JVC DLA-NP5 - 4K 3D HDR HDCP 2.3 4K120p Home Theater Projector

• 4K120p inputs with HDCP 2.3: Dual 48Gbps inputs with HDCP 2.3 provide the most future-proof connectivity and are ideal for next-generation source devices and current gaming consoles.
• High-Speed LSI for 4K120p input and video processing: 4K120p input is becoming more valuable every day and is effective in displaying high frame rate gaming content. Along with low latency mode, this opens up new possibilities for projectors to provide high-quality gaming on larger screens. The 0.69” native 4K D-ILA device complements this with improved drive performance.
• High resolution and high contrast with 0.69 inch native 4K D-ILA device: The DLA-NP5 is equipped with the same 0.69” native 4K D-ILA device as used on premium JVC models. D-ILA’s unique narrow-pitch pixel process makes it difficult to see the grid even on the largest screens, enabling smooth and high-definition video expression unique to native 4K.
• All-glass lens capable of resolving 4K information: The DLA-NP5 is equipped with a 65mm diameter all-glass lens with 17 elements in 15 groups to deliver high-resolution images that are in focus all the way to the periphery of the screen.
• HDR (High Dynamic Range) content: Support has been added for HDR10+, which uses dynamic metadata, along with the HDR10 format used in UHD Blu-ray and streaming. Both methods support wider color gamut such as BT2020, and 10-bit color gradation. The HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) format used in broadcasting is also available.
  • HDR10+ support: With HDR10+ the luminance information for each scene is embedded in the content as metadata so tone mapping can be performed according to the scene. This makes it possible to faithfully reproduce the HDR images as intended by the creators. By comparison, HDR10, the basic standard for HDR playback, has only two pieces of information: MaxCLL (Maximum Content Light Level), which represents the maximum brightness of the content, and MaxFALL (Maximum Frame Average Light Level), which represents the brightest average frame.
  • JVC's unique Frame Adapt HDR and Theater Optimizer: JVC's Frame Adapt HDR performs dynamic tone mapping — either frame by frame, or scene by scene — based on analysis of HDR10 content, while Theater Optimizer automatically performs optimal tone mapping according to the installation environment. 18- bit level gamma processing suppresses tonal gradations in bright areas and blacks in dark areas and reproduces smooth gradations with high accuracy. Together, these two unique features deliver the best possible HDR image automatically.
• Auto Picture Mode Select: Auto Picture Mode Select allows the preferred picture mode to be preset for SDR (2D), SDR (3D), HDR and HLG. Once this has been done, completely automatic picture mode selection is ensured. The user does not need to do anything to enjoy their favorite content correctly.
• Improved accuracy of proprietary Clear Motion Drive image blur reduction technology: Clear Motion Drive is JVC’s original image blur reduction technology. It now offers smoother motion and greater accuracy by analyzing more frames of video than before. In combination with Motion Enhance, which optimizes the drive of the D-ILA device according to the movement of the image, this technology improves 4K motion reproduction.
• High brightness and high contrast design: Achieves 1,900-lumen brightness using a 265W ultra-high pressure mercury lamp and a highly efficient optical engine. 4K D-ILA devices and an optical engine with a wire grid achieve a native contrast of 40,000:1. The intelligent lens aperture analyzes the input image and automatically controls the black level, resulting in a dynamic contrast of 400,000:1. The synergy of high dynamic range and high brightness delivers the exceptional images JVC is known for.

Other Features:

• ISF-certified. Can be calibrated by ISF-certified engineers.
• The Installation Settings function allows up to 10 types of installation adjustments to be saved and easily recalled. These include lens memory, pixel adjustment, and screen masking. Screen size and gain, and aspect ratios can also be set.
• Auto-calibration is possible to optimize color and gamma performance. This requires an optional sensor and JVC calibration software, which is available as a free download.
• The Screen Setting Mode corrects color imbalance caused by screen characteristics.

