JVC DLA-RS35 Projector: Pros, Cons, and Typical Capabilities

Click to enlarge. SO close

• Very good color management system, improved over the last generation
• Almost excellent placement flexibility (2:1 zoom, lens shift), just a little less lens shift than the most shift offered by a few models If you can’t make the RS35 fit in your room, few projectors will.
• Focus, Zoom and Lens shift all motorized
• Very good menus
• Definitely expensive, but it delivers excellent value for those who can appreciate this projector – at least a small step up, over anything else near its price. A pricy projector, yet a really good value proposition. That is, if you can afford, it, you will almost certainly feel it’s worth it.

Note, I’ve received 3 emails now from current RS35 owners, since this was published almost a week ago. The one thing in common all three said, in addition to mentioning a this or that, was that, yes, they all felt the RS35 was definitely worth it. (Obviously it was within their affordable range.) At least two of the three have had at least 1 home theater projector previously.

• A relatively dim “brightest” mode, of 725 (calibrated, midpoint on zoom lens) lumens means it can’t deal with a whole lot of ambient light, at all, unless you have a small screen.
• CFI not as smooth as the best, but fine for sports. Definitely changes enough to “damage” the director’s intent when watching movies.
• Slightly less than average lamp life? JVC quotes 2000 hours at full power (the “industry average), but only “slightly better, in low lamp” while most 2000 hour full power projectors quote 3000 in low power.
• Although most reasonable – audible noise wise, the RS35 could be a little quieter with lamp at full power. Few would consider this an issue though
• I’m still waiting for truly great documentation, from anyone. JVC’s efforts aren’t bad, but, still leaves many questions about how features work, unanswered.