JVC DLA-X55R and RS48 Projectors – Physical Tour 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 JVC DLA-X55R Physical AppearanceThis DLA-X55R projector, and its essentially identical twin (but for some trim), the DLA-RS48 projector , is the third generation in this larger box (and sporting 3D). The projector is definitely a size larger than my own JVC RS20, and is at least as large as just about any other under $10,000 projectors. Everything is motorized, which means zoom, lens shift and focus. The 2:1 zoom lens is center mounted, and recessed, The otherwise shiny black piano finish of the projector is only interrupted by the gold trim ring around the lens, gold lettering, etc. Elegant looking, though large compared to most projectors that pass through here. The JVC DLA-X55R’s indicator lights are on the top front to the left of the lens (if you are facing the projector). In addition to the lens, the front also houses the front Infra-red sensor for the remote control. (There’s a second one in the back.) Four screw thread adjustable feet are located on the bottom of both the X55R and DLA-RS48 projectors. As to connectors, there’s a pair of HDMI 1.4a inputs, and a LAN connector on the top row. Below is an RS232 serial port for command and control. Next over, three color coded RCA jacks for component video, and then a DIN S-video jack. On the third row, the left hand side has the Din connector for the provided 3D emitter. An analog PC input (HD15) is next. (The lower cost X30 and RS45 lack a dedicated standard computer input.) Further over are a screen trigger, and a jack for hard wiring the remote control. That’s it but for the power receptacle. There is, of course, a control panel on the projector. Instead of on top, where a majority of projectors have their control panels, JVC has placed the control panel for the DLA-X55R (and the other new RS and X series projectors) in the center of the back panel of the projector. That’s right next to the inputs and other connectors. For most, that’s just fine. If you are shelf mounting, however, with minimum rear space on your shelf, getting to the control panel will be essentially impossible, so don’t misplace the JVC X55R’s remote control. Control PanelThe X55R and RS48’s control panel are located on the back of the projector, in the center, just to the right of the inputs and connections area. At the top, is the Power button, with the usual press once for On, press twice for Off. The Input – source selection is next, followed by the OK, the Enter key. Then comes the four arrow buttons in a diamond shaped arrangement. It would have been nice to have the OK button in the center, instead of above. Lastly, side by side, are the Menu, and (menu) Back buttons. Pretty standard stuff. Of course, we all primarily rely on the remote control, and probably only use the control panel during initial setup, if at all. Especially buried on the back. JVC DLA-X55R and DLA-RS48 Projector Input/OutputAll of the JVC projector’s connectors are located on the back left side. The top row starts with a pair of HDMI 1.4a connectors. There’s also a LAN connector, and an RS-232 serial port for system control for whole room or whole home systems such as Crestron, Control4, etc.Updates can be accomplished through the LAN port as well. Next up, are three RCA connectors for the component video input. There are no composite or S-Video inputs. The rear IR sensor for the remote, is to the right of the component video (and hard to see in the image above.) The bottom row has the sync port (a DIN connector) for the 3D emitter. This year it the emitter itself just plugs in, as seen in this photo. You can, however, use last year’s emitter by plugging in its cable instead. I can’t think of why, however, you would want to. Finally, there is a 12 volt screen trigger for controlling a motorized screen or masking system, and a hard wire for the remote control should the projector be where it can’t “see” the IR signal from the remote (usually a rear screen setup). If there’s one really missed input, that would be a traditional analog computer input (HD15 connector) to connect to most computers. A few years ago, that could have been a big headache for many. It’s less of a challenge today, as many people can output an HDMI signal from their computer, as I do with my MacBook Pro. There are work arounds, of course, for those lacking an HDMI port (on their computer) but most will cost you some money, and, of course life would be simpler if the analog port was included. Since the X55R lacks the computer input, it sure would have been a nice touch if there was a 3rd HDMI input. Click Image to Enlarge 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-X55R Projector Special Features 2 JVC DLA-X55R and RS48 Projectors – Physical Tour 2