JVC Attacks the 4K DLP Segment with Its New LX-UH1 Projector

JVC Attacks the 4K DLP Segment with Its New LX-UH1 Projector​

(JVCKenwood USA Corporation)(April 4, 2018) JVC is expanding its projector offerings by introducing a new lower cost model that utilizes DLP technology. Priced at $2,499, the new LX-UH1 carries an MSRP that’s $1,500 less than its least expensive D-ILA projector.

The LX-UH1 is marketed as a 4K Ultra HD device, armed with newly developed 0.47in TRP DMD 4K display technology and the capacity for 2,000 lumens of light output (matching brightness capabilities of the company’s more expensive 4K e-shift DLA-X990 and DLA-X790 models). JVC says the projector is capable of supporting the Rec 709 color space in its entirety and is compatible with BT.2020. It also supports both HDR10 and Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) High Dynamic Range, while offering a user selectable two-position automatic aperture for image quality management.

Internally, the LX-UH1 sheds JVC’s vaunted D-ILA imagers in favor of Digital Light Processing (otherwise known as DLP), with color reproduction managed by an RGBRGB color wheel. Its overall dynamic contrast ratio is reported to be an impressive 100,000:1.

The projector houses dual HDMI inputs, however only one offers HDMI 2.0 functionality for data rates up to 18 Gbps and HDCP2.2 compatibility. User friendliness is enhanced by ±60% vertical and ±23% horizontal lens shifts in addition to a 1.6x zoom capability. While the LX-UH1’s size specs haven’t officially been released, it’s billed as a “compact design” which should lend to ease of installation.

The LX-UH1 is scheduled to begin shipping in May.

 

[tripplej]

Thanks for the update. We do like it when prices go down.

 

[Matthew J Poes]

Forgetting that this is from JVC, this is a heck of a deal. It has more placement flexibility than most other 4k DLP projectors.

The fact that it is from JVC bodes well for its performance. While I am sure they aren't working any magic on the DLP chips, I still imagine they have done more to ensure good color and as good as can be expected contrast.

As for the features, any chance you know or can find out if it can reproduce DCI-P3 color?

Also this automatic aperture control, is this code for a dynamic iris? Most of the other 4K DLP's are using light modulation, no actual dynamic iris, which has generally performed better.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Both good questions. The PR material definitely has some cloaking in it... I'm assuming that some portion of DCI is covered (what percentage? don't know). And I do believe that automatic aperture control is referencing some kind of dynamic iris functionality.

I'd already put in a request for further information... I'll update when it becomes explained.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Here's a few clarifications:

Not surprisingly, the device isn't 4K native, but relies on Texas Instruments TRP technology, and in this instance that likely means each frame is comprised of two passes with shifted images. Your eye won't be able to catch the difference, however, because it happens so fast. Your eye *might* see a color wheel rainbow effect – my eyes are super sensitive to the rainbow effect... but many can't see it.

As for the iris, JVC says it's a three position iris with the following functions: OFF, Low (limited aperture movement), and High (dynamic full range aperture movement).

I'm still waiting to hear if there's DCI color space coverage. My new guess is that its limited (if at all), but that the projector can accept both DCI/BT.2020 signals without error.

 

[Tony V.]

The "rainbow effect" is still a concern for me. Ive witnessed it in a couple DLP projectors Ive seen but I know some people are not bothered by it or dont see it.

 

[mechman]

I cannot wait to see how this one performs. It seems like Epson has had a firm grip on the sub-$3K 4K HDR market.

If it supports HDR, I'd guess it supports DCI-P3. Even at that price point, it would be silly not to.

 

[Tony V.]

This one would be something to get our hands on for an evaluation. A review would be great.

 

[Todd Anderson]

It probably probably processes DCI... but may not have the capacity to display it... but we shall see.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Awesome price... and street price will likely be a little lower, although initially they may be hard to find.

 

[mechman]

Not sure how hard they will be to find. While I can’t recall off the top of my head, I was thinking their other DLP pj wasn’t a big seller. It’s kind of a step down for JVC. At least that’s the way I see it.

 

[JStewart]

I'll be curios to see if there will be a compelling reason to purchase this unit vs. the Optomas using the same tech that have been available for a short while now.

