Introduction JVC’s new DLA-RS-2 is the company’s new flagship 1080p-resolution front projector. It is a three-panel LCoS, or what JVC calls DLA (Digital Light Amplifier), which is a reflective variant of LCD display technology. The DLA-RS2 is the step-up from last year’s DLA-RS1, which remains in the company’s projector line-up at a lower price point. However, it improves in only one area of picture performance over the RS-1 with a higher contrast ratio, due mainly to better blacks. While the new projector adds some cool new features, it actually goes backwards in two key areas of performance. Higher contrast ratio on the RS-2 translates into a net loss of nearly 20 percent in light output from the RS-1, which was already marginal in this area. The new projector is conservatively rated at 600 ANSI lumens of light output, which means it ...

Introduction Sony’s latest top-of-the-line front projector effectively replaces the company’s original flagship SXRD projector, the Qualia 004. The new VPL-VW200 is not only superior in performance to the original statement piece, but also half its price. It is amazing how quickly things change in the world of video. The VPL-VW200 is a three-panel LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon)-based unit with a native resolution of 1080p. Probably the most impressive aspect of its performance, once you have it set up properly, is its color accuracy. In fact, it is the most color accurate front projector under $30,000 that I have tested. Nothing at or near its price ($15,000) can come close to the performance of the VPL-VW200 in terms of color. I am a big stickler when it comes to color accuracy, and my latest pet peeve has been inaccurate primary and secondary ...

Introduction I was a little nervous when I learned that I would be reviewing Marantz’s new VP-15S1 projector. I know this sounds a little odd, especially when you consider that the staff at AVRev.com and I have been overwhelmingly impressed with Marantz’s past front-projection video projectors. I even bought the last Marantz projector I reviewed, the VP-11S1, which retailed for $20,000. While I know that video gear is always getting better and cheaper, I was surprised to learn that, within a single year, Marantz’s VP-15S1 was being introduced at half the price ($9,999) with allegedly 90 percent of the performance. Could this be true? When I received the VP-15S1, I was not surprised to find that it physically looked very similar to the VP-11S1 and the VP-12 series before that. The biggest external difference I noted between the VP-15S1 and the VP-11S1 ...

Introduction There is no doubt that HDTVs in general are getting more affordable, meaning more accessible to the masses, while performance and features are improving to a degree. Front video projectors are no exception to this trend. Enter Sanyo’s latest 1080p 3LCD front projector, the PLV-Z2000, which is a perfect example of just such a projector. The PLV-Z2000 delivers reasonably good performance for the dollar, offers generous connectivity and has a solid feature package to boot. Set-up flexibility is quite good with some features that are usually found only on much more expensive projectors. Design The look of the projector is not attractive, to say the least. You may want to take pains to camouflage it on your ceiling. It is a squarish box with a relatively small footprint, measuring nearly six inches tall by 16 inches wide and 13-and-a-half inches ...

Introduction If you cruise the A/V forums, it seems that JVC’s latest DLA-RS1 D-ILA (LCoS) projector is the hottest 1080p front projector on the market at this time. At under $7,000 the RS1 competes neck and neck with the Sony VPL-VW100 also nicknamed the Ruby. The feature package on the RS1 is comprehensive, and there are some unique set-up features that will aid in the ease of set-up and optimization of the picture. Rated at a very conservative 700 ANSI lumens, the RS1’s 200-watt UHP lamp has enough light output to drive screen sizes up to about 100 inches wide, depending on the screen material used. Sleek and elegant-looking, the RS1 will easily integrate into family rooms, living rooms, and of course will easily disappear on the ceiling of a dedicated home theater. While not completely perfect, the RS1 does have much to recommend it in terms of picture quality. Design The RS1 is one ...