3D Projector Reviews

All of the measurements were taken with the projector in the User 1 preset with the Standard color profile and low lamp mode. The Gamma control was set to Custom 1, and Custom 1 in the Custom Gamma menu was set to 2.3. All of the calibration was done with the lens aperture at 0 (open), but the contrast ratio measurements were done in a variety of different settings for the iris as noted below. The lamp had over 230 hours on it during the calibration. All viewing and measurements were done on a 120-inch-diagonal Stewart StudioTek 130 screen (1.3 gain).

The full-on/full-off contrast was measured with a Minolta T-10 meter 4 inches away from the lens face. I tested various configurations in low lamp mode with the lens aperture in various conditions. The highest contrast ratio was obtained with the projector in low lamp mode with the aperture fully closed (–16). The highest contrast ratio achieved was 110,000:1—though this produced a very dim picture. For general viewing, I left the projector in low lamp mode and the lens aperture at 0, which produced approximately 12 foot-lamberts onscreen and a contrast ratio of approximately 24,000:1.

The RGB tables were captured from our calibration workflow in CalMAN Version 5.1.2. RGB and gray scale tracking out of the box were rather poor, with an average Delta E of 6.9 (anything under 3 is considered reference and imperceptible to the human eye). After calibration, the average Delta E was 3.19 with the mid range slightly bumped up. This is where a parametric gray scale option would come in handy. Gamma averaged 2.2 with my reference set to 2.3.

The default color gamut was already quite good out of the box. Only one color, red, was above a Delta E of 3, at only about 3.2. This was the result of a slight oversaturation, which frankly never really hurts. Luminance levels were all almost spot on out of the box, which is the most important measurement when it comes to color accuracy. Post calibration, the color gamut was well below a Delta E of 3 for all colors, with the highest being blue at about 2.1. Luminance levels were nearly perfect.

Like any of the JVC projectors I’ve calibrated before, the DLA-X95R could benefit from a standalone video processor if you’re looking for absolute image perfection, or hire an ISF- or THX-certified video calibrator. With a projector at this price, the cost of a calibration is a drop in the bucket and will ensure that you are getting every bit of what you paid for on the screen. When calibrated properly, the DLA-X95R displays a very accurate picture that would satisfy even the most critical viewer.—KRD