 

[John Platanitis]

I just purchased the JVC UH1B -July 25/18

I’ve had in my home the Optoma UHD60, 50 and 51A.
Of those 3, the UHD51A had the best blacks by far and therefore best overall picture due to the better contrast. Both Blu Rays and UHD Blu Rays looked excellent. The UHD60 was very sharp and brilliant in colour, but lacked the same depth of black. Then I noticed the JVC on line.

I went to a local retailer and saw it in action against the Optoma UHD65 which I was thinking I would end up with, given how well reviewed it was everywhere, especially by “The TV Specialists” on YouTube who have done several in-depth reviews and comparisons of the UHD65 against other projo’s.

Given JVC’s pedigree and vaunted reputation in the theatre projection realm, I was quite excited to see their first DLP. I figured that it was going to be special if JVC was going to put their label on it. I was NOT disappointed!

First, DON’T be fooled by specs. Each manufacturer employs their own in-house systems for determining Contrast Ratio (CR). The UHD65’s specs claim 1’200,000-1 dynamic contrast - an insane number! Whereas the JVC UH1’s spec clams a mere 100,000-1 by comparison. Those numbers, IF accurate would indicate the black levels, shadow detail and CR of the UHD65 should blow away the JVC. However, nothing could be further from the truth!

I’m sitting 18 feet away from a 120” GRANDVIEW White Screen 1.0 gain, in a darkened theatre room with a white ceiling and light blue walls (so definitely light is reflecting off both), yet the picture is spectacular!

1080p SDR Blu Ray Content:

In a side by side with a the opening scene of “Avatar” and the night scene where Jake spends his first night on Pandora, the JVC’s blacks were better than the UHD65, and its overall clarity and sharpness was visibly superior. Note, both were using the same Sony UBDX800 player.

The contrast in the opening spaceship scene on the JVC was stunning! The star field was black, the multitude of stars very clear, and the light spaceship was excellently contrasted in the foreground.

I purchased the JVC.

When I got it home, I ran it through a barrage of real content tests from 1080p Blu Ray in SDR to UHD4K HDR content on both Blu Ray and You Tube content.

Via the new LG UBK90 4K player, what the JVC does with SDR Blu Rays is astonishing! My favorite movies exploded off the screen with a stunningly new level of detail, contrast and colour...wow the colour the JVC puts out. “Brilliant” isn’t the best adjective...explosive is!

And the contrast is incredible! By the way, I’m comparing it to my previous Mitsubishi HC7800D, 1080p Projector and the JVC is head and shoulders above it in every way.

The opening scene of “The Hobbit: Desolation Of Smaug” was fantastic! The depth of blacks, contrast and detail was incredible...the detail, contrast and colours in Gandalf and Thorin at “The Inn Of The Prancing Pony” was awesome! Fast forward to the scene were the Dwarves are captured by the elves and locked up. And where Thorin meets the Thrandruil and the colours, textures, detail and contrast is again, awesome,

Switch to “Interstellar” on Blu Ray, and fasf forward to the Black Hole scene to be treated to a depth of blacks I was not used to seeing on my previous Projo! The contrast, detail and POP of the image was stunning!
On to “X Men: Apocalypse” and the colours blew me away!
The colour of Mystque’s blue skin exploded off the screen asdid the detail and textures of everything!
The explosion scene were all the kids are rescued was insane! The richness of the fire exploding through the floor, the colours, the details and clarity were mesmerizing!

Are you getting the picture? Pun intended
The JVC UH1 is like NO DLP Projector I’ve ever seen.
Was it worth the extra $400 over the UHD65? Not even a rational question!

The REAL issue for me now is given how amazingly vibrant, detailed, upscaled 1080p Blu Ray’s look via the LG and the JVC, I’m left asking myself, Do I even need 4K Blu Ray content? My answer thus far, is No! I’m seeing my Blu Ray library AS IF for the first time, with fresh eyes, and am constantly amazed as is my son, with what we are seeing now that we have never seen before...I’m not kidding, it’s that impressive!

4K Content:

Here is the mystery for me. By comparison to how incredible vibrant, detailed, textured and colour rich my Blu Ray’s now look, the 4K UHD versions of “The Great Wall” and “Black Panther” by comparison sure look a lil sharper, but also VERY “washed out”. The difference is so stark, I prefer the Blu Ray versions.

I watched both the UHD and the included Blu Ray version of each and I really do not have the vocabulary to describe what the upscaled Blu Ray versions looked like!!!

Q. Is it inherent in the 4K HDR Blu Ray format? Or just these two movies in particular? I don’t know.
When I see a 4K HDR sample of “Justice League” or “Kong: Skull Island” on YouTube, the image is contrast rich, highly detailed and deeply vibrant in colour. But played through either the LG UBK90 or Samsung UBD9500, they look much more “dull” by comparison.

I thought “HDR” was supposed to highlight blacks, deeper more vibrant colours? Not minimize them.

So while I can’t figure this out, what I CAN say is the JVC UH1, is *in it’s price point* - sub $3K in Canada, it has to be arguably the best 4K - “Faux K” image available today.

Sorry for the lengthy comment

 

[Todd Anderson]

First off, John, welcome to AV NIRVANA. Killer first post... a great read! Enjoyed a thorough firsthand account of the new JVC. Sounds like they have a winner on their hands and I'm not surprised you're finding black levels to be impactful and better than what you've experienced prior. It is JVC, after all ;-). The heart of their product lines has always been superior blacks. Glad to see that the UH1 follows suit.

So, to answer your question about 4K. First off, realize that the peak brightness (nits) that sub $10K projectors can achieve pales in comparison to that of the best TVs in the market. So your HDR experience is going to be much more limited with a PJ.

HDR adds highlights and detail to images... so you'll see more detail in brighter scenes (such as cloud details in what would otherwise appear as a bland grey sky) and shadow scenes. When done right, it's magnificent. Your projector might need some tweaks in the gamma setting to show the image correctly. 2.2 is normal gamma value... try going into your menu settings in HDR mode and see if Brightness or Contrast priority helps.

I own an RS520 and had to tweak gamma out of the box to get a proper 4K HDR image.

I'm not sure if it were ever resolved, but I don't think the UH1 is capable of wide color. I could be wrong about this, but it might process wide color, but not display. So you might not see a radical color difference between Blu-ray and 4K UHD Blu-ray.

I could be that the projector's HDR capabilities are weak enough that the projector overly brightens the image to try and achieve some semblance of HDR to the detriment of the rest of the image. It's certainly possible. In which case the Blu-ray version might look better.

 

[mechman]

Try what Todd suggests because HDR should look a lot better than their SDR counter parts that are upconverted. If none of that helps, we'll have to delve deeper but it's more than likely some setting(s) in the menu system that need to be changed.

 

[John Platanitis]

Thanks guys! Appreciate the feedback. Yeah, the “dullness” of the 4K UHD Blu Rays via either the Samsung 9500 or LG UBK90, IS def a mystery. I expected more, not less.
I currently have “Contrast Priority turned on, brightness down to 40 to deepen blacks and “Contrast” high to 65-70 to brighten the whites. (It was set to 50 for each out of the box). Colour is between 50-60.

The retailer where I purchased it, is suggesting a calibration is needed ($475.00) which they assure will substantially improve HDR.
I have much respect for ISF Calibrators .
However, I’m a lil concerned that calibration, while making colours more life-like and natural, will only reinforce the apparent “dull” sense to the image.

Recall that I said 4K HDR videos like from “Justice League” or “Kong: Skull Island” on YouTube do NOT appear “dull. But contrast rich, vibrant, detailed...the mystery deepens. But I appreciate the chat

 

[Todd Anderson]

Wow. $500 bucks for a calibration? Wish mech or I could help you out!

If I were you I'd pick up the Spears and Munsil HD disc and try a little tweaking on your own, first. Like mech, I'm a THX certified calibrator... it's worth saying that most "good" equipment should get relatively close to a solid calibrated state by running it in cinema or THS or ISF mode... the disc will get your contrast and brightness fairly well balanced. As my THX instructor said, just doing those two things will get you in the general vicinity of where you need to be. I'm assuming mech will agree with that - especially with modern displays and projectors.

I think there's something wonky going on with your system. Perhaps connections? Have you tried using a different HDMI cable? Is your PJ running an HDMI connection through you SR5000? If it is, that SR5000 doesn't support HDMI 2.0x...

Not dogging on your gear... far from it... just trying to trouble shoot.

