JVC DLA-HD250 Projector - Image Quality7

Posted on August 3, 2011 by Art Feierman

JVC DLA-HD250 Projector: Performance, HDTV and Sports

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Only a few complaints when it comes to changing modes - from fully darkened room, to one suitable for TV and friends. And that means at least a little intentional ambient light.

With about 850 lumens in our tuned (quick-cal) Dynamic mode (mid-point on the zoom), the DLA-HD250 is definitely less bright, at its brightest, than much of the competition. That said, it definitely also holds its own with the other LCoS projectors out there. It's the LCD and some DLP's that have a lot more brightness - up to double, and that is truly noteworthy.

Below, looking at the back of my room for the way the room was when most of these images were taken (unless otherwise noted):

I did most of my sports viewing in my theater - a really dark cave, when I want it to be, but for sports I never have it fully darkened, in fact, I usually have the back 7 down facing lights turned on (as shown), and if it's daytime, I might have the rear shutters open enough to add significant additional light. I have one side window near the screen, as you can see, that one stays mostly closed or it throws a visible amount of light onto the right side of the screen.

With all of that, the JVC does take a little bit of hit, but in my room most of the light stays in the back thanks to all dark surfaces.

Not everything on TV is sports, however. I'm a big fan of music videos, and channels like Discovery HD, SyFi HD, History HD, and etc HD:

As expected everything looks really good with the JVC HD250.

Missing for sports fans, though, is the CFI - creative frame interpolation, for smooth motion on sports. Missing also are an extra few hundred lumens which would definitely be appreciated. Those with smaller screens and no light issues, and may even use a calibrated best mode, with less than 700 lumens, for the best possible image for sports. and can still be pleased. But, larger screen owners, as always, who don't want to watch the superbowl with 10 friends in pitch blackness, will likely find themselves a bit thin on sufficient brightness.

That of course is true of all the LCoS projectors so far, and a good number of others. But, there are alternative projectors that can put out a respectable 1100 or even 1600 lumens, and every lumen helps. Home entertainment projectors - low cost ones more geared for family rooms than theaters, often have 1500 - 2000 lumens or more, because the manufacturers know how much harder it is in such rooms without everything dark. If sports viewing and HDTV viewing is your primary thing, and your room isn't ideal, there are likely better projectors for your consideration, even for less. This JVC can do such rooms but like many projectors isn't built with the horsepower to do them well.

As long as the room is compatible, the JVC does just fine on sports, but I'd still like to have the option of CFI, CFI can be found on projectors from under $2000. It is a bit dissapointing, since this JVC replaces an older projector - the RS15, that did have it. Oh well!