JVC DLA-SX21
Shades of grey
By Max Christoffersen
December 2003
JVC DLA-SX21 video projector. $23,000
It's not easy buying a projector you can live with long term.
There's a lot to weigh up. Running costs, image quality, resolution, lamp-life and long-term reliability are all factors to consider. But despite it all, it's easy to be lured in by the new temptress on the block - but which one; CRT, LCD, DLP, Dila?
The latest temptress to grace my place, was the JVC SX21 that stopped by briefly for a one night stand. The after-taste was a mix of excitement and disappointment. Excitement at the potential picture prospects and disappointment that I hadn't seen enough to confirm the desirability of a long term relationship.
While arranging a second date, I did the necessary background checks; Dila is JVC's method of digital projection featuring benefits not available on other projectors. Naturally there is no convergence set-up, but also no screendoor and no colour wheel. It's all good news for those who can't tolerate CRT convergence, LCD screendoor or DLP induced rainbows, eye strain and headaches. The Dila image is silky smooth, very relaxing and easy to view.
What can I say? I was smitten.
Back to the past
In 1989 Sharp was offering the Sharpvision range of LCD projectors. I remember thinking at the time that they needed to get the pixel count into the millions instead of the thousands. Progress being what it is - the JVC SX21 is that projector. While it's not an LCD projector as such, it does used liquid crystal panels as its image engine. The main difference being Dila is a reflective approach rather than transmissive.
In practice that means less pixelation and more image. The high fill factor of Dila is a genuine benefit, resulting in a smooth, near blemish free image. Some scenes still exhibited LCD lag resulting in subliminal after-trails as it pans from one side of the screen to another. The aftertaste though is of a very detailed image with impressive depth of field and pristine edge definition.
The under the hood stuff
The JVC SX21 features user selectable 16x9 or 4:3 image making and true SXGA resolution produced by three 1400 x 1050 LCD panels. The contrast ratio is stated at 800:1 while lamp life is set at 2000 hours. A DVI input is provided along with a range of other RCA/Y/C inputs and connectors using BNC plugs for the component/RGB inputs. Digital keystone correction is provided along with four colour profiles accessed through a very simple on-screen display. Note: the lenses and focus controls are manual, although buttons are provided on the small remote. A convenient 'digital shift' feature to move the image vertically is also provided, allowing for some flexibility in projector placement.
It don't matter if my baby is black or white
Contrast ratio is the equivalent of dynamic range in music. Stunt either and any possibility of simulating reality is severely compromised.
And this is where you find the JVC SX21 beginning to show it's compromises. The 'grey veil' of older LCD machines is easy to spot in the darker scenes from the Superbit version (the Hive) of Resident Evil. Where there should be a deep black there was a very obvious superficial grey, rendering the image as somewhat two dimensional lacking depth of field and shadow detail.
I was left with a feeling of 'give me just a touch more black' and I'll write the cheque. But that extra black lift eluded me, no matter what superficial tweaking I did.
Lip synch issues also surfaced and the colour balance verged on 'computer colours' instead of a balanced and consistent colour palette.
Do you take this projector for richer for poorer...
JVC could conquer the projector planet if they worked to get this machine up to and past the contrast ratio specifications of competing CRT/DLP machines. It is the most obvious compromise in an otherwise near flawless presentation.
And given the no screendoor/convergence/rainbow benefits of Dila it would corner the projector market (of those who can't view and enjoy CRT/DLP/LCD) if it can exceed those contrast ratio image qualities.
Put the time into the JVC SX21 and I think you're in possession of a projector that could keep you happy for life. Or at least until the next temptress comes around.
Like I said. Choosing a projector these days isn't easy.
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