 

[John Platanitis]

You are correct. My MARANTZ SR500 is a lil outdated in terms of support for HDMI 2.0 or 2.2. It runs 1.4. The LG UBK90 has two HDMI outs, one of which runs audio only to the receiver. So I’m still getting DTS/Dolby Digital sound while the HMDI 2.0 goes directly to the Projo.

The UH1 does not allow me to switch gamma when in HDR mode. It is set to 2.4.

Update re: picture.

Ok, so taking your advice Todd, I have played around with settings and tweaked here and there. And I am hapoy to report that my perception of the 4K UHD playback has changed. First, I’m quite certain I prefer the way the LG UBK90 handles 4K content vs the way the Samsung 9500 does. I think the colours overall on the LG are better...that addressed some issues right there.

The more my son and I watched “Black Panther” after tweaking it, the more we both concluded the 4K IS in fact the better image in every way. Colours were vibrant, rich, contrast excellent and detail was clearly improved over the SDR Blu Ray versions upscaled on the LG.

In the “Challenge” scenes at the beginning and later on, the degree of detail apparent in the sparkling water on T’Challa’s back and arms was visibly improved. The highlights in the sunset sky in the 2nd challenge scene where T’Challa’s cousin fights him, were as you said Todd, execellent. The contrast was superb.

In the night time scene were T’challa and the two female warriors go to pick up Cloue, there is a “shimmer” in the green textures of the dress that is clearly more visible than on the Blu Ray...blacks were very deep in the outside night scenes and overall contrast remained superb.

So now that I hav tweaked it and have spent more time with it, my son and I agree the 4K HDR viewing experience is definitely superior to the Blu Ray.

Again, I am astounded at the picture quality, detail, clarity, colour and blacks of this JVC DLP Projo. As I said, I figured IF JVC PUT THEIR LABEL ON IT, IT HAD TO BE SPECIAL.,,and it is.

Todd, you have the RS520? ...ahhhhhh...I can only imagine!

 

[Todd Anderson]

Hey, great news!!! Glad you were able to tweak and get the picture to your liking.

I figured you were probably running audio and video through two different HDMI outs, but wanted to confirm.

I'm hoping to catch a glimpse of this projector in action at CEDIA next month. More than likely JVC will have it setup in a light controlled room. Definitely very curious!

 

[John Platanitis]

yup

Hey, great news!!! Glad you were able to tweak and get the picture to your liking.

I figured you were probably running audio and video through two different HDMI outs, but wanted to confirm.

I'm hoping to catch a glimpse of this projector in action at CEDIA next month. More than likely JVC will have it setup in a light controlled room. Definitely very curious!

You know, I can’t keep my jaw off the floor. We all know full CGI animated movies can look pretty impressive even on 1080p displays. But on this JVC? wow!
My sons and I were watching the animated kids flick “Mega Mind” On SDR Blu Ray, and the image was insanely good! There are many dark scenes, night time scenes and the darkness of the sky, the “MegaMind” secret hide out scenes, His black capes, the various hues of blue, purple in his skin, to the sparkle in the female’s eyes on closeups were stunningly deep, rich, contrasted...tons of “POP”!
I’ve not seen a JVC Reference Series on display (and truthfully, since mine is so insanely good, I don’t think I can even imagine what yours looks like Todd), so I can only compare to what I have seen either in home or on display somewhere, but this image has the deepest blacks I personally have ever seen, short of an OLED, creating incredible contrast for the “explosive” colours the JVC puts out, topped off with stunning detail.

In “Cinema Mode”, the only ‘negative’ - I’m using the term very loosely here, was that skin tones had a definite shift to red. When I switched to “Natural” or “Dynamic”, the skin tones appeared much more normal in tint. But some of the “pop” and “wow” of the image was def lost. So I kept it on “Cinema”, which overal is the best mode other than HDR. I could live with the reddish hue because the rest of the image was so ridiculously good

I think too many people focus on how black the top and bottom bars appear rather than how deep the blacks in the image itself are.

I hope you are able to see various content when you go to Cedia.

Hey Todd, to garner perhaps more info for those curious about the UH1, should my first comment perhaps be used to start its own thread?

Really appreciate chatting!

 

[Todd Anderson]

Definitely, how about you start up a "JVC LX-UH1" owners thread in the projector forum... here:

https://www.avnirvana.com/forums/projectors-and-projection-screens.20/

Look forward to it!