JVC DLA-X70R Physical Tour 1

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Art Feierman

Physical Appearance

This DLA-X70R projector, and its identical twin, the DLA-RS55 projector (except for the color of the trim ring around the lens), is the second generation in this larger box. The projector is definitely a size larger than my own JVC RS20, and almost all 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-X70R'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.)

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Four screw thread adjustable feet are located on the bottom of both the X70R and RS55 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-X70R (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 X70R's remote control.

Control Panel

The X70R and RS55'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. Note: The JVC also has a hard power switch by the power cord.

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.

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Input/Output

All 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 possible updates and other uses.

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 external 3D sync device. 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).

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Probably far more disconcerting to buyers than the lack of those "lower quality" composite and S-video input connectors, is the lack of an analog computer input. JVC has never put a standard PC interface on this series of projectors - going all the way back to the RS1. Only the higher end models (starting at over twice the price) have a computer input.

A few years ago, that would have driven many of us crazy. It's less of a challenge today. I can feed an HDMI signal MacBook right in through one of the HDMI ports. Unfortunately many PC desktop and laptop owners don't have an HDMI port. There are work arounds, of course, but they will cost some money, and are generally a nuisance. Especially with the lack of an HD15 (analog computer) input, it would have been nice to have a 3rd HDMI connector.