JVC DLA-X500R and Sony VPL-HW40ES – Product Profiles
HDTVs and More typically focuses on reviewing and writing articles about flat-panel televisions as the primary means of enjoying a video/media presentation in your home. These displays are available in a variety of screen sizes, ranging anywhere from a very small 27-inches, and all the way up to a large, and I mean very large, 90-inches or more.
However, for some viewers this may still not be large enough to satisfy their home theater viewing appetite…and one of the reasons for this dissatisfaction is having the desire to experience the “mega screen” sizes of their local multiplex cinema movie theater in their own home.
So if this is your desire, the next best thing is a front projection system featuring a ceiling or shelf-mounted projector and a projection screen. The typical screen size for this type of set-up is 120″, which is very large and can go much larger reaching over 200″ diagonally.
In this article I recommend two excellent performing front projectors that may suit your home theater needs: the JVC DLA-500R and Sony VPL-HW40ES.
JVC DLA-X500R 1080p Projector
Retail price: $5,000
Check the current price at Amazon.com
Features:
- Intelligent Lens Aperture – motorized dynamic iris
- E-Shift 4K System – upscales 1080p content to near 4K quality
- 3 chip D-ILA (Direct-Drive Image Light Amplifier)
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 60,000:1 rated contrast ratio
- 1300 lumens rated light output
- 230-watt SHP lamp -rated lamp life is 4000 hrs in low lamp mode
- Screen size applications: 60″ – 200″ diagonally
- Lens shift: +/- 80% vertical, +/- 34% horizontal
- Throw ratio (distance from the lens to screen) 1.4:1 to 2.8:1
- Fan noise: 21dB in low lamp mode
- Clear Motion Drive 3 – motion blur reduction
- Backlit remote
- Inputs: 2 HDMI 1.4b, 1 Ethernet, 1 RS-232C
- Outputs: 1 trigger (12 volt DC) 1 3D sync
Pros:
- Impressive contrast and black levels
- Excellent shadow detail
- Very good color reproduction – colors appear very natural
- Razor-sharp picture image
- Will accept native 4K 60p signals
- Up-converts 1080p sources to 4K quality
- Motorized lens system
- Good 3D performance
Cons:
- No 3D glasses provided
- Not a true 4K projector
- Will not accept a 480i signal
- Input lag during video gaming
- Due to the projectors light output levels (brightness), the screen size should be kept to 120″ and smaller for the best viewing experience
Specs:
Dimensions: (WxHxD) 17.9″ x 7″ x 18.5″
Weight: 32.3 lbs
Warranty: 2 years
Additional info:
– Replacement lamp: $500
– 3D glasses: $180 ea.
– 3D RF emitter: $100
Sony VPL-HW40ES 1080p Projector
Retail price: $2,499.99
Check the current price at Amazon.com
Features:
- 3 SXRD Panels (Silicon X-tal Reflective Display) Sony’s version of LCoS
- Sony’s Reality Creation technology
- Nine picture modes
- 240Hz panel drive with Motionflow technology
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- Nine picture modes
- 1700 lumens rated light output
- 200-watt UHP lamp – 2000 – 5000 hrs recommended replacement time
- Screen size applications: 80″ – 200″
- Lens shift: 71% vertical, 25% horizontal
- Throw ratio (distance from the lens to screen) 1.36:1 to 2.16:1
- Fan noise: 21dB
- Backlit remote
- Inputs: 2 HDMI, 1 component, 1 PC, 1 RS-232C, 1 IR
Pros:
- Sharp detailed images
- Accurate grayscale and color rendition
- Great contrast and black levels
- Good motion blur control
- Very good 3D performance
- Extremely quiet fan
Cons:
- Won’t accept 4K signals
- No motorized auto-iris lens adjustment (manual only)
- No 3D glasses provided
Specs:
Dimensions: (WxHxD) 16-1/8″ x 7-1/8″ x 18-3/8″
Weight: 22.1lbs
Warranty: 3 years parts and labor
Additional info:
– Replacement lamp: $369.99
– 3D glasses: $129.99
See more front projectors at Amazon.com
Need help and info on what type and size of the projection screen to use with your front projection system? Then check out the options from the manufacturers listed below: