automatically selects the best upconversion process by detecting the frequency of each pixel.

Picture quality is also enhanced through a new Clear Black feature that provides local area contrast enhancement, and improved Clear Motion Drive (CMD 3). CMD 3 uses a new LSI and new algorithm to deliver a significant improvement in motion artifacts on diagonal lines on 4K and 2K 2D content and 2K 3D content.

Other new enhancements for 2014 are:

Two memory settings for pixel convergence that can be used to store correction settings for external lenses.

- New smartphone app that provides remote control of the projector, including picture settings.

- Adobe RGB picture mode on the top five models.

Key features carried over from the 2013 line include:

Active shutter glasses for 3D viewing use RF rather than IR technology to offer more stable synchronization and extended range while avoiding possible interference with IR-controlled devices.

- Lens memory settings – Ten for the DLA-X900R, DLA-X700R, DLA-RS6710, DLA-RS67 and DLA-RS57, and five for the DLA-X500R, DLA-RS49, and DLA-RS4910. These store custom focus, zoom and horizontal/vertical lens shift position. This allows a constant height display of 4:3, 16:9, 2.35:1 or any other scope content without an additional anamorphic lens.

The flagship DLA-X900R and DLA-RS67/6710 are built using hand-selected, hand-tested components and have a 150,000:1 native contrast ratio and 1,500,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. For 3D viewing, they come with two pairs of PK-AG3 RF 3D glasses and a PK-EM2 3D Signal Emitter.  The DLA-RS6710 also includes a spare lamp and comes with a five-year warranty versus a three-year warranty on the DLA-X900R and DLA-RS67.

The DLA-X700R and DLA-RS57 have a native contrast of 120,000:1, dynamic contrast ratio of 1,200,000:1, and come with a two-year warranty.

The DLA-X900R, DLA-X700R, DLA-RS6710, DLA-RS67 and DLA-RS57 offer ISF certification and are designed to pass the 400-plus tests necessary to achieve THX® 3D Certification (pending) – a promise to consumers of the highest level of quality and performance. All JVC THX Certified Projectors include THX 2D and 3D Cinema viewing modes to provide the most accurate color reproduction available in a pre-calibrated setting, ensuring content is rendered back just as its creator intended.

The DLA-X500R, DLA-RS49 and DLA-RS4910 each have a native contrast ratio of 60,000:1 and have dynamic contrast ratio of 600,000:1. The DLA-RS4910 provides ISF certification and three-year warranty, while the DLA-X500R and DLA-RS67 come with a two-year warranty.

Two current models, the DLA-X35 and the DLA-RS46, remain in the line for 2014.

The new JVC D-ILA home theater projectors will be available November at the following prices:

DLA-RS6710                          $12,499

DLA-X900R/DLA-RS67      $11,999

DLA-X700R/DLA-RS57        $7,999

DLA-RS4910                             $5,199

DLA-X500R/DLA-RS49         $4,999

 

Sony -

Sony held a press conference to introduce their new line of projectors. The $4000 HW55ES will replace the HW50ES. The new VPL-VW600ES will sell for $15,000 and is the new entry-level 4K Ultra HD projector and the new VPL-VW1100ES will sell for $28,000 and will replace the VW1000ES.

Pic 9 - Sony-VW600-VW1100

  The VW1100ES comes with the Sony 4K video player as well as a Sony Android tablet for use as the remote control. The 4K player and tablet are a $1000 option for those that purchase the VW600ES. These new 4K UHD projectors feature HDMI 2.0 inputs with HDCP 2.2 copy protection, which should make these projectors compatible with future 4K video sources. Sony is also offering an upgrade, starting next month, for existing VW1000ES owners that will effectively upgrade these projectors to the features of the new VW1100ES and will include the 4K player, the Sony tablet and a spare lamp. A small detail I picked up from a Sony representative at the show is the new 4K UHD projectors do not use the lamp pulsing technique for increase 3D mode light output (as is being used on the 1080p HW50ES and the new HW55ES projectors).

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EPSON -

Much information about the new Epson international models have been published on several web sites over the past few weeks.  So the equivalent US models were introduced at the CEDIA Expo as expected.  These includes the Home Cinema 3030 and 5030UB replacing the HC 3020 and 5020UB models.  Also the new Pro Cinema 6030UB was introduced replacing the 6020UB.  The new 5030UB and 6030UB models adds a few new features, including creative frame interpolation (CFI) in 3D mode.   Also the rated dynamic contrast ratio has been increased to 600,00:1 due, at least in part, to an improved dynamic iris and perhaps less light leakage from the projector cabinet.  Prices are very similar to last year's models they are replacing (i.e., the estimate street price on the HC 5030UB is $2599 and the Pro Cinema 6030UB has an estimated street price of $3499).

Pic 12 - Epson-6030UB

  Epson also introduced a new model Pro Cinema 4030 that effectively replaces the old  Pro Cinema 9350  model 2D projector, but adds 3D and other improvements.  The 4030 has an estimate street price of just under $2,500 and includes a spare lamp, ceiling mount and 3 year warranty.  It is spec'ed for 120,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and 2000 lumens of output.  This model may be considered the entry-level Epson Pro model, as compared to the more expensive 6030, and both of these come in a black case, as have previous Epson pro-series projectors.

Pic 13 - Epson-4030UB1

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Check tomorrow for the CEDIA Expo 2013 Day 2 Blog

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