• For dynamic tone mapping it's a bit more of a discussion. To begin, both projectors do offer HDR10+ compatibility for dynamic tone mapping with compatible content. Dialing in the regular HDR10 performance on the Epson LS12000 can take some experimentation to get the absolute best picture with each disc, but this is not nearly as involved a process as some have made it out to be. It's possible to just keep the HDR Dynamic Range slider somewhere in the middle and get great performance without fiddling; if you do need it, the control is directly accessible via a button on the remote. But the dynamic tone mapping of Frame Adapt HDR does take any worry out of the process (there is still the option to fiddle with the JVC menu settings, but it isn't necessary). Advantage: JVC—although I'd say not as definitively as with the 3D support.

  Related to the dynamic tone mapping and HDR support is the overall light output of each projector. Comparing the most color accurate picture mode for each projector—which happens to be Natural for both—the Epson has the edge with almost 400 extra lumens in their default modes. Switching the JVC from Low Lamp Power to High Lamp Power closes that gap, but the Epson is still only at 75% brightness so it can again pull ahead by bumping that up to 100% (or any 5% increment in between). And High Lamp Power on the JVC will burn through the lamp faster, so there's an added cost to the higher light output. You can occasionally see both the Dynamic Contrast feature of the Epson and the mechanical iris of the JVC working, but it's subtle when it happens.

  There's been quite a bit made of the difference between native 4K (as we have with the JVC) and 4K with pixel-shifting technology (used by the Epson as well as single-chip 4K DLP projectors). On a technical level are they different? Sure. And if I had the ability to put the two projectors side-by-side for a direct A/B visual test, it wouldn't surprise me if the Epson looked ever so slightly softer if I was standing right up at my screen. At a normal viewing distance from the screen, though, I don't believe one would look softer than the other. I never wanted for more detail from either projector while watching 4K material.

  

  Both projectors are fantastic and I'd be happy with either in my theater, as I'm sure most of ProjectorCentral's readers would. But since 3D capability isn't a major concern for me and I don't mind using the HDR slider when necessary, the value of the Epson (particularly the fact that replacement lamps are unnecessary) makes it the one I would purchase.

   

  
  

  Conclusion

  In a home theater world that's beginning to be dominated by solid state projectors, the JVC DLA-NP5 is an excellent example of how good a lamp-based projector can be. Both SDR and HDR performance are superb, especially when using Frame Adapt HDR or the new HDR10+ support JVC offers. And keeping their 3D support is sure to please a number of potential buyers. The drawbacks are few and minor (the remote can be a bit annoying during calibration and the auto iris can exhibit some pumping), though they include the expected extra cost from a light source that runs on lamps—$600 every couple years for a new lamp, depending on your viewing hours. That said, JVC has made yet another world-class projector that has a sharp 4K picture, deep blacks, and excellent HDR performance with JVC's Frame Adapt HDR.

  

   

  
  

  Measurements

  Brightness. The brightest picture mode on the JVC DLA-NP5 is any of the three SDR User modes (labeled 1-3), with the Color Temp. set to High Bright, Aperture at 0 (in the Manual setting), and Lamp Power at High (its default setting). With those settings, the JVC measured 1,905 ANSI lumens, just over its 1,900 ANSI lumens spec, though the image exhibited a green bias that made it undesirable. Natural Picture Mode, the most color accurate in SDR, measured 1,062 ANSI lumens both before calibration and after. HDR picture modes all measured 1,462 ANSI lumens, apart from HDR10 which was only two lumens off that number. The default Lamp Power setting for Natural and Cinema is Low, and for all other modes the default is High. Color brightness measured 102.7% of white brightness, which is expected for a three-chip projector.

  JVC DLA-NP5 ANSI Lumens

  PICTURE MODE	HIGH LAMP POWER	LOW LAMP POWER
  Natural	1,465	1,062
  Cinema	1,468	1,064
  User (SDR)	1,905	1,381
  Frame Adapt HDR	1,462	1,060
  HDR10	1,460	1,059
  Pana-PQ	1,462	1,060
  User (HDR)	1,462	1,060

  Zoom Lens Light Loss. Changing the zoom from the widest setting to full telephoto resulted in a 32.7% loss of brightness. With a long 2x zoom a bit of light loss is inevitable, but this is a little beyond what's expected. Plan your projector placement accordingly if you need to retain brightness.

