Posted on January 26, 2009 By Art Feierman
Welcome to our detailed review of the JVC DLA-RS20 1080p home theater projector.
Update: We recently reviewed the JVC DLA-RS25, the replacement of the RS20. Click here to read the projector review of this new award-winning JVC projector.
Don’t be surprised that I am truly impressed with the new top of the line JVC home theater projector, the JVC DLA-RS20, and therefore, also the virtually identical JVC HD750 (sold by a different JVC division). After all, in our 2008 1080p Projector Comparison Report, the older RS2 received our Best in Class award for best projector under $10,000 (that’s as high as we go). JVC projectors are legendary for their excellent black level performance, and the RS20 is the best yet, although improvement over the RS2 is not great. The RS20 is an evolutionary improvement, not revolutionary.
The DLA-RS20 projector uses 3 LCoS panels. JVC calls their LCoS designs D-iLA, but I prefer to use the generic LCoS terminology. JVC has done a stellar job of designing their LCoS panels to achieve unmatched native contrast for black level performance. Sony, the other major LCoS projector maker, has to rely on adding a dynamic iris to achieve their best black levels, and still can’t match the JVC projectors.
The JVC RS20 is a larger, good looking projector (though smaller than the RS2), finished in a shiny piano black finish with gold trim. The HD750, by the way, looks the same, but has silver trim, not quite as elegant, for those who care.
The JVC DLA-RS20 also has a little brother, the new RS10, which will replace the older RS1 (that I own). The RS20 has the better black levels of the two (although, the RS10 may well have the second best black levels around). The RS20 isn’t quite as bright as the RS10, although they are close. Also, there are menu and color control differences, and the JVC RS20 is one of the few projectors out there (and probably by far, the least expensive) to be THX certified. More on that later.
As with the older JVCs, the RS20 is excellent when it comes to placement flexibility, with a 2:1 zoom lens and lots of vertical and horizontal lens shift. All lens functions are motorized, a very nice touch, and a change from the older models.
The JVC DLA-RS0 is noticeably brighter than its predecessor, being very bright in best mode, but the JVCs have never enjoyed being much brighter in “brightest” mode, than “best” mode. That is still true, so while “very bright” in best mode, it is on the low end of average brightess in brightest mode.
The DLA-RS20 is physcially fairly large, though definitely smaller than my RS1. It is longer front to back, but narrower. Input connections are now located on the side (left side, if looking from the back of the projector).
Another improvement is that the RS20 is quieter than the older JVC models and is now average in audible noise, and should be reasonable in high lamp mode, for all but those most critical of any audible noise.
JVC also has a new remote, however, that is about the only thing about the RS20 that has disappointed me. I’ll discuss in the section on the remote control itself.
Cutting to the chase, the JVC is pretty much a purist’s projector. It’s not into frills or fancy dynamic enhancement features. It’s about putting the best possible image on your screen. Sorry, no frame interpolation, nor is there 4:4 or 5:5 for 24fps sources.
Unlike the older models, the JVC RS20 is not as good in terms of out of the box color performance. Colors are noticeably oversaturated, and their Color Management System is needed to tame them. That said, once calibrated, the picture overall, and colors in particular, are stunning!
Great projectors aren’t inexpensive, and while the RS20 may seem like an incredible bargain compared to those mid five figure 3 chip DLP projectors out there, and even some specialty name single chip DLP’s, it certainly is a chunk more money than any of the 3LCD home theater projectors. It’s also more expensive than the Sony LCoS models (the RS20 is slightly more than the new higher end Sony VW70), not to mention the widely distributed single chip DLP’s from folks Optoma and BenQ. Even the InFocus IN83 (a favorite of mine), costs less.
The JVC DLA-RS20 has an MSRP of $7495, which is about $500 less than JVC quoted when they first announced the projector at CEDIA last Sept. Just for reference, the less expensive RS10 has an MSRP of $4995. Distribution is somewhat limited, however discounts can be found.
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