JVC DLA-NX7 4K Home Theater Projector Review

The JVC DLA-NX7 is a HDR home theater projector that can deliver true 4K resolution (4096 x 2160). With a retail price of $8,999 it fits in the middle of the JVC 4K FPJ lineup and its high native contrast combined with 4K resolution results in a great amount of performance at a reasonable price. Since this is a native 4K unit, unlike a 2K pixel shifting projector, it can faithfully reproduce all 8.8 million pixels found in 4K content.

JVC claims the NX7 can produce 1,900 lumens, which is quite respectable. Lamp life is 4,500 hours in Low Mode which would allow use for several hours a day, every day for a couple years. Even with the Low Mode’s reduced lumen output, the NX7 is still capable of producing more than enough light for a dedicated home theater. All JVC NX series projectors utilize JVC’s new 3rd generation 0.69-inch native 4K D-ILA devices. These new panels offer a noticeable contrast improvement over previous generation 4K panels found in their flagship RS4500 laser projector. The NX7’s high contrast ratio of 800,000:1 combined with 4K resolution and JVC’s industry leading best black levels results in exceptional picture quality.

JVC offers both Consumer and Professional versions of their projectors. The main difference between the two lines are mostly cosmetic. I reviewed the JVC DLA-NX7 from their consumer lineup, however the nearly identical Reference Series (professional) version is the DLA RS2000.

JVC D-ILA projectors have always offered great native contrast and black levels but now they bring native 4K resolution to the table. I have witnessed many heated debates about what is more important – contrast or resolution. Now you don’t have to choose one over the other because JVC’s latest lineup of native 4K projectors delivers both. The new 0.69 inch 4K D-ILA devices used in this year’s JVC lineup offer a noticeable improvement in native contrast compared to the previous generation 4K panels found in their flagship RS4500 laser projector.

At a retail price of $8,999, the JVC DLA-NX7 falls right in the middle of the JVC’s 4K projector lineup. The JVC DLA-NX7 I reviewed is nearly identical to Reference series (professional) version called the DLA RS2000.

JVC claims the NX7 has a native contrast ratio of 80,000:1 (Dynamic Contrast Ratio 800,000:1) which is exceptional compared to other native 4K projectors in its price point. This high contrast ratio and deep blacks was a very noticeable improvement over my older Sony 4K projector.

The NX-7 is rated to output 1,900 lumens which is more than enough to produce a good HDR picture on screens up to 120” and an excellent SDR image on screens that are much larger.

The NX-7 can also deliver rich vibrant colors. JVC also claims that with the Cinema Filter engaged, the NX-7 can reproduce 100% of the DCI-P3 color space.
To further improve the NX7’s HDR performance, JVC has introduced a new Auto Tone Mapping feature which uses the Max CLL and Max FALL metadata to automatically adjust dark/bright levels to try to optimize the HDR viewing experience. You can fine tune the look of HDR to fit your taste by using the Mapping Level adjustment. The NX-7 also has a new HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) picture mode to ensure that users are ready for live future HDR broadcast.

The NX-7 utilizes the all glass 17 element lens in order to ensure that all the resolution provided by these 4K imagers reach the screen. While JVC does offer a higher-end lens assembly on the DLA-NX9 and DLA-RS4500K, the image from the NX-7 was crisp and clear.