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JVC DLA-X3 Review

Review by Mike English

Verdict:  DEFINITE BUY!!! JVCs D-ILA DLA-X3 is another home run from an industry leader in projection technology. The DLA-X3 has a stellar picture, with rich detailed color, combined with phenomenal black levels. While the 3D image is not as bright as the 2D, 3D images retain impact with a lot of punch and color, even on traditional High Contrast projection surfaces. It’s less expensive than last year’s DLA-HD550, and retains everything the DLA-HD550 did well, all with an optional 3D twist. For 2D or 3D, the DLA-X3 is a great unit that you absolutely must see to believe.

By the Numbers: 

JVC DLA-X3 -  1920x1080P, 1300 ANSI Lumens, 50,000:1 Advertised Contrast Ratio, 120Hz,  24P Capable, 3 x 2cm D-ILA Optical Engine, Power Focus and Lens Shift, Power 1.4 - 2.8:1 Zoom lens, 20.0 dB Low Lamp Mode, RS-232 Port, 12 volt Trigger, Multi-Mode 3D

 
JVC DLA-X3 3D Video Projector Overview

BBC’s Planet Earth

The new DLA-X3 from JVC represents the company’s first foray into 3D projection. Also new this year is a center-chassis lens system, which improves geometry during installation. Otherwise, the DLA-X3 compares very well against last year’s DLA-HD550 in terms of overall 2D performance, and my appreciation of the DLA-HD550 is no secret. Like the DLA-HD250, the DLA-X3 ships without a dynamic iris, which suits me just fine. On-the-fly iris adjustments, like dynamic gamma adjustments, can be easily noticeable, both by the effect on the picture as well as by the sound the iris can make during adjustment. It’s also cheating, more or less, because it allows the manufacturer to rely on a mechanical system, an add-on if you will, to make adjustments after the digital electronic systems have done their jobs.

Ceiling mounted JVC DLA-X3

Like most other modern 1080P home cinema projectors, the DLA-X3 has a large footprint. I prefer the matte black finish of the DLA-HD250, but I’m in the minority on that one – I’m told by many that the gloss black has better furniture value. You can’t argue with the majority on something like this.

Back-lit Remote for JVC DLA-X3, finished in Matte Black

JVC DLA-X3 3D Video Projector Set-up

JVC DLA-X3 shown with 3D transmitter placed on top of the projector

Virtually every installation adjustment is servo activated, from lens shift, to zoom, to focus. JVC has thoughtfully included appropriate patterns for each adjustment as well. My test DLA-X3 was ceiling mounted about 16 feet from a 119” Draper Premiere tensioned electric screen in my favorite overall material, Draper’s High Def Grey. By the numbers, at full brightness, this screen is reflecting a relatively moderate 21.5 foot lamberts, give or take, comfortably more than SMPTE recommends for calibrated cinema, but less than I typically target for regular use in a home cinema. However, by my eye, the DLA-X3 is very bright at this size, even in 3D mode. I suspect JVC is understating the brightness on their projectors. Whatever JVC is doing, this projector is very bright even after installation and picture adjustments.

BBC’s “Planet Earth”

Installation is simplicity itself. The DLA-X3 is capable of an 80% vertical offset and a 34% horizontal, more than enough for virtually any installation. It’s a great problem solver, given that many basements offer an impressive array of bulkheads and support columns that can get in the way. Also, the power zoom is precise and easy to adjust, as is the focus. As a result, the DLA-X3 is ridiculously easy to dial in.

Image adjustments are equally easy, given the excellent remote control system. The electronics used in the DLA-X3 are top-grade – adjustments are immediately noticeable. Given the excellent on-screen interface, getting the most out of your DLA-X3 is easy, but it’s important to note that image adjustments are not necessary for the majority of users. It literally looks that good right out of the box.

Imax: Under the Sea

My test materials included “Avatar”, “Imax: Under the Sea”,  “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” all in 3D, and “Baraka”, “Blade Runner”, “Curse of the Golden Flower” and “BBC’s Planet Earth”, all on 2D Blu-Ray. My test screen was a 119” Draper Ultimate Access Series V tensioned electric in Draper’s fantastic 0.9 gain High Def Grey.

First Impressions - 2D
Wow. Zing. Zowie. Sweet. Forgive my enthusiasm, but seriously, wow. I’ve been doing this long enough I’ve seen what passed for home theater for almost a decade. The DLA-X3, ladies and gentleman, is not your parent’s home theatre projector. The DLA-X3 is a cutting edge piece of fun rolled up in a glossy black 3D wrapper. From the moment you turn it on, you know you’re looking at something special. The colors are rich, subtle and almost leap off the screen. You simply will not believe how many colors this projector can show you. When the scene dips to black, there’s so little light coming off the screen it’s hard to tell the image area from the background around it. By eye, the blacks look better than any projector I’ve evaluated in this class.

“Imax: Under the Sea” in 2D Playback Mode

The Third Dimension

JVC 3D glasses with remote control

OK. I know you’ve been waiting for it, and thank you for hanging in until now.

3D performance with the DLA-X3 is every bit as good as I hoped it would be. Everything good about 2D projection is maintained in 3D mode.

It’s still 3D, mind you, with quality that varies from looking like paper cutouts floating around to real, full on blow your mind. So consider 3D performance to be very content dependant, perhaps more so than you might think.

“Avatar” was bloody marvelous. The home experience was every bit as good as the theatre, perhaps better, given that I didn’t have the crowds and $200 tub of popcorn to deal with. “Imax: Under the Sea 3D” was, in a word, breathtaking. It’s the perfect material for 3D – slow, steady moving images, eye catching color, backdropped against the inky blue mystery of the ocean depths… good times. It’s definitely a must have.

The 3D image isn’t as bright as a smaller 3D TV picture, but it is (or should be anyway!) an order of magnitude larger. D-ILA has other advantages, like color and contrast, so fret not. However, my test DLA-X3 was combined with a 0.9 gain high contrast material. While brightness definitely suffered in 3D mode, the 3D image shown by the DLA-X3 remained vibrant and colorful. This is an excellent example of how a smart, well designed and engineered projector can partially compensate for installation limitations. I say “partially compensate” because engineering (ie color and contrast performance) only goes so far – the 3D snowscapes of “Ice Age” were dim and lacked contrast, understandable, given that most of the movie takes place in, well, an ice age. If all you watch are snow movies, the only solution is to throw a smaller picture or use a higher gain material.

Dalite’s Cinema Vision and Pearlescent screen materials

Whichever way you go, understand that, in my opinion anyway, you will not be disappointed with the 3D performance of this projector.

Here’s a freebie: In “Imax: Under the Sea 3D”… Two words. Potato Cod. Trust me. You’ll thank me later.

The Cod COMMANDS you!

The Bottom Line
While I’m not crazy about gloss finishes, I have to admit the DLA-X3 is a handsome beast. It’s a pure black gloss. Gone is the metallic flake of the DLA-HD550. Absent as well is the matte finish of the DLA-HD250, which I’m particularly fond of.

Ease of installation is important, as many home theater owners I know prefer to do much of the work themselves. Even with it’s large chassis, the DLA-X3 practically begs to be toted around, given it’s adaptability to different environments.

Picture quality is the best you’re going to see under $5,000. Bold statement but I’ll stand by it, at least until the next latest and greatest comes along. The DLA-X3 is better than the DLA-HD250, and better than the DLA-HD550, although not by much. Given the crazy low price on the DLA-HD250 though, significantly less than the DLA-X3, it’s hard to recommend one over the other, when you’re factoring cost as the main issue anyway. Giving the DLA-X3 3D capabilities is a great way to give it more legs however, and really justify that just shy of $5,000 price point.

But that’s also part of the problem. The 3D transmitter and glasses aren’t included. They cost extra. The 3D glasses aren’t compatible with other 3D systems you may have, and are expensive to boot. A typical family could be $1000 in extras, just to watch 3D. This is a real problem, one that I suspect resourceful value added retailers will address with less expensive “universal” glasses. I’m not aware of any that will work with the JVC transmitter, but I’ll post model numbers here when I am.

3D, any 3D, involves some compromise. With 3D projectors, this compromise almost always involves brightness. And the glasses. But don’t buy this projector because it does 3D. As it comes out of the box the DLA-X3 is a 2D projector. 3D imaging requires the purchase of the IR transmitter and at least one set of glasses. Buy this projector because it’s a fantastic projector at a great price that also does 3D. First and foremost, the DLA-X3 is a stellar 2D unit. It has loads of 3D performance, but given the compromises (glasses cost, un-even, limited content, etc), buying a pure 3D projector probably isn’t something most people would do. So consider the DLA-X3 as one of the best 2D projectors available at the price. Period. That the DLA-X3 is 3D is cool, but it won’t carry you through the entire ownership experience.