JVC DLA-X55 R Projector – Image Quality 2 Posted on July 15, 2013 By Art Feierman 1. JVC DLA-X55R Projector Review - JVC DLA-X55R Projector Highlights - JVC DLA-X55R Projector Overview2. JVC DLA-X55R Projector Special Features - No Dynamic Iris, but a Manual One - DLA-X55R 3D Abilities - JVC X55R 3D active glasses and emitter - 2D to Simulated 3D on the DLA-X55R - JVC DLA-X55R Calibration - CFI - JVC X55R Creative Frame Interpolation3. JVC DLA-X55R Projector Special Features 2 - JVC e-Shift2 and "4K" resolution4. JVC DLA-X55R and RS48 Projectors – Physical Tour - JVC DLA-X55R Physical Appearance - Control Panel - JVC DLA-X55R and DLA-RS48 Projector Input/Output5. JVC DLA-X55R and RS48 Projectors – Physical Tour 2 - JVC DLA-X55R and DLA-RS48 Menus - JVC DLA-X55R Remote Control - DLA-X55R Lens Throw - DLA-X55R Lens Shift - Anamorphic Lens6. JVC DLA-X55 R Projector – Image Quality - DLA-X55R "Out of the Box" Picture Quality - DLA-X55 Projector - Flesh Tones7. JVC DLA-X55 R Projector – Image Quality 2 - DLA-X55R Black Levels & Shadow Detail - Black Levels Comparison - Shadow Detail Performance8. JVC DLA-X55 R Projector – Image Quality 3 - JVC DLA-X55R - Overall Color & Picture Quality - The bottom line on overall picture quality9. JVC DLA-X55 R Projector – Image Quality 4 - JVC DLA-X55R Projector: Performance, HDTV and Sports - Bottom line for HDTV on the JVC DLA-X55R Home Theater Projector10. JVC DLA-X55 Projector – Performance - JVC DLA-X55R Brightness - JVC DLA-X55R Brightness11. JVC DLA-X55 Projector – Performance 2 - JVC 4K e-Shift 2 - Lumen Output Low Lamp, Cinema: 451 lumens - JVC DLA-X55R Projector - Post Calibration12. JVC DLA-X55 Projector – Performance 3 - JVC DLA-X55R Sharpness - JVC DLA-X55R: Bottom Line Sharpness - X55R Light Leakage13. JVC DLA-X55 Projector – Performance 4 - DLA-X55R Image Noise - JVC DLA-X55R Audible Noise14. JVC DLA-X55R Projector Calibration and Settings - JVC DLA-X55R Color Temperature - Color Temp over IRE Range, Best mode (Pre calibration) - JVC DLA-X55R Basic Settings15. JVC DLA-X55R Projector Calibration and Settings 2 - JVC DLA-RS45 Post Calibration Grayscale: User 1 "Best" mode - RGB Settings - JVC DLA-X55R Grayscale Calibration16. JVC DLA-X55R Projector – Advanced Calibration Information - Color Management Settings (CMS) - Notes on CMS - Calibration Charts (Before and After)17. JVC DLA-X55R Projector – Competitors18. JVC DLA-X55R Projector – Warranty - JVC DLA-X55R Projector - Warranty19. JVC DLA-X55R Home Cinema Projector – Review Summary - JVC DLA-X55R Projector - The Bottom Line20. JVC DLA-X55R Home Cinema Projector – Review Summary 2 - 3D on the JVC DLA-X55R projector - The Very Bottom Line on the JVC DLA-X55R Home Theater projector21. JVC DLA-X55R Home Cinema Projector – Review Summary 3 - JVC DLA-X55R Home Cinema Projector: Pros and Cons - JVC DLA-X55R Projector: Pros - JVC DLA-X55R Projector: Cons22. JVC DLA-X55R Home Cinema Projector – Full Specifications Overall, great blacks and really good shadow detail! DLA-X55R Black Levels & Shadow DetailLet’s start with a a direct comparison between the JVC and the Epson 6020UB (same as the 5020UB for our discussion). As many of you know, the Epson offers exceptional black level performance for an under $3500 projector – the best we’ve seen for the price. Well, this JVC is at least as good. Below: Epson Pro Cinema 6020UB (left), JVC X55R (right): Click Image to EnlargeBefore you look at the side by side image below, a note: Both projectors were photographed with their default settings, no adjustment to even Brightness or Contrast. As it turns out, however, that tends to favor the JVC if only slightly. Why? JVC’s default Brightness is zero, but based on testing, should be +2, which would raise overall black levels (and whites too). The Epson, though is at zero, and should