Audio Video News

JVC held its CEDIA 2008 press release this morning, where it showed off five new digital projectors. The first one was the DLA-SH4K (left). It's a "4K" projector, which means it can project a 10 megapixel picture (four times the resolution of 1080p). It can display 10 MP photos at their native resolution, or simultaneously show four separate 1080p video sources (if you can figure out how to configure those sources). Unfortunately, you probably won't ever see it in your home theater; JVC didn't give a specific price for the projector, but since its presentation suggested uses like medical imaging or space analysis, you probably won't be picking up the DLA-SH4K unless you have the deep pockets of NASA or Pfizer.

Fortunately, JVC also showed off four new digital projectors that are actually viable for home theater equipment. The DLA-HD350 and DLA-HD750 are JVC's newest home theater projectors, while the DLA-RS10 and DLA-RS20 are the company's newest professional projectors.

Even though the HD projectors are more targeted toward home theaters and the RS projectors are aimed at professional use, they aren't very different from each other. All four projectors feature a motorized 2x lens with +-80 degree vertical and +-34 degree horizontal shift and JVC's 3-chip D-ILA technology.

The HD750 (left) and RS20 sit at the high end of their respective series, with nearly identical feature sets. Both projectors offer a 30,000:1 contrast ratio, individual RGBCYM color interpolation, PC connection and an external 12-volt trigger for automatically raising/lowering screens. They're also THX certified, and include a THX Movie Mode that emulates the gamma, luminance, and color temperature settings used by filmmakers for post-production. Both projectors ship in November with retail prices just shy of $8,000.

The RS10 and HD350 sacrifice some features in order to shave two grand off of the price. These projectors aren't THX certified and offer much lower contrast ratios (15,000:1 for the HD350, 17,000:1 for the RS10). However, they both use the same lens and lamps as the RS20 and HD750, and offer the same 1080p resolution. They will retail for just under $6,000 when they ship in November along with the other two projectors.

The SH4K ships in January at "open pricing." Translation: bring your checkbook. And cash. And gold boullion, if you have any. 4K video comes at a steep price. - Will