(September 1, 2021) Never one to shy away from the limelight, JVC is kicking off CEDIA 2021 by launching an exciting new lineup of laser projectors. Harnessing the power of its high-end BLU-Escent laser diode light source, the company is rolling out three new models loaded with cutting-edge technologies.
Much like previous releases, all three new projectors will ship in consumer and customer integrator lines, designated as the Procision Series DLA-NZ9, DLA-NZ8, and DLA-NZ7, and the Reference Series DLA-RS4100, DLA-RS3100, and DLA-RS2100. The DLA-NZ9/DLA-RS-4100 has an MSRP of $24,999, while the DLA-NZ8/RS3100 and DLA-NZ7/DLA-RS2100 are $14,999 and $9,999, respectively.
The largest differentiators in pricing are lens parameters and light output, with the DLA-NZ9 possessing a premium 100mm diameter, 16-group, 18-element all-glass lens. Its ultra-wide shift range of 100 percent up/down and 43 percent left/right uses five special low-dispersion lenses that consider the differences in refractive indices between R, G, and B to project high resolution to every corner of the screen. Its high-power laser diode package is capable of 3,000 lumens of output, while Ultra-High Contrast Optics and a new optical device work together to improve brightness while eliminating unwanted internal light. Step-down models feature a 65mm all-glass lens with 17 elements in 15 groups, with the DLA-NZ8 benefiting from the NZ9's Ultra-High Contrast Optics. The DLA-NZ8 can output 2,500 lumens, while the NZ7 is specified at 2,200 lumens.
The benefits of an advanced laser light source are impossible to overstate. With an average life span of 20,000 hours to half brightness (which equates to nearly eight hours of operation per day over day for seven years), increased levels of brightness accommodate larger screen sizes, improved HDR playback, and instantaneous control of light output for dynamic brightness adjustment. JVC says it will offer a replacement laser option to customers, however, pricing and availability have yet to be determined.
While boasting 48Gbps 8K performance, the DLA-NZ9 and NZ8 use a new version of JVC's 8K e-shift technology (called 8K e-shiftX) that benefits from enhancements to the company's legendary D-ILA drive device. These enhancements deliver display speeds equivalent to 240Hz, creating 8K performance by shifting pixels in four different directions (up, down, left, and right) rather than two. JVC's prior version of 8K e-shift, which is deployed on the NZ7, bumps the roughly 8.8 million pixels found in 4K to 17.7 million. 8K e-shiftX raises that number to nearly 35.4 million pixels, for a seamless feast for the eyes.
Other exciting inclusions include HDR10+, which uses dynamic metadata for tone mapping on a scene-by-scene basis, a cinema color filter for 100% coverage of the wide DCI-P3 color gamut, and an improved Clear Motion drive image blur reduction technology. JVC has also improved its Frame Adapt and Theater Optimizer tone mapping capabilities, which give viewers the ability to enjoy properly displayed HDR. Not surprisingly, all three models have motorized lens memory, pixel adjustment, auto-calibration, and 3D compatibility, while nixing the need for a dynamic iris. They've also received ISF Certification and can be color-calibrated by ISF-certified engineers.
To accommodate these new models, JVC is discontinuing its previous NX9 and NX7 models, reserving the NX5 as its entry-level ILA bulb-based offering.
Shipping is scheduled to begin in October 2021.
Full Specifications
Additional Photos
Upclose image of the BLU-Escent Diode
DLA-RS4100
DLA-RS3100
DLA-RS2100
DLA-NZ9 (also shown at top)
DLA-NZ8
DLA-NZ7
Last edited: