JVC RS1000 4K Projector Vs Epson LS500 UHD Laser Short Throw Projector
We had the opportunity to do a video image shootout between two very different projectors in our showroom recently. While both perform at a very high level, there are many differences that highlight each and their unique attributes.
JVC
Firstly, we have the JVC DILA RS1000. JVC along with Sony are one of the few projectors with a true 4K chip. (JVC has introduced an 8K chip recently – but with supply chain issues, we haven’t had the opportunity to see one yet). JVC is known for its smooth cinema quality look and feel. The contrast ratio is outstanding and gives clear shadows and looks great with the more modern darkened room movies and TV shows that are common now. For cinematic movie viewing, the JVC has always stood out to me. I advise clients that if they love movies and that is going to be the majority of their viewing, the JVC is the best match. While the RS1000 is an older model it still processes 4K remarkably well. (The new version of that particular projector is the RS1100K.)
Other Features
The JVC includes motorized lens shift for easy installation and changes for different aspect ratios. With Lens memory, the JVC can project at a standard HD (16:9 ratio) and in widescreen (2.35:1) format with the touch of a button. You will lose no resolution, clarity or performance and it’s a fabulous feature to fill the screen when a movie or show is in widescreen format. To translate, you no longer have the black bars above and below the image when you are watching a movie.
Downsides
The JVC is meant for a darkened room and doesn’t do well with excessive ambient light. This helps with it’s wonderful contrast ratio and detail – but that disappears quickly when even mild ambient light hits the screen. The incandescent DILA lamp in the JVC looks fabulous out of the box, but will dim over time and need replacing. JVC is introducing a new line of laser projectors that help with lamp life (While gaining brightness and losing contrast ratio) and I see laser projectors as the future of projection. If anyone can figure out how to warm up a laser image, I bet JVC can do it.
Cost: Starting at $6,999.95 (Plus Screen)
Epson
Second we have the Epson LS500 UHD short throw laser projector. The disclaimer here is that Epson has been putting the 4K logo on their projectors for many years, when in fact, they aren’t true 4K, but approximated. That having been said, the Epson is still UHD (Ultra High Definition) and processes 4K video very well. The package that Epson has now is a great deal for a projector and an ALR (Ambient Light Resistant) screen, especially in a room with lots of ambient light or windows. With the ALR screen, the Epson looks amazing in a bright room. No perceivable difference between lights off and full darkness. Amazing to see an image that is TV like from a projector. No glare and very little off axis distortion.
Short Throw – How Short?
The short throw capabilities with the Epson are very cool, but have limitations. You have to allow for the proper height and distance from the screen to achieve the perfect image. A custom cabinet seems like the best fit, but to fit the 120” screen that Epson has in one of it’s packages, the rear of the projector has to be 31” +/- from the image. That’s really close for a large image, however could still eat into floor space when a cabinet would likely be 36” deep into the room. The other limitation is not having any kind of motorized lens shift. This means there are a lot of manual adjustments that have to be made to get the projector perfectly aligned. The projector needs to be perfectly level both in the X and Y axis or you will have some focus and image size issues. The zoom function is useful in going from telephoto to wide and helps and naturally with any projector shooting below at such a harsh angle, the keystoning is built in for those adjustments. You also have no lens memory to do the 16:9 – 2.35:1 trick that the JVC can do. (Other Epson models can achieve this, just not the short throw laser)
Laser Lamp of the Future
The laser lamp is phenomenal and looks outstanding, bright and clear. The lamp will last up to 10,000 hours of viewing and will not dim over time like an incandescent bulb will. It will be the same brightness until the day it burns out. It also fires up quickly – achieving viewable brightness in about 30 seconds. Because it doesn’t get as hot as traditional lamps, it also turns off quickly with very little cool down time. The trade out for the very bright image, is of course contrast. It won’t have that subtle cinema-like quality that the JVC does, and the smooth frame refresh is not quite the same either.
Portable
This short-throw projector combined with a motorized screen and your 3.1 or 5.1 speaker setup all housed in a credenza–with hidden motorized screens–and you essentially will have a home theater in a box that could go in virtually any space. And if you move, your home theater can come with you!
Cost: Starting at under $15,000 for fixed screen / $20,000 for motorized system
The Shootout
All that info on the table, we were able to set up both projectors in our demo theater and A/B them. From the image you can see the brightness difference for the Epson. It’s stark. You can also see the subtlety of contrast ratios and shadows – while the image is not as bright for the JVC. This becomes subjective at some point and what you may enjoy can depend on your own preferences. Often I say to my clients, “If you watch more TV and sports, I would go Epson – however for the movie buff, I would go JVC.” Ultimately JVC has been an industry standard and produces an amazing, warm and cinema-like viewing image with their DILA incandescent lamps. As projectors shift more towards lasers, we will see JVC’s offerings go that direction as well. As for Epson and their short throw laser, it’s a great solution that will definitely have some legs if you can allow for the extra cabinet space required to install it.
We are always happy to talk about projectors, screens, aspect ratios, brightness, lasers and more. Let us know if you have questions and we can help in any way to sales@harmonyinteriors.com.
Recent Comments