be there. As a result, if we reset the JVC’s Brightness to +2, the letterboxing would brighten. Even with all that considered, the JVC still has to be considered to be slightly better at blackest blacks. Viewing the enlarged version of this overexposed “night” photo, you can see that the Epson is a touch brighter overall, but the letter box at top and bottom are a bit brighter still compared to the JVC. In terms of blackest blacks, let’s say the JVC can get just a slight bit darker than the Epson at its best. Still, very close by anyone’s observation. The difference between, the JVC and Epson, is very slight, say compared to either of them compared to the Panasonic PT-AE8000 (which is still very respectable at blacks but no match for these two). Now for a series of comparative images from competing projectors: Here we again start, with the DLA-X55R, followed by the Sony VPL-VW95ES. Note: We have been converting most recent “starship” images to grayscale to remove the distraction of varying colors (which tend to be exaggerated on these many seconds long time exposures). Black Levels ComparisonJVC DLA-X55 R ProjectorMitsubishi HC9000DEpson Home Cinema 5020UBSony VPL-HW50ESSony VPL-VW95ESSharp XV-Z30000PreviousNext Sony VPL-HW50ES: (about $1400 less) The letterbox and background blacks are a touch lighter with the Sony, but note that the JVC image isn’t as overexposed (look at the starship and the pause button), so that has to be “compensated” for. These two (JVC and Sony) are about as close as two different projectors will get in terms of blackest blacks. But, of course, in brighter images, the blacks are blacker with the JVC due to not needing a dynamic iris. Still, you really notice differences on dark scenes. They all look really good at blacks when the scenes are primarily bright. Sony VPL-VW95ES: (Sorry, we don’t have a more overexposed version of this image) If we did, we believe you would find that the VW95ES can definitely do a bit better blacks than it’s lower cost HW50ES or the JVC X55R. Mitsubishi HC9000D (uses Sony LCoS panels): Sharp XV-Z30000: Sharp was the first company to launch a home 1080p 3D capable projector. This new Z30000 is a major upgrade from that old one. (price competitive to the X35 not this X55). A single Chip DLP, it really has very good blacks compared to a lot of other DLP projectors, but still not a match for the JVC. Epson Home Cinema 5020UB: Epson has reigned for years as the “black level champ” in the under $3500 price range, and can compete in blacks, rather easily with most over $5000 projectors. Compared to the JVC – very close in terms of blackest blacks (depending on which images I view), but the JVC has the advantage in dynamic range: Short version: The X55R has excellent black level performance. I expect that the X75R and X95R will still beat the X55R (as probably can the Sony VW95ES), but the X55R can hold its own, at least with every other projector we’ve reviewed under $5000. As I’ve said many times, when blacks get this good, further improvement in blacks, for most of us, is usually less important than other features. This JVC has achieved that level. Shadow Detail PerformanceAlso very, very good, but not as good as the JVC’s black levels. In our side by side with the Epson (again, the one projector we have with excellent performance that I will use off all year), the Epson is a little better. We’re again quibbling, however. Losing the last small amount of dark shadow detail is rarely going to be missed. And, more to the point, when you get to a lot of these more expensive projectors (and some less expensive ones), often the difference you see is more a factor of the gamma setting you select, than actual differences in native ability. Note: For the Starship and Train images except the side by sides, the JVC is set