The very bottom line

If 3D is something you must play with today, and you want that combined with great picture quality, there are few choices right now. The RS60 and the non-hand picked RS50 will give you 3D, but as described. If that’s fine by you, go for it. You’ll have to sort through several alternatives, notably the less expensive JVC and the Sony. Then there are more and less expensive alternatives in the more expensive and far brighter LG, and the lower cost but still very respectable Sharp XV-Z17000.

Finally, if JVC comes up with some sort of fix, so the RS60 can actually deliver a good picture around 1000 lumens or more, then 3D viewing, although far from bright, will be almost twice as bright, and a guaranteed better viewing experience.

JVC DLA-RS60 Projector: Pros, Cons, and Typical Capabilities

JVC DLA-RS60 Projector: Pros

Excellent Color – even right out of the box (THX mode)

• Unmatched black level performance
• Natural skin tones really do look great
• Excellent
• Sharp, with an exceptionally clear looking image
• 3D capable, including basic 2D to 3D conversion
• 3D glasses a bit more comfortable than most active ones so far
• Offers CFI – smooth motion
• Very good menu layout
• Phyically good looking, impressive projector
• Very good remote control
• Better than average lamp life (3000 hours at full power)
• Use of external emitter for 3D can be helpful in difficult installations
• Excellent warranty (3 years…)

JVC DLA-RS60 Projector: Cons

• 3D viewing is dim, very dim unless screen size is very small
• Projector brightness measures nowhere near JVC’s claims, in any mode viable for 2D viewing
• Brightest mode is below average in brightness
• One of the larger projectors around
• Uses external emitter for 3D – internal is simpler

JVC DLA-RS60 Projector: Typical Capabilities

• Documentation
• Dark shadow detail performance
• Average audible noise, extremely quiet in low power, moderate at full, but low pitched

Final thoughts: As a JVC RS20 owner, I appreciate the overall quality of the new RS60 projector, but I am disappointed. When I received the RS60 I had higher expectations. I was seriously hoping the 1300 lumens would do at least an adequate job with 3D, on a medium sized screen, say 100 inch diagonal. Even if the DLA-RS60 did produce close to the 1300 lumens I was skeptical going in. I really think serious 3D projectors are going to have to offer up, ideally 2400 lumens or more. When JVC sends in an RS40 which so far are reported to be significantly brighter, I may give that serious consideration.

My budget just doesn’t allow for a pricey, great 2D projector that can’t do a bright enough 3D image to keep me happy for a couple of years. I can say that if JVC can find those missing lumens, I will have to reconsider, but most likely, I’ll wait another generation.