Last week the Custom Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) held its annual trade show in Indianapolis. The event shrank considerably from previous years with only Sony, JVC, Elite (at Pioneer’s space) and Samsung consumer TVs. Panasonic had its pro division on site displaying its new front projector and 65-Inch 3D plasma monitor. Below we cover the upcoming 4K consumer projectors from JVC and Sony and the new Nano LG flat screen. In our next part we cover the Panasonic Pro Plasma and other new video products.

4 K Projection

Sony and JVC introduced front projectors with four times Full HD Resolution, called 4K. Both companies use internal upconversion to create 4K, as there are currently no sources for native content. However, a number of recent movies were digitally recorded in the format and many studios have transferred their film libraries into the format. The advantages of 4K for home theaters include closer seating without seeing pixel structure and minimized jaggies (see graphic below).

graphic courtesy of Sony

Sony 4K

The VPL-VW1000ES (pictured) contains newly developed 4K SXRD panels. It’s designed for large screen installations up to 200-inches diagonal. A dynamic iris provides a dynamic contrast ratio of  “one million to one.”

Sony’s presentation stated an entire family of 4K products were being developed, including camcorders and presumably 4K Blu-ray players, although the latter is probably at least two years off. A Sony spokesman said the VPL-VW1000ES will accept a 4K signal over HDMI when sources become available.

The 1000ES adheres to the DCI (digital cinema initiative) resolution of 4096 x 2160.

Sony also performed an A/B comparison of 1080p HD versus 4K.  HD Guru sat in row two. The image was sharper and smoother in 4K, though the improvement was not as dramatic as comparing standard def 480i to high definition 1080p.

According to the press release “In addition to supporting 4K native resolution, the VW1000ES projector also features an exclusive Super Resolution 4K “upscaler” that dramatically enhances 2D and 3D 1080P content, allowing the viewers to get the most from their existing Blu-ray Discâ„¢ libraries at home. For greater versatility, it has a built-in transmitter, it has picture position memory which memorizes the position of the zoom lens, and it supports 2D and 3D anamorphic films.

The VW1000ES offers a variety of installations options, including dual triggers, a 2.1 motorized zoom, expanded throw distances, an RS232 interface, control over IP and compatibility with the leading home automation systems.”

The VW100ES will ship in December for a projected price of under $25,000. Lamps will cost “around $300” according to a Sony spokesperson.

JVC 4K

JVC introduced four projectors that use JVC’s new e-Shift technology to produce an 2D image with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 via upconversion. The technique uses an electro-optical device after the chip set to shift the image over diagonally by one-half a pixel every 1/120th of a second. This method was developed by JVC and NHK’s (Japan Broadcasting) Research department.

Unlike the Sony the JVC 4K models will not accept future 4K signals and are designed to enhance 1080p content. These JVCs are also active 3D compatible, but only display the image at 1920 x 1080 with 3D content.

JVC also improved the performance of its projectors with a native contrast ratio of  120,000 to 1. There are two series with two models each with the e-Shift 4K display. One marketed through JVC’s consumer group under the Procision banner, while the other is sold through JVC professional. JVC’s demo of its top of the line RS65 was quite impressive with a smooth image and excellent contrast.

The new JVC D-ILA home theater projectors will be available in November at the following prices:

DLA-X90R/DLA-RS65          $11,999

DLA-X70R/DLA-RS55          $7,999

DLA-RS4800                            $4,995

DLA-X30/DLA-RS45             $3,499

Below is an excerpt from the JVC press release covering the features:

In addition, the top four models — DLA-X90R, DLA-X70R, DLA-RS65 and DLA-RS55 – have been designed to achieve THX® 3D certification and are scheduled for testing by THX.  During the THX 3D certification process, more than 400 laboratory tests are conducted, evaluating color accuracy, cross-talk, viewing angles and video processing to ensure the superior out-of-the-box 3D and 2D display performance that home theater enthusiasts demand.

Other features shared by these four models include:

  • ISF certification;
  • Enhanced installation adjustment, including a new 1/16th pixel shift function to precisely tune convergence via 121 adjustment points (11 vertical x 11 horizontal)  and an increased number of screen mode preset positions, up to a maximum of 255;
  • An upgraded optical engine that further improves black level and native contrast;
  • 7-Axis Color Management System;
  • ISF and THX Calibration via corresponding software to allow advanced adjustment by certified ISF calibrators;
  • Three Xenon lamp color modes that emulate the characteristics of high-end movie projectors.

Other enhancements new for all seven 2012 projectors are:

  • Lens memory function – Three memory settings store custom focus, zoom and horizontal/vertical lens shift position. This allows a constant height display of 4:3, 16:9 and 2:35 scope content without an additional anamorphic lens;
  • A LAN connection that provides enhanced system control and easy firmware or screen mode updates.

To provide enthusiasts with a true measure of performance, JVC has long focused on native contrast and refused to artificially enhance contrast specifications through the use of a dynamic iris.  For 2012, native contrast has been improved across the entire line, ensuring that every frame consistently and faithfully reproduces peak whites and deep blacks.

The new flagship projectors, the DLA-X90R and DLA-RS65, are built using hand-selected, hand-tested components and provide a 120,000:1 native contrast ratio.  For 3D viewing, both models come with two pairs of 3D glasses and a PK-EM1 3D Signal Emitter.  Both projectors also have a three-year warranty.

The DLA-X70R and DLA-RS55 offer 80,000:1 native contrast ratio, while the DLA-X30 and DLA-RS45 offer 50,000:1 native contrast ratio. All four projectors come with a two-year warranty.  The DLA-RS4800 is ISF certified, offers a 55,000:1 native contrast ratio, comes with a three-year warranty, and includes a spare lamp.  JVC Active Shutter 3D Glasses and the PK-EM1 3D Signal Emitter are sold separately.

All seven new projectors feature three 0.7” 1920 x 1080 D-ILA devices and are designed around JVC’s third generation D-ILA High Dynamic Range optical engine that is optimized to provide exceptional native contrast ratios without a dynamic iris to artificially enhance contrast specifications.  A directed light integration system and wire grid polarizer ensures optimum light uniformity and minimal crosstalk in the light path.  In the top four models (DLA-X90R, DLA-X70R, DLA-RS65 and DLA-RS55) a combined 16-step lens and lamp aperture adjustment allow the user to optimize the f-number (relative aperture) of the optics system in all steps. The DLA-X30, DLA-RS45 and DLA-RS4800 feature a 16-step lens aperture.

 

LG 55LW9800

LG debuted its new flagship passive 3D HDTV at the THX booth. Called the 55LW9800 ($3799.99 msrp) it’s LG’s only local dimming LED LCD using its new Nano technology for thin form factor (1.08″) and more even light distribution (link). The 9800 is available in the 55-inch screen size and competes with recently introduced 60″ Elite TV (link) and the Sony XBRHX929 as the only other sets in this category which have the LED lamps behind the screen and the ability to dim small sections.

The 9800 is the first and only film pattern retarder (FPR) passive 3D TV to achieve THX certification. It list of features includes 480 Hz (240 with scanning backlight), Smart TV streaming, Skype video (with additional cost camera), ISF ccc certification and built-in Wi-Fi. The 9800 produced fine demo images and we look forward to reviewing a sample soon.

 

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