  Brightness Uniformity. Brightness uniformity on the DLA-NP5 in its widest lens setting measured 85%. This dropped to 71% in its max telephoto position.

  Input Lag. With a 4K Leo Bodnar lag tester and the Low Latency selector in the off position, I measured input lag at 163.1 ms in both 1080p/60Hz and 4K/60Hz. With a 1080p/120Hz signal, it measured 71.8 ms. With the Low Latency set to On, the DLA-NP5 measure 36.5 ms in 1080p/60, 35.8 ms in 1080p/120, and 44.8 ms in 4K/60. All measurements were taken in Natural (SDR) picture mode. The 4K Leo Bodnar lag tester does not have the capability to test 4K/120Hz or in HDR.

  Fan Noise. JVC lists the noise level of the DLA-NP5 as 24 dB in Low Lamp Power mode using the standard multi-point measurement system in a soundproof room. In my living room that has a noise floor of 32 dBA, I measured the NP5's noise level at 33.9 dBA in Low mode—barely perceptible with my head three feet below the ceiling-mounted projector. With the Lamp Power set to High, as it is in all the HDR picture modes, the noise was only 36.6 dBA. Not nearly enough to be distracting, especially when a movie is playing. In High Altitude mode the noise measured 36 dBA and 41.1 dBA in Low and High Lamp Power settings, respectively.

   

  
  

  Connections

  

  • HDMI 2.1 (with HDCP 2.3, no CEC support)
  • 3D sync output
  • 12v trigger
  • RS-232C
  • USB (for service and firmware only)
  • RJ-45 (LAN control)

   

  
  

  Calibrated Settings

  Calibrated image settings from any third-party do not account for the significant potential for sample-to-sample variation, nor the different screen sizes and materials, lamp usage, or other environmental factors that can affect image quality. Projectors should always be calibrated in the user's own space and tuned for the expected viewing conditions. However, the settings provided here may be a helpful starting point for some. Always record your current settings before making adjustments so you can return to them as desired. Refer to the Performance section for some context for each calibration.

  SDR

  Content Type: Auto (SDR)

  Picture Mode: Natural

  More Settings

  Lamp Power: Low
  Aperture: Manual (0)
  Contrast: 0
  Brightness: -1
  Color: 0
  Tint: 0

  Color Profile: Auto
  Color Management: On

  	RED	GREEN	BLUE	CYAN	MAGENTA	YELLOW
  Hue	-5	0	0	-1	0	1
  Saturation	0	-2	-1	0	0	0
  Brightness	0	1	0	0	0	0

  Color Temp: 6500K

  	RED	GREEN	BLUE
  Gain	0	-4	0
  Offset	-1	-0	-1

  Gamma: 2.4

  MPC Level

  Graphic Mode: High-res 1
  Enhance: 1
  NR: 0
  BNR: 0
  MNR: 0

  Motion Control

  Low Latency: Off (except when gaming)
  Clear Motion Drive: Off
  Motion Enhance: Off

  HDR

  Content Type: Auto (HDR)

  Picture Mode: Frame Adapt HDR

  More Settings

  Lamp Power: High
  Aperture: Manual (0)
  Contrast: -2
  Brightness: 0
  Color: 0
  Tint: 0

  Color Profile: BT.2020
  Color Management: On

  	RED	GREEN	BLUE	CYAN	MAGENTA	YELLOW
  Hue	-3	12	3	3	-4	-1
  Saturation	6	5	9	0	15	5
  Brightness	0	0	0	0	0	0

  Color Temp: HDR10

  	RED	GREEN	BLUE
  Gain	-56	-54	-59
  Offset	0	0	0

  HDR Processing: Frame by Frame
  Theater Optimizer: On (settings dependent on screen)
  HDR Level: Auto

  MPC Level

  Graphic Mode: High-res 1
  Enhance: 2
  NR: 0
  BNR: 0
  MNR: 0

  Motion Control

  Low Latency: Off (except when gaming and Picture Mode set to HDR10)
  Clear Motion Drive: Off
  Motion Enhance: Off