with the correct +2 Brightness when photographed Editor’s note: We’re converting many of these “Bond train scene” images to grayscale, because color differences tend to be very distracting (and they are poor representatives of actual color on images overexposed by 4 or 5 f-stops (an incredible amount). DLA-X55R: Pretty good, or rather very good, but not the best. Of course playing with features like e-Shift will further affect seeing the darkest shadow detail as the tendency is to boost contrast, which in turn tends to extract a price. Ed. Note: Almost all the images below have the PS3 pause icon in the lower left corner. Comparing how blown out that pause is, helps determine if images are similarly overexposed, or if one is more so, compared to another. JVC DLA-X55RDLA-RS45Sony VPL-VW95ESSony VPL-VPL-HW50ESEpson's Home Cinema 5020UBMitsubishi HC9000DPreviousNext 1. JVC DLA-X55R Projector Review - JVC DLA-X55R Projector Highlights - JVC DLA-X55R Projector Overview2. JVC DLA-X55R Projector Special Features - No Dynamic Iris, but a Manual One - DLA-X55R 3D Abilities - JVC X55R 3D active glasses and emitter - 2D to Simulated 3D on the DLA-X55R - JVC DLA-X55R Calibration - CFI - JVC X55R Creative Frame Interpolation3. JVC DLA-X55R Projector Special Features 2 - JVC e-Shift2 and "4K" resolution4. JVC DLA-X55R and RS48 Projectors – Physical Tour - JVC DLA-X55R Physical Appearance - Control Panel - JVC DLA-X55R and DLA-RS48 Projector Input/Output5. JVC DLA-X55R and RS48 Projectors – Physical Tour 2 - JVC DLA-X55R and DLA-RS48 Menus - JVC DLA-X55R Remote Control - DLA-X55R Lens Throw - DLA-X55R Lens Shift - Anamorphic Lens6. JVC DLA-X55 R Projector – Image Quality - DLA-X55R "Out of the Box" Picture Quality - DLA-X55 Projector - Flesh Tones7. JVC DLA-X55 R Projector – Image Quality 2 - DLA-X55R Black Levels & Shadow Detail - Black Levels Comparison - Shadow Detail Performance8. JVC DLA-X55 R Projector – Image Quality 3 - JVC DLA-X55R - Overall Color & Picture Quality - The bottom line on overall picture quality9. JVC DLA-X55 R Projector – Image Quality 4 - JVC DLA-X55R Projector: Performance, HDTV and Sports - Bottom line for HDTV on the JVC DLA-X55R Home Theater Projector10. JVC DLA-X55 Projector – Performance - JVC DLA-X55R Brightness - JVC DLA-X55R Brightness11. JVC DLA-X55 Projector – Performance 2 - JVC 4K e-Shift 2 - Lumen Output Low Lamp, Cinema: 451 lumens - JVC DLA-X55R Projector - Post Calibration12. JVC DLA-X55 Projector – Performance 3 - JVC DLA-X55R Sharpness - JVC DLA-X55R: Bottom Line Sharpness - X55R Light Leakage13. JVC DLA-X55 Projector – Performance 4 - DLA-X55R Image Noise - JVC DLA-X55R Audible Noise14. JVC DLA-X55R Projector Calibration and Settings - JVC DLA-X55R Color Temperature - Color Temp over IRE Range, Best mode (Pre calibration) - JVC DLA-X55R Basic Settings15. JVC DLA-X55R Projector Calibration and Settings 2 - JVC DLA-RS45 Post Calibration Grayscale: User 1 "Best" mode - RGB Settings - JVC DLA-X55R Grayscale Calibration16. JVC DLA-X55R Projector – Advanced Calibration Information - Color Management Settings (CMS) - Notes on CMS - Calibration Charts (Before and After)17. JVC DLA-X55R Projector – Competitors18. JVC DLA-X55R Projector – Warranty - JVC DLA-X55R Projector - Warranty19. JVC DLA-X55R Home Cinema Projector – Review Summary - JVC DLA-X55R Projector - The Bottom Line20. JVC DLA-X55R Home Cinema Projector – Review Summary 2 - 3D on the JVC DLA-X55R projector - The Very Bottom Line on the JVC DLA-X55R Home Theater projector21. JVC DLA-X55R Home Cinema Projector – Review Summary 3 - JVC DLA-X55R Home Cinema Projector: Pros and Cons - JVC DLA-X55R Projector: Pros - JVC DLA-X55R Projector: Cons22. JVC DLA-X55R Home Cinema Projector – Full Specifications JVC DLA-X55 R Projector – Image Quality JVC DLA-X55 R Projector – Image Quality 3