JVC DLA-RS3000 4K PROJECTOR REVIEW

JVC offers two different series of 4K D-ILA Projector, which differ mainly in their cosmetic appearance. Both series are designed for home theater customers and production facilities but sell through different sales channels.  For example, NX Series projectors are sold through retailers like BestBuy and Crutchfield, while the RS Series models are available through the custom installation dealer network. This review explores the JVC DLA-RS3000 which is nearly identical to the DLA-NX9.

The JVC DLA-RS3000 is an HDR commercial projector that delivers true 4K resolution (4096 x 2160). With a retail price of $17,999, the DLA-RS3000 sits at the higher end of JVC’s 4K FPJ lineup but its high native contrast combined with 4K resolution results in exceptional performance. Since this is a native 4K unit (unlike a 2K pixel shifting projector), it can faithfully reproduce all 8.8 million pixels found in 4K content.

The RS3000 is rated at 2200 lumens and has an estimated lamp life of 4,500 hours in Low Mode. Even with the Low Mode’s reduced lumen output, the RS3000 is still capable of producing more than enough light for a home theater or conference room. The RS3000 uses the same bulb as the predecessor RS2000 but better optics realize an additional 300 lumens of brightness.

JVC's proprietary 8K e-shift technology shifts pixels diagonally 0.5 pixel, quadrupling the picture perceived resolution to 8192 x 4320. While the RS3000 cannot accept an 8K signal and is not equipped with HDMI 2.1(HDCP 2.3) inputs, the unit can upscale 4K content to 8K before it is displayed.

The RS3000’s high native contrast ratio of 100,000:1 (1,000,000:1 Dynamic) combined with 4K resolution and JVC’s industry-leading black levels result in exceptional picture quality.

Contrast or resolution? There has long been spirited debate among projector enthusiasts what is truly the most important. JVC D-ILA projectors have now added 4K resolution to already impressive native contrast and black levels. You no longer have to make a tough decision between contrast or resolution – the new NX-Series and RS-Series native 4K projectors deliver both.

At a retail price of $17,999, the JVC DLA-RS3000 perches at the top end of the JVC 4K projector lineup. The more expensive flagship the DLA-RS4500K ($24,995 SRP) uses the same 18 Element, 16 Group, All-Glass 100mm Diameter Zoom Lens but it also has a BLU-Escent™ (Laser Diode/Phosphor) light source and is rated at a brighter 3,000 lumens.

The RS3000 and the NX9 use the same all-glass 18 element lens assembly as the RS4500. These high-quality optics ensure that all the resolution provided by their 4K imagers reaches the screen.

While JVC's 4K flagship RS4500 projector uses panels from an older generation, the current lineup of NX-Series and RS-Series projectors use JVC's most current 3rd generation 0.69-inch native 4K D-ILA image. These new panels offer a noticeable contrast improvement.

JVC claims the RS3000 has a native contrast ratio of 100,000:1 (Dynamic Contrast Ratio 1,000,000:1) which is exceptional compared to other native 4K projectors in its price point. This high contrast ratio and deep blacks was a very noticeable improvement over my older reference Sony 4K projector.

The RS3000 is rated to output 2,200 lumens which is more than enough to produce a good HDR picture on screens up to 120" and an excellent SDR image on even bigger screens.

The RS3000 can also deliver rich vibrant colors. JVC also claims that with the Cinema Filter engaged, the RS3000 can reproduce 100% of the DCI-P3 color space. asto ensure that all the resolution provided by their 4K imagers reach the screen.

The RS3000 can also deliver rich vibrant colors. JVC also claims that with the Cinema Filter engaged, the RS3000 can reproduce 100% of the DCI-P3 color space.

To further improve the RS3000’s HDR performance, JVC uses an Auto Tone Mapping feature introduced last year which uses the Max CLL and Max FALL metadata to automatically adjust dark/bright levels to try to optimize the HDR viewing experience. The RS3000 also benefits from Frame Adapt HDR which is dynamic scene-by scene and frame-by frame HDR tone mapping. JVC added this functionality to most of their native 4K and 8K e-shift Home Theater models in fall of 2019.

This year, JVC introduced their new Theater Optimizer which combines information provided by the user with the unit’s current status to provide a more accurate baseline on which to apply their dynamic tone mapping.

Lastly, the RS3000 also has a new HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) picture mode to ensure that users are ready for live, future HDR broadcast.